Nov 17 | This week in 1971

#1 at KRIZ/Phoenix: “Old Fashioned Love Song” by Three Dog Night, leaping up from #8 last week. Before joining Three Dog Night, Cory Wells, who sings harmony on this hit, was based in Phoenix performing with his Cory Wells Blues… 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

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

Dec 16 | This week in 1975

#1 at KBBC/Phoenix: “Evil Woman” by the Electric Light Orchestra, first single from the #7 album, Face The Music. Among this week’s songs are several that would have long shelf lives on classic hits or classic rock radio: The Ohio… Continue reading

Oct 07 | This week in 1968

#1 at KTKT/Tucson: “Hey Jude” and “Revolution” by the Beatles, the group’s biggest single. This was a tumultuous time in the United States. The mood of the country in 1968 was bleak following the assassinations of Martin Luther King and… Continue reading

Sep 23 | This week in 1971

#1 at KRUX/Phoenix: “Do You Know What I Mean” by Lee Michaels for a second week. Holding at #2 is former #1 “Maggie May,” the first big solo hit by Rod Stewart. Two other bona fide future classics are on… Continue reading

Apr 22 | This week in 1981

#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

Apr 15 | This week in 1975

#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