Jun 09 | This week in 1967

#1 at KRUX/Phoenix: “Windy” by the Association, skyrocketing from #17 last week, knocking out the Young Rascals’ classic “Groovin’” (#3). So many great songs were out in Summer 1967. Among them, just in the top 10: “She’d Rather Be With… Continue reading

Jun 02 | This week in 1971

#1 at KRUX/Phoenix: “It Don’t Come Easy” by Ringo Starr. This was his first solo hit after the Beatles, but he had lots of help: George Harrison produced it and played the distinctive guitar part; Stephen Stills was on piano;… Continue reading

May 19 | This week in 1975

#1 at KBBC/Phoenix: “Pinball Wizard” by Elton John, a rare non-single topping the radio chart. It’s from the #2 album, the movie soundtrack Tommy, based on the Who’s “rock opera” from 1969. Elton’s official single at the time, the former… Continue reading

Apr 28 | This week in 1968

#1 at KRUX/Phoenix: “The Good, The Bad And The Ugly,” title song from the latest Clint Eastwood film, by Hugo Montenegro & His Orchestra — back in the days when instrumentals could be chart-toppers. The “spaghetti western” movie theme knocks… Continue reading

Apr 21 | This week in 1972

#1 at KRUX/Phoenix: “Vincent,” Don McLean’s ode to Van Gogh, which leaps from #12 last week where it debuted. Holding at #2 is “Sylvia’s Mother,” first hit by Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show. It was written by Shel Silverstein,… Continue reading

Mar 31 | This week in 1965

#1 at KRUX/Phoenix: “Mrs. Brown You’ve Got A Lovely Daughter” by Herman’s Hermits, skyrocketing in from #23 last week. It knocks out the sonically similar “I’m Telling You Now” by Freddie & The Dreamers (both groups are from Manchester). In… Continue reading

Mar 24 | This week in 1971

#1 at KRIZ/Phoenix: “Just My Imagination” by the Temptations, edging out Tom Jones’ “She’s A Lady,” which holds at #2 for a third week. Among the big jumpers this week:  “Another Day” by Paul McCartney and its flip side, the… Continue reading

Mar 17 | This week in 1974

#1 at KRIZ/Phoenix: “Sunshine On My Shoulders” by John Denver, from Greatest Hits, this week’s #2 album. The #1 album is Band On The Run by Paul McCartney & Wings, knocking off Bob Dylan & The Band’s Planet Waves from… Continue reading

Mar 10 | This week in 1966

#1 at KRUX/Phoenix: “Ballad of the Green Berets” by Staff Sergeant Barry Sadler, whose parents were born in Phoenix. He grew up in various places throughout the Southwest — including Arizona — and lived in Tucson during the 1970s. Although this Vietnam… Continue reading

Mar 03 | This week in 1992

#1 at KUKQ/Phoenix: “Come As You Are” by Nirvana, featuring the ironically prophetic lyric “And I swear that I don’t have a gun.” It’s the followup single to the game-changing breakthrough hit “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” U2 scores its fourth… Continue reading