SONG SURVEYS FROM YESTERYEAR AT ARIZONA RADIO STATIONS
#1 at KUPD/Phoenix: “Right Place, Wrong Time” by Dr. John, The Night Tripper. A line from this song gave Emerson, Lake & Palmer the title to their Brain Salad Surgery album later that year. (Another memorable phrase: “refried confusion.”) Dr.… Continue reading
#1 at KHAT/Phoenix: “Swinging Doors,” the classic by Merle Haggard, about a guy whose wife kicked him out so he now lives in a bar (“I’m always here at home till closing time”). Several other artists from the Bakersfield, California,… Continue reading
#1 at KRUX/Phoenix: “Groovin’ ” by the Young Rascals, leaping from #8 last week. This song was so big that by their next album the group would grow up and be called simply the Rascals. Other big jumpers include: “Respect”… Continue reading
#1 at KRUX/Phoenix: “Love Her Madly” by the Doors, jumping from #6 last week. In less than two months, lead singer Jim Morrison would die in Paris. It’s a good week for the Beatles, a year after their breakup. John… Continue reading
#1 at KRUX/Phoenix: “Monday, Monday,” second hit for the Mamas and the Papas following “California Dreaming.” The songs would end up at #1 and #2 on the year-end KRUX chart for 1966. Holding at #2 is Bob Dylan with “Rainy… Continue reading
#1 at KRIZ/Phoenix: “Vincent” by Don McLean, leaping from #7 last week. The follow-up single to the megahit “American Pie,” it’s an ode to Mr. Van Gogh and his “The Starry Night” painting. Jackson Browne holds at #2 with his… Continue reading
#1 at KZZP/Phoenix: “Just The Two Of Us” by jazz saxophonist Grover Washington Jr., featuring vocals by Bill Withers. Leaping from #13 to #6 is the future #1 song, “Bette Davis Eyes” by Kim Carnes, which was the top hit… Continue reading
#1 at KBBC/Phoenix: “Philadelphia Freedom” by the Elton John Band. Elton (without his Band being credited) also debuts at #37 singing the Who’s “Pinball Wizard” from the Tommy movie soundtrack (#3 album) — yet another huge radio hit despite not… Continue reading
#1 at KRUX/Phoenix: “Let It Be” by the Beatles, the group’s penultimate hit. On April 9, Paul McCartney announced in a press release that he was leaving the band — but, in fact, the group had disintegrated for various reasons… Continue reading
#1 at KUKQ/Phoenix: “Losing My Religion” by R.E.M., the group’s biggest hit and the #1 song of 1991 on many year-end alternative radio charts. The title is an old Southern expression meaning to lose self-control, or to get angry. It… Continue reading
