Rare & Scratchy Rock 'N Roll Podcast

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Rare & Scratchy Rock 'N Roll_129 Feb 15, 2021

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RARE & SCRATCHY ROCK 'N ROLL_129 – "ORIGINAL NAMES OF 30 FAMOUS ROCK & RHYTHM & BLUES GROUPS"

Many of the greatest vocal groups and bands were known by different designations before they found fame using the names by which we know them now. Tracing those antecedent aliases is one of the most interesting and fun parts of rock and roll history.

We'll spotlight 30 of those acts on this episode. Along the way, we'll identify the vocal groups and bands who used such pseudonyms as the Beat Brothers, Golliwogs, Little Boy Blue & The Blue Boys, The Parliaments, The Four Graduates, the High Numbers, Redwood, Wicked Lester, Shine, The Matadors, The Pigeons, Darrell & The Oxfords, Kenny & The Cadets, and Brave Belt, among others.

One vocal group, in particular, set the record for the most stage names by a big-name act – 18 in all. And one family of record labels – Motown – was home to four celebrated sets of performers who parlayed their adopted appellations into solid gold.

Rare & Scratchy Rock 'N Roll_128 Feb 01, 2021

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RARE & SCRATCHY ROCK 'N ROLL _128 – "THE LOST TOP 40 HITS OF 1967"

This episode spotlights 40 lost hits from the year 1967. it was a magical time for music. Including some great records you never seem to hear on the radio, or the satellite or on anyone's live stream anymore. And in a few instances, for very good reason.

Three of the tunes on our playlist for this episode reflect the number one subject on everybody's minds in 1967 – the Vietnam War. We've also added a big hit by a comedian whose personal and professional downfall five decades later was no laughing matter. Then there's the revival of a classic song dedicated to mothers everywhere that's nowhere now because of its politically incorrect provenance and racially insensitive symbolism. Lots of songs from Hollywood movies are also on our musical menu. Plus, you'll groove to a potpourri of pop, psychedelic, soul, dance, and novelty numbers that were all over your radio dial.

They're all part of "Rare & Scratchy Rock 'N Roll" show #128 – "The Top 40 Lost Hits Of 1967." As always, our resident Rockologist Ken Deutsch will be along to give us a little historical perspective. And Radio Dave will have more of the greatest rock and roll stories on record.

Rare & Scratchy Rock 'N Roll_127 Jan 15, 2021

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RARE & SCRATCHY ROCK 'N ROLL _127 – "THEY ALL SOUNDED LIKE ELVIS PRESLEY"

Elvis Presley just has to be the most imitated performer in pop music history. Beginning with his ascent to super stardom in 1956, and continuing after his death in 1977, myriad performers have sought success by emulating his sound and style. That doesn't even include the countless Elvis impersonators who've made a living by keeping Presley's performing persona alive.

We've ranked the top 20 recording artists of all time who've come the closest to cloning the King Of Rock & Roll. At least in our opinion. We're calling this episode: "They All Sounded Like Elvis."

While most of these performers purposely patterned themselves after Presley, the number one recording artist on our play list didn't intentionally copy the King Of Rock & Roll. He was just born with a voice that was almost identical to Elvis Presley's. Can you guess who he is?

Our resident "Rare & Scratchy Rock 'N Roll" Rockologist, Ken Deutsch, will be along with the background on how we selected the singers we're saluting on this episode. Plus, his usual fun factoids. And Radio Dave will have more of the greatest rock and roll stories on record.

Rare & Scratchy Rock 'N Roll_126 Jan 01, 2021

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RARE & SCRATCHY ROCK 'N ROLL_126 – "ELVIS PRESLEY'S RHYTHM & BLUES HIT SINGLES" –

It's the rhythm & blues hit singles career of Elvis Presley. Since 1955, there have been 170 Elvis Presley singles on Billboard's various hit music charts. 35 of those 45s were listed on Billboard's R&B rankings between 1956 and 1963. We'll cover them all – along with the original versions by R&B pioneers who inspired Elvis. Plus, some later renditions by singer/songwriters who composed rhythm & blues hits expressly for the King Of Rock & Roll.

This rockumentary also includes two Elvis Presley R&B hits of historical significance. One never charted on the Rock singles ranking. Another one was censored, and a new version with less salacious overtones was waxed to replace it.

Our resident "Rare & Scratchy Rock 'N Roll" Rockologist, Ken Deutsch, will be along with background on Billboard's R&B charts. Ken Deutsch will also profile some of the Black – and White composers behind many of Elvis Presley's most memorable Rhythm & Blues hit singles. And Radio Dave have more of the greatest rock and roll stories on record.

Rare & Scratchy Rock 'N Roll_125 Dec 15, 2020

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RARE & SCRATCHY ROCK 'N ROLL – "45 LOST CHRISTMAS 45s OF THE 1970s"

This is our fifth annual Xmas podcast. On earlier editions, show #25 told "The Little-Known Stories Of The Biggest Christmas Hits." #51 showcased "The Top 40 Lost Hits Of Christmas." #75 presented "The Beatles & Elvis Presley For Christmas." And #101 spotlighted "45 Forgotten 1960s Xmas 45s." Now on this episode #125, it's the yuletide tunes of another decade – "45 Forgotten 1970s Xmas 45s." Including the rarest Xmas hit single of all time.

All but five of the songs we're sampling made the hit singles charts in the U.S. and/or the U.K. But now these tunes are missing from most AM, FM, and satellite stations' holiday season play lists.

Our resident "Rare & Scratchy Rock 'N Roll" Rockologist Ken Deutsch adds background about the hit music surveys that ranked Xmas singles in the 1970s. And Radio Dave will have more of the greatest rock and roll stories on record. Hear it all here.

Rare & Scratchy Rock 'N Roll_124 Dec 01, 2020

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R&SRNR_124 – "COMPLETE HIT SINGLES HISTORY OF BREAD & DAVID GATES ET. AL."

This episode salutes a band which was synonymous with the soft rock sound that was all over your radio in the 1970s. The group's primary lead vocalist composed all their hit singles, except one, and also achieved significant solo success. That band was Bread, and that singer-songwriter is David Gates.

We'll sample all of Bread's and David Gates' hit singles – plus a whole lot more. David Gates was a constant in Bread – as various other talented musicians and singer-songwriters rotated in and out of the band – in particular, Jimmy Griffin, Robb Royer, and Larry Knechtel – whom we'll also spotlight in this podcast.

Various Bread members also played a part in hits by Glenn Yarbrough, Simon & Garfunkel, and the Carpenters, among many others. We'll sample some of those songs, too. Our resident "Rare & Scratchy Rock 'N Roll" Rockologist, Ken Deutsch, will be along with the David Gates/Yogi Bear connection – plus lots of fun factoids. And Radio Dave will have more of the greatest rock and roll stories on record. Hear it all here.

Rare & Scratchy Rock 'N Roll_123 Nov 15, 2020

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RARE & SCRATCHY ROCK 'N ROLL_123 – "20TH CENTURY TV COMMERCIAL ROCK & ROLL"

Advertisers have licensed countless hit songs so that they could repurpose them for television commercials. But when it comes to hit songs that were inspired or originated by these ads first – well, not so many. We'll feature 31 of them – plus nine more such 45s that didn't chart – 40 tunes in all from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s.

These include hit songs from ads selling coffee, beer, hamburgers, hair tonic, chewing gum, headache and indigestion remedies, soft drinks, cigarettes, and toothpaste. Plus, there were some promoting automobiles, gasoline, crackers, bread, wedding supplies, photographic film, toilet paper, dogfood, and even a bank. We're calling this episode: "20th Century TV Commercial Rock & Roll."

Our resident "Rare & Scratchy Rock 'N Roll" Rockologist, Ken Deutsch, was once the creator of commercial jingles that aired across the U.S. and around the world. In addition to his usual fun factoids, Ken will relate some of the trade secrets that go in to commercial jingle creation. And Radio Dave will have more of the greatest rock and roll stories on record.

Rare & Scratchy Rock 'N Roll_122 Nov 01, 2020

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RARE & SCRATCHY ROCK 'N ROLL_122 – THE COMPLETE HIT SINGLES HSTORY OF THE RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS –

This episode salutes one of the most famous duos in rock and roll history. Their distinctive style inspired a new term to describe rhythm & blues and soul music performed by White artists – "Blue Eyed Soul" – the Righteous Brothers – Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield.

Their version of a theme song from a 1955 Hollywood movie about prison life became one of the most enduring love songs of the 1960s – later to be revived and top the charts after their recording was used in a blockbuster motion picture a quarter century afterward. Our resident Rockologist, Ken Deutsch, joins Radio Dave to present the provenance of that platter and several others – as we sample every hit single ever by the Righteous Brothers, plus the original versions by other artists. And you'll hear the charted 45 RPM remakes of their hits by other singers.

We'll also track the solo hit singles waxed by Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield during their various breakups and reunions. Hear it all here.

Rare & Scratchy Rock 'N Roll_121 Oct 15, 2020

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RARE & SCRATCHY ROCK 'N ROLL_121 – "THE COMPLETE HIT SINGLES HISTORY OF SAM COOKE"

This episode salutes one of the most influential artists in popular music history. After achieving fame as a gospel vocalist, he went on to achieve super-stardom as the "King Of Soul." His hit stylings also included rock and roll, easy listening, and show tunes – the immortal Sam Cooke.

We'll sample all of his hit singles, plus the original versions by artists who inspired him. And you'll hear the charted 45 RPM remakes of his hits by other singers.

There's so much history here that once again our resident Rockologist, Ken Deutsch, will join Radio Dave as the co-anchor on this episode. Together, we'll relate Sam Cooke's lasting legacy as an activist for improved race relations, tell the tale of soul music stars Otis Redding's and Arthur Conley's misappropriation of a Sam Cooke composition, and connect the dots between Sam Cooke and the careers of Herb Alpert, Lou Adler, Lou Rawls, Bobby Womack, Aretha Franklin, and even Bobby Vinton, among others.

And we'll have more of the greatest rock and roll stories on record. Hear it all here.

Rare & Scratchy Rock 'N Roll_120 Oct 01, 2020

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RARE & SCRATCHY ROCK 'N ROLL_120 – "40 LOST TV SHOW THEME SONG HITS" –

Many of television's biggest hit shows were also hits on your radio as their theme songs achieved great ratings on Billboard magazine's singles charts. And in some cases, those theme songs turned out to be more popular than the television shows for which they were created.

We found 40 hit television themes that radio and satellite stations seem to have lost. These include vocals by such stars as Johnny Cash, Sammy Davis Jr., Al Jarreau, Dionne Warwick, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Rivers, and Jose Feliciano. Plus, melodies by Henry Mancini and Mike Post.

We'll re-run the TV theme songs with the most hit versions – one was about a real life American folk hero and the other set the musical mood for a fictional detective. Can you guess who they are?

There's so much fun stuff to tell you about all of these tunes that Ken Deutsch will co-anchor this episode with Radio Dave as we present the television theme song edition of the greatest rock and roll stories on record.

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