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 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 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

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

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

Jun 17 | This week in 1971

#1 at KRIZ/Phoenix: “It’s Too Late” by Carole King, the lead single and instant classic from her landmark Tapestry album. She also wrote the song at #9, up from #21 last week: “You’ve Got A Friend” by James Taylor. Other… Continue reading

May 13 | This week in 1971

#1 at KRUX/Phoenix: “Love Her Madly” by the Doors, jumping from #6 last week. In less than two months, lead singer Jim Morrison would die in Paris. It’s a good week for the Beatles, a year after their breakup. John… 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