Aug 11 | This week in 1971

#1 at KRIZ/Phoenix: “Sweet Hitch-Hiker” by Creedence Clearwater Revival, the 19th in their incredible string of 20 Top 40 radio hits before breaking up. It all began just three years earlier with “Suzi Q.” The band saturated the airwaves because… Continue reading

Jul 14 | This week in 1981

#1 at KZZP/Phoenix: “The Breakup Song” by San Francisco’s Greg Kihn Band. They don’t write ’em like that anymore! The Moody Blues’ 1980s comeback began with “Gemini Dream” (#5), which sounds more like the Electric Light Orchestra than classic Moodys.… 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

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 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

Feb 17 | This week in 1988

#1 at KZZP/Phoenix: “Father Figure” — written, sung and produced by George Michael. The ex-Whamster’s previous hit, the former #1 “Faith,” holds at #16. Among other notable songs at “The Number 1 Hit Music Station”: Patrick Swayze climbs from #9… Continue reading

Jan 27 | This week in 1972

#1 at KRUX/Phoenix: “Without You” by acclaimed songwriter (Harry) Nilsson — but this one is a Badfinger cover — from the great Nilsson Schmilsson album. Badfinger themselves are at #10 with “Day After Day,” produced by George Harrison, who also… Continue reading

Dec 30 | The Top 100 of 1970

#1 song of the year at KRIZ/Phoenix: “Let It Be” by the Beatles. The Fab Four were followed by Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and “Close To You” by the Carpenters. These were the top three songs of… Continue reading

Dec 23 | This week in 1973

#1 at KUPD/Phoenix: “Rock On” by David Essex, a very cool record that still sounds cool today. It appeared on the soundtrack to a film from earlier in the year titled That’ll Be The Day, which also starred Essex as… Continue reading

Dec 09 | This week in 1970

#1 at KRUX/Phoenix: The double-sided classic, “My Sweet Lord” and “Isn’t It A Pity?” by George Harrison, the first #1 record by an ex-Beatle. It bumps out “Stoned Love,” the Supremes’ second big hit after Jean Terrell replaced Diana Ross. Harrison’s… Continue reading