November 30, 2017

 

The much loved Beatle, George Harrison,

had more than 10 singles on his own accord,

among them ‘Got My Mind Set On You’

and making No.1 was ‘My Sweet Lord’.

 

Freddie Mercury’s 1st solo album – ‘Mr Bad Guy’,

was certainly one not to miss.

The 8th track especially winning hearts 

was ‘There Must Be More To Life Than This’.

 

From ‘Space Oddity’ to ‘Ashes to Ashes’

From ‘Life on Mars’ to ‘Fame’,

David Bowie will always be remembered

for staying ahead of the game.

 

‘Praying For Time’ to get over his loss  –

for George Michael, we still shed a tear.

His hit  ‘December Song ( I Dreamed Of Christmas)

so relevant at this time of year.

 

‘Anyone Who Had A Heart’ & ‘You’re My World’,

in 64 were No.1’s,  back to back.

Loved both at home and ‘Across The Universe’

was Liverpool’s  own Cilla Black.

 

‘One Moment In Time’

gave Whitney Houston her 3rd UK  No.1,

and her 4th No.1 – ‘I Will Always Love You’,

from The Bodyguard, every heart won.

 

In Nov of 80, ‘(Just Like) Starting Over’ –

a gold selling No.1 in the US and the UK,

and ‘Imagine’, and ‘Woman’, two back to back No.1’s –

John Lennon we miss you in every way.

 

‘Walk On The Wild Side’, a Top 10 in 73

came from US genius –  Lou Reed.

Other UK hits include ‘ Soulman ‘ and ‘Satellite Of Love’,

but ‘Perfect Day’, we loved too  – yes indeed.

 

‘Blue Christmas’ and ‘Santa Bring My Baby Back To Me’ –

hits of 64 and 57 for Elvis, –  fans thought just heaven.

In 77, ‘White Christmas’ from Bing Crosby

also back in the charts in 85, 98 and 07.

 

Losing Michael Jackson in 2009

was another huge music industry loss.

‘Rock With You’,  just one of his 50 songs

back in the UK Top 200 – showing he was still the boss.

 

Chris Squire, a respected member of ‘Yes’,

also too soon, from this earth, did depart.

Two Top Ten singles that come to mind are –

‘Circus Of Heaven’ and ‘Owner Of A Lonely Heart’.

 

With age comes acceptance

that the end may be nigh,

and that all earthly happenings

will soon pass us by.

 

Though life has a habit

of throwing in a curved ball,

and taking,  far too early,

those who haven’t lived at all.

 

And this shock to the system

sometimes questions belief.

Taking longer to cope with

the heavy burden of grief.

 

But if waiting for our arrival

are these past heroes and mates,

the party can continue

far beyond heaven’s gate.

 

written by

Harriet Blackbury.

 

November 27, 2017

 

Tune in to Tony’s Time Machine

on Tuesday  28th November 2017

to listen to another superfast hour

of mind blowing music,

including this week –

Tony’s look into some

all time great

Guitar Classics.

 

Tony will also be reading the poem –

‘For The Love Of David Cassidy’

written by Harriet Blackbury

exclusively for the Show.

 

Forget ‘Black Friday’ Show Devotees

Red Hot Tuesday is sure to please.

 

November 22, 2017

 

 

In 71 The Partridge Family featuring David Cassidy

had a U.S. No.1 with  ‘I think I Love You’.

This single also made the UK Top Twenty,

and ‘It’s One Of Those Nights (Yes Love), next in 72.

 

Two months later in April saw David Cassidy

up at No.2 with a flourish –

His double ‘A’ sided single, flying up the charts –

being, ‘Could It Be Forever’  & ‘Cherish’.

 

In September of 72, came his first UK No.1,

as fans answered his song – ‘How Can I Be Sure’,

and hysteria at an all time high,

when, in 73, he arrived for his first UK Tour.

 

‘Rock Me Baby’  his last hit of 72,

climbed to No. 11,  of the chart tree,

and was followed by another double ‘A’ side  –

‘I’m A Clown’ & ‘Some Kind Of A Summer’, in 73.

 

His other UK hit of this year came in October –

 by now he could do no wrong.

His 3rd double ‘A’ side, this time made No.1,

being, ‘Daydreamer’ & The Puppy Song.

 

‘If I Didn’t Care’ – a Top Ten of 74,

and ‘Please Please Me’ – A Top Twenty at No.16.

In 75, ‘I Write The Songs’ & ‘Get It Up For Love’, at No.11,

followed by ‘Darlin’, again at No.16.

 

In 85, ‘The Last Kiss’ made No.6

and ‘Romance (Let Your Heart Go)’,  in at No.54,

seem two apt songs to complete this eulogy,

now sadly, lovely David Cassidy –  is no more.

 

 

From Teens to Mums and Grandma’s,

he was everyones sweetheart –

embracing all that is pure, through song and verse, –

his music touched every heart.

 

Thank you  for the music.

David Cassidy – Rest in peace. 

 

 

 

 

 

November 19, 2017

 

 

Tune in to

Tony’s Time Machine 

on Tuesday, 21st November

at Noon

for another whirlwind hour

of topical chat and great music.

 

Tony will also be paying tribute

to Malcolm Young of AC/DC.

 

Make it a habit to tune in Folks.

 

 

In 78, ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Damnation” – arrived from AC/DC,

and followed in 79,  by ‘Highway To Hell’.

and ‘Touch Too Much’,  their first Top 30 of 80 –

(Sadly losing Bon Scott this month, as well).

 

Six more hits also came in 80,  ending with,

‘Rock ‘N’ Roll  Ain’t Noise Pollution’, at No.15.

Which found AC/DC firmly established

on the UK Rock music scene.

 

‘Let’s Get It Up’  and  ‘Who Made Who’,

and  ‘Heatseeker’,  some more hits of this decade.

And in the 90’s ‘Thunderstruck’  and  ‘Highway To Hell (live)’ –

two more Top 20’s making the grade.

 

‘It’s A Long Way To The Top

(If You Wanna Rock N Roll)’,

but AC/DC kept the faith –

making it look just like a stroll.

 

And so soon after losing his brother George,

we hear of the sad loss of Malcolm Young.

Rest in peace, in the knowledge –

your work, forever played and sung.

 

Thank you for your music.

 

 

 

 

 

November 5, 2017

 

Tune in to

Tony’s Time Machine

at Noon 

on Tues. 14th November

to listen to Part Two

of Tony’s well received look

into the fab year of 1972.

 

Tune in to 

Tony’s Time Machine

on Tuesday,  7th Nov

at Noon

when Tony will be remembering

one of his favourite years

through music and chat.

 

Tony will also be reading

‘For The Love Of  72’

written by

Harriet Blackbury.

 

 

 

Heard coming out of every Disco

from Manchester to Malibu

were these unmistakable sounds

in magical 1972.

 

‘Here I go again’ by Archie Bell & The Drells –

in the UK charts of October at No. 11,

and Eric Clapton’s ‘Layla’-

in the Top Ten of August at No.7.

 

And David Bowie’s ‘Starman’ –

his first hit of this year too.

Followed by ‘John, I’m Only Dancing’,

and ‘The Jean Genie’ –  our minds blew.

 

‘Mama weer all crazee now’-

a No 1 for Slade, sent us all insane.

and in December at No.3

arrived Carly Simon, with ‘You’re So Vain’

 

‘Meet Me On The Corner’,

in February saw Lindisfarne at No.5,

and in July, flying in at No.3 came –

Hawkwind’s  ‘Silver Machine’, with power drive.

 

Gilbert O’Sullivan reached No.1

declaring his love for ‘Clair’,

and bending our ear was Don Mclean,

telling us of ‘Vincent’ and his despair.

 

Paul McCartney & Wings

gave us ‘Hi Hi Hi’ and ‘Cmoon’,

and in at No.2  came Ringo Starr

singing his ‘Back Off Boogaloo’ tune.

 

This year also saw T Rex – 

 in May at No.1 with ‘Metal Guru’,

and The Stylistics’  ‘Betcha By Golly Wow’

and ‘I’m Stoned In Love With You’.

 

The first hit for Roxy Music

came in August, with ‘Virginia Plain’

and ‘My World’ and ‘Run To Me’,

from the Bee Gees, in our hearts remain.

 

‘School’s Out’ sang Alice Cooper

as we let down our guard,

and Paul Simon’s ‘Mother And Child Reunion’ came

with ‘Me & Julio Down By The School Yard’.

 

Simon & Garfunkel gave us ‘America’,

and Hurricane Smith sang ‘Oh Babe What Would You Say’,

and Donny Osmond with ‘Puppy Love’ at No.1,

proved he was here to stay.

 

‘Morning Has Broken’ by Cat Stevens

arrived in the charts as January began,

followed soon after in April,

by Elton John and his ‘Rocket Man’.

”

Two more hits of this year for Elton

were ‘Honky Cat’ and ‘Crocodile Rock’,

and in January ‘Son Of My Father’

for Chicory Tip,  made the top slot.

 

‘You Wear It Well’,  a No.1 in August,

for Rod Stewart – the 2nd hit to come his way,

after the double-sided No.1 of ’71 –

‘Reason To Believe’ and ‘Maggie May’

 

‘Got To Be There’ and ‘Rockin Robin’ –

the first single to make the Top Ten

for Michael Jackson in 72,

followed by ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ and ‘Ben’.

 

In August, ‘Living In Harmony’

saw Cliff Richard again in the charts,

and ever since ‘Move It’ -back in 58,

Sir Cliff continues to win more hearts.

 

Whichever year ‘did it’ for you;

whichever year pulled at your heart strings,

there’s no better ‘feel good’ factor,

than reliving the joy each memory brings.

 

Whatever your situation now;

whatever your reasons to exist on this land.

Just put all your troubles behind you –

relax, and listen to your favourite band.