May 21, 2018

 

Tune in to 

Tony’s Time Machine

at Noon

on Tuesday, 22nd May 2018

as Motown May continues.

 

Tony’s ‘Rock Band’ of’the Month

is

Barclay James Harvest

who will be touring the UK later this year

on their 50th Anniversary

 

Also live on the Show will be

the welcome return of 

Arthur Macabe

in conversation with Tony

 

Arthur will be reading the poem –

‘For The Love Of The Temptations’

written by Harriet Blackbury

&

Tony will be reading the poem –

‘For The Love Of  Reminiscing’

written by Harriet Blackbury

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 85, on the CBS label, came ‘The Power Of Love’,

spending 5 weeks at No.1 for Jennifer Rush.

And on Virgin, ‘Don’t Give Up On Me’ made No.9 in 86

for Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush.

 

In 77, on RCA,  Al Stewart brought us –

‘Year Of The Cat’, which reached to No. 31.

‘Stay Another Day’, in 94, sang East 17 – 

with this Platinum selling hit, a Christmastime No.1.

 

‘Until You Come Back To Me (That’s what I’m Gonna Do)’-

a Top 30 UK hit for Aretha Franklin in 74.

and ‘Stay With Me Til Dawn’ by Judie Tzuke –

a Top 20 in 79, left fans begging for more.

 

In 90, ‘It Must Have Been Love’ – a US No.1

for Roxette, on EMI, making the UK Top 3

This song, also re-appearing 3 years later,

this time, at No.10, another success proved to be.

 

In 72,  ‘You Wear It Well’ arrived on Mercury –

a UK No.1 from Rod Stewart, at the top of the tree.

and on Epic, ‘It’s All Coming Back To Me Now’,

in 96, gave Celine Dion, a UK No.3.

 

‘One Day I’ll Fly Away’ came along  in 80,

giving Randy Crawford a UK No.2.

In 84, ‘Against All Odds’ (Take A Look At Me Now)’-

 a UK No.2 for Phil Collins on view. 

 

In 98, on Columbia, a US No.1,  made No.4 in the UK charts,

when Aerosmith zoomed in with  ‘I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing’.

and in 80, on the Epic label, making a Uk No.3 –

‘She’s Out Of My Life’, Michael Jackson did sing.

 

In 93, on Warner Brothers, came ‘Everybody Hurts’,

from REM, a UK No.7, winning lots of hearts.

and in 84, Phil Oakey & Giorgio Moroder brought

‘Together In Electric Dreams’,  to No. 3 in the Uk charts.

 

‘Long Live Love’ sang Sandie Shaw.

‘Let There Be Love’ sang Nat ‘King’ Cole.

for love expressed through song is timeless

whether Rock, Rap, Blues, or Soul.

 

written by

Harriet Blackbury

 

May 11, 2018

 

 

Tune into 

Tony’s Time Machine

at NOON  on Tuesday  15th May

for a little bit of everything good.

including the continuation of ‘Motown’ May

and forthcoming UK Concert dates.

 

and  a little bit of Rock 

and  a little bit of Cliff Richard.

 

Tony will also be reading the poems –

For The Love Of Tavares

and 

For The Love Of Sir Cliff Richard

(featuring most of his Top Twenty UK hits)

Both these poems written by

Harriet Blackbury

 

May 7, 2018

 

 

In 58, ‘Move It’ and ‘High Class Baby’

were the first two Top 10’s to come along

for Cliff Richard & The Drifters,

and in 59, Livin’ Lovin’ Doll – another hit, so strong.

 

Then ‘Mean Streak’ – also in 59,

making No.10, followed on,

before ‘Living Doll’ appeared,

easily reaching No.1

 

Cliff, now with The Shadows,

had his second No.1 – ‘Travelling Light’,

and ending the decade at No.16

with a song called ‘Dynamite’.

 

‘Expresso Bongo EP’ came in 60,

and ‘A Voice In The Wilderness’ reached No.2.

Also at No.2 was  ‘Fall In Love With You,

before ‘Please Don’t Tease’, took a No.1 pew.

 

Still in 60, ‘Nine Times Out Of Ten’,

at No.3, his fifth hit of this year, so far.

And closing the year was  ‘I Love You’,

which made No.1,  for this well beloved star.

 

In 61, ‘Theme For A Dream’ peaked at No.3

and ‘Gee Whiz It’s You’  made No.4 in the chart.

Then, ‘A Girl Like You’, also a No.3 hit,  as was –

‘When The Girl In Your Arms Is The Girl In Your Heart.

 

In 62, Cliff Richard & The Shadows

next took ‘The Young Ones’ to No.1

and ‘I’m Looking Out The Window’ & ‘Do You Wanna Dance’ –

at No.2,  a double ‘A’ sided single, came into view.

 

The next release, ‘It’ll be me’, also made No.2,

followed by another double ‘A’ sided Number One joy.

Always a favourite amongst loyal fans being –

‘The Next Time’ & ‘Bachelor Boy’.

 

63 followed on, with yet another No.1,

when ‘Summer Holiday’ had fans moving their hips,

along with the next hit at No.4 –

the unforgettable  ‘Lucky Lips’.

 

Still in 63, – ‘It’s All In The Game’

peaked at No’ 2 in the chart,

before ‘Don’t Talk To Him’, also No.2 –

yet another hit, fans took to their heart.

 

Reaching No.8 in 64, was –

‘I’m The Lonely One’.

And  ‘Constantly’ and ‘On The Beach’ –

two more Top Ten hits, to follow on.

 

At  No.8 came ‘The Twelfth Of Never’ –

the penultimate 64 fix –

before ending the year with  ‘I Could Easily Fall’

which peaked at No.6.

 

In 65, ‘The Minute You’re Gone’ – a No.1,

and finding No.12, next came  ‘On My Word’.

‘Wind Me Up (Let’ Me Go)’ reaching No.2

and in 66, Blue Turns To Grey’, was heard.

 

‘Visions’ and ‘Time Drags By’ and ‘In The Country’ –

3 more 66 Top Ten hits to delight.

and in 67, ‘It’s All Over’,  at No.9,

and ‘The Day I Met Marie’ – to No.10, took flight.

 

Reaching No.6 with his last hit of 67 –

Cliff gave fans ‘All Of My Love’,

before starting 68 with a flourish

when ‘Congratulations’  forced a No.1 shove.

 

‘Good Times (Better Times) arrived in 69,

followed at No.8 by  ‘Big Ship’.

And next, with Hank Marvin, came ‘Throw Down A Line’,

‘With The Eyes Of A Child’, in this Top 20 trip.

 

Goodbye Sam Hello Samantha,

climbed up to No.6 in 70,

with ‘Sunny Honey Girl’ –  in 71

making a No.19 entry.

 

‘Sing A Song Of Freedom’ –

also a hit of 71, climbing to No. 13,

and at No 12 ‘Living In Harmony’, in 72,

was Cliff’s last hit on Columbia seen. 

 

‘Power To All Our Friends’

reached No.4 in 73,  on EMI.

In 74 came ‘(You Keep Me) Hangin On’,

and in 76, ‘Miss You Nights’ made every fan sigh.

 

‘Devil Woman’ came next, also in 76 –

still with EMI, making No.9.

‘I Can’t Ask For Any More Than You’,

another hit that fans thought divine.

 

‘My Kinda Life’ peaked at No.15,  in 77,

with ‘We Don’t Talk Anymore’, a No.1 of 79,

and in 80, ‘Carrie’ headed for No.4 –

3 more favourites, fans thought just fine.

 

‘Dreamin’ on EMI, made No.8 in 80,

and then ‘Suddenly’ on Jet, with Olivia Newton John.

Then back with EMI, making No.15 in 81 –

‘A Little In Love’ followed on.

 

‘Wired For Sound’ at No.4, came next,

and then ‘Daddy’s Home’ – a gold seller, at No.2.

The first hit of 82 being ‘The Only Way Out’

followed by ‘Little Town’ at No.11 in the queue.

 

In 83, ‘She Means Nothing To Me’,

on Capitol, with Phil Everly, made No.9,

and back on EMI came ‘True Love Ways’,

with The London Philharmonic Orchestra – so fine.

 

‘Never Say Die (Give A Little Bit More),

and ‘Please Don’t Fall In Love’, ended 83,

and ‘She’s So Beautiful’ – a Top 20 of 85,

filling Cliff’s followers with glee.

 

With The Young Ones featuring Hank B Marvin

‘Living Doll’ – a No.1 of 86.

This gold selling hit on the WEA label,

giving a variety of fans their fix.

 

With Sarah Brightman on the Polydor label,

making No.3, came ‘All I Ask Of You’ –

this single always sure to melt hearts,

with a sound so pure and so true.

 

Then back on EMI, in 87 came along –

‘My Pretty One’ at No.6,  and ‘Some People’ at No.3

and ‘Cliff’s gold selling hit of 88 –

‘Mistletoe and Wine, a No 1 – sure had to be. 

 

In 89, at No.2 was ‘The Best Of Me’,

and ‘I Just Don’t Have The Heart’  at No.3.

Then at No.17, came ‘Lean On You’,

but this decade still wasn’t through!

 

On Polydor, Van Morrison with Cliff Richard,

gave us ‘Whenever God Shines His Light’,

and starting the 90’s  back on EMI,

‘Stronger Than That’ and ‘Silhouettes’ came into sight.

 

Then, ‘From A Distance’ reached No.11,

with ‘Saviours Day’ making the No.1 slot.

‘We Should Be Together’ – the last hit of 91,

and in 92 ‘I Still Believe In You’  held the No.7 spot.

 

‘Peace In Our Time’ reached No.8 in 93,

and ‘Healing Love’ – a No.19 claim.

In 94, ‘All I Have To Do Is Dream’ & ‘Miss You Nights’,

with Phil Everly & Cliff Richard, in the Top 20 frame.

 

‘Misunderstood Man’- at No.19 in 95,

and in 98, ‘Can’t Keep This Feeling In’  at No.10

And ‘The Millennium Prayer’ on the Papillon label,

in 99, gave Cliff another No.1 again.

 

‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ & ‘What A Wonderful World’-

( a double ‘A’ side, again on the Papillon label),

reached No.11,  in December 01.

bringing yet more success to the table.

 

In 03, at No.5 came ‘Santa’s List’ –

once more back on EMI.

Then next on Decca – ‘Somethin Is Going On’

in 04, at No.9, for this hit-making guy.

 

Two more hits on Decca came in 04 and 05 –

when ‘I Cannot Give You My Love’  & ‘What Car’ arrived.

and in 06, back on EMI, at No.2 –

’21st Century Christmas’ & ‘Move It’  also thrived. 

 

The last song in my tribute to this Legend –

coming in 08 and reaching No.3 –

is ‘Thank You For A Lifetime’ – so apt –

Sir Cliff Richard – you are top of the tree.  

 

Written by Harriet Blackbury

 

April 29, 2018

 

In 66 ‘How Sweet It Is’

entered the UK charts at No. 22,

and with 4 Top Twenty hits to follow,

Junior Walker & The All Stars, our minds blew.

 

‘I Just Called To Say I Love You’,

with ease, won every heart.

This Stevie Wonder No.1 of 84

coming 18 years after ‘Uptight’ made the UK chart.

 

‘Stop In The Name Of Love’

found The Supremes on Tamla Motown ground,

after 3 hits on the Stateside label,

including ‘Baby Love’ – a No.1 sound.

 

Favourites from Martha Reeves & The Vandellas,

were ‘Nowhere to run’ and ‘Dancing In The Street’

and The Miracles ‘Going To A Go-Go’

had everyone up on their feet.

 

‘Take Me In Your Arms And Love Me’

sang Gladys Knight & The Pips.

and  ‘It Takes Two’  by Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston,

another song,  always on our lips.

 

’25 Miles’ and ‘War’

came from Edwin Starr.

And ‘Tracks Of My Tears & ‘Tears Of A Clown’,

by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles – setting the bar.

 

‘I Want You Back’ and ‘ABC’,

and ‘The Love You Save’ and ‘I’ll Be There’ –

Four consecutive US number ones –

from The Jackson 5, making the world aware.

 

‘This Old Heart Of Mine’ – also a classic,

along with ‘Behind A Painted Smile’.

and,  ‘I Guess I’ll Always Love You’ – another hit,

showing The Isley Brothers had style.

 

‘These Things Will Keep Me Loving You’ –

a top 40 for The Velvelettes  in 71,

and ‘The Onion Song’ from Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell –

so poignant, now they are gone.

 

Let The Music play.

 

Written by

Harriet Blackbury

 

April 21, 2018

 

 

Tune in to Tony’s Time Machine 

at NOON on 1st May 2018

For another great Tamla Motown Special,

including Tony’s warm Interview with

The Four Tops  founder member – ‘Duke’ Abdul Fakir.

 

Tune in to Tony’s Time Machine

at NOON on Tuesday, 24th April 2018 

for another magical hour of

great music and chat, including 

a special guitar track from Liam.

 

This week Tony will be 

celebrating The Motown years,

and he will also be reading

3 new poems 

For The Love Of The Four Tops,

For The Love Of The Temptations,

&

For The Love Of Tavares –

all written by

Harriet Blackbury

 

Enjoy the fastest hour of the day,

as you dance the time away.

 

April 19, 2018

 

 

Released on Stateside in 65,

‘My Girl’ was The Temptations first UK hit.

Then, ‘Its Growing’ on Tamla Motown,

saw new fans eyes, brightly lit.

 

In 66, three more hits followed –

‘Ain’t Too Proud To Beg’  reaching 21,

and with ‘Beauty Is Only Skin Deep’, and

‘(I know) I’m Losing You’ – they had the Top 20 won.

 

Still on the Tamla Motown label was their next hit in 67 –

with ‘You’re My Everything’ –  in the charts at No. 26,

The Temptations were now established,

giving loyal fans their fix.

 

68,  saw two songs reach the mid 40s –

‘I Wish It Would Rain’  – being the first of these,

followed by ‘I Could Never Love Another’ –

this group just continued to please.

 

In 69, ‘I’m Gonna Make You Love Me’ – 

their highest hit to date at No.3,

when Diana Ross & The Supremes and The Temptations

touched our hearts so powerfully.

 

Once more on their own, then followed –

‘Get Ready’ and then ‘Cloud Nine’

Both these hits were dance-floor pleasers

and life seemed so divine.

 

Diana Ross & The Supremes and The Temptations

joined forces once more with devotion,

ending the decade with another hit –

when at No.18 came ‘I Second That Emotion’.

 

Still on Tamla Motown, their first hit of 70 –

at No.13, was ‘I Can’t Get Next To You’.

and Diana Ross & The Supremes and The Temptations

gave us – ‘Why ( Must We Fall In Love)’, too.

 

Then two more hits came in 70,

the next being ‘Psychedelic Shack’,

and finally ‘Ball Of Confusion’,

at No.7 – a punch did pack. 

 

‘Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)’ –

their only hit, (making No.8) in 71.

and with 2 more singles in 72,

this hit machine had us all won.

 

 ‘Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are)’

peaked at No.32,

and ‘Take A Look Around’, at No.13,

in the Top 20 view.

 

‘Papa Was A Rolling Stone’,

came along next in 73,

peaking in the charts at No.14.

and a particular favourite, proved to be.

 

Also in 73, at No. 41,

was ‘Law Of The Land’,

and in 82, ”Standing On The Top (Part 1)’,

featuring Rick James, on Motown, made a stand.

 

‘Treat Her Like A Lady’

peaked at No.12 in 84.

and in 87, ‘Papa Was A Rolling Stone (Remix)’ – 

just as great as before.

 

In 88, ‘Look What You Started’

was the next one in line,

and ‘All I Want From You’ –

then followed on in 89.

 

At No.2 on Epic

came ‘My Girl’ in 92.

also in this year  ‘The Jones’,

on Motown, the last in this queue.

 

Eddie Kendricks had 2 solo hits –

‘Keep On Truckin’,  a US No.1, in 73.

This song also making the UK Top 20,

and a winner, sure proved to be.

 

His next single came in 74,

‘Boogie Down’ – a Top 40 hit in the UK

He sadly died, aged 52, in 92,

though his music, in our hearts will stay.

 

In 76, David Ruffin had a solo hit –

‘Walk Away From Love’, making No.10

He sadly died, aged 50, in 91.

Thank You for the music – Amen.

 

Written by

Harriet Blackbury

 

 

April 13, 2018

 

 

In 76, this US male group,

had us up on the dance floor,

when ‘Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel’

exploded into the UK charts at No.4.

 

‘Don’t Take Away The Music’,

they so convincingly did implore,

as their second UK hit,

once again climbed to No.4.

 

77  brought 3 more hits –

these guys could do no wrong!

The ‘Mighty Power Of Love’,

being their next song to come along.

 

Then, Whodunnit’ made the Top Ten,

and ‘One Step Away’ reached  No.16  –

All their hits on the Capitol label,

and loved by every Disco teen.

 

In 78, ‘The Ghost Of Love’

got as high as No.29,

then ‘More Than A Woman’, at No 7 –

another Top Ten we thought divine.

 

Their last single of 78,

was ‘Slow Train To Paradise’, at 62,

and then a gap of 8 years,

before two hits, long overdue.

 

‘Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel’,

peaked at No 12, in 86,

and ‘It Only Takes A Minute’ –

the last hit, in this great ‘Tavares’ mix.

 

Written by

Harriet Blackbury

 

 

 

 

April 10, 2018

 

 

‘I Can’t Help Myself’ hit the charts in 65,

followed by ‘It’s The Same Old Song’.

In 66 ‘Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever’ arrived,

and ‘Reach Out I’ll Be There’, a No.1 song.

 

‘Standing In The Shadows Of Love’ came in 67  –

one of 5 hits – the next being ‘Bernadette’.

And ‘Seven Rooms Of Gloom’ followed on,

but this year wasn’t finished yet.

 

The Four Tops then gave us 

‘You Keep Running Away’

and everyone’s favourite, ‘making the Top 3,  

was ‘Walk Away Renee’.

 

In 68, If I Were A Carpenter’ made No.7 ,

and ‘Yesterday’s Dream’s’  followed on.

‘I’m In A Different World’, their last hit of this year,

proving this Group second to none..

 

In 69 came two Top Twenty hits –

‘What Is A Man’ and ‘Do What You Gotta Do’.

‘I Can’t Help Myself’, their first Top Ten of 70,

and also ‘It’s All In the Game’ – a song we loved too.

 

Their final  hit of 70 –  ‘Still Water (Love)’ ,

also peaked at No.10,

and ‘Just Seven Numbers (Can Straighten Out My Life)’

the first hit of 71,  for these Motown Men.

 

Next, with The Supremes, came ‘River Deep Mountain High’.

followed at No.3 by ‘Simple Game’. 

Then, ‘You Gotta Have Love In Your Heart’ –

again with The Supremes, making the the Top 30 frame.

 

In 72, Bernadette re-appeared,  then,

‘Walk With Me Talk With Me Darling’, at No 32,

and lastly ‘ Keeper Of The Castle’,

at No. 18, appeared into view.

 

In 73, ‘Sweet Understanding Love’ – a Top 30 –

their 2nd hit on the Probe Label,

before switching to Casablanca in 81,

which brought two Top 20 hits to the table.

 

The first being  ‘When She Was My Girl’,

which reached up to No.3,

followed by  ‘Don’t Walk Away’,

which also filled fans with glee.

 

‘Tonight I’m Gonna Love You All Over’ –

their next hit, making 43,

and ‘Back To School Again’ –

their last hit of 82, proved to be.

 

In 88, on Motown, ‘Reach Out I’ll Be There’

was back in the charts at No. 11.

‘Indestructible’ with Smokey Robinson came next,

and ‘Loco In Acapulco’  hit No. 7.

 

In 89, Indestructible, featuring Smokey Robinson,

at No.30, re-appeared in the charts,

being the last UK hit for  The Four Tops –

A Motown Group, forever in our hearts.

 

 

R I P

Levi Stubbs   2008

Renaldo Benson   2005

Lawrence Payton   1997

 

 

 

 

April 8, 2018

 

Forget the April showers –

Spring has arrived with a flourish,

so dance yourself dizzy,

to this fab hour of music to cherish.

 

Enjoy

Tony’s Time Machine

on Tuesday, 10th April 2018

at Noon

 

This week Tony will be

featuring music from

The Four Tops and The Temptations,

along with other great Artists & guests.

 

Tony will also be reading the Poem –

For The Love Of Albums – Part 1

written by

Harriet Blackbury

 

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