Dec 08 | This week in 1966

#1 at KRUX/Phoenix: “I’m A Believer” by the Monkees, rocketing in from #10 last week. The song would become familiar to a whole new generation when Smash Mouth covered it in 2001 for the movie Shrek. “Believer” was written by… Continue reading

Sep 01 | This week in 1973

#1 at KRUX/Phoenix: “We’re An American Band,” a tribute to rock ‘n’ roll hedonism by Grand Funk — their first hit after dropping “Railroad” from their name. Moving up three to #3 is “Live And Let Die,” the original version… Continue reading

Aug 18 | This week in 1966

#1 at KRUX/Phoenix: “Yellow Submarine” backed with “Eleanor Rigby” by the Beatles, rocketing up from #17 last week. The two-sided hit is culled from the Revolver LP, often cited as the best album of all time. Critics have said each… Continue reading

Jul 21 | This week in 1968

#1 at KRUX/Phoenix: “Lady Willpower” by Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, The song was given another life in 2019 with a version by the Pope of Mope, Morrissey. The Gary & The Gap block out the Doors’ “Hello, I… Continue reading

Jun 30 | This week in 1979

#1 at KRUX/Phoenix: “Shine A Little Love” by the Electric Light Orchestra, leaping from #6 last week. ELO bumps to #2 “Chuck E’s In Love” by former Phoenician Rickie Lee Jones. Phoenix concert favorite John Stewart jumps from #15 to… Continue reading

Jun 16 | This week in 1972

#1 at KRUX: “Too Late To Turn Back Now,” the second of two big hits by the Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose. Beatles pal Billy Preston takes a big leap from #10 to #2 with the instrumental “Outa Space.” Bill… Continue reading

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

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