WRCO Blog

Frankie Ford's song "Sea Cruise" is one of the definitive songs of the 1950s.  I had the chance to ask him about the recording of that song all of those years ago.  Hear about it on Saturday nights edition of Those Were The Days on WRCO FM.  I will spin a few others from the Summer of 1959 and your rock and roll requests from the fifties through the eighties.  Its a holiday weekend and a great time to have a campfire night with family and friends.  I hope you remember to listen to the radio. Maybe you will win a fantastic prize from the trivia games!  Listen for the cow bell (the very one that LadyBelle used to wear) !

 

Philip TWTD President and CEO

I remember the Summer of 1979 very well.  That time is often blasted because it was the era of Disco music.  That Summer featured much more than Disco!  Tunes from Bad Company,  Styx, Kansas, Blondie, Cheap Trick,  and Supertramp were in regular rotation on the radio. The Disco tunes weren't bad either.

It seemed like I was making hay all Summer.  Once in a while it would rain and I could go for a Coney Dog at Dog N' Suds.  I made 25 cents for every load of hay I helped with!  I would stack up my quarters and head to the Eskin Theatre or the Starlite 14 Drive In and enjoy Summer of '79 movies such as:  Alien,  Breaking Away,  Escape From Alcatraz,  The Frisco Kid,  Moonraker,  Meatballs, More American Graffitti, and The Muppet Movie. 

I haven't found a good enough time travel machine on the internet.  The best way is to listen to the songs that bring back a million memories.  You can do that with me on Saturday nights edition of Those Were The Days on WRCO FM 100.9.

 

Philip James Nee

With the new 'Jersey Boys' movie being released this weekend, I thought it would be appropriate to feature some classics from the Four Seasons this Saturday night.  Formed in 1955, the group finally hit it big with two number one hits in late 1962.  My personal faves from the group are: Walk Like A Man,  Rag Doll, Lets Hang On,  Opus 17, and Big Man In Town. 

The new movie is directed by Clint Eastwood and it tells the story of four young men from the wrong side of the tracks in New Jersey who came together to form the iconic 1960s rock group The Four Seasons. The story of their trials and triumphs are accompanied by the songs that influenced a generation.

Hear the hits of the Four Seasons along with your pop radio requests from the fifties through the eighties this Saturday night on WRCO FM 100.9.  You could be the winner of a cool Summertime prize!

 

Phil

 

I had the chance to see the three surviving members of the Monkees earlier this month in Milwaukee.  It was a great show that featured Michael Nesmith on tour with the other two for the first time since the late sixties.  That night inspired me to feature some Monkees hits this Saturday night.  I will also feature a few coments from a couple of artists that wrote songs for the group.  The Monkees even outsold the Beatles for a time during the first year of the television show.  Request a Monkees song or any pop chart hit from the fifties through the eighties during this Fathers Day weekend.  As you wrap a present for your dear old dad, make sure to tune in 100.9.  Maybe you can win your pa a prize!

This Saturday night on WRCOs' Those Were The Days, I will chat with Don Brewer from Grand Funk Railroad.  He was on with us a few years ago, and is always a great guest.  Grand Funk will be appearing in the Baraboo/Dells area with the Guess Who on Saturday night June 14th.  Don wrote and sang one of the best Classic Rock songs 'We're An American Band' back in 1973.  It is still heard in movies, tv shows, and commercials after all of this time.  I will be back in the studio to take requests and play trivia on Saturday night.  I will have a few tales to tell after seeing the Monkees in concert this past weekend.  What a show it was! 

 

Phil-TWTD Host

 

p.s.  Grand Funks' 1974 hit The Locomotion was written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King.  You may need to know this to be a winner on Saturday nights Those Were The Days.

Those Were The Days on WRCO FM 100.9 this Saturday night will feature a sweep from the fifties through the eighties.  I will start in the fifties and jump ahead five years with every song.  This is a fun way to show the diverse tunes that are played every Saturday night.  Wayne from the Little River Band will call in for an update on the groups June 7th Wisconsin Dells show.  I will also run my mobile dj speakers out the back window for an imaginary back yard picnic at WRCO.  The reguest portion of the show will return Saturday night June 7th.  Have fun rockin' with the radio Saturday night during Those Were The Days.

 

Phil-TWTD Host 

On Those Were The Days Saturday night, we will hear the story behind the song 'Can't Find The Time' by Orpheus.  The tune came out in the late 60's and was recently number two in the 'It Really Should Have Been A Top Ten Hit' countdown featured on WRCO.  The song has been recorded by other artists including most recently Hootie And The Blowfish.  Orpheus group member Bruce Arnold will join me on the air to discuss the groups history.  I will be in the studio this holiday weekend playing great music for a Saturday night of campfires, front porch sitting, back yard grilling, and family and friends time.  Request a song and win a trivia prize from Those Were The Days Saturday night between 6 and Midnight on FM 100.9.

 

Phil TWTD Host

 

P.S.  The Little River Band had its biggest hit in 1978 with a song called Reminiscing.  (you may need to know this trivial fact to be a winner Saturday night).

This Saturday night on WRCO FM I will hop in the '75 Ford Mav. and cruise through the time tunnel to 1977.  This is your personal invite to the rock n' roll bash.  I will be taking your requests and giving away some fun prizes to the trivia winners.  From Six until Midnight Saturday night.

The list of top selling artists of 1977 features many icons of the era.  Fleetwood Mac was the biggest group of the year.  Leo Sayer was second, followed by The Steve Miller Band,  Stevie Wonder, and the Eagles. The next five artists include: KC & The Sunshine Band, Bee Gees, Rose Royce,  Linda Rondstadt, and Barry Manilow.  I look forward to hosting Those Were The Days this Saturday night!

 

Phil

 

p.s. Keep reading future Those Were The Days blogs.  You might have a chance at winning a great prize just for stopping by.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

This Saturday night I will plant a few flower songs during our six hour Those Were The Days radio program.  Our month of May golden goodies will include: Build Me Up Buttercup,  Sunflower,  Sweet Pea, Tiptoe Through The Tulips, and Dandelion!  Saturday will be a great day to get a few things done and I hope you are not so tired that you can't listen for a little while Saturday night!  Those Were The Days on WRCO FM 100.9 will drag out the best of the 50s' through the 80s'.  Request a song and play trivia with us this weekend!  If you have an idea for a flower song or a group or artist with a flower name, (The Poppy Family, Axl Rose) drop me a line.

 

Phil-TWTD Host

The trio known as Gunhill Road had a record called 'Back When My Hair Was Short' back in 1973. Recently I tracked down Glen Leopold and Steve Goldrich (members of Gunhill Road) and we talked about the song that has been a favorite of Southwest Wisconsin since it came out. They are also back together recording an album after nearly 40 years since their last release. We will also play some other 'Hair' songs from the 50s through the 80s. I will be back in the studio to take your requests this Saturday night. I hope you enjoyed the I.R.S. countdown and the hilites from '74 and '84 on last weeks show. I found a few more junk shop gems last weekend when I was on tour with my wife (the lovely June Nee). You may hear more scratchy memories this Saturday night between 6 and Midnight on WRCO FM 100.9! Thanks. Phil

WRCOs' Those Were The Days will again team with Rich Appel for the I.R.S. (It Really Should Have Been A Top Ten) countdown.  For the past seven years, Rich has conducted an online poll to see which songs did not reach true potential.  On Saturday night I will play the top 30 vote getters.  There are several songs that are back from previous years.  Tunes like God Only Knows by the Beach Boys,  Solitary Man from Neil Diamond,and Things I'd Like To Say by the New Colony Six are highly regarded by the Worldwide audience.  New members of the countdown this year include: What I Like About You-The Romantics,  Back When My Hair Was Short-Gunhill Road, and

Drivers Seat-Sniff 'n The Tears.  I hope that you will join me for the coundown which can be heard between 6 and 9 Saturday night.  Following that, I will drive my Ford Maverick back to 1984 and even further back to 1974.  We can listen to some songs on my under dash cassette player with FM converter!  I will not be taking your requests this week.  Stock those up for next weeks Those Were The Days.

 

Phil Nee-TWTD Host

This Saturday night we will have some fun remembering rock and roll groups named after birds.  Dave Wagner of the Minnesota group Crow will be the spotlight artist.  You may also hear songs from the Byrds,  Flamingos,  Yardbirds,  Eagles,  Flock Of Seagulls, and the Robins.  I hope to hear from you this holiday weekend.  Challenge me to find one of your favorite songs from the 50's through the 80's on WRCO FM 100.9 Saturday night.  You may hear something you forgot that you liked.  You may find a new favorite.  Saturday April 19th is National Record Store Day.  I will again be on a quest to find hidden gems and my hope is that I can play some rare vinyl for you during an action packed Those Were The Days radio program.

On April 12th, 1954, Bill Haley And His Comets recorded "Rock Around The Clock" for Decca Records.  It is considered the first rock and roll song to top the charts.  This week on WRCOs' Those Were The Days we will remember that great history making tune. From our golden vault of interviews, hear from James Myers who was one of the writers of the song, and Marshall Lytle who was a member of Bill Haley's Comets.  We will say happy birthday to David Cassidy and John Kay of Steppenwolf.  Get ready to win some cool stuff when we play trivia.  Your classic rock and roll requests are only a phone call away Saturday night.  I hope to hear from you.  Our ratings should be better this week because we will not be going head to head with the Badger men's basketball team! 

 

Phil-WRCO TWTD

What was I doing in the Spring of 1976?  I was listening to the radio as I did the chores, rode my Huffy bike with the banana seat and the sissy bar,  popped zits, and watched Happy Days and Laverne And Shirley.  Sal Bando and Hank Aaron were playing for the Milwaukee Brewers. I was playing my trumpet in band for our director Mr. Olie.  Dad was planting oats and I was feeling my oats.   The music was 'neat'!   This weekend on WRCOs' Those Were The Days you can go on a date with me to 1976.  We will spin some 45's on my Close and Play.  Songs like Right Back Where We Started From by Maxine Nightingale,  Bohemian Rhapsody from Queen,  Love Machine by the Miracles, and David Bowie's Golden Years.  I will be playing from '76 and your rock and roll requests this Saturday night from 6 pm to Midnight.  We will be playing trivia and giving you the chance to win.  Listen to us and watch the Badgers in the Final 4 at the same time.  Those Were The Days can relieve your stress while you watch another intense battle!

 

Phil-WRCO

Hey kids!  This is Phil Nee and I hope you will check in with me during this Saturday nights edition of Those Were The Days.  We will be spinning the best of the 50's through the 80's pop radio memories.  We do play a few album cuts, blues records, and  novelites.  You will get a chance to program the show again on Saturday night.  Listen for the 'Magic Cow Bell' for a chance to win a great prize.  This weekend I will look at some of the biggest hits from this weekend in 1969.  Tommy Roe's Dizzy was enjoying another weekend at number one.  The Foundations were singing Build Me Up Buttercup,  and the Zombies were enjoying their last big record (Time Of The Season).  We will give you insight Saturday night on one of the Springs one-hit-wonders Hot Smoke And Sassafrass by Bubble Puppy!  The Spring of '69 saw our friends from the New Colony Six enjoy National attention with Things I'd Like To Say.  I know that we will have a good time this Saturday night.  Thanks for listening all of these years.

 

Phil

This week we will feature some of the all time great rock and roll songs about Spring and songs that were famous in the Spring.  This should bring back lots of memories about green grass, baseball, young love, and radio hits.  One of the favorite local requests is Vilas Craig & The Vi-Counts song called 'Spring Fever'.  They were initially known as the Kollege Kings.  The group traveled from Richland Center to Kay Bank studios in Minneapolis to record Spring Fever.  The year was 1959 and the 45 they recorded has been a collectable over the years.  It will be great to play it for you again on this Saturday nights edition of Those Were The Days on WRCO FM 100.9.  Play trivia and request a song during our six hour salute to the 50's through the 80's pop radio memories.  I hope to hear from you this weekend.

Phil-WRCO

This Saturday night on Those Were The Days I will be in the studio for the live six hour request show.  The last couple of weeks we shared time with local sports.  I had better get rested because I know many have been saving requests!  On the program this weekend I will give you the story behind the song when we bring back some long lost 45's.  Special coments from Bo Donaldson and Austin Roberts will be featured.  They wont be talking about their biggest hits but a couple of songs that are finely crafted forgotten pop hits.  We will be giving you more cowbell this weekend and playing trivia during Those Were The Days on WRCO FM 100.9 from 6 p until Midnight.  The Solid Gold Dancers will be jumping and jiving.  Hopefully Ray Schroeder still has his zip (53581) !

 

Phil Nee (TWTD Host)

This weekend you will be transported back to 1970.  We have some awesome tunes lined up for you on this Saturday nights Those Were The Days. The best of the 50's through the 80's pop radio memories.  Thanks for the great requests last weekend during and after state wrestling finals.  We had a great time playing some welcome home tunes for Riverale, and Weston/Ithaca. 

There will be a few more high school events this weekend.  Join us before and after on WRCO FM 100.9 for fun radio and the best of 1970!

 

Phil

This Saturday night on Those Were The Days I will be digging out some of the big chart hits from the month of February.  The fifties through the eighties rock and roll era had a lot of great hits that helped us get over 'cabin fever'.  That is a tough chore this year during one of the longest and strongest Winters ever!  We will continue with more Beatle memories.  By popular demand, we will replay highlights from the interview with Beatle sister Louise Harrison.  It is great to hear about the madness fifty years ago from a siblings point of view.  Tune in WRCO FM 100.9 this Saturday night for a trip into the golden days of pop music on the radio.  I will be taking your requests when I arrive back from Necedah on WRCOs' pedal helicopter.

Phil-WRCO

This Saturday night on Those Were The Days we will feature segments from a recent interview with Wayne Nelson.  He is the lead singer of The Little River Band.  LRB was on the radio non stop from 1976 through 1985.  The groups big songs included:  Happy Anniversary, Reminiscing, Lady, Lonesome Loser, Cool Change, The Night Owls, Take It Easy On Me, and The Other Guy.  We will feature coments and Little River Band music along with your rock and roll requests on Saturday night between 6 pm and Midnight.  Give me a call and we will chat Saturday night.  You may even be one of a select few to win a trivia prize!  Lets hook up Saturday night for another Those Were The Days rock and roll radio show.

 

Philip