1 9 8 5

 

8 June 1985 - 1. 'Everybody wants to rule the world', Tears for Fears; 4. 'Suddenly', Billy Ocean; 5. 'Heaven', Bryan Adams; 8. 'Don't you forget about me', Simple Minds; 10. 'Walking on sunshine', Katrina & the Waves; 11. 'Angel', Madonna; 13. 'Smooth operator', Sade; 15. 'A view to kill', Duran, Duran; 17. 'Raspberry beret', Prince; 18. 'Never ending story', Limahl; 19. 'Just a gigolo / 'I ain't got nobody', David Lee Roth; 20. 'Would I lie to you?' Eurythmics.

1 9 8 4

1 9 8 3

 

4 June 1983 - 1. 'Flashdance... What a feeling', Irene Cara; 2. 'Let's dance', David Bowie; 4. 'She blinded me with science', Thomas Dolby; 8. 'Little red Corvette', Prince; 9. 'Solitaire', Laura Branigan; 16. 'Electric Avenue', Eddy Grant; 18. 'Never gonna let you go', Sergio Mendes.

1 9 8 2

 

22nd May 1982 - 'Ebony & Ivory', Stevie Wonder & Paul McCartney; 'I've never been to me', Charlene; 'The other woman', Ray Parker, Jr.; 'Don't you want me?', Human League; 'Chariots of fire', Vangelis; 'Empty garden', John Lennon; 'Rosanna', Toto. 

O'Jays

 

For those who lived in the United States between 1971 and 1973 there was no way one could avoid listening to the music made by the O'Jays! 

Even though I hardly spoke English having just arrived in Newark, N.J. from South America I used to listen to New York City's Top 40 radio stations and was impressed by the O'Jays sound. Listening to the introduction of 'Back stabbers' was a dramatic experience. That piano exuberance followed by the sound of bongos is something unique in pop music. After the luscious overture come the voices of the 3 fellows asking the crucial question: 'What'd they do?' Superb!

Then in early 1973, the O' Jayss had their first and only Number One with marvelous 'Love train' an ode to peace, brotherhood and understanding among the countries of the world. 

I had to move back to South America in March 1973, but I kept my ears open for any O' Jays new single having had the pleasure to dig 'For the love of money' around May 1974. 

By mid-1975 I was back in the States and to my joy the O' Jays had a big hit with 'I love music' which played through the new year (1976). 

William Powell (* 20 Jan 1942 + 26 May 1977), Walter Williams (25 Aug 1943) & Eddie Levert (16 June 1942).

Eddie Levert, William Powell & Walter Williams.

Walter Williams, William Powell & Eddie Lavert.

O'Jays pre-1972: William Powell, Bill Isles, Walter Williams, Eddie Levert & Bobby Massey.

Eddie Levert in a prominent central position as The O'Jays were in the 1960s;  from left to right: Bill Isles, William Powell, Eddie Levert, Bobby Massey & Walter Williams.

1. When the world's at peace (Kenneth Gamble-Bunny-Sigler-Phil Hurtt)  5:21

2. Back stabbers (Leon Huff-Gene McFadden-John Whitehead)  3:07

3. Who am I? (Sigler-Hurtt)  5:14

4. (They call me) Mr. Lucky (Gamble-Huff)  3:20

5. Time do get down (Gamble-Huff)  2:53

1. 992 arguments (Gamble-Huff)  6:09

2. Listen to the clock on the wall (Gamble-Huff-Whitehead)  3:48

3. Shiftless, shady, jealus kind of people (Gamble-Huff-Whitehead-Mc Fadden))  3:36

4. (You are my) Sunshine (Sigler-Hurtt)  3:42

5. Love train (Gamble-Huff)  2:59

release date: August 1972.

The first great album of 1970's Philadelphia soul, 'Back stabbers' took the best impulse of the era's pop music -  the inclination to celebrate love as something precious - and bathed it in the studio-orchestra opulence that became the defining characteristic of the Sound of Philadelphia.

This was a potent combination, and a gold mine. On the opening track, lead singer Eddie Lavert proclaims the albums's guiding philosophy: 'Love is not a state of mind, love's a fact of life.' Nine songs later, on the massive hit 'Love train', the singer sends an urgent, idealistic appeal to others who might feel the same way: 'People all over the world, join hands, start a love train'. In between are accounts of love trouble  ('992 arguments'), fear of commitment ('Time to get down'), and a trenchant cautionary tale about deceitful  friends ('Back stabbers').

The songs are all great, but the arrangements - far more lavish than anything else on the radio - makes them undeniable classics. Producers Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff assembled a team of arrangers who conceived of pop on an orchestral level. The Philly Sound is distinguished by active, often tricky string parts that snake around the vocal lines, offset with jazz guitar and vibraphone and other sophisticated touches.

The arrangers - and the musicians of what became known as the MFSB (Mother Father Sister Brother) Orchestra, which included moonlighting Philadelphia Orchestra members - do the hard work. All the O'Jays' Levert (and Teddy Pendergrass and the other Philly-soul stars) had to do was slide their vocals into a sumptuous, instantly sensual mix.

'Back stabbers' contains most of the key O'Jays tracks - one exception is the ambitious 7-minute masterpiece  'For the love of money', issued on the subsequent album 'Ship Ahoy' and 1975's 'I love music'.

text taken from '1.000 recordings to hear before you die' by Tom Moon.

William Powell, Walter Williams & Eddie Lavert. 

WWDJ Hackensack, N.J. 18 April 1973 - Bwana Johnny's countdown on Sunday night

WWDJ was a Top-40 radio station in Hackensack, N.J. which opened on 17 May 1971, and died on 31st March 1974. 97DJ tried to compete with WABC playing hit-songs the NYC station banned from air-play such as 'Jungle fever' (Chakachas' heavy breathing & moaning), 'My ding-a-ling' (Chuck Berry), 'Cover of the Rolling Stone' (Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show), 'Walk on the wild side' (Lou Reed) and 'The Americans' (Gordon Sinclair).  

However, WWDJ signal - only 5 Kw - was too weak compared to WABC's 50 kw. Here is arguably its most popular DJ, Bwana Johnny (real name: Richard Johnson) counting down the top 30 of week of 25 April 1973.

1. Tie a yellow ribbon on the ole oak tree - Tony Orlando & Dawn (Bell) (1)

2. The night the lights went out in Georgia - Vicki Lawrence (Bell) (2)

3. Superfly meets Shaft - John & Ernest (Rainy Wednesday) (7)

4. Cisco Kid - War (UA) (8)

5. Sing - Carpenters (A&M) 

6. Stuck in the middle with you - Stealers Wheel (A&M) (16)

7. Little Willy - The Sweet (A&M)

8. You are the sunshine of my life - Stevie Wonder (Tamla-Motown)

9. Twelfth of never - Donny Osmond (MGM)

10. Neither one of us - Gladys Knight & the Pips (Soul-Motown)

11. Ain't no woman like the one I've got - Four Tops (Dunhill)

12. Reeling in the years - Steely Dan (ABC) (27)

13. Pillow talk - Sylvia Robinson (Vibration)

14. Armed and extremely dangerous - First Choice (Philly Groove) (21)

15. Wild flower - Skylark (Capitol) (29)

16. Danny's song - Anne Murray (Capitol) (10)

17. Killing me softly with his song - Roberta Flack (Atlantic) (6)

18. Peaceful - Helen Reddy (Capitol)

19. Space oddity - David Bowie (RCA) (11)

20. Drift away - Dobie Grey (Decca)

 

21. Frankenstein - Edgar Winter Group (Epic)

22. Daniel - Elton John (MCA)

23. I'm doin' fine, now - New York City (Chelsea)

24. Walk on the wild side - Lou Reed (RCA)

25. Hocus pocus - Focus (Sire)

26. Funky worm - Ohio Players (Westbound) 

27. Stir it up - Johnny Nash (Epic)

28. I can understand it - The New Birth (RCA) (27)

29. Masterpiece - The Temptations (Gordy-Motown)

30. Leaving me - The Independents (Wand) 

clipping of a Hackensack newspaper announcing a 3-day 'rock-a-thon' starting on Friday, 1st October 1971 through Sunday, 3rd October 1971, sponsored by the Bergen & Passaic counties. 

Bwana Johnny, popular DJ and music director of WWDJ from 1971 to 1973, whose real name was Ricky Johnson, was born on 29 August 1946, in Portland, Washington. After working as DJ & music director throughout the USA, Bwana died of heart failure and diabetes on 28 October 2005, in Mercer Island, WA.

23rd November 1971. 

WWDJ was a radio station in Hackensack, N.J. that in the early '70s that tried to compete with WABC. However, the signal did not have the reach that WABC did. Here is arguably the most popular DJ, Bwana Johnny , counting down the top 30 of that week in 1973.

Bwana Johnny talks about the good old times at WWDJ:  

Hello World! John has asked me to make some written verbal comments about WWDJ on the anniversary of the demise of it. Boy that's a tough challenge. WWDJ was so unique, so creative, so audience captivating (although the ratings never showed it) that it is really hard to put into words what the entire experience was like. The only thing that really comes to mind is fun. The entire WWDJ "thing" was really just old friends getting together to have fun. 

Mike Phillips and I had been friends from our hometown of Portland, Oregon. Nick Anthony, Al Brady, Gary Russell had all worked together in Cincinnati. In fact Al and I were roommates. The only additions to the mix were Bill Bailey and Ronnie Grant. Both of these multi-talented performers joined the "fun" crowd head on. In fact Bailey named a cat of mine. I love cats by the way. Was having trouble figuring out a name for this cat that had just appeared at the house I was renting. Bailey suggested "Why don't you name it Boogie... you could take it to remotes and promo it as Bwana and the Boogie." Well... the cat was instantly named.

WWDJ was weird. The studios were in Hackensack, on the slough, just across from the world famous Hackensack Two Guys store. I remember we had the Brooklyn Mets on the schedule when we hit the air. The next year when the contract was up there was a huge celebration. Clients were invited to the Hackensack "oasis" to help in the festivities. After that the nighttime ratings went to hell. Gee! Gawd! Yada Yada!

The best part like I already said was the fact that we were a "family". We had fun together on the air and off the air. Nick Anthony is one of the great Program Directors of the century. He knew how to handle and manage people, without anyone feeling they were being programmed or manipulated. There were always gatherings at Nick's place. It was all part of that "family" atmosphere that came across so vividly on the air.

Promotions were a big part of our assault on NYC from sponsoring Easter Sunrise Services in Central Park, to the "Magic Bus", to a talent contest I co-emc'd with Monte Rock III at Palisades Park.

WWDJ/97 Magical bus... 

Getting involved with the audience on a one-to-one basis was a major part of our "in their face" attack. We were out and making ourselves individually and collectively known in the community. I remember one Friday night after the show going on an adult beverage safari at Esposito's in Ridgewood. The place was always packed and a bunch of us were out on the corner shooting the B.S. and talking with one of the Ridgewood police that were always keeping an eye on weekend nights. I had been involved in moving from Waldwick to Montvale so my 1967 T-Bird was full of "stuff". I told the officer how much we appreciated what he was doing and that we all chipped in to buy him something appropriate to express our feelings. At this point I reached into the backseat pulled out and handed him a roll of toilet paper. Without hesitation he came back with "no, no. I've heard your show. You need it a lot more than I do." 

We all broke out laughing. It was a great comeback. It's hard to put this incredible fun time into words. The best way for me has always been to answer questions. I know you have bunches, and I would love to answer them all. Or at least make up a great answer. So just get your questions in here to the website, and I know John will be on my butt to make sure I answer them all. And it will be fun. Most importantly thanks to everyone who enjoyed what we were doing. Like I've said we were really having "fun" and I'm glad you were too.

Love you all and thanks for making it all worthwhile.

The right of way for the old Jersey Central Railroad was immediately north of here.

WCFL - Chicago, 26 August 1971

1. Uncle Arbert / Admiral Halsey - Paul & Linda McCartney (Apple)

2. Maybe tomorrow - Jackson Five (Motown) 

3. Rings - Cymarron (Entrance) 

4. Wedding song (There is love) - Paul Stockley (WB)

5. Smiling faces sometimes - The Undisputed Truth (Motown) 

6. Won't get fooled again - The Who (Decca)

7. Spanish Harlem - Aretha Franklin (Atlantic)

8. Ain't no sunshine - Bill Withers (Sussex)

9. Take me home, country roads - John Denver (RCA)

10. Resurrection shuffle - Ashton, Gardner & Dyke (Capitol)

11. Liar - 3 Dog Night (Dunhill)

12. Mother freedom - Bread (Elektra)

13. Mercy, mercy me - Marvin Gaye (Motown)

14. Go away little girl - Donny Osmond (MGM)

15. I just want to celebrate - Rare Earth (Motown)

16. Never ending song of love - Delany & Bonnie (Atlantic) 

17. Watcha see is watcha get - Dramatics (Volt) 

18. The night they drove Old Dixie down - Joan Baez (Vanguard)

19. Woke up in love this morning - Partridge Family (Bell) 

20. Roll on - The New Colony Six (Sunlight Records) 

21. Riders on the storm - The Doors (Elektra)

22. Moon shadow - Cat Stevens (A&M)

23. Sweet hitchhiker - Creedence Clearwater Revival (Fantasy)

24. Mr Big Stuff - Jean Knight (Stax)

25. Bangla-Desh - George Harrison (Apple) 

26. Indian Reservation - The Raiders (Columbia)

27. I ain't got time anymore - The Glass Bottle (Atco)

28. Stagger Lee - Tommy Roe (ABC)

29. How can you mend a broken heart? - Bee Gees (Atco)

30. Marianne - Stephen Stills (Atlantic)

31. Don't pull your love - Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds (Dunhill) 

32. Take me girl, I'm ready - Jr. Walker & The All Star (Tamla-Motown)

33. Beginnings - Chicago (Columbia)

34. I've found someone of my own - Free Movement (Decca)

35. Funky Nassau - Beginning of the End (Alston) 

WCFL - Chicago 26 August 1971. 

A L B U M S 

1. Carpenters (A&M)

2. Every picture tells a story - Rod Stewart (Mercury) 

3. Tapestry - Carole King (Ode)

4. Ram - Paul & Linda McCartney (Apple)

5. Every good boy deserves favour - Moody Blues (Threshold-London)

6. Who's next? - The Who (Decca)

7. Mud Slide Slim - James Taylor (WB)

8. B, S & T - Blood, Sweat & Tears (Columbia)

9. Stephen Stills no.2 (Atlantic) 

10. Blue - Joni Mitchell (Reprise)