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

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

Jan 20 | This week in1981

#1 at KZZP/Phoenix: “Keep On Loving You” by R.E.O. Speedwagon, their most enduring hit on oldies radio. It knocks out “Hey Nineteen,” Steely Dan’s lament on growing old, which name-checks Aretha Franklin, as well as the 1967 one-hit-wonder group the… Continue reading

Jun 10 | This week in 1973

#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

The Top 100 Hits of 2014

What if the sound of classic rock and classic hits music was still being produced? Imagine if rock ‘n’ roll radio of the past hadn’t splintered into limiting sub-genres. What would Top 40 radio sound like today if it hadn’t… Continue reading