Golden Hits Radio & GHR-2's Everything Oldies......where the music and artists of the 50's, 60's, 70's, and 80's coexist in perfect harmony!
- Details on Bob Seger's upcoming tour and album are here
- A member of the group that brought Motown Records its first #1 hit has died
- Two 80's teen queens discuss their "rivalry" in their heyday......and their new SyFy Channel movie!
- Who's the only band big enough to force a Major League Baseball team off their home field?
- Which 80's group has jumped on the reunion bandwagon?
- Which Rock & Roll Hall of Famer has strong words for Robert Plant for not wanting to put his old band back together?
- Who's planning a movie about his own life?
A View From The Top
For the next few weeks, Everything Oldies will spotlight #1 songs from 30, 40, and 50 years ago! We'll give you the stories behind the songs and other things you might not have known about some of your favorite 60's, 70's, and 80's music.
In 1981, only 18 songs hit #1 during the calendar year. That means there were several hits that had lengthy stays at the top, including Olivia Newton John's "Physical" (a total of 10 weeks stretching into 1982), Diana Ross & Lionel Richie's "Endless Love" (9 weeks), and a song originally written and performed by Jackie DeShannon in 1975 that had a decidedly different sound than the version that became a smash for a former member of the New Christy Minstrels (which also included Kenny Rogers at the time, and this pair would team up for several 80's country and pop hits). In fact, according to producer Val Garay, the demo sent to the singer for a potential cover version reminded him of a Leon Russell track, complete with "this beer barrel Polka part".
Garay had an assistant go out and buy the cheapest drum set he could find. Combining it with the sound of one of the first widely-used synthesizers of the era, they came up with a new sound and an instantly recognizable opening riff they needed to produce a hit. And was it ever a hit of mammoth proportions! Along with its 9 week run at the top in the U.S., it hit #1 in 31 countries. It was also the Record of the Year winner at the 1982 Grammy Awards.
So how did the woman whose name provided the title and subject of the song feel about it? She loved it! In fact, she wrote a letter to the artist thanking her for making her "a part of modern history". It seems that in spite of being one of the top box office stars in film history, her granddaughter finally found her hip when she was mentioned in a hit pop song.
Kim Carnes had a string of hits of her own as well as hit collaborations with other artists, but clocking in at #15 on the Billboard All Time Hot 100 means she'll probably never have another hit bigger than.....................
Golden Hits Radio & GHR-2's Burning Question of the Day
Which Michael Jackson classic was originally meant for Donny Osmond, who couldn't record it because of tour commitments?
Check back Monday @ Everything Oldies for the answer, and leave a comment here with your best guess!
Yesterday's Burning Question (and Answer) of the Day
Which act holds the record for the fastest sellout of the now-defunct Shea Stadium in New York?
Answer: Grand Funk Railroad
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