Rare & Scratchy Rock 'N Roll Podcast

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Rare & Scratchy Rock 'N Roll_159 May 15, 2022

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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.

Rare & Scratchy Rock 'N Roll_158 May 01, 2022

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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.

Rare & Scratchy Rock 'N Roll_157 Apr 15, 2022

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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 Apr 01, 2022

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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.

Rare & Scratchy Rock 'N Roll_155 Mar 15, 2022

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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 more of the greatest rock and roll stories on record. Hear it all here.

Rare & Scratchy Rock 'N Roll_154 Mar 01, 2022

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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.

Rare & Scratchy Rock 'N Roll_151 Feb 15, 2022

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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 rarest platters on this planet.

As always, our resident Rockologist Ken Deutsch joins Radio Dave as we present more of the greatest rock and roll stories on record. Hear it all here.

Rare & Scratchy Rock 'N Roll_153 Feb 01, 2022

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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 Rockologist, Ken Deutsch, will be along with fascinating factoids. Together with your "Rare & Scratchy Rock 'N Roll Host, Radio Dave, we've got the greatest rock and roll stories on record. Here it all here.

Rare & Scratchy Rock 'N Roll_152 Jan 15, 2022

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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 Jan 01, 2022

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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 Radio Dave as we present more of the greatest rock and roll stories on record. Hear it all here.

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