Back in 2004 K/men radio was put the the San Bernardino Route 66 Rendevous Hall of Fame.
Below is a picture of the cake from the celebration and the door to the reconstructed studio.
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
K/men Soundathon Combo continued
KMEN Soundathon (continued) Part 5
#65-51 K/men Soundathon Combo- Continuing with the compilation of
the 1967-1972 Kmen Top 300 Soundathons
65. Honky Tonk Woman-Rolling Stones-In 1969 the nice thing about this single (besides being a good song) is that the flip side is You Can’t Always Get What You Want. It didn’t chart, but was played regularly on the radio. I went over to a friend’s house and she had this record. I put the flip side on her record player. It surprised her, because she did not realize she had the song.
PS this is the middle point of the 129 hits. 64 more to go.
64. Oh Pretty Woman-Roy Orbison-Good song. His last number one.
63. Indian Reservation-The Raiders-The first version was a top 20 hit by Don Fardon . From what I understand about the Raiders version is that Mark Lindsey recorded it as a solo. The powers to be decided it should be a Raiders song. It went to #1, so it appears to have been the right decision.
62. Can’t Take My Eyes Off You-Frankie Valli-It’s a good thing for Frankie Valli that he didn’t record for the same label as Mark Lindsey, or this might have been a Four Seasons hit.
61. Go Away Little Girl-Donny Osmond-Donny had the right people picking songs for him to cover. Most of his hit singles were cover versions of pop hits of the 1950s and early 1960s. He also had hits with Puppy Love, Too Young, Young Love. Is there a theme here?
60. MacArthur Park-Richard Harris-A Jimmy Webb song. So what’s the story behind.....leaving the cake out in the rain? This reached #2 nationally, and no one ever plays it anymore.
59. More Today Than Yesterday-Spiral Starecase-If this was the KFXM Soundathon I would have probably have started here. I would be finished already!
58. Imagine-John Lennon- I bought this album when it came out in 1971. No more Beatles albums, so I had to buy a John Lennon solo LP.
57. Try A Little Tenderness-Three Dog Night-Nationally this only made it up to #29. The song was a big hit here. I believe it made the top five. A top hit on every Soundathon since it came out. And remember, the original lists were based on votes.
56. It’s Too Late-Carole King-I've liked Carole King’s music since Tapestry was released. The album that this song from is great(Tapestry). Carole King, and especially this song, seem to set the pace for the pop/soft sound of the 1970s. I even liked her early sixties hit, It Might As Well Rain Until September.
55.Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves-Cher-The beginning of her second career, with and without Sonny. Their TV series probably helped a lot.
54. Sunshine Of Your Love-Cream-First time I heard this song was on a trip with my parents to San Diego, and it was played on KCBQ. When I got home I called KFXM, and they said they were not playing that song, because it was too progressive (I didn’t know what that meant, and I'm still not sure). They told me the same thing later with On The Road Again by Canned Heat. Well they did eventually play it, and it was a hit on K/men and KFXM.
53. Beginnings-Chicago-I’ve heard that when Chicago was Chicago Transit Authority, they played a free concert at San Bernardino Valley College during lunch time (1968-1969). They probably played this song. Maybe Jimmy Webb was there and saw the concert. Anyone out there see Chicago at Valley?
65. Honky Tonk Woman-Rolling Stones-In 1969 the nice thing about this single (besides being a good song) is that the flip side is You Can’t Always Get What You Want. It didn’t chart, but was played regularly on the radio. I went over to a friend’s house and she had this record. I put the flip side on her record player. It surprised her, because she did not realize she had the song.
PS this is the middle point of the 129 hits. 64 more to go.
64. Oh Pretty Woman-Roy Orbison-Good song. His last number one.
63. Indian Reservation-The Raiders-The first version was a top 20 hit by Don Fardon . From what I understand about the Raiders version is that Mark Lindsey recorded it as a solo. The powers to be decided it should be a Raiders song. It went to #1, so it appears to have been the right decision.
62. Can’t Take My Eyes Off You-Frankie Valli-It’s a good thing for Frankie Valli that he didn’t record for the same label as Mark Lindsey, or this might have been a Four Seasons hit.
61. Go Away Little Girl-Donny Osmond-Donny had the right people picking songs for him to cover. Most of his hit singles were cover versions of pop hits of the 1950s and early 1960s. He also had hits with Puppy Love, Too Young, Young Love. Is there a theme here?
60. MacArthur Park-Richard Harris-A Jimmy Webb song. So what’s the story behind.....leaving the cake out in the rain? This reached #2 nationally, and no one ever plays it anymore.
59. More Today Than Yesterday-Spiral Starecase-If this was the KFXM Soundathon I would have probably have started here. I would be finished already!
58. Imagine-John Lennon- I bought this album when it came out in 1971. No more Beatles albums, so I had to buy a John Lennon solo LP.
57. Try A Little Tenderness-Three Dog Night-Nationally this only made it up to #29. The song was a big hit here. I believe it made the top five. A top hit on every Soundathon since it came out. And remember, the original lists were based on votes.
56. It’s Too Late-Carole King-I've liked Carole King’s music since Tapestry was released. The album that this song from is great(Tapestry). Carole King, and especially this song, seem to set the pace for the pop/soft sound of the 1970s. I even liked her early sixties hit, It Might As Well Rain Until September.
55.Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves-Cher-The beginning of her second career, with and without Sonny. Their TV series probably helped a lot.
54. Sunshine Of Your Love-Cream-First time I heard this song was on a trip with my parents to San Diego, and it was played on KCBQ. When I got home I called KFXM, and they said they were not playing that song, because it was too progressive (I didn’t know what that meant, and I'm still not sure). They told me the same thing later with On The Road Again by Canned Heat. Well they did eventually play it, and it was a hit on K/men and KFXM.
53. Beginnings-Chicago-I’ve heard that when Chicago was Chicago Transit Authority, they played a free concert at San Bernardino Valley College during lunch time (1968-1969). They probably played this song. Maybe Jimmy Webb was there and saw the concert. Anyone out there see Chicago at Valley?
52.
Sugar Sugar-Archies Ron Dante was lead singer, who was also on Tracy by The Cufflink, and I believe Leader Of The Laudromat by The Detergents (feel free to fill in any details you can
think of)
51. Magic Carpet Ride-Steppenwolf-I heard an interview recently where John Kay said that people thought this song was about drugs. He said it was one of the few he wrote that wasn’t about drugs.
51. Magic Carpet Ride-Steppenwolf-I heard an interview recently where John Kay said that people thought this song was about drugs. He said it was one of the few he wrote that wasn’t about drugs.
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
K/men Soundathon Part 4
K/MEN Soundathon Part 4
K/men Soundathon Combo- Continuing with the compilation of the 1967-1972 Kmen Top 300 Soundathons
#80-66
80. Nights In White Satin-Moody Blues-When this was released in 1968 it didn’t even make the national top 100. It wasn’t even a hit nationally, until after the last soundathon survey came out. Maybe the record company took notice of surveys like this, and decided to re-release the record. It was on enough soundathon surveys, in a high enough position, to be #80 overall.
79. Hair-Cowsills-The second of the three hits from the musical to be on this survey.
78. Honey-Bobby Goldsboro-“See the tree how big it’s grown…” Why? Why? Why?
77. Mr. Big Stuff-Jean Knight-The #1 song of the year for 1971 on KMEN. It beat out Joy To The World
76. What’s Going On-Marvin Gaye-Also from 1971. The song that revitalized Marvin Gaye's career.
75. Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey-Paul McCartney-Yes, 1971 again. Paul’s first #1 song without the Beatles, but of course, with Linda instead.
74. I Want You Back-Jackson 5-Their first hit, and it was #1
73. Soul & Inspiration-Righteous Brothers-The second on this survey for Bobby Hatfield and Bill Medley. But surprise Unchained Medley is not in the top 129!
72. Whole Lotta Love-Led Zeppelin-Now many of you will expect to see Stairway To Heaven near the top of this chart. Wrong! It wasn’t out long enough at the time of the 1972 survey to make it. If there had been a 1973 Soundathon, then it may have been there.
71. Sweet and Innocent-Donny Osmond-Imagine playing a countdown of these songs. There should probably be a commercial between 72 and 71. But it would be more fun to hear them segue into each other.
70. Rainy Days and Mondays-Carpenters-Probably one of my guilty pleasures, this song. It has always made me sad. Maybe I’ll play it again someday, and be sad again.
69. Purple Haze-Jimi Hendrix Experience-OK I want to hear the Carpenters followed by Jimi Hendrix. Purple Haze was a big hit on KFXM and KMEN.
68. Easy To Be Hard-Three Dog Night The third “Hair” hit. A lot of people like this song, but it was Easy to turn off.
67. Don’t Be Cruel-Elvis Presley-One of the two 1950’s song on the survey. (see #129) People voted for these songs from 1966-1972, and were not much into 1950’s music. After American Graffitti comes out, 50’s music will start to make a comeback. Maybe we need a new "American Graffitti" type move now.
66. For What It’s Worth-Buffalo Springfield-Their one and only top ten national hit. They had many top ten hits locally, including Mr. Soul/Bluebird and Rock and Roll Woman.
#80-66
80. Nights In White Satin-Moody Blues-When this was released in 1968 it didn’t even make the national top 100. It wasn’t even a hit nationally, until after the last soundathon survey came out. Maybe the record company took notice of surveys like this, and decided to re-release the record. It was on enough soundathon surveys, in a high enough position, to be #80 overall.
79. Hair-Cowsills-The second of the three hits from the musical to be on this survey.
78. Honey-Bobby Goldsboro-“See the tree how big it’s grown…” Why? Why? Why?
77. Mr. Big Stuff-Jean Knight-The #1 song of the year for 1971 on KMEN. It beat out Joy To The World
76. What’s Going On-Marvin Gaye-Also from 1971. The song that revitalized Marvin Gaye's career.
75. Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey-Paul McCartney-Yes, 1971 again. Paul’s first #1 song without the Beatles, but of course, with Linda instead.
74. I Want You Back-Jackson 5-Their first hit, and it was #1
73. Soul & Inspiration-Righteous Brothers-The second on this survey for Bobby Hatfield and Bill Medley. But surprise Unchained Medley is not in the top 129!
72. Whole Lotta Love-Led Zeppelin-Now many of you will expect to see Stairway To Heaven near the top of this chart. Wrong! It wasn’t out long enough at the time of the 1972 survey to make it. If there had been a 1973 Soundathon, then it may have been there.
71. Sweet and Innocent-Donny Osmond-Imagine playing a countdown of these songs. There should probably be a commercial between 72 and 71. But it would be more fun to hear them segue into each other.
70. Rainy Days and Mondays-Carpenters-Probably one of my guilty pleasures, this song. It has always made me sad. Maybe I’ll play it again someday, and be sad again.
69. Purple Haze-Jimi Hendrix Experience-OK I want to hear the Carpenters followed by Jimi Hendrix. Purple Haze was a big hit on KFXM and KMEN.
68. Easy To Be Hard-Three Dog Night The third “Hair” hit. A lot of people like this song, but it was Easy to turn off.
67. Don’t Be Cruel-Elvis Presley-One of the two 1950’s song on the survey. (see #129) People voted for these songs from 1966-1972, and were not much into 1950’s music. After American Graffitti comes out, 50’s music will start to make a comeback. Maybe we need a new "American Graffitti" type move now.
66. For What It’s Worth-Buffalo Springfield-Their one and only top ten national hit. They had many top ten hits locally, including Mr. Soul/Bluebird and Rock and Roll Woman.
Saturday, May 03, 2014
K/men Soundathon Combo Part Three
K/men Soundathon #100-81
#100-81 K/men Soundathon Combo- Continuing with the compilation of the 1967-1972 K/men Top 300 Soundathons
100. Badge-Cream-Eric Clapton with George Harrison as a guest star. Why wasn’t this a huge hit nationally?! Their last national charting single. This didn't chart on KFXM or K/men. But, it was still played and people liked it enough to vote for it on the soundathons.
99. Susie-Q-Creedence Clearwater Revival-This song would be played at every dance I went to in high school. One time the band said the drum pedal wasn’t working, but they were going to play it anyway.
98. Hooked On A Feeling-B.J. Thomas-Came out after similar sounding Eyes Of A New York Woman. This was a much bigger hit. This came out 6 years before the Oogachuga version came out by Blue Swede.
97. White Rabbit-Jefferson Airplane-When people talk about psychedelic music, this is at the top of the list. I remember on an oldies station about ten years ago the dj played the group's other hit, Somebody To Love, and afterwards stated how much he like that song, unlike their other one, a drug song.
96. Midnight Confessions-Grassroots-A song that sounds like it was made for them, although the group “Ever-Green Blues"” had it out first.
95. In The Summertime-Mungo Jerry-They play this song like crazy, in the summertime, the wintertime, springtime and fall.
94. Tuesday Afternoon-Moody Blues-Saw them in concert many years ago. The thing I remember most was the guy five rows behind me yelling “seesaw” through out the concert. It must of worked, since they played Ride My Seesaw as an encore.
93. Don’t Worry Baby-Beach Boys-Flip side of I Get Around. This was a great value for a 45 in 1964.
92. Downtown-Petula Clark-This is the song that made her famous in the United States in 1964/65, even though she had been releasing records since 1953.
91. Me and Bobby McGee-Janis Joplin-A song I liked a lot when it came out. Bought it on a 45.
90. Green River-Creedence Clearwater Revivial-Instead of buying this on a single, I bought this on an album. That seemed to be a pattern for me for Creedence. It seems almost all the songs on this album were played on KMEN and KFXM. Two double sided singles, and don’t forget “Cross Tie Walker” where he saw the gypsy woman, way down in San Berdoo.
89. Get Ready-Rare Earth-Amazing as it seems, I heard and liked this version, before I ever heard the Temptations version. The single was edited from a real long version on the LP.
88. Bluebird-Buffalo Springfield-Double sided #1 hit in San Bernardino flipped with Mr. Soul. The single was really short, but once in awhile KFXM would play the long version, which I thought was even better.
87. I Heard It Through The Grapevine-Marvin Gaye-This has always been popular. I also like Gladys Knight and CCR’s versions.
86. Classical Gas-Mason Williams-Hey another instrumental! This record is easy to get tired of when you hear it a lot. In the 1990s it got played to death.
85. Along Comes Mary-Association-Their first hit, not their biggest hit, but my favorite by them.
84. Little Woman-Bobby Sherman-How did this song get in here? People voted for it enough times over the years to be #84 overall.
83. You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling-Righteous Brothers-Another song that will be popular forever. Even Daryl Hall and John Oates had a hit with it in 1980.
82. I Think We’re Alone Now-Tommy James & The Shondells I saw Tommy James about 15 years ago in Anaheim when he and the Rascals did a concert. He is still making new records (CDs).
81. Fire & Rain-James Taylor-His first hit. He married Carly Simon. I bought the album Sweet Baby James, which included this single, new at Thriftys Drug Store.
100. Badge-Cream-Eric Clapton with George Harrison as a guest star. Why wasn’t this a huge hit nationally?! Their last national charting single. This didn't chart on KFXM or K/men. But, it was still played and people liked it enough to vote for it on the soundathons.
99. Susie-Q-Creedence Clearwater Revival-This song would be played at every dance I went to in high school. One time the band said the drum pedal wasn’t working, but they were going to play it anyway.
98. Hooked On A Feeling-B.J. Thomas-Came out after similar sounding Eyes Of A New York Woman. This was a much bigger hit. This came out 6 years before the Oogachuga version came out by Blue Swede.
97. White Rabbit-Jefferson Airplane-When people talk about psychedelic music, this is at the top of the list. I remember on an oldies station about ten years ago the dj played the group's other hit, Somebody To Love, and afterwards stated how much he like that song, unlike their other one, a drug song.
96. Midnight Confessions-Grassroots-A song that sounds like it was made for them, although the group “Ever-Green Blues"” had it out first.
95. In The Summertime-Mungo Jerry-They play this song like crazy, in the summertime, the wintertime, springtime and fall.
94. Tuesday Afternoon-Moody Blues-Saw them in concert many years ago. The thing I remember most was the guy five rows behind me yelling “seesaw” through out the concert. It must of worked, since they played Ride My Seesaw as an encore.
93. Don’t Worry Baby-Beach Boys-Flip side of I Get Around. This was a great value for a 45 in 1964.
92. Downtown-Petula Clark-This is the song that made her famous in the United States in 1964/65, even though she had been releasing records since 1953.
91. Me and Bobby McGee-Janis Joplin-A song I liked a lot when it came out. Bought it on a 45.
90. Green River-Creedence Clearwater Revivial-Instead of buying this on a single, I bought this on an album. That seemed to be a pattern for me for Creedence. It seems almost all the songs on this album were played on KMEN and KFXM. Two double sided singles, and don’t forget “Cross Tie Walker” where he saw the gypsy woman, way down in San Berdoo.
89. Get Ready-Rare Earth-Amazing as it seems, I heard and liked this version, before I ever heard the Temptations version. The single was edited from a real long version on the LP.
88. Bluebird-Buffalo Springfield-Double sided #1 hit in San Bernardino flipped with Mr. Soul. The single was really short, but once in awhile KFXM would play the long version, which I thought was even better.
87. I Heard It Through The Grapevine-Marvin Gaye-This has always been popular. I also like Gladys Knight and CCR’s versions.
86. Classical Gas-Mason Williams-Hey another instrumental! This record is easy to get tired of when you hear it a lot. In the 1990s it got played to death.
85. Along Comes Mary-Association-Their first hit, not their biggest hit, but my favorite by them.
84. Little Woman-Bobby Sherman-How did this song get in here? People voted for it enough times over the years to be #84 overall.
83. You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling-Righteous Brothers-Another song that will be popular forever. Even Daryl Hall and John Oates had a hit with it in 1980.
82. I Think We’re Alone Now-Tommy James & The Shondells I saw Tommy James about 15 years ago in Anaheim when he and the Rascals did a concert. He is still making new records (CDs).
81. Fire & Rain-James Taylor-His first hit. He married Carly Simon. I bought the album Sweet Baby James, which included this single, new at Thriftys Drug Store.
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