Rare & Scratchy Rock 'n Roll Podcast

R&SRNR_159 – “TOP 40 LOST HITS OF 1975” This episode celebrates the “Top 40 Lost Hits Of 1975.” It was a year for more questionable content more often on your favorite rock station. There were charted tunes about incest and gratuitous sex that left little to the imagination. Plus, a vengeful father with murder on his mind and a call to political action with a naughty word that radio stations had to bleep out. And two smokin’ hits that made fun of marijuana. The same AM and FM outlets that programmed those tunes also broadcast tender love ballads and lost love laments, as well as a lot of dance records that didn’t have a lot of lyrics.  They’re all on our musical menu for this episode along with a novelty number about a notorious shark and a tribute to a beloved former U.S. President.

R&SRNR_158 – “THE COMPLETE HIT SINGLES HISTORY OF THE CARPENTERS, PART 2” This is the second of two episodes spotlighting one of the most innovative and successful brother and sister acts in popular music history – Richard and Karen – the Carpenters. Our prior episode – show #157, covered the Carpenters music from the mid-1960s to 1974. Now, on this edition – show #158 – it’s the remainder of their career. All their hit singles from 1975 to 1984 along with the original versions of those songs by other artists who inspired the Carpenters. We’ll spotlight the Carpenters connections with Neil Sedaka, Andy Williams, Herman’s Hermits, the Marvelettes, Bobby Vinton, and a group that came to be nicknamed “The Canadian Beatles” – can you guess who that band was? We’ll identify them later in this podcast. Plus, the post-Carpenters collaborations – Richard’s recording with Dusty Springfield and Karen Carpenter’s solo album under the direction famed rock and roll producer, Phil Ramone.

R&SRNR_157 – “THE COMPLETE HIT SINGLES HISTORY OF THE CARPENTERS, PART 1” This is the first of two episodes spotlighting one of the most innovative and successful brother and sister acts in popular music history – Richard and Karen – the Carpenters. We thought we could fit their story into just one show, and we promoted that on the prior edition of our little podcast series – show #156. But, as we went deeper into their inventory of hit singles, we happily discovered that two episodes would best present the totality of their tuneage. On this episode – show #157, we’ll feature the Carpenters music from the mid-1960s to 1974. Then, two weeks after the posting of this episode, our next show – #158 – it’s the remainder of their career. So, join us for the Carpenters connections to musician and record company mogul, Herb Alpert, singer/songwriter, Paul Williams, the “Sesame Street” series on public television, and an Academy Award-nominated major Hollywood movie soundtrack.

RARE & SCRATCHY ROCK 'N ROLL_156 – “30 HIT SINGLES FROM THE GOLDEN ERA OF GARAGE BANDS” The episode spotlights “30 Hit Singles From The Golden Era Of Garage Bands” – a time period we’ve defined for the purposes of this episode as the mid-1960s to 1970. Garage bands were usually young amateurs with some rudimentary music training who practiced or just played for the fun of it in a garage attached to one of their member’s homes. Their gigs and 45 RPM releases, if any, were primarily heard by regional audiences. But several of these recordings actually became nationally charted singles – including some “Top 10” smashes. And a few of these groups went on to wax multiple hits and enjoy extensive professional careers. Others were just fondly remembered in their hometowns and nowhere else. As always, our resident Rockologist, Ken Deutsch, will join Radio Dave as we present more of the greatest rock and roll stories on record. Hear it all here.  

R&SRNR_155 – “THE TOP 40 LOST HITS OF 1966” This episode spotlights The Top 40 Lost Hits Of 1966. It was a vintage year for music, including some great records you never seem to hear on the radio, or the satellite or on anyone’s live stream anymore. Featured artists include a British band who named themselves after an American rock and roll icon. We’ll also spotlight a dynamic singer known as “Mr. Excitement” as well as the “Black Elvis.” And we’ll demonstrate how some genuine, original hit 45s by two selected acts are probably not the versions contained on some of the greatest hits collections for these artists that are available on CDs or online downloads. 1966 also was a vintage year for network television – including the debut of the only prime time action-adventure series ever with first run episodes broadcast two nights every week. Our resident Rockologist, Ken Deutsch, will be along to cover that plus some other news worth noting from that memorable year. And Ken will join Radio Dave as we present

RARE & SCRATCHY ROCK 'N ROLL_154 – “THE COMPLETE HIT SINGLES HISTORY OF CHUBBY CHECKER” This episode salutes a recording artist who popularized more teenage dance styles than any other performer in rock and roll history. He also recorded hits with novelty, surfing, folk, pop, Christmas and Christian-themed songs – Chubby Checker. We’ll cover every Chubby Checker hit single – starting with his debut 45 in 1959 and continuing on to his last charted CD in 2013. Our presentation also includes the original versions of songs that Chubby Checker made famous. And we’ll also spotlight some of his tuneful, but commercially failed attempts with psychedelic, soul, funk, and country songs. Then, there’s also his numerous overseas-only releases performed with European-based bands. Along the way, we’ll detail the derivation of Chubby Checker’s stage name. Plus, his hit music connections with Dick Clark, Bobby Rydell, Dee Dee Sharp, and the Fat Boys, among others, as well as his major Hollywood motion picture with Dion.

R&SRNR_151 – “THE HISTORY OF FOUR ELVIS PRESLEY SIGNATURE SONGS” This episode celebrates the original versions of four songs that Elvis Presley made into his very own trademark tunes – and the fascinating stories involved with their histories. One in particular – “Are You Lonesome Tonight” – has attracted a lot of attention and some disagreements among musicologists during the course of the past several decades. We’ll set the record straight on the provenance of that recording, along with the truly rare and scratchy hit originals that pre-dated Elvis Presley’s rendition. We’ll also present all of the numerous answer songs that were waxed in response to, as well as to take commercial advantage of Elvis Presley’s recording. Then, there are three more Elvis Presley super hit signature songs – “It’s Now Or Never,” “Surrender,” and “Can’t Help Falling In Love.” We’ll trace their early twentieth century connections to some famed operatic tenors. And we’ll sample the original versions, including some of the rare

RARE & SCRATCHY ROCK 'N ROLL_153 – “THE COMPLETE HIT SINGLES HISTORY OF DION AS A SOLO ARTIST” This is the second of two episodes chronicling the hit singles history of Dion & The Belmonts. Our prior installment – show #152 – covered all of Dion & The Belmonts hits singles while they were together, followed by the Belmonts charted 45s after Dion left the group. Now, on this episode #153, we’ll document Dion’s primary post-Belmonts hit-making decades – the 1960s and 1970s. Our presentation also includes the original versions of songs that Dion made famous. Plus, songs originated by Dion that later became hits for other artists. Few singers can match Dion’s diverse repertoire – rock and roll, doo wop, ballads, the blues, sunshine pop, country, folk, and religious. Surprisingly, most his hit singles have disappeared from radio, satellite, and Internet radio playlists, but we’ve got those tunes in our famed Groove Yard music archive, so you’ll hear samples of all of them. As always, our resident Rocko

RARE & SCRATCHY ROCK 'N ROLL_152 – “THE COMPLETE HIT SINGLES HISTORY OF DION & THE BELMONTS” This is the first of two episodes chronicling the hit singles history of Dion & The Belmonts. They were among the leading male vocal groups of the late 1950s and early 1960s, and they made an indelible impact on rock and roll history. This installment of our little podcast series – show #152 – covers all of their hit singles while they were together, followed by the Belmonts charted 45s after Dion left the group. Then, two weeks after the posting of this episode, our show #153 will document Dion’s hit-making decades – the 1960s and 1970s – when he went on to solo fame. Our presentation also includes the original versions of songs that inspired Dion & The Belmonts – and later on, just the Belmonts – to fashion their own takes into memorable hits. We’re joined on this episode by Nay Nassar, an acclaimed expert on the vocal groups of the 1950s and 1960s. 

RARE & SCRATCHY ROCK 'N ROLL_150 – "30 YEARS OF LOST TOP 40 HITS – 1955 - 1984" This episode celebrates “30 Years Of Lost Top 40 Hits.” We’ve selected one each from the years, 1955 to 1984, which were the first three decades of the “Rock & Roll Era.” We didn’t set out to do this on purpose, but it turns out there are a lot of movie and/or television connections with many of the performers on these songs. Eight were recorded by talented artists, who also had actual – and not just cameo – roles in major motion pictures and network television shows. This includes the singer/actor who won an Academy Award For The Best Song from a movie in which he also had a dramatic role. One of our other featured 45s is by a superstar who was the subject of numerous documentaries and a bio pic. Another features an act whose recording career was purposely launched by way of a movie soundtrack. As always, our resident Rockologist Ken Deutsch will be along to give us fun factoids and historical perspective. He’ll join Radi

RARE & SCRATCHY ROCK 'N ROLL_149 – “THE GREATEST ROCK & ROLL CHRISTMAS ALBUM OF ALL TIME” This is our sixth annual Xmas episode. We’re celebrating the season with a unique presentation of the LP that’s universally regarded as “The Greatest Rock & Roll Christmas Album Of All Time.” Musicologists, music critics, authors of books about rock and roll history, famed composers, and world-renowned performers are in general agreement that it’s the late record producer Phil Spector’s 1963 masterpiece – “A Christmas Gift For You From Philles Records.” We’ll sample each and every cut on “A Christmas Gift For You From Philles Records.” All of those songs will be accompanied by the original versions by other artists that inspired Phil Spector to create his holiday opus. This is definitely a “Rare & Scratchy Rock ‘N Roll” exclusive. We’re joined on this episode by a special guest expert who truly knows a thing or two about Christmas music – yes, you guessed it – Santa Claus.

RARE & SCRATCHY ROCK 'N ROLL_148 – “THE COMPLETE HIT SINGLES HISTORY OF BOBBY DARIN, PART 2” This is the second of our two editions saluting Bobby Darin – one of the most dynamic show business talents of the twentieth century. Our prior program – show #147 covered the years 1956 to 1962 and his incredible rise to superstardom. Now on this episode #148 of our little podcast series, we’ll cover the rest of his amazing career from 1963 to 1974. At the outset of this time period, he experienced a lowered level of hit music popularity for a few years as his repertoire rambled among country-tinged laments, Broadway show tunes, and cabaret-like recordings. Then he achieved an amazing comeback and returned to the top of the charts as a folk-style entertainer. We’ll sample the remainder of all his hit singles, ranked remakes of his tunes, and original versions of songs that inspired Bobby Darin to record them in his own unique style. As always, our resident, Rockologist, Ken Deutsch, will be along with fascinating

RARE & SCRATCHY ROCK 'N ROLL_ 147 – "THE COMPLETE HIT SINGLES HISTORY OF BOBBY DARIN, PART 1"  This is part one of our two-part salute to one of the most dynamic show business talents of the twentieth century. During an all-too-brief career that spanned from 1956 to 1973, he waxed nearly 50 hit singles – mostly penned or co-written by him. He acted in 13 motion pictures and was nominated for an Academy Award. This artist also hosted his own highly-rated network television show. He was a performer with one foot in the pop world and the other in the universe of rock and roll. A distinction few singers ever successfully achieved. He was the incomparable Bobby Darin. On this first of two installments of our little podcast series, we’ll chronical his career from 1956 through 1962. All his hit singles, charted remakes of his tunes, and original versions of songs that Bobby Darin was inspired to record in his own unique style. As always, our resident, Rockologist, Ken Deutsch, will be along with fascinating fact

RARE & SCRATCHY ROCK 'N ROLL_146 – “THE TOP 20 ROCK & ROLL COMPOSING TEAMS DURING THE GOLDEN AGE OF 45 RPM RECORDS” – This episode spotlights “The Top 20 Rock & Roll Composing Teams During The Golden Age Of 45 RPM Records.” We’ve based our survey on the research of acclaimed popular music statistician, Bill Carroll, Ph.D. He’s our featured guest. Our resident “Rare & Scratchy Rock ‘N Roll” Rockologist, Ken Deutsch, and Radio Dave will count down the most successful composing teams, which also include individual songwriters who penned charted 45 RPM platters. Our time period for this tabulation is the golden age of that format for rock & roll singles. And we’ll sample the two strongest-charted hit singles for each entry on our ranking. These include the only husband-wife team on our roll-call, plus the only family of record labels with four of the top 20 entries on our list. And just for fun, we’ve asked a valued member of our staff, Mr. Announcer, to reveal some of the famed rock and ro

R&SRNR_145 – “THE TOP 40 LOST HITS OF 1959” This episode spotlights "The Top 40 Lost Hits Of 1959." It was a vintage year for music, including some great records you never seem to hear on the radio, or the satellite or on anyone’s live stream anymore. These include a song with the same title as a book written by the super star singer who sang it. Plus, the mostly-instrumental 45 that’s been featured in numerous major motion pictures, as well as national ad campaigns starting four decades after it was an international sensation. We’ve also got hit records by two different groups of tree-dwelling rodents. Then there’s the hit record dedicated to a singer/songwriter who’s been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in two different categories.

R&SRNR_144 – “THE COMPLETE HIT SINGLES HISTORY OF HERMAN’S HERMITS” This episode spotlights the complete hit singles history of one of the most popular groups of the 1960s “British Invasion.” In fact, Billboard Magazine ranked these performers the “number one U.S. singles act of 1965” – with the Beatles placing number two. No, it wasn’t the Dave Clark Five, Rolling Stones, Animals, or the Kinks. The correct answer is Herman’s Hermits, a group whose signature sound comprised simple melodies and instrumentation combined with romantic lyrics intended to appeal to younger female teenagers, especially those who were living in the United States. We’ll cover Herman’s Hermits' complete hit singles discography, and the original versions of songs they were inspired to re-record in their own distinctive style. Plus, their major motion pictures – one of which was based on and took its title from a Herman’s Hermits trademark tune. As always, our resident Rockologist, Ken Deutsch, will be along with his customary colle

RARE & SCRATCHY ROCK 'N ROLL_143 – "THE HISTORY OF 'LOUIE LOUIE'" This episode spotlights the fascinating history of just one song. And it’s one of the most widely performed rock and roll tunes of all time. I’m talking about the immortal “Louie Louie.” We’ll trace the musical roots that inspired Richard Berry to compose it. You’ll also hear samples of every hit single version of “Louie Louie,” along with details about the alleged obscenity and the subsequent FBI investigation involved with the Kingsmen’s definitive rendition. Our rockumentary also includes representative samples from the nearly two thousand remakes of “Louie Louie” that have been recorded in the seven decades since the Richard Berry & The Pharaohs original debuted on your radio and in record stores in 1957. Plus, artists who rewrote the “Louie Louie” lyrics. And answer tunes that continue the saga of this song. As always, our resident Rockologist, Ken Deutsch, will be along with his customary collection of fascinating factoids. Ken al

R&SRNR_142 – “THE COMPLETE HIT SINGLES HISTORY OF THE DOORS” One of the most popular and influential bands of the late 1960s and early 1970s made an indelible mark on rock and roll history by applying electric blues arrangements to dark musical messages about sex, obsessive excesses, and death. Their charismatic lead singer adopted the persona of “The Lizard King,” and his usually substance abuse-induced lewd live performances frequently resulted in arrests for obscenity and disorderly conduct. We're talking about the Doors and that group’s front man, Jim Morrison. Their music was all over your AM and FM dials beginning in 1967, and their tunes remain a staple on the playlists for radio, Internet streams, and satellite stations to this very day. We’ll cover all of the Doors hit singles, along with charted remakes by other artists. Our rockumentary also spotlights selected Doors albums cuts of particular significance. Our resident Rockologist, Ken Deutsch, will be along with his customary collection of fas

RARE & SCRATCHY ROCK 'N ROLL_141 – “TWENTIETH CENTURY TOP 40 ANGELS & DEVILS” We’re spotlighting every Top 40 hit song with angel and/or devil in the title that charted during the first five decades of the rock and roll era – from 1955 through 1999.  How many angels and devils songs can you name? Although there have been hundreds of such rock and roll songs, we were surprised to discover that only 45 of these tunes reached the Top 40 during the time period we’re reviewing. The angels outnumber the devils 37 to 7 – with one tie – the only Top 40 hit with both angel and devil in the title. As always, our resident Rockologist Ken Deutsch will be along with fun factoids. He’ll join Radio Dave as we present more of the greatest rock and roll stories on record. Hear it all here.

R&SRNR_140 – “THE COMPLETE HIT SINGLES HISTORY OF THE RASCALS” This episode spotlights the Rascals – one of the most popular groups in the U.S. and Canada during this act’s peak years in the late 1960s.  The Rascals impact was significant enough to earn them induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. Also, a successful Broadway musical which celebrated their history and saluted their songs. As we always do on our “Rare & Scratchy Rock ‘N Roll” tributes to a specific group or individual performer, we’ll sample every Rascals hit single. Plus, the original versions that inspired Rascals remakes. And the artists who also achieved hit singles with records first recorded by the Rascals. Our retrospective also includes remembrances from a special guest – attorney and former disc jockey, Jonathan Shimberg. He’ll tell us why the Rascals originally had to call themselves the Young Rascals before they could revert to their chosen name several years after they became stars. As always, our resident Rockologi