"China Grove" by the Doobie Brothers.

OK, back to the 70's: This '73 Doobie Brothers classic was a fictional account loosely based upon an actual small Texas town 10-12 mi. south of San Antonio. Written by original lead singer Tom Johnston before being replaced by Michael McDonald due to illness. The original working title was "Parliament" as Johnston used to name his demos after the brand of cigarettes he was smoking at the time. The lyrics came after the melody when Tom heard keyboardist Billy Payne's "oriental-sounding" riff. Part of the "Field Of Dreams" soundtrack.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTCyO9MpGUM

"Love (Can Make You Happy)" by Mercy.

OK, more one-hit wonders: This Tampa, FL group's only hit came in '69 with a Jack Sigler, Jr. composition. The ensemble formed while the members were still attending Brandon High. It peaked at #2 on Billboard's Hot 100 and on Adult Contemporary. Over a million copies sold in 4 months; RIAA Certified Gold. Featured on the "Fireball Jungle" soundtrack (Lon Chaney's last movie). Group? Song?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSepq9-JFhs

Yesterday's answer: "A Thousand Miles Away" by the Heartbeats and "Daddy's Home" by Shep and The Limelites.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IW25Sg2Rjv
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5XYWXKFe2w
I love the "ra-ta-ta-tat" harmony chorus on "Daddy's Home". The girlfriend literally did move 1,000 miles away.

"A Thousand Miles Away" by The Heartbeats.

OK, back to the 50's: This doo-wop group started out as The Hearts but changed its name in '55. Their biggest hit (#53 Billboard, #5 R&B) was co-written in '56 by James Sheppard and Wm. H. Miller when Sheppard's girlfriend moved to Texas. Recorded in '56 and released in '57. Part of the "American Graffiti" soundtrack ('73). Sheppard left the group shortly after and formed his own ensemble, Shep and The Limelites - in '61 they released an "answer" song that peaked at #2. Group? Song? "Answer" song?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IW25Sg2Rjv0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5XYWXKFe2w

Yesterday's answer: "The Night Has A Thousand Eyes" by Bobby Vee. Bobby still looks and sounds great! Talking about the Brill Building, on the 1st floor, right on Times Square, is Colony Records. You die and go to heaven!!! EVERY recording and sheet music ever published is there - I could spend... days just browsing!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACFYJxcN5Wo

"The Night Has A Thousand Eyes" by Bobby Vee with The Johnny Mann Singers.

OK, more 60's: This '63 Weisman/Wayne/Garrett composition marked Bobby Vee's "plunge" into Brill Building teen idol pop music. It peaked at #2 on Billboard's Hot 100, at #2 on Easy Listening and #9 on R&B. Part of the "Dark City" soundtrack in '98. Bobby was also a pioneer of the music video genre.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACFYJxcN5Wo

Yesterday's answer: "Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree" by Tony Orlando and Dawn. They did get annoying after a while but they sold A LOT of records! " The origin of the idea of a yellow ribbon as a token of remembrance may have been the 19th century practice that some women allegedly had of wearing a yellow ribbon in their hair to signify their devotion to a husband or sweetheart serving in the U.S. Cavalry". The song found new life in '81 during the Iran hostage crisis. John Wayne's movie was titled "She Wore A Yellow Ribbon". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NCZ4l8FCFc

"Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree" by Tony Orlando and Dawn

OK, back to the 70's: This '73 Levine/Brown composition was based on the true story of a convict returning home as told in a '71 N.Y. Post article. Refers to a 19th century Puritan tradition which also inspired a John Wayne movie. It became an anthem for absent loved ones in the 70's and thereafter. #1 and top-selling single of the year US and UK in '73. Sold 3 million copies in 3 weeks! Billboard's #37 Biggest Song Of All Time. Song? Group?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NCZ4l8FCFc

Yesterday's answer: "The Beatles' "Thank You, Girl". Not one of their biggest hits but I always loved the song. First time I heard it was while having pizza at Mastro's Pizza Palace on Central Ave. in San Juan. It was playing on the little tableside jukebox (remember those?).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_wC5zBOfxY

The Night Walkers

Okey, mas Nueva Ola: Esta agrupacion mayaguezana de los 60-70's comenzo en la television del oeste de la isla en "El Club De Las 5". "Descubiertos" por Alfred D. Herger, vinieron a San Juan donde se popularizaron. Tocaban frecuentemente en "Fin De Semana Musical", "El Show De Iris Chacon" y con Chucho Avellanet. Grabaron 2 discos de larga duracion en el '68. Aunque era un cuarteto, otros musicos se les unian en concierto y para grabar. Gil Rivera, influenciado por el "folk" estadounidense, era director y guitarrista. Enrique (Kiko) Rivera, de tendencia R&B, tocaba la bateria. El roquero Jose (Pepito) Valentin era la primera guitarra. Fernando Ayala tocaba el bajo y su hermano Felix, el "semi-clasico" era arreglista y guirarrista. Jose Raul Feliciano a~adia guitarra. El baladista romantico Oscar (Solo) Vicenty era el cantante. El luego dejo la agrupacion para aparecer como el solista Oscar Solo. Quienes eran?

Respuesta: The Night Walkers. Su mayor exito fue una version del tema de la telenovela "Natacha" del peruano Raul Vasquez.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ESfmJN9IKo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WiqQ95Aczk

"Thank You, Girl" by The Beatles.

OK, more Fabdom: This '63 release was dedicated to the band's many adoring female fans. B-side to "From Me To You". Lennon wrote the verses and Macca the chorus. First Beatles song to utilize double-tracked vocals to emphasize John's lead (he had a bad cold that day!). Two other songs, "One After 909" and "What Goes On?", were recorded during the same session but were not released until much later - "Let It Be" and "Rubber Soul" respectively.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_wC5zBOfxY

Yesterday's answer: John's Aunt Mimi always asked him which guitar part was his on Beatles recordings - he tuned the 4th string slightly flat so she could tell which one was out of tune. The other "unofficial" reason was to annoy the much more obsessive/compulsive Paul.