F Timothy Dodge

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MUSICAL PICK OF THE MOMENT: "They Don't Want Me to Rock No More"by Ella Johnson and the Buddy Johnson Orchestra, 1957.

Lively commentary about then-current musical tastes. The Buddy Johnson (Ella's brother) Orchestra, was one of the few big swing bands that successfully adapted to the R. & B./Rock 'n' Roll era. They lasted until 1964.

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  • Rockin' Rhythm & Blues Radio
  • Fifties Web
  • Marv Goldberg's Yesterday's Memories Rhythm & Blues Party
  • Black Gospel Music Clef
  • Classic Urban Harmony
  • Sinner's Crossroads with Kevin Nutt (Great gospel music!)

    CARIBBEAN TRAVEL AND CULTURE LINKS:

    1. Aruba Travel Guide
    2. Barbados Tourism Authority
    3. Trinidad and Tobago Homepage
    4. Bahamas Online

    DR. HEPCAT ON YOU TUBE!

    If you dig boogie woogie and gospel piano check out these two You Tube performances:

    Boogie 1

    Where Shall I Be?

    JUST PUBLISHED IN FEBRUARY 2026: African American Covers of Country Music before Ray Charles by Timothy Dodge. See this link for more information.

    JUST PUBLISHED IN MARCH 2019: Rhythm and Blues Goes Calypso by Timothy Dodge. See this link for more information.

    PUBLISHED IN SEPTEMBER 2013: The School of Arizona Dranes: Gospel Music Pioneer by Timothy Dodge. See this link for more information.

    Listen to Dr. Hepcat broadcast the "Golden Oldies" show on WEGL - Auburn, FM 91.1 on Tuesdays, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. (Central Time). He plays the best rhythm and blues, rock 'n' roll, doo wop, rockabilly, gospel, blues, early country, ska, calypso, and related music of the 1940's and 1950's! Check out WEGL's web site at http://www.weglfm.com/
    Tune in!

    Play List: See Below


    Last updated April 8,2026 at 9:36 a.m. Copyright (c) 2026.

    Send any e-mail comments to me at dodgeti@auburn.edu

    Play List

    While I was broadcasting on December 1, 2006, a listener called me up to make a very good suggestion: that I keep an online play list of the Golden Oldies records I play on each show! Just so everyone knows, I started out on radio as a trainee on WSRN - Swarthmore, Pa. in the fall of 1975. In those days, even on a college radio station, you had to take a written test from the F.C.C. (Federal Communications Commission) in order to get your license as a Third Class Radiotelephone Operator. Consequently, my real on-air radio career did not start until Sunday, February 1, 1976 at 5:00 a.m. when I played my very first song. It was "Speedo" by the Cadillacs (1955).

    I remained a d.j. on WSRN through May 1979. My next radio experience took place Summer 1984 - July 1987 when I hosted a Blues and also sometimes a Gospel program on WDNA - Miami. After that I hosted both a Golden Oldies and a Calypso Carnival show on WUNH - Durham, N.H. from January 1988 - June 1992.

    Finally, in May 1998 I joined WEGL - Auburn, Ala. as host of the Golden Oldies. Just wanted to let you all know that even though my online listing of radio show play lists only reflects the current academic semester, I've actually broadcasted a lot of radio shows on and off since February 1, 1976!

    NOTICE: As I have typed in these playlists, I have come to the realization that this web site is becoming a bit too long, so starting with the Summer 2007 Semester, I think I will only provide playlists for the length of the current semester. This means I will delete the playlists of the previous semester at the start of the new semester. Thank you for taking note.

    Play Lists: Spring 2026

    January 6, 2026

    1. "As Long as I'm Moving" by Ruth Brown, 1955
    2. "Rocket Ride" by Johnny Greco, 1963 (Cheerful late Doo-Wop rocker. The exciting saxophone instrumental break is too short, however.)
    3. "Wooly Bully" by Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs, 1965 (Absolutely fun Rock 'n' Roll. A bit "modern" for this show but it fits.)
    4. "Gravy" by Dee Dee Sharp, 1962
    5. "Those Lonely, Lonely Nights" by Earl King, 1955 (Superb slow New Orleans Blues featuring King on Guitar Slim style soulful vocals and electric guitar. Wonderful rippling piano supplied by Huey "Piano" Smith, soon to become famous for numbers like "Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu" from 1957.)
    6. "Those Lonely, Lonely Nights" by Johnny "Guitar" Watson, 1955 (Excellent remake. No suprise, but Watson's extended electric guitar solo is even more exciting than Earl King's great original.)
    7. "Auld Lang Syne" by Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles, 1963
    8. "Ringing in a Brand New Year" by Billy Ward and the Dominoes, 1953
    9. "Blow, Gene, Blow" by Dee Williams and her California Playboys, 1949 (Jumpin' instrumental features saxophonist Gene Ammons, son of Boogie Woogie piano star Albert Ammons. Dee Williams is "Lady Dee" Devonia William on piano. Rest of band is actually the Johnny Otis Show.)
    10. "Ain't Nobody Here but Us Chickens" by Louis Jordan, 1949
    11. "My Friend" by the Roberta Martin Singers of Chicago, 1950
    12. "There Is No Friend Like Jesus" by Little Axe and the Golden Echoes, 1949
    13. "Company's Coming" by Porter Wagoner, 1954 (One of this Country great's first records. Relates the excitement of seeing the arrival of people coming up the mountain to visit. A vanished way of life! Sadly, nowadays, people are so suspicious of strangers and they would have the opposite reaction.)
    14. "Hillbilly Fever" by Little Jimmy Dickens, 1950 (More than a few hints announcing the arrival of what would be known as Rock 'n' Roll about four years later.)
    15. "The Shot Gun Boogie" by Tennessee Ernie Ford, 1950 (Even more like Rock 'n' Roll, this is some HOT Country!)
    16. "Rock-a-Bye Boogie" by the Davis Sisters, 1953
    17. "I Really Don't Want to Know" by Eddy Arnold, 1953 (Big Country hit in 1954. Soulful smooth romantic ballad. Redone by others with the Solomon Burke 1962 Soul remake being my favorite version.)
    18. "I Really Don't Want to Know" by the Flamingos, 1954 (Early R. & B. Doo-Wop remake. Very effective. The Flamingos, who could also rock, were best known for romantic dreamy ballads such as "Lovers Never Say Goodbye" (1958) and "I Only Have Eyes for You" (1959).)
    19. "They Don't Want Me to Rock No More" by Ella Johnson and the Buddy Johnson Orchestra, 1957
    20. "Rock 'n' Roll Is Here to Stay" by Danny and the Juniors, 1958 (Prophetic. Outstanding example of the sheer fun and excitement of early Rock 'n' Roll. Superb vocal harmonies and driving pounding piano.)
    21. "Lonely Blue Nights" by Rosie and the Originals, 1962 (Compelling romantic ballad. Similar, in style to their big first hit, "Angel Baby," from 1960.)
    22. "Love Me Tender" by Elvis Presley, 1956
    23. "Jailhouse Rock" by Elvis Presley, 1957
    24. "King Creole" by Elvis Presley, 1958
    25. "Follow that Dream" by Elvis Presley, 1961 (One of my favorite 1960's recordings by Elvis. There's an optimism in this rocker reflecting the optimistic times for Americans sadly lacking in today's musical - and political - climate.)
    26. "Crazy for You" by the Aquatones, 1960 (Wonderful remake of the Heartbeats' 1955 romantic Doo-Wop ballad. Features female lead by Lynne Nixon, who sang lead on the Aquatones' big 1958 romantic Doo-Wop ballad hit, "You.")
    27. "Love Only You" by the Feathers, 1954 (Very effective, plaintive, romantic Doo-Wop ballad. Group is best known for their 1954 "Why Don't You Write Me?", another such Doo-Wop ballad. However, the Cadets, another Los Angeles R. & B. vocal group, had the big national hit version in 1955.)
    28. "I Know I've Been Changed" by the Dixie Hummingbirds, 1952 (Powerful version of the bluesy mid-tempo Gospel standard.)
    29. "When Jesus Shall Come" by the Drinkard Singers, 1958
    30. "New Year's Resolution" by the Faces, 1965 (Late Doo-Wop. Nice harmonies by this male vocal group.)
    31. "Auld Lang Syne" by Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians, 1947
    32. "Happy New Year to You" by the Qualities, 1961 (Cheerful Doo-Wop by this male vocal group.)
    33. "Little Boy and Girl" by Pearl McKinnon and the Kodaks, 1957
    34. "Flashlight" by Jimmy Wright (Absolutely frantic saxophone instrumental. Wright appeared on a lot of the New York City R. & B. and Doo-Wop records of the period c. 1954-57. The man's lung power is phenomenal. My guess is 1955-56.)
    35. "Ain't Nothin' Shakin'" by Redd Lyte and the Johnny Otis Show, 1949
    36. "She's the One for Me" by the Aquatones, 1958 (Hot Doo-Wop rocker. Features one of the male group members on lead rather than their usual female lead, Lynne Nixon, see "Crazy for You," above. The instrumental break, featuring saxophone and pounding piano, is particularly exciting. THIS is Rock 'n' Roll!)

    January 13, 2026

    1. "Rockin' Little Angel" by Ray Smith, 1959 (Cheerful Rock 'n' Roll.)
    2. "Mr. Lee" by the Bobbettes, 1957 (Enjoyable rocker about the fascinating Mr. Lee.)
    3. "I Shot Mr. Lee" by the Bobbettes, 1959 (Oh! Oh! He cheated on her...)
    4. "Robbin' the Cradle" by Tony Bellus, 1959 (Uptempo melodious Country-flavored ballad. He's got to give her up: "Is it strange for true love to be so young?")
    5. "I'm Gone" by Shirley and Lee, 1952 (Superb R. & B. ballad. The first of a string of great releases by the duo recorded through 1963.)
    6. "And I Need You" by the Pyramids, 1955
    7. "Old Man, You're Slipping" by Christine Kittrell, 1952 (The ravages of Father Time.)
    8. "Front Page Blues" by the Solotones, 1955 (Bluesy mid-tempo Doo-Wop concerns reading about the marriage of his woman to another man. Surprise!)
    9. "When God Made Man" by the Gospel Stars and Milton Pullen, Piano
    10. "This Little Light of Mine" by the Ward Singers, 1952
    11. "Deep Sea Blues" by Billy Ward and the Dominoes, 1952 (Intense slow Gospel-flavored Blues concerns romantic despair and suicide. Clyde McPhatter takes the lead.)
    12. "Sunday Kind of Love" by Bobby Hall and the Kings, 1953 (Very nice Doo-Wop version of the romantic ballad first recorded by Louis Prima and Keely Smith in 1946. The Harptones also recorded it in 1953 and that was the start of a successful Doo-Wop recording career.)
    13. "Move Over" by Jimmy Wright, 1955
    14. "Goodness Gracious, Baby" by the Upbeats, 1958 (Catchy uptempo Doo-Wop.)
    15. "I'm Not Too Young to Fall in Love" by Lewis Lymon and the Teenchords, 1957 (Absolutely fun uptempo New York City Doo-Wop by Frankie Lymon's younger brother. The sax and electric guitar and drums instrumental break is truly exciting too.)
    16. "Please Be my Guy" by Cleo and the Crystaliers, 1957
    17. "Empty Hours" by the Melodees (Odd but very appealing romantic Doo-Wop ballad by this female group. My guess; 1956-58.)
    18. "It's Just a Matter of Time" by Brook Benton, 1959
    19. "The Mountain's High" by Dick and Dee Dee, 1961
    20. "First Crush" by the Teen Queens, 1960 (Nice ballad by the duo most famous for their 1956 hit, recorded in 1955, "Eddie, my Love.")
    21. "Get Back (Black, Brown, and White)" by Big Bill Broonzy, 1951 (Hard hitting uptempo Blues about racial prejudice.)
    22. "Alabama Bus" by Brother Will Hairston, 1956 (Intense uptempo Gospel/Blues concerning the 1955-56 Montgomery bus boycott and Martin Luther King, Jr. First heard this fantastic record when I was on WSRN - Swarthmore, Pa. 1976-79. Finally, after something like 47+ years I have found my own copy!)
    23. "Ofay and Oxford Grey" by Louis Jordan, 1945 (Light-hearted jive about a serious topic: racial integration. Agree with Louis: "And together, they're all right.")
    24. "Martin Luther King" by the Mighty Sparrow, 1963 (Amazing Trinidadian Calypso celebrates M.L.K., Jr. I'm observing King's REAL birthday - January 15, 1929 - not the federal holiday moved around to the first convenient Monday, Jan. 19.)
    25. "Nobody Cares" by Baby Washington, 1961 (Devastatingly sad R. & B. ballad.)
    26. "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, 1962
    27. "Angels, Angels" by the Singing Stars, 1954 (Very appealing mid-tempo melodious Gospel. Love it!)
    28. "I Put my Trust in Jesus" by Mahalia Jackson, 1951
    29. "C.C. Rider" by Wilbert Harrison, c. 1960 (Decent version of the Blues first recorded by Ma Rainey in 1924. Many later versions. Probably best known is Chuck Willis's from 1957.)
    30. "Don't Be Cruel" by Bill Black, 1959 (Instrumental version of Elvis Presley's big 1956 hit. Note: Black was the original bass player with Elvis in 1954-55.)
    31. "I'll Be True" by Jackie Dee, 1957 (Uptempo remake of the heavier R. & B. original by Faye Adams from 1954. Jackie Dee would soon become better known as Jackie deShannon. Her original name was Sharon Lee Myers.)
    32. "Lovers Never Say Goodbye" by the Flamingos, 1958 (One of this great male vocal group's classic romantic Doo-Wop ballads.) i

    January 20, 2026

    1. "I'm Crying" by Lil Greenwood, 1954 (Mid-tempo rocker uses same melody as the Clovers' 1953 "Good Lovin'.")
    2. "Bacon Fat" by Big Daddy and his Boys, 1957 (Funky spoken recitation over emphatic mid-tempo Blues, this concerns a dance known as the Bacon Fat. Big Daddy is Big Bob Kornegay, formerly a member of the great Du Droppers R. & B. vocal group. "Bacon Fat" was written and first recorded by Andre Williams in 1956 but, sorry, Andre, I think Big Daddy's version is funkier and better.)
    3. "The Two-Timer" by Charles Maxfield, 1954
    4. "I'm Young" by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters, 1962 (Excellent tough rocker. 'I'm young, young, never had enough of nothing.")
    5. "Look in my Eyes" by the Chantels, 1961 (Dreamy romantic Doo-Wop ballad by this major female vocal group. Their last big hit.)
    6. "I'm Leavin' It All Up to You" by Don and Dewey, 1957 (The ORIGINAL version of the expressive romantic ballad. Big hit for Dale and Grace in 1963 and also Donnie and Marie Osmond in 1974.)
    7. "Sally, Go 'Round the Roses" by the Jaynetts, 1963
    8. "The Nitty Gritty" by Shirley Ellis, 1963 (Big hit into '64. Funky and a bit suggestive.)
    9. "Let's Stomp" by Bobby Comstock, 1963 (Title says it all. A GREAT dance tune.)
    10. "Lookin' for a Love" by the Valentinos, 1962
    11. "By the Grace of God" by Little Barbara Ward, 1962 (Nice slow Gospel number. Singer sounds no older than age 10, hence, "Little.")
    12. "Jesus, I Love You" by the Gospel Songbirds, 1962
    13. "See Dee Boom Run Dun" by Mickey and Sylvia, 1955 (Fun ersatz Calypso by the duo most famous for "Love Is Strange" from 1956.)
    14. "New York Subway" by Lord Invader, 1946 (Lively Trinidadian Calypso concerns Lord Invader's (Rupert Grant) difficulty using the subway to get to his home in Harlem, New York City, because taxi cabs won't take him there: "I had money but I had to roam. I couldn't get a cab to take me back home." Amusing BUT reflects a serious issue: racism.)
    15. "Three Old Maids" by Erskine Zuill (Hilarious and slightly rude Bermudian Calypso. My guess is early 1950's.)
    16. "Medley: Mango Walk/Give Me Back Me Shilling/Sweetie Charlie" by Lord Tickler (Excellent Jamaican Calypso (Mento). Real name Harold Richardson. My guess is 1954-56.)
    17. "It Hurts Me to my Heart" by Faye Adams, 1954
    18. "My Dear, Dearest Darling" by the Five Willows, 1953 (Plaintive Doo-Wop ballad by this male vocal group. They hit big with the uptempo "Church Bells May Ring" in 1956.)
    19. "Sweet Sue" by the Crows, 1954 (EXCELLENT swingin' jazzy uptempo Doo-Wop. They did hit big in '54 with "Gee" recorded in '53 but "Sweet Sue" really should have been a hit too.)
    20. "The Boss Is Home" by Sam "the Man" Taylor, 1955
    21. "Fool Heart" by the Whispers, 1954 (Expressive Doo-Wop ballad by this Baltimore male vocal group. Lead is alternating tenor and falsetto.)
    22. "Lovers Never Say Goodbye" by the Flamingos, 1958
    23. "I Only Have Eyes for You" by the Flamingos, 1959
    24. "Your Other Love" by the Flamingos, 1960 (Best known for their dreamy romantic ballads, the group could also rock. This is one of my favorites. Has kind of a Latin Drifters-like flavor. Very catchy melody.)
    25. "I Burned your Letter" by Damita Jo, c. 1961 (Despite the sad subject and lyrics, this is actually a cheerful rocker.)
    26. "God Don't Like It" by Rev. Anderson Johnson, 1953
    27. "When I Move to the Sky" by Sister Rosetta Tharpe, 1946
    28. "Gloria" by Charles Brown and Johnny Moore's Three Blazers, 1947 (Beautiful ballad. One of the first versions. The Cadillacs redid it in 1954 as a Doo-Wop ballad which inspired a number of other versions over the next decade.)
    29. "I Love You for Sentimental Reasons" by Ella Fitzgerald and the Delta Rhythm Boys, 1946 (First recorded in 1945 by Deek Watson and his Brown Dots, this is one of many versions of this lovely, sentimental ballad.)
    30. "Muleskiner Blues (Blue Yodel #8)" by Jimmie Rodgers, 1930 (The ORIGINAL version of this lively bluesy Country number.)
    31. "New Muleskinner Blues" by the Maddox Brothers and Rose, 1947 (Wild Hillbilly Boogie interpretation. Pretty much Rock 'n' Roll almost a decade early.)
    32. "Mule Skinner Blues" by the Fendermen, 1960 (Sheer madness as this Rock 'n' Roll version goes overboard with extreme yodelling and a HOT electric guitar solo.)

    January 27, 2026

    1. "Flip Flop Mama" by Eddie Bond and the Stompers, 1956 (Pretty good Rockabilly.)
    2. "Honky Tonk Rock" by Betty Johnson, 1955 (Pretty lively. Nice Honky-Tonk piano too.)
    3. "Baby, Let's Play House" by Elvis Presley, 1955 (His amazing Rockabilly remake of the uptempo Blues first recorded by Arthur Gunter in '54.)
    4. "Little Dog Blues" by Mel Price, 1959 (EXCELLENT bluesy Rockabilly number. Lyrics remind me of Jimmie Rodgers - "Let me be your little dog until your big dog come...")
    5. "Got You on my Mind" by the Miller Sisters, 1955 (Excellent Country remake of the Big John Greer R. & B. ballad of 1951.)
    6. "You Win Again" by Jerry Lee Lewis, 1957 (Simply superb remake of Hank Williams's plaintive soulful 1952 Country ballad. However, I think Lewis does it even better than Williams with a truly soulful vocal delivery and wonderful bluesy piano. Sorry, Hank!)
    7. "Pretty Baby" by Gino and Gina, 1958
    8. "Smokey Joe's Cafe" by the Robins, 1954 (Bluesy and tough. What a story!)
    9. "If I Had my Way" by Rev. Gary Davis, 1953
    10. "Look to the Hills" by Bishop Louis H. Narcisse and the Mount Zion Spiritual Choir, 1955 (Rousing bluesy mid-tempo Gospel with Theola Kilgord on lead. Note: She changed her name to Theola Kilgore for her 1962 Soul hit, "The Love of my Man.")
    11. "Guided Missiles" by the Cuff Links, 1956 (Surprisingly moving Doo-Wop ballad that uses Cold War weaponry images to describe a destructive love affair.)
    12. "Candy" by big Maybelle, 1956
    13. "Boogie Across the Country" by Frankie Lee Sims, 1953 (Tough uptempo Blues featuring Sims on vocals and HOT electric guitar backed up by drums, bass, and wailing harmonica.)
    14. "I Like It Like That" by Chris Kenner, 1961 (Bluesy stop-time wail concerning a dance club named "I Like It Like That.")
    15. "I Don't Like it Like That" by the Bobbettes, 1961 (Obviously, an "answer song." Not bad. The group is most famous for their bouncy uptempo Doo-Wop hit of 1957, "Mr. Lee.")
    16. "Go, Jimmy, Go" by Jimmy Clanton, 1960 (Nice rocker.)
    17. "My Heart Belongs to You" by Ike and Bonnie Turner, 1952 (BEFORE Tina there was Bonnie who both sang and played piano. Melodic soulful ballad.)
    18. "Let Me Go, Lover!" by Patti Page, 1954
    19. "A Lover's Question" by Clyde PcPhatter, 1958
    20. "El Rancho Rock" by the Champs, 1958
    21. "Train to Nowhere" by the Champs, 1958
    22. "Tequila" by the Champs, 1958
    23. "Thank You and Goodnight" by the Angels, 1963
    24. "I'd Gladly do It Again" by Bertice Reading, 1954
    25. "I Can't Stand You No More" by Jimmy Nolen, 1955 (HOT R. & B. rocker.)
    26. "Ya Ya" by Lee Dorsey, 1961
    27. "People Gonna Talk" by Lee Dorsey, 1961 (Less well known than his big hits, "Ya Ya" from 1961 and "Working in a Coal Mine" from 1965, this number is an enjoyable mid-tempo example of New Orleans funky R. & B.)
    28. "One More Chance" by Carol Fran, 1960
    29. "A Thousand Miles Away" by the Heartbeats, 1956
    30. "Let's Have Church" by the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi, 1957 (Dramatic slow Gospel. Primarily a spoken word near-sermon.)
    31. "My Soul Looks Back and Wonders" by the Meditation Singers, 1959
    32. "Mona Lisa" by Carl Mann, 1959 (Nice Rockabilly style version of the melodic Pop song made famous earlier by Nat King Cole in 1950. Mann sings and he also plays some nice piano.)
    33. "Plantation Boogie" by Pee Wee King and the Golden West Cowboys with the Coquettes, 1955 (Truly driving combination of Country, Swing, and Rock 'n' Roll. Red Foley had the bigger Country hit with it.)

    February 3, 2026

    1. "Jumping at the Dew Drop" by Ivory Joe Hunter, 1947 (Jazzy Jump Blues number celebrating the Dew Drop Inn, a noted New Orleans night club. Hunter is on piano and vocals. He was from Texas and, as of 1947, was based out of California.)
    2. "The House of Blue Lights" by Ella Mae Morse and Don Raye, 1945 (The ORIGINAL version of this jumpin' celebration of a fun night spot. Freddie Slack, on Boogie Woogie piano, really adds some spice to this lively number.)
    3. "(Get your Kicks on) Route 66" by the Nat King Cole Trio, 1946
    4. "I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water" by the Cats and the Fiddle, 1939 (Outstanding bluesy proto-Doo-Wop number featuring male vocal group who also play the HOT stringed instruments. 10 years later Sticks McGhee of "Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee" fame redid it using electric guitar.)
    5. "I Wonder" by Cecil Gant, 1944
    6. "Cross over the Bridge" by Patti Page, 1954 (Pretty close to mid-tempo Gospel, this is pretty good inspired Pop music.)
    7. "Let the Good Times Roll" by Ray Charles, 1958 (Uptempo bluesy invitation to have a party. Nice remake of the ORIGINAL recorded by Louis Jordan in 1948.)
    8. "Kansas City Woman" by Chuck Willis, 1956 (REAL Rock 'n' Roll!)
    9. "Jesus Is with Me" by the Goldrock Gospel Gingers, 1950
    10. "Standing in the Safety Zone" by Vance "Tiny" Powell and the Paramount Gospel Singers, 1951
    11. "No Room" by Billy Ward and the Dominoes, 1952 (Incredibly bluesy slow Doo-Wop about romantic troubles.)
    12. "I've Got News for You" by the Ebony Moods, 1955
    13. "Send Me Flowers" by the Six Teens, 1956 (Fun uptempo Doo-Wop. Group is most famous for the romantic "A Casual Look" also from '56.)
    14. "Jive Around Part 1" by the Ernie Freeman Combo, 1955 (Excellent instrumental featuring Freeman on piano.)
    15. "Speedo" by the Cadillacs, 1955 (Uptempo Doo-Wop at its best. My first fully official independent appearance on radio was at 5 a.m., Sunday, February 1, 1976 on WSRN - Swarthmore, Penn. This was the song that launched it all - 50 years ago!!)
    16. "Come Go with Me" by the Del Vikings, 1956 (Big hit in '57, this is some fine uptempo Doo-Wop with a hot saxophone solo. I used this as my opening theme song on WSRN 1976 - 1979.)
    17. "Boy of my Dreams" by the Dungaree Darlings, 1956 (Quite effective romantic Doo-Wop ballad.)
    18. "Duke of Earl" by Gene Chandler, 1961
    19. "Shop Around" by the Miracles, 1960
    20. "He's a Rebel" by the Crystals, 1962
    21. Three brief promotional announcents advertising the Winter Dance Party by Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens. Sadly, the Rock 'n' Roll tour ended in tragedy "the day the music died" February 3, 1959 when their plane crashed and the three pereished. 67 years ago to the day.)
    22. "Rave On" by Buddy Holly, 1958
    23. "That'll Be the Day" by Buddy Holly, 1957
    24. "Chantilly Lace" by the Big Bopper, 1958
    25. "Big Bopper's Wedding" by the Big Bopper, 1958 (Hilarious rocker. In my opinion, even better than his one big hit, "Chantilly Lace.")
    26. "Come on, Let's Go" by Ritchie Valens, 1958
    27. "Donna" by Ritchie Valens, 1958
    28. "Newscast: Plane Crash February 3, 1959." (30 seconds of the first radio news broadcast concerning the fatal crash. By Action Center News.)
    29. "Sincerely" by the Paris Sisters, 1966 (Breathy romantic remake of the passionate bluesy original ballad first recorded by the male group, the Moonglows, in 1954. The Paris Sisters are best known for their big romantic hit of 1960, "I Love How You Love Me.")
    30. "I Need your Lovin' Kiss" by Harold Jenkins, 1956 (Pretty good Rockabilly by the artist known as Conway Twitty starting in 1957. Twitty was a major Country star from the mid-1960's - early 1990's but he started out as a rocker.)
    31. "Long Black Train" by Conway Twitty, 1960 (One of the many great rockers he recorded before going Country. Definitely influenced by Elvis Presley's 1955 "Mystery Train" which, in turn, was a Rockabilly interpetation of the mid-tempo atmospheric bluesy ORIGINAL by Blues artist Little Junior Parker and the Blue Flames from 1953.)
    32. "We're Gonna Bop" by Alvadean Coker and the Cokers, 1955 (Infectious rocker. This was a family group with Alvadean on lead vocals backed up by some responding vocals plus all the instruments including prominent piano by Coker family members.)
    33. "Crazy Beat" by Dr. Horse, 1959 (Real name Al Pittman, this is some hard chargin' Rock 'n' Roll.)
    34. "Need your Love So Bad" by Little Willie John, 1955
    35. "Should I Ever Love Again" by Wynona Carr, 1956-57 (Excellent R. & B. ballad featuring Carr on slightly hoarse vocals and pounding piano. She was better known as Sister Wynona Carr when she recorded a number of good to excellent Gospel sides c. 1949-early 1950's. She went secular about 1955 but, alas, never hit despite recording some truly good soulful ballads and hot rockers.)

    February 10, 2026

    1. "Oh, Gee. Oh, Gosh" by Pearl McKinnon and the Kodaks, 1957 (Great example of uptempo New York City Doo-Wop.)
    2. "Rubber Biscuit" by the Chips, 1956 (Sheer Doo-Wop lunacy!)
    3. "Slop Time" by the Shirelles, 1958
    4. "I Promise to Remember" by Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, 1956 (Outstanding uptempo Doo-Wop. Has one of the best bass voice introductions: "Oodly poppa cow poppa cow poppa cow cow." First recorded earlier in '56 by Jimmy Castor and Juniors. Love both versions but I think Frankie's was better - and it, unlike, Jimmy's, was the hit. Sorry, Jimmy.)
    5. "He Still Loves Me" by the Capris, 1954-55 (Simply beautiful romantic Doo-Wop ballad. Sounds similar to their better-known "God Only Knows" from '54.)
    6. "In the Still of the Night" by the Five Satins, 1956 (True Doo-Wop classic romantic ballad.)
    7. "The Jones Girl" by the Five Satins, 1956 (The guys also could rock. This is the unknown flip side to "In the Still of the Night.")
    8. "Spinnin' Rock Boogie" by the Bill Hendricks Orchestra Featuring Mickey Baker, 1956 (Great instrumental indeed featuring Baker on HOT electric guitar. Mickey (McHouston) Baker is better known as half of the duo, Mickey and Sylvia, of "Love Is Strange" fame from 1956.)
    9. "Riding with the Blues" by Nelda Dupuy and the Ike Perkins Orchestra, 1953
    10. "Popcorn Willie" by the Marquis, 1956 (Surely one of the best party records ever. This one just ROCKS!!)
    11. "When Jesus Shall Come" by the Drinkard Singers, 1954 (Nice Gospel with female lead. First half is slow and second half is uptempo.)
    12. "Jesus Is the Perfect Answer" by Queen C. Anderson and the Brewster Singers, 1952 (More wonderful Gospel. Starts slow and goes uptempo second half.)
    13. "Bo Weevil" by Fats Domino, 1955 (Catchy rocker about having fun down on the farm.)
    14. "Down Yonder We Go Balling" by Smiley Lewis, 1956 (Even catchier rocker about having fun down on the farm.)
    15. "Jail Bird" by Sonny Knight, 1956 (Flipside of his attractive romantic ballad hit, "Confidential." "Jail Bird" has a real New Orleans flavor although Knight, real name Joseph Smith, was from Illinois and based in Los Angeles at the time. Oddly enough, in 1955, Smiley Lewis - above, who was from New Orleans, recorded a similar sounding number of the same title but entirely different lyrics.)
    16. "Yeah, Baby" by Stella Johnson, 1957-58
    17. "Just Because" by Lloyd Price, 1957 (His "come back" hit of 1957 (recorded in '56). Melodic bluesy ballad. Price, who hit very big starting in 1952 with "Lawdy, Miss Clawdy," was drafted and served in the military 1954-55. Following "Just Because" Price had several other big hits including "Stagger Lee" (1958).)
    18. "Good News" by the Hawks, 1954
    19. "Tra La La" by LaVern Baker, 1956 (Charming Calypso-flavored rocker.)
    20. "Raunchy" by Bill Justis, 1957
    21. "I Wanna Love my Life Away" by Gene Pitney, 1961
    22. "Summertime, Summertime" by the Jamies, 1958 (Very cheerful celebration of Summer. Why play this in February? Was observing the November 15, 2025 passing of original group member, Jean Roy McLeod, age 87.)
    23. "Only You (and You Alone)" by the Platters, 1955 (Their first big hit. Expressive ballad with Tony Williams on lead vocals. Mercury Records.)
    24. "Only You" by the Platters, 1955 (The ORIGINAL version on Federal Records. Quite different approach: spare piano-driven accompaniment, almost inaudible group back-up with Williams on lead, and sentimental whistling accompaniment. Their Mercury release was the start of 5 years of big, big hits. The group started recording in 1953 on Federal and sounded quite different, a more conventional R. & B. vocal group at first.)
    25. "Heartbreak Girl" by Wanda Ballman, 1957 (Expressive mid-tempo Country ballad. Nice clear voice and some great piano too.)
    26. "Old Slewfoot" by Johnny Horton, 1960 (Released in 1961 after Horton's 1960 death in a car crash, this is a lively Country tale of a ferocious bear. Nice harmonica accompaniment.)
    27. "Preacher and the Bear" by the Big Bopper, c. 1958 (A raucous jazzy Rock 'n' Roll updating of the Vaudeville novelty from at least 50 years earlier.)
    28. "One More River to Cross" by the Sons of the Pioneers, 1937 (Effective uptempo Western Swing-style version of the spiritual. Note: Roy Rogers, still under his original name, Leonard Slye, was part of the group. In '38 he left, changed his name, and became, along with Gene Autry, the biggest of the Singing Cowboys.)
    29. "I Saw the Light" by Hank Williams and the Drifting Cowboys, 1949 (LIVE radio show version of his 1947 uptempo Gospel classic.)
    30. "Cold, Cold Heart" by Dinah Washington, 1951 (Intriguing Jazz-flavored remake of the Hank Williams Country ballad of romantic despair. Was also a very big hit for Pop singer Tony Bennett.)
    31. "Take Me Back" by Linda Hayes, 1953 (Nice R. & B. ballad. Uses exact same melody as Faye Adams who hit big with her Gospel-flavored ballad in 1953, "Shake a Hand.")
    32. "Little Queenie" by Chuck Berry, 1958
    33. "The Watusi" by the Vibrations, 1960 (Absolutely scorching dance number. From the raw Gospel-flavored vocals to the non-stop pounding piano to the blasting saxophone solo, this just smokes. If you are depressed, this will make you jump and shout with joy.)
    34. "The Loco-Motion" by Little Eva, 1962
    35. "Harlem Shuffle" by Bob and Earl, 1963

    February 17, 2026

    1. "Foot Stomping" by the Flares, 1961
    2. "Hittin' on Nothing" by Irma Thomas, 1963 (Ah, yes, the old theme of no finance = no romance. Uptempo Blues. Pretty good.)
    3. "Hard Headed Woman" by Elvis Presley, 1958
    4. "Rock Right" by Ceci Julian (Uptempo Rock 'n' Roll with some Rockabilly elements. My guess: 1957-60.)
    5. "Pledging my Love" by Edna McGriff, 1955 (Nice remake - one of several - of Johnny Ace's 1954 original - released in early 1955 following his late 1954 death - soulful romantic ballad.)
    6. "Be Fair" by the Pipes, 1956
    7. "Hogan's Alley" by Cecil Gant, 1948 (Following a brief spoken introduction, this is a nice Boogie Woogie piano instrumental.)
    8. "My Rough and Ready Man" by Annie Laurie and the Paul Gayten Band, 1949 (Lively uptempo R. & B.)
    9. "Lord, If I Go" by the Dixie Hummingbirds, 1953
    10. "God Is a Battle Axe" by the Sallie Martin Singers, 1950 (One of my favorite Gospel numbers. Solidly rocking uptempo anchored by some wonderful electric organ playing. Great vocals too.)
    11. "Shouldn't I Know?" by the Cardinals, 1951 (Superb vocal harmonies by this early male Doo-Wop group. Expressive romantic ballad.)
    12. "Midnight" by Margie Day and Buddy Griffin, 1952 (Nice R. & B. remake of the bluesy Country original by Country star Red Foley from '52.)
    13. "Blue Suede Shoes" by Carl Perkins, 1955
    14. "All by Myself" by Roy Hall, 1955 (Superb Rockabilly treatment of the uptempo rocker recorded by Fats Domino earlier in '55 but FIRST recorded (and written by) Blues great, Big Bill Broonzy, in 1941. Hall is on both vocals and outstanding piano.)
    15. "Cool It, Baby" by Dorothy Collins, 1958
    16. "Flyin' Saucers Rock 'n' Roll" by Billy Lee Riley an his Little Green Men from Mars, 1957 (WOW! HOT Rockabilly novelty number. Features Riley on raspy vocals and rhythm guitar, Roland Janes on liquid smooth electric guitar, and Jerry Lee Lewis on Boogie piano._
    17. "Stormy Weather" by Ella Johnson and the Buddy Johnson Orchestra, 1951
    18. "Now You're Gone" by the Laddins, 1957 (Soulful New York City Doo-Wop ballad by this obscure but excellent male group. Has kind of a homemade quality; very appealing. Also enjoy the bluesy, soulful sax solo break backed up by electric guitar and pounding piano and drums.)
    19. "Fool, Fool, Fool" by Kay Starr, 1952 (Excellent remake of the bluesy mid-tempo number of romantic regret first recorded by the male vocal group, the Clovers, in 1952.)
    20. "Carnival Day" by Dave Bartholomew, 1949 (Percussive number celebrates Mardi Gras. A good start to this year's Mardi Gras Special - the following 9 recordings below).
    21. "Don't You Know, Yockomo?" by Huey "Piano" Smith and the Clowns, 1958 (Unbelievably catchy vocal refrain plus outstanding piano by Huey.)
    22. "Mardi Gras in New Orleans" by Fats Domino, 1952 (Wonderful remake of the Professor Longhair original first recorded in 1949. Fats's version is done at a faster tempo. Longhair redid this iconic Mardi Gras celebration at least five times over the years.)
    23. "When the Saints Go Marching In" by Louis Prima, 1959 (What song is more associated with New Orleans than "The Saints"? Wild interpretation by New Orleanian Prima, trumpeter and singer, who was just as much an R. & B. artist as a Jazz artist.)
    24. "Iko Iko" by the Dixie Cups, 1965 (Most famous for the sweet 1964 ballad hit, "Chapel of Love," this female group sings a spare but appealing version of the song first recorded by James "Sugarboy" Crawford in '53, see below.)
    25. "Jock-a-Mo" by James "Sugarboy" Crawford and the Canecutters, 1953 (Infectious Mardi Gras rocker featuring Crawford on vocals and piano plus outstanding electric guitar and band accompaniment.)
    26. "Junco Partner" by James "Wee Willie" Wayne, 1951 (Truly HOT percussive number. Actually concerns a "junker' - "junco" - a druggie, who overindulges in everything.)
    27. "Feel So Good" by Shirley and Lee, 1955
    28. "J'Ouvert Barrio" by the Roaring Lion, mid-1930's (Mardi Gras is better known as Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago and, if anything, their celebration is even wilder than what goes on in New Orleans or Mobile, Alabama. Sung partially in Frnech Creole, this is a lively Calypso celebrating the occasion which starts on Sunday morning wiith "J'Ouvert Barrio," literally, "I open the neighborhood" going through Carnival Day/Mardi Gras on Tuesday.)
    29. "The Road" by Lord Kitchener, 1963 (Great Trinidadian Calypso celebrates the "Road March" song of 1963. Every year a specific song is acclaimed the "Road March" song which then is played endlessly by musicians and singers as they march in celebration of Carnival. Lyrics concern various steel band orchestras in competition with one another, a reference to the actual violence that such rivalries had caused in the 1940's.)
    30. "Call Him by His Name" by Mother Wilie Mae Ford Smith, 1950
    31. "Jesus Never Fails Me" by the Angelic Gospel Singers, 1955 (Starts out as a lovely slow Gospel number but then about halfway through goes uptempo into a rousing number by this major female group.)
    32. "Honkin' at Midnight" by Frank "Two Horn" Motley and his Motley Crew, 1954 (Funky party instrumental featuring a lot of blastin' sax and Motley's hot trumpet. Appealing feature is the humorous repartee between a female and male partygoer.)
    33. "Tick Tock" by Marvin and Johnny, 1954 (Nothing to do with the social media Tik Tok, this is one fine rocker by the duo most famous for the soulful original '54 version of "Cherry Pie." Here, these guys truly rock on. The practically orgasmic saxophone solo sends this off into Rock 'n' Roll heaven.)
    34. "Cool Daddy" by Gloria Lynn, 1956 (Sharp soprano vocals on this jumpin' R. & B. number warn "Cool Daddy" that "you're sittin' on a powder keg" if he cheats!)

    February 24, 2026

    1. "They Call Me Big Mama" by Big Mama Thornton, 1952 (Very good pre-"Hound Dog" rocker.)
    2. "The Fat Man" by Fats Domino, 1949 (His first and one of his best. Great pounding piano, great vocals - enjoy the falsetto "wah wah" vocalizations too.)
    3. "Everything's Been Done Before" by Percy Henderson and Blip Thompkins (Decent horn-driven Jump Blues. My guess is c. 1950.)
    4. "Everything Is Moving Too Fast" by Peggy Lee, 1946 (Amusing mid-tempo R. & B. number concerning moderning technology. Peggy, you should see it now, 80 years later!)
    5. "Ol' Man River" by the Ravens, 1947
    6. "Unchained Melody" by Al Hibbler, 1955 (One of the first versions of this lovely romantic ballad. Roy Hamilton hit first with it in 1954.)
    7. "Love Me Always" by Arthur Lee Maye and the Crowns, 1955 (Soulful romantic Doo-Wop ballad. Memorable!)
    8. "I Love to Ride" by Paula Watson, 1953 (Lively double-entendre number about loving to ride in a new car - and otherwise with "a cat that knows what it's all about.")
    9. "I Want a Lavender Cadillac" by LaVern Baker, 1951
    10. "Pontiac Blues" by Sonny Boy Wiliamson, 1951 (Frantic rocker about cruisin' in a straight-eight Pontiac. Sad that G.M. stopped making Pontiacs in 2010.)
    11. "Rocket 88" by Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats, 1951 (Celebrates the powerful Oldsmobile furnished with a hot powerful V-8 "rocket" engine starting in 1949. My first car - see photo below - was a descendant: a 1958 Super 88 with a chrome rocket on the hood and the name "Rocket" embossed on the engine manifold. Sad that G.M. stopped making Oldsmobiles in 2004.)
    12. "Jesus, Lover of my Soul" by the Lucy Smith Singers, 1955
    13. "Someone Is Waiting for Me" by the Violinaires, 1957 (Excellent slow Gospel by this male group. Wilson Pickett joined them shortly afterward, went secular a few years later with the Falcons, and by 1965 was a major Soul star.)
    14. "Hoppin'" by the Griffin Brothers, 1951 (Hot R. & B. instrumental.)
    15. "High Flying Baby" by the Harptones, 1954 (Best known for their romantic Doo-Wop ballads, here the male vocal group really rocks.)
    16. "Fast Movin' Mama" by Connie Carroll, 1955
    17. "Rip It Up" by Little Richard, 1956 (At his rockin' peak.)
    18. "Story Untold" by the Nutmegs, 1955
    19. "Mr. Sandman" by the Chordettes, 1954 (Pop tune but it sure is nice and smooth. GREAT vocal harmonies.)
    20. "Last Night" by the Mar-Keys, 1961 (Tough instrumental. Great electric organ and horn work.)
    21. "Green Onions" by Booker T. and the M.G.'s, 1962
    22. "Red Beans and Rice" by Booker T. and the M.G.'s, 1965
    23. "The Name Game" by Shirley Ellis, 1963 (Big hit in '64. Witty rocker.)
    24. "Gee, Whiz" by Carla Thomas, 1961
    25. "Rhythm of the Rain" by the Cascades, 1962
    26. "Pretty Little Angel Eyes" by Curtis Lee, 1961 (Backed up by the Halos vocal group, this is fine uptempo Doo-Wop. Great blastin' sax solo too.)
    27. "Friendly Loans" by the Marcels, 1962 (Amusing uptempo Doo-Wop concerns deceptive advertising. This male vocal group is best known for their fantastic uptempo Doo-Wop version of "Blue Moon," a big 1961 hit.)
    28. "My Lord" by Mahalia Jackson
    29. "God's Word Will Never Pass Away" by the Sensational Nightingales, 1953
    30. "I'll Drown in my Own Tears" by Lula Reed, 1952 (The ORIGINAL version of this Gospel-flavored Blues ballad.)
    31. "Drown in my Own Tears" by Ray Charles, 1955 (The big hit version of this Gospel-flavored Blues ballad.)
    32. "Please Don't Go" by Floyd Dixon, 1953

    March 3, 2026

    1. "Rock, little Frances" by the Five Willows, 1953 (Hot rocker. Great vocals and blastin' sax solo, this just rocks from beginning to end.)
    2. "The Twist" by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters, 1958 (The ORIGINAL version by the guy who wrote it. I love Chubby Checker's very similar cover but Hank did it first! Slightly bluesier than the more fmailiar Chubby Checker version that became such a big hit.)
    3. "So Many Ways" by Varetta Dillard, 1955
    4. "Moondog Boogie" by Freddie Mitchell, 1952 (Lively horn-driven instrumental led by saxophonist Mitchell. Likely a musical tribute to Alan Freed's "Moondog's Rock 'n' Roll Party" radio show.)
    5. "So Long" by Ruth Brown, 1949 (Nice sentimental ballad. Her first hit. Brown is much better known for her numerous rockers recorded over the next decade but this was the start of it all as a recording artist.)
    6. "The River's Invitation" by Percy Mayfield, 1952 (Expressive Blues somewhat resembles his first big hit, "Please Send Me Someone to Love," from 1950. Grim message: this is really a suicide song.)
    7. "I Hear You Knocking" by Smiley Lewis, 1955 (The ORIGINAL version of this iconic Blues redone by others including Gale Storm in 1955, Fats Domino in '58, and Dave Edmunds in 1970.)
    8. "Down Yonder We Go Balling" by Smiley Lewis, 1956 (Catchy rocker about having fun down on the farm. Features enjoyable rapidly strummed guitar (plus banjo?) extended solo.)
    9. "On the Highway" by Rosa Shaw, 1952 (Outstanding Gospel. Shaw sounds a bit like Sister Rosetta Tharpe. The Gospel/Boogie Woogie piano accompaniment is outstanding.)
    10. "In the Morning" by the Dixie Hummingbirds and the Angelic Gospel Singers, 1950-51 (WOW! Hard uptempo Gospel at its very best featuring two major vocal groups, the male Dixie Hummingbirds and the female Angelic Gospel Singers all backed up by some wonderful churning electric organ work.)
    11. "Misery" by Little Esther, 1950 (Expressive slow Blues with Esther sounding a lot more mature than age 14.)
    12. "In the Dark" by the Hollywood Flames, 1959 (Nice version, one of many, of the bluesy ballad, "Romance in the Dark," first recorded by Lil Green in 1940. One of the very few male versions. The Hollywood Flames are best known for their cheerful 1957 rocker, "Buzz, Buzz, Buzz.")
    13. "Johnny B. Goode" by Chuck Berry, 1957
    14. "Who Shot Sam?" by George Jones, 1959
    15. "I Need Lovin'" by Jackie Dee, 1959 (Decent rocker by the artist soon to be known as Jackie DeShannon. Her real name was Sharon Lee Myers.)
    16. "The Ballad of Thunder Road" by Robert Mitchum, 1958 (Dramatic tale about a North Carolina bootlegger outrunning the cops but driving to his death.)
    17. "It's all in the Game" by Gene McDaniels, 1961 (Nice sentimental ballad. Tommy Edwards had the big hit with this in 1958 but it actually dates back to the early 1920's.)
    18. "Little Star" by the Elegants, 1958 (Pleasant mid-tempo gentle Doo-Wop by this male vocal group.)
    19. "Gulley Stomp" by Sam Price, 1957
    20. "Fujiyama Mama" by Annisteen Allen, 1954 (Tough amusing rocker with some violent imagery. Redone Rockabilly style by Wanda Jackson in 1957.)
    21. "Give Me your Love" by the Admirals, 1955
    22. "Oh, Yes" by the Admirals, 1955 (Good Doo-Wop rocker.)
    23. "It's a Sad, Sad Feeling" by Cathy Ryan and the Admirals, 1956
    24. "C.C. Rider" by Chuck Willis, 1957
    25. "What a Man Doeth" by Eric Morris, 1964 (Great Jamaican Ska moralizes about reaping what one sows.)
    26. "We'll Meet" by Millie and Roy, 1962 (More Ska, this one concerns romance. Millie Small and Roy Panton. Millie hit very big in 1964 with "My boy Lollipop," an international hit. "My Boy Lollipop" was first reorded by white R. & B. singer Margie Gaye in 1956.)
    27. "Cherry" by Bonnie and Skitter with Clue J and his Blues Blasters, 1960 (Simply outstanding Ska. This haa a pronounced bluesy feel with some wonderful horn work over Boogie Woogie piano.)
    28. "Travel On" by Derrick Morgan, 1962
    29. "Without the Lord" by Madame Edna Gallmon Cooke, 1961 (Wonderful expressive slow Gospel.)
    30. "Christ's Blood" by the Spiritual Five, c. 1963 (Intense raw slow Gospel by this male group.)
    31. "You're so Fine" by the Falcons, 1959 (Gospel-infuenced mid-tempo Doo-Wop rocker by this male group. The funky tenor sax solo is much too short, however.)
    32. "You Can't Judge a Book by the Cover" by Bo Diddley, 1962
    33. "A Girl's Life" by Nella Dodds, 1965 (Lively uptempo Soul approach keeps this from being a teeny bopper song. Pretty good!)
    34. "Having a Party" by Sam Cooke, 1962
    35. "The Kind of Man I Am" by Gene Cooper and the Voices, 1965-66 (Slow Soul ballad with a very strong Gospel influence. The electric organ accompaniment is just wonderful. Great stuff.)

    March 10, 2026

    1. "Let Me In" by the Sensations, 1961
    2. "Adios" by the Five Discs, 1961 (Excellent mid-tempo Doo-Wop by this male group concerning the theme of going to Mexico. Great vocal harmonies!)
    3. "Please Be Mine" by the Consorts, 1962
    4. "Oop Shoop" by Shirley Gunter and the Queens, 1954
    5. "King of Fools" by Sam Hawkins and the Crystals, c. 1958 (Soulful Doo-Wop ballad. Effective.)
    6. "Are You my Girlfriend?" by Morry Williams and the Kidds, 1958 (Soulful Doo-Wop ballad. Effective. Truly conveys the uncertain yearning feelings of young love.)
    7. "Hey! Henry" by Etta James, 1955 (Tough rocker. An excellent follow-up to her first hit and first record, "Dance with Me, Henry," from 1954.)
    8. "B.M.T. Special" by the Shy-Tans, 1954 (Raw saxophone instrumental. B.M.T. stands for Brooklyn Manhatten Transfer so I assume this is some sort of reference to the New York City subway system.)
    9. "Mary Lou" by Young Jessie, 1955 (She's nothing but trouble!)
    10. "Fool at the Wheel" by Little Richard and the Duces of Rhythm with the Tempo Toppers, 1953 (Excellent rocker by the pre-"Tutti Frutti" Little Richard.)
    11. "Out on the Ocean Sailing" by the Colemanaires, 1953 (WOW!! Intense, slow, very bluesy Gospel features Cynthia Coleman practically screaming over the male vocal harmonies. By 1956 Cynthia had gone secular as Ann Cole and enjoyed some modest R. & B. hits over the next several years.)
    12. "Wonderful" by Sam Cooke and the Soul Strirrers, 1956
    13. "Hear my Plea" by Donnie Elbert, 1957 (Excellent strong rocker features the somewhat shrill but effective falsetto Elbert frantic with unfulfilled romantic desire: "You got me doin' the hootchie cootchie, it makes me pace the floor." Strong piano, sax, and drum accompaniment too.)
    14. "What's It to You, Jack?" by Linda Hayes, 1953
    15. "Whiskey, do your Stuff" by Louis Jordan, 1953
    16. "W-P-L-J" by the Four Deuces, 1955 (Catchy bluesy uptempo male Doo-Wop concerns white port and lemon juice, i.e., W-P-L-J.)
    17. "Don't You Know (I Want to Love You)?" by Lady Blues and her All Stars, 1947
    18. "Chains of Love" by Big Joe Turner, 1951 (Superb slow Blues ballad.)
    19. "Singing the Blues" by Guy Mitchell, 1956 (Yes, a bit more Pop than Rock 'n' Roll but this bouncy well-sung number has always appealed me.)
    20. "Stop Whistlin', Wolf" by the Maddox Brothers and Rose, 1957
    21. "Love my Baby" by Hayden Thompson, 1957 (Decent Rockabilly adaptation of Little Junior Parker's 1953 uptempo Blues, however, too bad Thompson leaves out the line about his woman's "meat shakin' on the bone.")
    22. "Fairlane Rock" by Hayden Thompson, 1957 (Good Rockabilly concerns the Ford Fairlane.)
    23. "Queen Bee" by Hayden Thompson, 1963
    24. "The Great Pretender" by the Platters, 1955
    25. "Smoke from your Cigarette" by Lillian Leach and the Mellows, 1954 (Wistful Doo-Wop ballad of romantic regret.)
    26. "Sh-Boom" by the Chords, 1954 (Wonderful and influential uptempo Doo-Wop hit by this male vocal group. I saw the Chords perform in New York City back in 1980!)
    27. "Sh-Boom" by Stan Freberg and the Toads, 1954 (Amusing parody by the noted comic.)
    28. "Walk All Over God's Heaven" by the Drinkard Singers, 1958 (LIVE uptempo Gospel!)
    29. "I'll Be Home" by the Flamingos, 1955 (Probably my favorite record by this fantastic male vocal group. There's something magical about this ballad of romantic devotion and homecoming. Pat Boone redid it it nicely in 1956 but the Flamingos' original is more compelling.)
    30. "Tomorrow Night" by LaVern Baker, 1954
    31. "Hearts of Stone" by the Jewels, 1954 (Yes, Otis Williams and the Charms had the big hit with this Gospel-flavored Doo-Wop rocker in 1954 and several others redid it including the Fontane Sisters and, later, in 1961, Country singer Mel Tillis, but the Jewels' ORIGINAL cannot be beat! Truly funky and raw this is street corner Doo-Wop at its best. Fantastic instrumental accompaniment helps too: the heavy pounding drum, the Blues piano, and the raw saxophone solos, two of 'em! One of my all-time favorites.)
    32. "The Hucklebuck" by Paul Williams and his Hucklebuckers, 1948 (Very influential sax instrumental. Chubby Checker had a hit with a vocal version in 1961.)
    33. "Grandpa Can Boogie Too" by Lil Greenwood and the Four Jacks, 1952 (Compelling catchy rocker concerns a miscreant grandpa. Among other things, "We do believe that Grandpa gets high.")
    34. "Grandpa Stole my Baby" by Roy Brown, 1953 (Great rocker concerns another misbehaving grandpa.)

    March 17 Show CANCELLED: Sorry, everyone, but due to a sports (Softball) game broadcast, I have to forego the Golden Oldies tonight. Just found out Monday night, so was unable to inform listeners last week! What also makes this very irritating is that the online Softball Schedule (found via the A.U. Athletics web site) did NOT list any scheduled Tuesday games except for the first week of MAY when there will be a series of tournement games. I checked that darn schedule probably every two weeks starting in December 2025 so I could be prepared accordingly. Obviously, some sort of last minute change took place very recently and the softball team is playing a game in Mobile tonight starting at 5 p.m. Raw deal (for the Golden Oldies) in Mobile! Sorry for any inconvenience. Barring unforeseen developments, the NEXT Golden Oldies show should be Tuesday, March 24.

    March 24, 2026

    1. "Give It Up" by Noble Watts and Paul Williams, 1955 (Great sax-driven instrumental.)
    2. "They Raided the Joint" by Linda Hopkins, 1955 (LIVE! Great rocker. Great remake of number first recorded by Hot Lips Page and his Orchestra in 1946.)
    3. "Rock the Joint" by Jimmy Preston and his Prestonians, 1949 (One of wildest R. & B. records ever. Great party record!)
    4. "Somebody Somewhere" by Faye Adams, 1954 (Rousing Gospel-flavored rocker.)
    5. "Going Home to Stay" by the Hearts, 1956 (Bluesy regretful Doo-Wop ballad by the female group describes a failed marriage.)
    6. "Baby" by the Avons, 1957 (Mellow romantic Doo-Wop ballad by this male vocal group.)
    7. "Rendezvous with You" by the Desires, 1960 (Catchy uptempo Doo-Wop.)
    8. "All Shook Up" by Elvis Presley, 1957
    9. "Sugar Candy" by the Miller Sisters, 1957
    10. "My Blue Heaven" by Fats Domino, 1955 (Fats transforms the pleasant Pop hit of 1927 recorded by Gene Austin among others into New Orleans-flavored Rock 'n Roll.)
    11. "In the Garden" by Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Vivian Cooper, 1949 (Beautiful slow Gospel.)
    12. "Does Jesus Care?" by the Sensational Nightingales, 1953
    13. "Kansas City" by Wilbert Harrison, 1959 (The definitive hit version of the rocker done by many others before and after.)
    14. "K.C. Lovin'" by Little Willie Littlefield, 1952 (The ORIGINAL version of the song better known as "Kansas City.")
    15. "Teen-Age Ball" by Carmen Taylor, 1956 (Now this is Rock 'n' Roll! Oustanding saxophone break too.)
    16. "Lewis Boogie" by Jerry Lee Lewis, 1958 (Perhaps my favorite by this great artist. No surprise, it features lots of exciting Boogie Woogie piano.)
    17. "One Touch of Heaven" by the Shades, 1959 (Moving Doo-Wop ballad featuring bass male lead although they did have also a female singer in the group, this is a sad tale. The protagonist is dead and in Heaven looking down on the girl who rejected him while he was alive.)
    18. "Sweet as a Flower" by Miriam Grate and the Dovers, 1959
    19. "Everybody's Happy (but Me)" by the Church Street Five, 1961 (Rockin' saxophone instrumental uses same melody as W.C. Handy's immortal "Careless Love.")
    20. "Along Came Jones" by the Coasters, 1959
    21. "All Night Mambo" by the Cookies, 1954 (One of the very first, if not the first, releases by this influential female Doo-Wop group. A fun record.)
    22. "Passing Time" by the Cookies, 1956 (Melodic Doo-Wop ballad. Composed by teenager Neil Sedaka who would soon emerge as a major recording artist in his own right.)
    23. "Chains" by the Cookies, 1962 (One of their two big hits. Bluesy mid-tempo Doo-Wop has some drive.)
    24. "Don't Say Nothin' Bad (about my Baby)" by the Cookies, 1963 (Their other big hit. Similar in style and sound to "Chains.")
    25. "Peggy Sue" by Buddy Holly, 1957
    26. "Peggy Sue Got Married" by Buddy Holly, 1958 (The rather moving "answer song" to his big hit.)
    27. "Ten Commandments of Love" by Harvey and the Moonglows, 1958
    28. "Forever, I Vow" by Ruby Whitaker and the Chestunuts, 1956
    29. "So Glad I'm Here" by Rev. H.B. Crum and the Golden Keys, 1955 (Excellent uptempo Gospel. Although his voice is different, Crum reminds me quite a bit of Sam Cooke here. Cooke was, in 1955, at the height of his fame as a Gospel artist singing with the Soul Stirrers before going secular in 1957.)
    30. "Ain't that Good News?" by the Meditation Singers, 1959
    31. "So Fine" by the Fiestas, 1958
    32. "Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's Go" by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters, 1960 (One of their many rousing uptempo R. & B. with Gospel influence rockers. Great stuff!)
    33. "How Could You Call It Off?" by the Chantels, 1958
    34. "Wedding Bells" by Tiny Tim and the Hits, 1958
    35. "Beverly Jean" by Curtis Lee, 1961 (Lively uptempo Doo-Wop. Lee is best known for his lively cheerful 1961 hit, "Pretty Little Angel Eyes.")
    36. "You May Not Know" by the Hurricanes, 1955 (LIVE exciting version. Similar in melody to Clyde McPhatter and the Drifters' 1954 "Whatcha Gonna Do?" Fun rocker.)
    37. "Call his Name" by Christine Kittrell, 1954
    38. "Riot in Cell Block Number Nine" by the Robins, 1954 (Heavy semi-spoken R. & B. number concerns, yes, a prison riot.)

    March 31, 2026

    1. "Ooh-Ba La, Baby" by Jean Chapel, 1957
    2. "Little Bitty Pretty One" by Thurston Harris, 1957 (Bobby Day did it first but Thurston Harris's big hit version is the definitive one. Funky and catchy. Basic Rock 'n' Roll at its best.)
    3. "Eeny Meeny Miney Moe" by Bob and Lucille, 1960 (Excellent Rockabilly.)
    4. "Good Rockin' Tonight" by Elvis Presley, 1954 (Indeed! Superb Rockabilly interpretation of Roy Brown's 1947 R. & B. original Jump Blues which was a bigger hit for Wynonie Harris in 1948.)
    5. "What Am I Living For?" by Chuck Willis, 1958
    6. "Central 1609" by Linda Peters, 1955
    7. "Copper Colored Mama" by Dr. Clayton, 1946 (Wonderful mid-tempo Blues where the good doctor admires his lovely "copper colored mama": "her shape is a dream.")
    8. "Baby, Take a Chance with Me" by Tampa Red, 1940 (Outstanding melodic mid-tempo Blues features Tampa Red on expressive vocals and kazoo. Back-up includes the superb Blues/Boogie Woogie piano of Blind John Davis. Memorable!)
    9. "Kissing in the Dark" by Memphis Minnie, 1953 (Uptempo suggestive Blues features Minnie on vocals and hot electric guitar. One of her very last recordings after making something like 200+ Blues records starting in 1929.)
    10. "Beans" by the Shadows, c. 1951 (Hilarious lyrics. Great uptempo bluesy Doo-Wop.)
    11. "The Hammer Rings" by Madame Edna Gallmon Cooke, 1961 (Frighteningly intense bluesy Gospel concerns the Crucifixion.)
    12. "Were You There When They Crucified my Lord?" by Sister Rosetta Tharpe and the Rosetta Gospel Singers, 1949
    13. "Angels" by Professor Johnson and his Gospel Singers, 1950 (Rousing uptempo Gospel celebrates the Resurrection. "Angels rolled the stone away...")
    14. "Who's Been Fooling You?" by Big Boy Myles and the Sha-Weez, 1955 (HOT New Orleans R. & B. First recorded by Professor Longhair in '53.)
    15. "I Smell a Rat" by Big Mama Thornton, 1958
    16. "Willie and the Hand Jive" by the Johnny Otis Show, 1958 (Percussive Bo Diddley-influenced rocker.)
    17. "True Love" by the Scarlets, 1955 (Absolutely superb soulful romantic Doo-Wop. Group became far better known in 1956 as the Five Satins for their classic romantic Doo-Wop, "In the Still of hte Night.")
    18. "Magic Is the Night" by Kathy Young and the Innocents, 1961
    19. "Love You So" by Ron Holden, 1960 (Compelling soulful Latin-beat rocker.)
    20. "In the Mood" by Ernie Fields, 1959 (Rock 'n' Roll interpretation of the lively Swing Band number recorded by the Glenn Miller Orchestra two decades before.)
    21. "Mine All Mine" by Verna Williams and the Sharp Cats, 1958
    22. "Spiral" by the Elegants, 1961 (Catchy uptempo Doo-Wop concerning a dance.)
    23. "Little Boy Blue" by the Elegants, 1958
    24. "Getting Dizzy" by the Elegants, 1958
    25. "Little Star" by the Elegants, 1958 (Their big one. Pleasant, gentle uptempo Doo-Wop number based on the nursery school rhyme. Very appealing and a hit for a reason.)
    26. "Blue Mood" by Julie Stevens and the Premiers, 1956 (Effective slow Doo-Wop.)
    27. "Please Help Me, I'm Falling" by Hank Locklin, 1960
    28. "Pistol Packin' Mama" by Al Dexter and his Troopers, 1942 (Not a hit until 1944, this is one of the records that defined the Honky-Tonk style of Country. Recorded by many others including influential Pop star, Bing Crosby, in '44.)
    29. "Pistol Packin' Mama" by Peter Pete and the Lovers, 1960 (A looney fun remake.)
    30. "I Wanna Rock" by Patsy Holcomb, 1957
    31. "How Many Times?" by the Ward Singers, 1952
    32. "Hell's Attraction Light" by Sister Jessie Mae Renfro and the S and L Choir, 1953 (Unusual theme. Great blusey slow Gospel.)
    33. "Talk that Talk" by the Du Droppers, 1955 (WOW! Exciting Gospel-influenced rocker. Strong saxophone solo too.)
    34. "Mother Fuyer" by Dirty Red, 1947 (Fun double-entendre R. & B. number. Obviously influenced by the Speckled Red's 1929 "The Dirty Dozens.")

    April 7, 2026

    1. "Adam Bit the Apple" by Big Joe Turner, 1949 (Hot Jump Blues concerns Adam making his fatal mistake. "Adam was the first cat to learn what love is all about.")
    2. "I'm Gonna Latch On" by Marie Adams and the Johnny Otis Band, 1953
    3. "Bookie's Blues" by H-Bomb Ferguson, 1952 (Concerning a clampdown on gambling. Ferguson sounds a lot like Wynonie Harris.)
    4. "Get Rich Quick" by Little Richard, 1951 (His FIRST record at age 19! A different and happier gambling tale: "I had a buck when I went to the track. Had twenty grand when I came back." Flip side was slow Blues, "Every Hour." Pre-"Tutti Frutti" Little Richard was definitely rockin' although he used his normal voice rather than the harsher Rock 'n' Roll voice heard on most of his famous records c. 1955-57.)
    5. "I Want to Hug Ya, Kiss Ya, Squeeze Ya" by Buddy Griffin and Claudia Swann, 1954 (Atmospheric bluesy ballad. Pounding piano accompaniment is nice.)
    6. "Peace of Mind" by Savannah Churchill and the Ray Charles Singers, 1953 (No, not THAT Ray Charles but a White vocal group. Nice Gospel-flavored ballad. Savannah sings in her rich deep contralto voice.)
    7. "Rock 'Em" by J.T. "Nature boy" Brown, 1951
    8. "Romance Time" by Robie Kirk and the Ruppert-Aires, 1954-55 (Amusing funky vocal group rocker. There's a brief reference to Annie and working from "Work with Me, Annie" by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters fame, hence my dating of this record as 1954 or '55.)
    9. "Somebody Somewhere" by Faye Adams, 1954 (Rousing Gospel-flavored rocker.)
    10. "Beans" by the Shadows c. 1951 (Hilarious lyrics. Great uptempo bluesy Doo-Wop.)
    11. "Hell's Attraction Light" by Sister Jessie Mae Renfro and the S and L Choir, 1953 (Unusual theme. Great blusey slow Gospel.)
    12. "Precious Memories" by the Roberta Martin Singers, 1947 (Nice version of this lovely hymn. Norsalus McKissick on lead; Roberta Martin on piano and backing vocals.)
    13. "At my Front Door" by the El Dorados, 1954
    14. "Rock with a Sock" by Mickey Baker and his House Rockers, 1955 (HOT instrumental featuring Baker on stinging electric guitar!)
    15. "Since my Baby's Been Gone" by Ruth McFadden, 1956 (Best known for her romantic Doo-Wop ballad hit, "Darling, Listen to the Words of this Song," 1956, here Ruth shows she can rock too. Latin-style rhythm.)
    16. "Sweet Little Rock and Roller" by Chuck Berry, 1958
    17. "Shadows" by the Five Satins, 1959 (Effective minor-key Doo-Wop ballad.)
    18. "Till" by the Angels, 1961
    19. "Lady Luck" by Lloyd Price, 1960
    20. "Honky Tonk" by Dinah Washington, 1957 (Decent rocker. No connection to the big hit 1956 instrumental of the same title by Bill Doggett and his Combo.)
    21. "Stormy Weather" by the Spaniels, 1957
    22. "Boom De-De-Boom" by the Pastels, 1955
    23. "Put your Arms Around Me" by the Pastels, 1955 (Released 1956. Very nice Doo-Wop ballad. No connection the the more famous Pastels of "Been So Long" and "So Far Away" fame from 1957-58.)
    24. "Somebody, Please" by Gladys Patrick and the Charioteers, 1956
    25. "Shout Bamalama" by Otis Redding and the Pinetoppers, 1960 (Hot rocker with the future Soul star singing/shouting in the style of Little Richard.)
    26. "Peppermint Twist Part 1" by Joey Dee and the Starliters, 1961 (One of the best dance records ever.)
    27. "Peppermint Twist Part 2" by Joey Dee and the Starliters, 1961 (Didn't know there was a Part 2 but it's fully as exciting as Part 1.)
    28. "Trust and Obey" by the Gospel Silhouettes, 1950-51
    29. "Run on to the End" by the Silvertone Singers of Cincinnati, 1954 (Simply moving beautiful mid-tempo very bluesy Gospel by this male vocal group. Nice and unusual touch: some pedal steel guitar accompaniment.)
    30. "Call on Me" by Beverly Ann Gibson, 1959
    31. "Please, Please, Please" by James Brown and the Famous Flames, 1956 (I think it was recorded in '55 but not released until early '56. Superb start to a 50-year career, this intense ballad has a Gospel feel to it. Great stuff!)
    32. "I'm a Lover, Not a Fighter" by Lazy Lester, 1957
    33. "Whooee, Sweet Daddy" by Katie Webster, 1958-59
    34. "You're so Good Looking" by Otis Smith, 1959 (Truly hot rocker admires his woman's good looks. "She's got a shape will make a lazy man get a job." In terms of melody and structure, this resembles B.B. King's 1953 "Woke Up this Morning.")
    35. "Woke Up this Morning" by B.B. King, 1953

    Dr. Hepcat age 17 in 1974 with his first car, a 1958 Oldsmobile Super 88. I can't believe it's been over FIFTY YEARS since this photograph was taken! Note to younger folks: enjoy your youth while you've got it.
    Last updated April 8, 2026 at 9:36 a.m. Copyright (c) 2026.