Oct 20 | This week in 1967

#1 at KRIZ/Phoenix: “Gimme Little Sign” by Brenton Wood, following up his Phoenix top 10 hit “The Oogum Boogum Song.” It dethrones “The Letter” by the Box Tops, featuring vocals by 16-year-old Alex Chilton, who in 1999 sang a rather… Continue reading

Oct 06 | This week in 1974

#1 at KUPD/Phoenix: “I Honestly Love You,” a heartfelt cheater’s declaration by Olivia Newton-John, her first national U.S. #1 hit. In this stage of its existence, “Kozmic Kupid” veered heavily into teeny-bopper territory, but still played some rockin’ hits, such… 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

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

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 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

Feb 03 | This week in 1967

#1 at KRUX/Phoenix: “I’m A Believer” and the flip side, “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone” by the mighty Monkees. It will be the #1 record of 1967 on KRUX’s year-end survey. Lots of great records in this week’s chart. Among… Continue reading

Nov 11 | This week in 1974

#1 at KTKT/Tucson: “Kung Fu Fighting” by Carl Douglas — one of those endearing novelty one-hit wonders. He bumps out another Carl (Carlton), who drops to #5 with “Everlasting Love,” a cover of Robert Knight‘s 1967 hit. Zonaman traveled down… Continue reading