March 31, 2017

 

 

A pal likes to be remembered –

whether they be new or old,

and in 77, ‘Thank You For Being A Friend’

came along from Andrew Gold.

 

In 88, Mica Paris was at No. 7

with ‘My One Temptation’ on show,

and in 04 at No.3 was Keene,

with ‘Someone Only We Know’.

 

Deniece Williams made No.8 in 77,

reaching a note so spine chilling,

and today ‘That’s What Friends Are For’,

sounds just as movingly thrilling.

 

‘Friends Will Be Friends’ by Queen

in 86, another Top 20 fix,

and in 89 ‘Rooms On Fire’,

at No.16, by Stevie Nicks.

 

‘All About You’ / ‘You’ve Got A Friend’ –

a double ‘A sided’ No.1 in 05, for McFly,

And Leo Sayer’s 77 Number 1 –

‘When I Need You’ – I cannot pass by.

 

‘Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own’ –

a seventh Number 1, in 05 for U2.

and ‘Dedicated To The One I Love’ in 67,

by Mamas & Papas, stopped us feeling blue.

 

So many hits came from Abba,

‘Knowing Me Knowing You’, springs to mind,

after hauntingly memorable ‘Fernando’,

and ‘Dancing Queen’ – always on re-wind.

 

In 07 at No.7 came ‘Soulmate’

from UK’s Natasha Bedingfield,

and Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell’s 69 hit –

‘The Onion Song’, more than appealed.

 

In 71, a classic from James Taylor –

‘You’ve Got A Friend’, made No.4,

after his first chart entry – ‘Fire and Rain’,

which came the year before.

 

The Average White Band’s – ‘Let’s Go Round Again’

has the best ‘feel-good’ instrumental middle,

which some DJ’s frustratingly fade out,

or the song comes on, when I’m needing a piddle!

 

With vocals by The Bandits,

Billy Cotton & his Band reached 3 in 54,

with a song entitled ‘Friends & Neighbours’,

which got Granny onto the dance floor.

 

March 19, 2017

 

 

Chuck Berry had us ‘Rockin and Reelin’

with ‘School Days’ and ‘Sweet Sixteen’,

when he entered the charts in the late 50’s

with a vibe few had seldom seen.

 

Seven more hits followed in the 60’s

like ‘Go Go Go’ & Run Rudolf Run’,

and with ‘Let it Rock’ & ‘Memphis Tennessee’

this double ‘A’ side, had every heart won.

 

‘Nadine (Is It You)’ came along next

before ‘No Particular Place To Go’

and ‘You Can Never Tell’ and ‘Promised Land,

proving Chuck Berry could put on a Show.

 

Be sure the gates of heaven

will welcome home this Rock & Roll King

with open arms on his arrival

singing his only No1 – ‘My Ding A Ling’.

 

Your music changed lives

RIP  Chuck Berry

 

 

March 17, 2017

 

 

At No.1 in 61 singing ‘Runaway’,

Del Shannon took to the floor.

‘Run To The Sun’ sang Erasure

decades later – reaching No.6 in 94.

 

‘Keep On Running’, a No.1,

for The Spencer Davis Group in 65,

and ‘Keep Moving’ in 99 also,

a No.1 for the UK male group – Five.

 

At No.4 in 71, Tami Lynn sang

‘I’m Gonna Run Away From You’,

and ‘Run To Me’ by The Bee Gees,

their 7^th Top Ten, coming in 72.

 

‘Run Baby Run’ by The Newbeats,

a hit of 71, making No.10.

In 95 Sheryl Crow’s hit ‘Run Baby Run’

a different song she helped to pen.

 

At No.34 with ‘Running Free’ in 80,

Iron Maiden hit the scene,

& ‘Running Free (Live)’ saw Iron Maiden

in 85 reaching No.19

 

Their ‘Run To The Hills’, in the Top 10,

in both 82 and 2002,

and ‘Run To The Hills (Live)’ in 85

also giving Iron Maiden a Top 30 pew.

 

In 80 ‘Running With The Devil’ by Van Halen

followed by ‘Jump’ in 84 – their first Top 10,

also ‘Running With The Night’ in 84,

saw Lionel Richie with his 4^th Top 10.

 

In the charts of 61, Roy Orbison,

at No.9 with ‘Running Scared’.

The year after ‘Only The Lonely’ –

his first No.1, some fans preferred.

 

‘Running Up The Hill’, in 85,

got Kate Bush to No.3,

and ‘Run To You’ found Bryan Adams

at No.11, as fans screamed gleefully.

 

In 79, Meatloaf meant business,

singing like a ‘Bat Out Of Hell’ – I’ll be gone.

And with ‘Running In The Family’, in 87,

at No.6, Level 42 shone.

 

In 80, along came ‘Runaway Boys’,

getting The Stray Cats to No.9.

and ‘Run For Home’ by Lindisfarne in 78,

their 3^rd hit to cross the Top 10 line.

 

 

Whether running away or towards something –

be it up hills or running down dales.

Or round in circles, never getting anywhere,

and feeling like a ship without sails.

 

No matter how tiresome your journey,

or how heavy your old knapsack,

just point your head towards the future,

and keep on running and don’t look back.

 

 

 

Saturday was a day to remember.

The Leader showed them the cultural scene,

Passing Bram Stoker’s home

and then onto St. Stephens Green.

 

They stopped for a pint in the Shelbourne,

then into Dublin’s smallest drinking den.

Before finding a bar with a telly,

to watch the footy – well, men will be men!

 

The girls went off to do some shopping,

saying ‘Can we stay out ‘till three?’

‘Oh, yes,’ cried the men with one voice,

while rubbing their hands with glee.

 

At last they could get down to business.

‘Another six pints of Guinness, good man’,

they shouted to the barman in eagerness.

‘This draught sure beats that in a can!’

 

The girls arrived back at three twenty,

thinking that they were so late.

But another game of footy had started,

so back out they went thinking, ‘Great!’

 

At teatime they walked along Grafton Street,

and stopped at Bewleys Tea Place.

Where they ordered sandwiches and coffee;

the day was still picking up pace.

 

In the evening they went to the Guinea Pig,

though they lost a ‘big brother’ on the way.

As one guy was still feeling very sick

and decided to call it a day.

 

The men soon got talking politics

and the world’s problems they did debate.

and decided to have some brandy,

when told that the taxi would be late.

 

Not realising they’d lose an hour

next day, as the clocks were put on.

They headed to a bar for a nightcap,

but one jumped in the lift, and was gone.

 

The Leader had been promised tickets

from a guy, who’d never let him down.

They were to meet him in the second carriage

of the next train heading for town.

 

This soon proved a journey to remember.

The passengers were crushed to bits,

One woman yelled: ‘You’re breaking my ribs!’

another screamed: ‘You’re squashing my tits!’

 

Each time they pulled into a station

the doors slid open and still more got on.

One of the girls nearly burst into tears,

as sadly, her bottle had gone.

 

The Leader came good with the tickets,

well, he got an all important two!

And with hindsight, for him and his best friend

it’d be a match they wouldn’t want to view.

 

They’d probably have developed heart failure,

or at least sunk in utter despair.

Because the game wasn’t so much a ‘walkover’,

as it was embarrassing beyond compare.

 

Two of them stood at the back of the Stand

to avoid the inevitable squeeze.

Whilst others headed towards The Herbert Park,

for stew and Guinness to at least appease.

 

Some headed into the city,

to find a livelier spot.

And stumbled up the stairs to O’Neills,

into a room that was hotter than hot.

 

One poor guy was still feeling dodgy

and needed a place that was cool.

‘I could give all this lot twenty years!’

He thought, as he stood on a stool.

 

But age, in the end, didn’t matter.

as England won by a margin so clear.

And gave all the much travelled supporters

an excuse to down yet even more beer.

 

They then headed back to Mulligans

and ordered more beers and coke.

Where they met the Leader’s older brother,

who turned out to be one hell of a bloke.

 

He was just back from touring Australia

and he had an amazing grin,

due to a plate of teeth made from titanium

that he said was almost ‘paper thin’.

 

The rest came in celebrating,

the unbelievable England win.

And ribbed the Irish unmercifully

but they took it well, on the chin.

 

Then they caught the train back to the hotel,

including the brother and the best friend.

At least they could commiserate together,

a sorrow shared, by good pals til the end.

 

The group then collected their cases.

Their adventure was over and done.

They agreed the weekend had been terrific,

and best of all – England had won!

 

England v Ireland  – The Big One

 

March 14, 2017

 

 

Sister Sledge entered the charts in 75,

making the Top 20 with ‘Mama Never Told Me’,

and four years later in 79.

3 more hits followed consecutively.

 

Also in 75, ‘Then Came You’ –

Joni performed with The Spinners.

But will be remembered for her sister- act,

and their songs that were all winners.

 

‘He’s The Greatest Dancer’ & ‘We Are Family’

both making the UK Top Ten.

With ‘Lost In Music’ reaching No.17 –

this disco hit, played again and again.

 

‘Frankie’ their only No.1 in 85 –

these ‘All American Girls’ we loved true.

Their songs also remixed hits in the 80’s,

and remixed a 2^nd time, in the 90’s too.

 

This bubbly Singer/Songwriter & Producer

deserves every accolade due.

And today Dear Joni, you can be sure –

The Pop World will be ‘Thinking Of You’

 

 

 

 

 

Tune in to

Tonys Time Machine

Live on

15th & 22nd March.

11 am – 1pm

(with usual repeats in between)

to hear Tony’s

‘March Musical Memories’

with songs by

George Michael,

David Bowie,

and

Freddie Mercury

including Tony’s

special tribute to

Joni Sledge

and music to accompany

 the Poem

For The Love Of Joni Sledge

written by

Harriet Blackbury.

 

Vikki will also be close at hand

as usual, to bring everything together.

 

So listen, relax and enjoy.

 

 

March 7, 2017

 

Tune in to 

Tonys Time Machine

on Wednesday  8th March

11 am – 1 pm

to listen to Tony’s special show

dedicated to 

International Womens Day.

 

There will be live recorded Interviews

from a selection of ladies from Creative Support.

and as usual Vikki will be close at hand.

 

Tony will be chatting to his

Studio Guest of the  week 

Claire Shaw

who will also be reading

For The Love Of Girl Power

written by

Harriet Blackbury.

 

Have fun everyone

 

PS  The Show is repeated

Thursdays at 8am

and

Saturdays at 7pm