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*We'll play a track from this artist who asked Roy Bittan, who is best known as a member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, to tickle the ivories for this one. He was asked to sound like New Orleans blues singer and pianist Professor Longhair. Ironically, Bittan had actually seen Longhair for the first time 3 weeks prior to the recording session at a club outside of Houston. The year was 1976 and Bittan was amazed not only that he'd just seen him, but was asked by this British artist to play like him. Name the artist and extra credit if you know the name of the track....
*Hidden meanings in songs are not new, but this band did not play around with those in any of their songs. This track from 1984 had more of a pop sound and was kind of quirky, qualities that made it a hit. The video for the song shows the artist and frontman of the band playing a man about to be married. He develops an extreme case of cold feet, then he falls asleep and dreams that his bride and all the guests turn into monsters. He decides to run out on the wedding only to find his bride, who has also run out...so they drive off together. Hint...think of a popular game show...Name the band and the song... *This bandmember proudly claims that he never behaved like a typical rock star when he was on tour, especially when it came to groupies, which he always tried to avoid. A run-in with one such character was the impetus for the song we'll play. The artist, who was married in 1968, was tempted by a groupie after a show in Denver in 1970, but instead went back to his hotel room alone and wrote a prayer beginning, 'If my fist clenches...' Name the artist and extra credit for the song name... *We'll enjoy a track that is about a sailor at sea thinking about returning to his lover, who is back on land. Normally a fog horn signals danger, but in this case, it means he is close to home and his love. There is plenty of room for interpretation...life is finite (the ship sailing on its round trip), life must be lived to its fullest (I want to rock your gypsy soul), and an acceptance of its inevitable end...floating into...well the unknown. The artist's summary...When you have seen the world and loved someone, you should have no reason to fear the end because you have lived your life to the fullest. Name the artist and the song... Battle Of The Bands! Sharp Dressed Man by Z Z Top vs Let It Roll by Little Feat Answers: 1. David Bowie, TVC 15 2. Greg Kihn Band, Jeopardy 3. Pete Townshend, Behind Blue Eyes 4. Van Morrison, Into The Mystic Z Z Top was the winner with 52% of the votes
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* This artist has been a part of a few bands starting in the 60's, while also enjoying a bit of a solo career. A great guitarist who first gained true notoriety with this band in 1966, a power trio, gave us a few studio albums prior to the frontman leaving for other musical ventures. The band was known for a combination of funk, hard rock and even some elements of soul in their mix. The artist left the band and the area after the band released their third album in 1971. Name the artist and the band he left...
*This great artist was frustrated by dissension with his band and dissatisfied with his own performance on their latest studio album, so he decided to record his first-ever solo record in 1989. The album would go on to become his greatest commercial success. He would go on to use certain members of his band in his solo albums, but not all of them, furthering the tension. The group's drummer in particular, was most disruptive and was excluded from participation on the first 2 solo albums...soon after the 2nd album...he was dismissed from the band. Name the artist...his band and extra credit for the name of his most successful solo album... *We'll play a song that was written by one of the band's singers and guitarist as he was in a cab on the way to Heathrow airport. He just wrote down what he saw and how he felt as they wormed in and out of traffic. He did not end up singing lead on this track as an artist who sang with both the band 'Ace" and 'Mike And The Mechanics' handled the vocals. The singer actually joined the band for this album, replacing a guy by the name of Jools Holland on keyboards. The song we'll play from the 1981 album was produced by Elvis Costello. Name the band, the artist who sang the lead vocals and the song....the band's biggest hit... *Before this group was formed, this band's guitarist and lead singer wrote this particular track. The song is about a truck driver in the American Southwest who makes some extra cash smuggling cigarettes and transporting illegals across the border from Mexico. When the band recorded this track, the songwriter and Ry Cooder do some dueling slide guitar together. Cooder was working on his very first album in the same studio where this band was recording theirs. Name the band, the guitarist and lead singer and extra credit for the name of the song..... Battle Of The Bands! Let’s Dance by David Bowie vs Hello It’s Me by Todd Rundgren Answers: 1. Joe Walsh, The James Gang 2. Tom Petty, The Heartbreakers, Full Moon Fever (Stan Lynch was the drummer) 3. Squeeze, Paul Carrack, Tempted 4. Little Feat, Lowell George, Willin’ Todd Rundgren was the winner with 52% of the votes What’s in a name? Not what you think
BY MIKE PODSEDLY When you begin to listen to Inside The Gates Radio, either through the free app or the player on the website, the first visual is the title and artist of what is currently playing. This information alerts you to whether you have heard it before or is performed by an artist you favor. Titles convey a hint as to the contents and play an important function in songs, books and movies. Song titles are usually contained within the lyrics so you are likely to hear the title again but in context. Sometimes the title may be tacked on later and never heard in the song. Popular music reflects the current culture while new sounds and themes reside among the fringes, a precursor to changes in musical direction. In the 1950’s and 1960’s increases in disposable income led to more time and money directed to leisure activities. Teens had purchasing power which allowed them to have significant influence in the music industry. Rock and Roll songs were played on the radio much more than any other genre. With the advent of TV, The American Bandstand was a logical extension. The after-school show featured clean-cut average teenagers dancing to the latest hits. There was also a guest artist to lip-sync their songs. The most memorable segment asked participants to Rate-A-Record on a 35 to 98 scale leading to the phrase “It’s got a good beat, and you can dance to it.” that everyone associates with the show. Bandstand went national in 1957 and lasted until 1963. A weekly show then continued the format until 1989. The primary themes of young love and rebellion were reflected in the songs topping the charts during that period. Dancing was instrumental for teens to meet and impress the opposite sex. A survey of hit song titles during that time include many references to dancing as well as demonstrating how to do them. The Temptations suggest we “Take A Look Around” at some of the songs that were being played in the 1950’s. Danny & the Juniors invited us to remove our shoes so as not to mar the gym floor and join in “At The Hop”. Bobby Freeman asks the obvious question “Do You Want To Dance” while Chris Montez is more inclusive in “Let’s Dance”. Chubby Checker introduces a mild form of oblique exercise called “The Twist”. The Isley Brothers took it one step further with “Twist and Shout”. Joey Dee and the Starliters added a little sweetener with “The Peppermint Twist”. The Drifters focus on the most important part of the evening in “Save the Last Dance for Me. Martha And The Vandellas seek to expand the party by “Dancing In The Street”. Little Eva found her step with “The Loco-Motion” which was followed up by “Let’s Turkey Trot”. Dee Dee Sharp was prolific in her variety of dance crazes with “Mashed Potato Time”, “Ride!” and “Do the Bird”. In an effort to keep the party going The Dovells said “You Can’t Sit Down” especially when doing the “Bristol Stomp”. Bobby Rydell made it easy for teens on the low end of rhythmic skills with the “Sway”. After discovering someone you like on the dance floor the vagaries of young love come to the forefront. Imagine The Everly Brothers panic over breaking curfew with a girl when they struggle to “Wake Up Little Suzie”. Ricky Nelson dreads meeting the girl’s father as he tries to navigate his choices when he realizes “It’s Late”. Dion laments the range of emotions, both happy and sad, he faces being “A Teenager In Love”. Approaches to finding love vary despite The Monotones writing the “Book of Love”. The “Dream Lover” pictured by Bobby Darin is for a lifetime and not a short fling. Buddy Holly thinks about striking up a romantic relationship “Everyday”. Once you become a steady couple The Flamingos describe the feeling as “I Only Have Eyes for You”. The Miracles took it a step further declaring “You Really Got a Hold on Me”. Smokey Robinson penned two songs of unconditional love, first for Mary Wells in “My Guy” and then for the Temptations to extoll the virtues of “My Girl”. The Shirelles brazenly declare that “Baby It’s You”. Facing being apart for the summer Brian Hyland promises to send a daily letter that’s “Sealed With A Kiss” while on the other end The Marvalettes ask politely “Please Mr. Postman” do you have a letter for me? Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs pleads for his girl to “Stay”. When she doesn’t, Neil Sedaka confronts the situation saying “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do”. Gene Pitney has a sadder reaction saying “Only Love Can Break A Heart”. Del Shannon stands in the rain and questions what went wrong with his little “Runaway”. The Supremes reflect on the situation asking “Where Did Our Love Go”. Dion’s remedy is to avoid attachments by becoming “The Wanderer”. Frankie Lyman & The Teenagers are left to sum up the journey by asking “Why Do Fools Fall In Love”. The answer of course is because we do. The sophisticated Inside The Gates listeners may find many of these songs trite now but for those growing up during that time they were important social guideposts. Plus, they led to the greatest era of rock music just ahead. Check out our website insidethegatesradio.com for past articles, music trivia and station news. *Iggy Pop co-wrote this song with this artist who released his popular version 6 years after Iggy recorded and released it in 1977. The song itself is a warning to the character of the song about how her culture could be destroyed by imparting Western values of materialism and superficial beauty. Name the artist whose recording became the most popular in 1983 and the name of the track....
*Another song from 1983 was originally an instrumental by David Foster and Jay Graydon. But the artist who made it famous put lyrics to it...lyrics that were totally lame by his own admission. The lyrics have everything to do with waking up for the start of a day. Name the artist and the song... *In 1989 this artist got himself one heck of a career boost with his 3rd solo album from which 4 singles were released. The 3rd release is a song about the artist telling a woman that she should be with him and if she does, she'll no longer have to endure nights like those mentioned in the song's title. Name the artist and extra credit for the song title.... *This track began as a piano piece Rick Wright came up with while working on a soundtrack to the 1970 movie, Zabriskie Point. It didn't make the final cut for the soundtrack as the movie director thought it was beautiful, but too sad...it made him think of church. When this band finally recorded and released the song in 1973, they brought in female backup singers for the first time. Name the band and the song... Battle Of The Bands! South City Midnight Lady by The Doobie Brothers vs If You Leave Me Now by Chicago Answers: 1. David Bowie, China Girl 2. Mornin’, Al Jarreau 3. Don Henley, The Last Worthless Evening 4. Pink Floyd, Us And Them Chicago was the winner with 56% of the votes *This song is considered this artist's musical autobiography. After relentless touring in his hometown region, he finally signed a record deal, got some money, proving his naysayers wrong. The song is 'a kiss-off to everybody who counted you out, put you down, or decided you weren't good enough." Additionally, the song was rumored to be about the mother of a girl with whom he was hot and heavy, but whose mother didn't approve and got a court order against him. The mother was always on the lookout for him, protecting her daughter. 1973 was the year. Name the (east coast) artist and extra credit for the name of the song...
*There is significant history surrounding this track, co-written by 2 band members in 1966. A number of names are key in that history. Chrissie Shrimpton, Meredith Hunter, Hell's Angels and Alan Passaro are the names. Your mission is to name the band, the song and extra credit for the roles each name played in creating the history... *Graham Nash wrote this love song in 1969, which he says is 'for two ladies.' One is assumed to be Joni Mitchell, the other has never been confirmed. The song also refers to island locations. Nash and a fellow band member sang and played it together as a duet, in one take without the third member of the band participating. Name the song, the band member Nash performed it with and the band member that did not contribute to the track... *This track originally was recorded by Ben E. King in 1963. Tom Jones recorded a version in 1970, which became the highest charting of any of those before or after. But for those of us who lived from Detroit to Buffalo and from Pittsburgh to Cleveland, the quintessential version was recorded by this artist...one that would go on to produce and manage another well-known midwestern band. Name the artist, the song and band he would go on to manage and produce... Battle Of The Bands! The Times They Are A-Changin’ by Bob Dylan vs Carolina In My Mind by James Taylor Answers: 1. Bruce Springsteen, Rosalita 2. Rolling Stones, Under My Thumb, Jagger was dating model Shrimpton when song was written, It is the song the Stones were doing when Hell’s Angels member Passaro stabbed Hunter fatally. Hell’s Angels were hired to provide security (bad idea) for the Altamont Speedway concert in 1969 where these events took place. 3. Lady Of The Island, David Crosby, Stephen Stills. Nash said the islands in the song were Ibiza and Long Island 4. Terry Knight and the Pack, I Who Have Nothing, Grand Funk Railroad James Taylor was the winner with 54% of the votes *Back in 1977, the guitarist for this band wrote a song that was in part a message to his bandmate, who hated touring and often seemed miserable. The seeds of discontent had started to take over the road, but the rest of the band was enjoying the experience. The message...there is great stuff happening, you are so talented...so enjoy it more. Perhaps it was an illusion, but he needed to try to feel what the rest of band was experiencing. Name the band and the song...
*This artist did quite a bit of session work in the '60's while working on his solo material. We'll play his only hit from 1970, as he died in 1974 at the age of 28 after being accidentally shot. The song has an interesting quasi-Jamaican feel with whistling, hand claps and odd percussion. Name the artist and the song... *This artist was led by huge influences to eventually play with one of the largest artists of all time. His favorite labels in his early days...Motown, Stax and Atlantic. His favorite band...Cream. The band he was in when he first met his collaborating friend was when that band was opening for a number of Blind Faith shows. Name the artist, the band he was in, the artist with whom he finally got to play and record with...and the band they were in together.... Battle Of The Bands! Love Is A Drug by Roxy Music vs My Town by Michael Stanley Band Answers: 1. Styx, Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man) Written by Tommy Shaw for Dennis DeYoung 2. Bobby Bloom, Montego Bay 3. Bobby Whitlock, Delaney and Bonnie, Eric Clapton, Derek and the Dominos Unsurprisingly Michael Stanley Band was the winner with 59% of the votes *We'll play a track written by the drummer of this great band. When it charted, all four members of the group had written at least one Top 10 hit either in the U.S. or UK. A critique of radio stations for becoming commercialized and repetitive song playing (and losing listeners to the likes of MTV), was all the inspiration to write it he needed. Name the band, the song writer and the song....
*In 1969, this great British band released what would become one of their most iconic hits ever. It was rightly the 'A-side' on the 45. Many 'B-Side' tracks are second thought, second-tier tracks to fill space, but this song became significantly popular as well. The track on the single is shorter than the one on the album and was released the day one of the band's founding members passed away. Brought in to play organ and French horn on the song...Al Kooper. Name the band, the song and extra credit for the 'A-side' track name... *This group has sold well over 40,000,000 albums and has enjoyed at least 6 #1 hit singles. They didn't particularly want to, but felt compelled to make music videos in the 1980's, because videos were becoming the rage. They are the only Caucasian act to ever top Billboard's R&B singles chart. Name the band... *We'll play a track from this band's first album written by one of the members in 1969. It's a great example of alliteration, something the writer learned about in high school English class....specifically his 10th grade teacher in Tampa, Florida, who happened to be a real knockout. Sometimes a trio, sometimes a quartet, name the band and the song that made its mark in the name of alliteration... Battle Of The Bands! No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature by Guess Who vs Try A Little Tenderness by Three Dog Night Answers: 1. Queen, Roger Taylor, Radio Ga Ga 2. Rolling Stones, You Can’t Always Get What You Want, Honky Tonk Women 3. Hall & Oates 4. Crosby, Stills and Nash, Helplessly Hoping (Stephen Stills wrote the song) Guess Who track was the winner with 52% of the votes * In 2001, this artist had pretty much done it all...but this album pretty much blended all of those styles in extraordinary fashion. He had help combining blues and pop coming in the form of Billy Preston and The Impressions with their excellent contributions. Name the artist...extra credit for the name of the album...
*Do you know the names of all three members of the band America? One member in particular was born in Panama City, Florida, had a short stint in Pakistan before ending up in London where he met the other two members and formed the band. He was the major influence in the group (although they all played key roles) with his singing and songwriting skills. He passed at the age of 60 just about 10 years ago. Name the artist...extra credit for the names of the other 2 as well... *Very cool fact...one of our regular listeners was hitchhiking in a freezing blizzard in Pennsylvania and finally got a lift...on the tour bus of America...name revealed later today... *The last track on this band's first album in 1969 is a searing song about a man who has been betrayed by his woman to the point where he feels like he's helpless...even awaiting more punishment. The bandmember writer of the track, wrote it on an ironing board using burnt matches as he couldn't find a pen in the middle of the night when he got the inspiration. Name the band and the song...extra credit for the songwriter's name... *We'll play a track about a very seductive woman with expensive tastes that she uses men to satisfy. Much like the line, "Her mind is Tiffany twisted" in the Eagles son, 'Hotel California', the lyrics to this song use a luxury brand to develop the character as she is described as "a she-cat tamed by the purr of a Jaguar". referring to the high-end automobile. This 1982 track spent 4 weeks at #1 in America and was the biggest hit of the '80's to feature a saxophone solo... Name the band and the song... Battle Of The Bands! Spill The Wine by War vs Dance to the Music by Sly and The Family Stone Answers: 1. Eric Clapton, Reptile 2. Dan Peek, Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell 3. The Allman Brothers Band, Whipping Post, Gregg Allman 4. Hall and Oates, Maneater Sly and The Family Stone track was the winner with 53% of the votes No quiz this week, but here is recap of segments *Then And Later... Last Sunday was a classic Hall & Oates track from 1982 (One On One) with a later track from Daryl Hall's solo album (Crash And Burn) in 2011...very nice! This week we go back to a band's 1973 eponymous album and follow it up with a great track from an album of theirs in 2018. Nicely done. *Battle Of The Bands... 2 songs that could have easily been Sing-Alongs last Sunday pitted The Beach Boys (Help Me Rhonda) vs. Jan & Dean (The Little Old Lady From Pasadena) and it was hotly contested. The Beach Boys jumped out to a big lead, only to have Jan & Dean come back and take the lead 2/3's of the way through. The Beach Boys, however, closed strong for the narrow victory. Later today, we'll go back to California for a battle between bands from the North and the South from the late 60's. *Cover Me Up... In a unique move this cover was combined with the Sing-Along segment as The Doors, Light My Fire served as the original last Sunday with a quite unique cover by Manfred Mann. This week a classic California group and song from 1966 gets a refresh from an unlikely source 48 years later... *Sing Along... Jim Morrison and The Doors Light My Fire could be heard throughout all tuned in households in one of our longest sing-alongs that yielded some singing breaks with great instrumental parts. This week, another classic from 1966 is on the docket. Get those voices ready! * This artist's first band, The Monarchs, formed when he was just 15. By the age of 19, he was already a vastly experienced performer and recording artist, playing guitar, keyboards, sax and singing. With his father's vast collection of jazz, blues and R&B, his band released a cover of the Delta Blues classic, Baby, Please Don't Go, inspired by John Lee Hooker's 1949 version. The 'B' side turned out to be even more popular. Name the artist and extra credit for the song title.
*A couple of folk singers in Los Angeles were performing one night in a coffee house in 1970 and in the dressing room, had some time, so they just started jamming, entertaining themselves. They got together the next day to some picking and started back with what they were messing with the previous night. An hour later, they had this song, considered their only hit. They had no idea it would become a big hit or released as a single, but it did. Name the duo (after their last names) and extra credit for the name of the track. *This famous artist recorded a track that was influenced by art classes he was taking with a popular teacher, Norman Raeben in New York. It made him look at things from a 'nonlinear' perspective, something reflected in his songs. The artist introduces this track on stage by saying it took 'Ten years to live and two years to write.' Name the artist and extra credit for the name of the song... *This artist grew up in London, where open spaces were rare..children got little exposure to open air. In 1970 he read a story about how green spaces were vanishing in towns and it prompted him to write this song as a reminder that progress shouldn't come at the expense of nature. Name the artist and of course, extra credit for the name of the song... Battle Of The Bands! Mainstreet by Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band vs Small Town by John Mellencamp Answers: 1. Van Morrison with Them, Gloria 2. Brewer & Shipley, One Toke Over The Line 3. Bob Dylan, Tangled Up In Blue 4. Cat Stevens, Where Do the Children Play? Bob Seger’s track was the winner with 52% of the votes |
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The Best Music From the '60s and beyond.
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