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70s Spotlights
My partner Ron Raymond, Jr. hosted 1979: This Ain't Just Disco on WMPG earlier this year. I provided a weekly Purple Monkey Dishwasher 70s Spotlight to complement the Stuck in the 80s Spotlight that Ron produced for my show. I love these spotlights because not only did I choose some of my favorite tracks, I got to provide a commentary.
2021.06.05 • Alabama Song • The Doors
This is my favorite of all my spotlights (probably) and aired during Ron's tribute to WKRP IN CINCINATTI. It's certainly the longest commentary and was the most fun to produce. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! FROM LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA! THE DOORS!
2021.05.21 • Ask the Angels • Patti Smith Group
My favorite track from Patti Smith Group's second album, Radio Ethiopia, and a bittersweet memory of a college friend.
2021.05.08 • Ramones (album) • Ramones
GABBA GABBA HOPE
2021.05.01 • Rivers of Babylon • Boney M
Thanks to my Dutch penpal, my siblings and I were the only people in Hatfield, Massachusetts who knew who Boney M were. As far as we knew.
2021.04.17 • The Ballad of Lucy Jordan • Marianne Faithfull
Did you know this song was written by Shel Silverstein and originally recorded by Dr. Hook?
2021.04.10 • I'm Every Woman • Chaka Khan
"That's one of the world's great songs, but I had to grow into it." Chaka Khan
2021.04.03 • Get Up on the Down Stroke • Parliament Funkadelic
It's Parliament. That's it. That's the commentary.
2021.03.27 • Blondie x2
Two A-sides of the same single! "In the Flesh" and "X Offender!"
2021.03.20 • Dancing Barefoot (live) • Patti Smith Group
"Stop acting like assholes and settle the fuck down!"
2021.03.06 • Right Back Where We Started From • Maxine Nightingale
Featured in the 1976 hockey documentary Slap Shot!
2021.02.28 • Convoy • C.W. McCall
Mercy sakes alive!
2021.02.20 • Labelle x2
Double shot! We all love Labelle's 1974 smash "Lady Marmalade." But how do you feel about their cover of "Won't Get Fooled Again?"
2021.02.13 • The Night That the Lights Went Out in Georgia • Vicki Lawrence
An entire Southern Gothic novel in a 3:40 song.
2021.02.06 • Angie Baby • Helen Reddy
One of my favorite story songs and written by last week's Spotlight artist, Alan O'Day.
2021.01.30 • Undercover Angel • Alan O'Day
I bought this 45 when the song came out in 1977 and it mysteriously disappeared. My parents denied any knowledge.
2021.01.23 • How Do You Do? • Mouth & MacNeal