WRCO Blog

During our Saturday night classic rock and roll show on FM 100.9, we will visit another favorite album.  Willy and the Poor Boys by Creedence Clearwater Revival is fifty years old this month.  C.C.R. had its best year in 1969 as they released a total of three albums.  Coming off a famed appearance at Woodstock and national television spots on such shows as Ed Sullivan,  Creedence was the hottest band in the land.  The Poor Boys album contained favorite Those Were The Days requests such as: Fortunate Son,  The Midnight Special,  and Down On The Corner.   It Came Out Of The Sky is another of my faves and we have played that during our Halloween shows through the years.  I will be in the studio Saturday night to play rock and roll requests for our loyal 'Days' fans.  There will probably be some  mighty deer hunters jammin' in their cabins.   It could get wild on Saturday night.  Perhaps you will win a prize during our trivia contests.  We play that old rock and roll from the fifties through the eighties each Saturday night between six and Midnight on WRCO FM 100.9. 

Phil

I will be in the studio to answer the hot line during Those Were The Days on Saturday night.  Our FM 100.9 radio show is now in its 34th year of playing rock and roll music for Southwest Wisconsin.  My special guest this week will be John Payne who is the bass player and vocalist for the group Asia.  Even though he is not an original member, he has great stories about the group and its biggest hits.  We were also fortunate to interview John Wetton, the original Asia front man, some years ago on Those Were The Days. He passed away in 2017 and left a great legacy of music. The  Asia  debut album was released in 1982.  I wasn't impressed the first time I heard it.  All four members had been in other successful groups and expectations were high.  The songs grew on me as I heard them everyday for the rest of '82.  Heat Of The Moment is one of the best 'moment in time' songs of the early 80's.  When I hear it today, my mind takes me back to playing Donkey Kong, writing letters to my girl friend, cruising Wausau with the windows down, and living on my own for the first time.  It is amazing that a song can bring back so many memories.  That is what Those Were The Days strives to do each week.  Give me a call with your memories and favorite songs during our six hour Those Were The Days radio show Saturday night.  I am patiently waiting for Saturday night!

Phil

Some of the great hits of the sixties were released during 1966.  The Billboard chart from the second weekend of November in 1966 featured such tunes as; Poor Side Of Town-Johnny Rivers,  Last Train To Clarksville-Monkees,  What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted-Jimmy Ruffin,  Psychotic Reaction-Count Five,  and Walk Away Renee-Left Banke.   I was just a wee-Nee when those songs were on the radio.  You may not believe this, however, I swear this is true.  The song Winchester Cathedral was a popular hit in November of 1966 and I remember my dad bringing home this song on a 45 rpm record.  I was only three years old! While holding my nose to sound even more nasal, I would attempt to imitate the New Vaudeville Bands' greatest hit.  Most of my memories throughout my life involve a song. The year of 1966 was an incredible year for cartoons.  On CBS you could watch such classics as: The Heckle and Jeckle Cartoon Show,  Tennessee Tuxedo,  Tom and Jerry, and Quick Draw McGraw.  The NBC network featured the Jetsons,  Atom Ant, Secret Squirrel,  Underdog, and Top Cat.  The lineup on ABC included:  The Beatles cartoon, Magilla Gorilla, Bugs Bunny,  and Hoppity Hooper.  If you left the television set on until 12:30 you could watch American Bandstand!   This week on Those Were The Days, we will visit that magical year.  I am inviting you to join the fun on WRCO FM 100.9 between six and midnight.  You will be able to request a song from the fifties through the eighties and possibly a trivia prize could be yours!  Lets celebrate living life in the Driftless Area with Those Were The Days this Saturday night.

Phil

When I hear certain songs, I remember where I was, what the weather was like,  who was with me, what I was eating, what farm chore was happening, and many other memories.  When I hear songs such as; SOS by Abba,  Island Girl by Elton John, or David Bowie's Fame, it reminds me of cold weather.  Those tunes take me back to riding in my parents 1971 light green Impala and not sinking in those ice cold vinyl seats.  When I hear Miracles by Jefferson Starship, it takes me back to riding the bus.  Our driver had an 8-track tape deck installed and that song was on one of the two tapes that seemed to play for an  entire school year.  Ballroom Blitz from the Sweet is a time tunnel tune which sends me to the barn doing my nightly chores with WRCOs' Music Scene program.  Saturday night WRCO FM 100.9 will feature some of those songs and others from November of 1975. One night during that time 44 years ago, I was taping songs from the radio.  The opening drum of Born To Run by a new artist (Bruce Springsteen) came over the radio.  It was like nothing else.  I was sure that song would be a hit and this new guy would make an impact on music.  He sure has!   I will be in the studio to jot down all of your requests Saturday night between six and midnight.  Other than the best music from the fifties through the eighties, Those Were The Days will feature fun trivia.  It is so much fun to play all of those old records for you.  Please check in sometime.  I would love to talk with you about your memories.

Phil

On Those Were The Days this Saturday night, you will be able to request your favorite songs from the fifties through the eighties.  It soon will be Halloween and WRCO FM 100.9 will feature a few scary hits.  The number one Halloween song of all time is Monster Mash by Bobby 'Boris'  Pickett.  That song made the charts three times.  Originally a hit record in 1962, Monster Mash also charted in 1969 and in 1973.  I remember visiting my cousins in Madison in the Summer of 1973 and Top Forty station WISM was playing Monster Mash often.  It was over ten years old and it made the Top Ten!   There are many other freaky hits and we will dust a few others off.  Many of these tunes take me back to my trick or treating days.  My sister is seven years older than me.  She had aged out of trick or treating by the time I could go and that meant that I went by myself.  As a farm kid, it was tough to go through the neighborhood.  It required knocking on the barn doors!   There was not much candy in those barns that was edible. 

We will play trivia Saturday night and I will be answering the rotary dial telephone in the studio.  I sure hope to hear from you during our six hour tribute to the greatest music ever put on plastic.

Phil

My first 45 record was Have You Seen Her by the Chi-Lites.  After getting that late 1971 hit, I wanted more vinyl!  I still do after all of these years.  I would hear a song on the radio and than scrape up 69 cents to go buy it.  My goal was to see how many records I could own that were on the Top Forty countdown.   This Saturday night I will pay tribute to the 45 by playing some of my favorite purchases from over the years.  Although thousands of those small wonders are packed away in my 'man cave',  there are a few that stand above all of the rest.  We all graduated to 33 1/3 long playing albums and many other formats for our music.  Those little two sided gems, still hold a place in our hearts. Sometimes the 'B' side was as good or better than the hit side.  Many of us that grew up in the Richland Center area remember going to Saffel's (and later the Music Shop) to scan the chart and determine what number the song that we desired was at.   I wanted to save enough to buy the entire Top 100, but I never had enough coins in my pocket.  This week on  Those Were The Days,  you will be able to hear some of my requests.  We will not have the phone line open this week.  I will be back next week to take your calls.  Have a great weekend and remember WRCO FM 100.9 on Saturday night.

Phil

"Starting at center..........Phil Nee...nee...nee...nee"    It was an exciting time during the Fall of 1981.  My amazing high school football career was winding down (it was amazing that I did not get hurt).   Our school was working on a Fall musical, Bye Bye Birdie, and I was appearing as Mr. Harry Macafee on that old Ithaca High School stage.  During my free time I was milking cows in the morning and evening.  Music was a big part of my time management. Cool Top Forty tunes would wake me up in the morning and put me to sleep at night. I met my future wife during that era.  We would remain friends for several years before actually becoming a couple. We have been married since 1987.   Some of the hot '81 tunes that were blasting from the '75 Ford Maverick dashboard included: Start Me Up-Rolling Stones,  Private Eyes-Hall and Oates,  Urgent-Foreigner,  I've Done Everything For You-Rick Springfield,  Super Freak-Rick James,  She' A Bad Mama Jama-Carl Carlton,  In Your Letter-Reo Speedwagon,  and Burnin' For You-Blue Oyster Cult.   This Saturday night on Those Were The Days, I will get the chance to play of few of those gems again.  Our guest on the phone will be Wayne Famous of the group the Producers.  They had four songs playing in rotation during the early days of MTV.  Only one made the Top 100 (What She Does To Me), however, they were heard a lot on Wisconsin radio stations with tunes such as; She Sheila,  What's He Got That I Aint Got? and I Love Lucy.  They played in many cities in the Badger state and were regulars at a Madison club known as Headliners.

This Saturday night I will be in the studio to take your phone call requests and trivia answers. It will again be an honor to play the best tunes from the fifties through the eighties.  We are 'old school' each and every Saturday night from six to midnight during Those Were the Days.

Phil

When I have been asked over the years about my favorite album,  I don't have to think about the question very long.  Several of my five thousand plus albums are near and dear to me.  The Beatles' Abbey Road has long been a fave of mine, though.  Many Beatles fans cite Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band as their top long player, or Revolver.   They are both great, however, Abbey Road does not have a song that I skip over.  The album was the last one recorded by the Fab-4.  They put their troubles aside and recorded a gem.  It begins with Come Together and ends with a medley of songs on the second side.  The two George Harrison songs are amazing (Something, and Here Comes The Sun)!  Even Ringo's Octopus's Garden is pretty good.  During this weeks Those Were The Days on WRCO FM 100.9, we will remember the Abbey Road album which was released fifty years ago this Fall. Another Beatles anniversary album edition has been released.  I stole from my retirement fund to buy the White Album last year and now I have scraped money together to hear the new mix by Giles Martin and Sam Okell of the 1969 classic.  You can hear a few tidbits from the new Abbey Road Saturday night.  I will be in the studio to take your fifties through the eighties requests.  It will be good to get back to the regular schedule which includes trivia.  We have some cool prizes for the winners.  I hope to hear from you this Saturday night.

Phil

On Saturday night WRCO FM 100.9 will turn back the clock to 1969 and 1979.  I will highlight the many news making events of 1969 and the music that was playing on the radio.   During the night we will go parking in 1979 with the radio on.  There were many great songs that came out that year.  I will be spinning some of the records I bought with my hard earned 'hay making money'.  Don't be surprised if you hear a few pops and hisses from the vintage vinyl blasting through your radio speakers!  The last year of the sixties and seventies featured some amazing music.  It is hard to believe that a song like Get Back by the Beatles is fifty years old.  My Sharona by the Knack is forty years old!  When I hear those songs, I am right back listening to the radio in the barn or working on my school work right next to the Westinghouse radio at the kitchen table.   Those Were The Days will be highlighting music from two remarkable charts and remarkable years during Saturday nights' six hour salute to classic rock n' roll.  I will not be in the studio to take your requests this weekend.  It will be my honor to accept a tribute award from the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association following the Ithaca Homecoming day Saturday.  It will be a fun day, however, I will miss the chance to talk with all of you loyal listeners.  Have a great weekend and thanks for reading.

Phil

It seems like we have been paying tribute to our fallen childhood music faves often.  After we highlighted Eddie Money music last Saturday night following his death, we learned Sunday about the death of Rick Ocasek.  His group the Cars gave many of us an awesome soundtrack as we grew up.  By 1978 I was already tuning out pop music and digging through records of the past.  All of a sudden a band from Boston hit the radio and breathed life into the middle of the road and disco charts.  They did not sound like any other group.  When they appeared on the Midnight Special, they barely moved while playing their songs.  The first Cars' album was one of the best debuts for a rock and roll group of all time.  Everytime I hear the song 'Lets Go' from their second album,  I remember being out on my first double date.  That song was brand new and we heard it at least three times that night.  

During Those Were The Days Saturday night on WRCO FM 100.9, we will pay tribute to the career of Rick Ocasek.  We will also hit some highlights from this weekend in 1964.  We will answer the rotary dial phone so that you can help us with our playlist.  You might be one of the trivia m.v.p.'s.  Perhaps you will win a pair of tickets to see Elvis tribute artist Tony Rocker this Sunday September 22nd at the Richland Center Performing Arts Center  (downtown auditorium).  I can't wait to take those old records off the shelf again Saturday night between six and midnight!

Phil

Saturday night we will take a cruise to the fifties through the eighties during Those Were The Days on WRCO FM 100.9.  Lita Ford will be our special guest.  She recently played through these parts on her Summer tour.  I had the chance to chat with her and we will feature that conversation and some of her best known songs.  Find out which record was the first that she ever bought and which guitar was her first.  I first knew about Lita when I discovered the 70's band the Runaways while reading Creem magazine.  I did not find a Runaways record until the early 80's when Joan Jett gained fame as a solo act.  Mercury records released a Runaways 'Best Of'  and I picked up a copy at the Music Shop in Richland Center.   I learned of Jett's other former band members such as guitarist Lita Ford.  Later in the 80's she would become a big star with the release of her album 'LIta' which made her a favorite in concert and on video.   Join me for the words and music of Lita Ford on Saturday night during Those Were The Days.  The rotary dial phone will be on the hook and you can call with your requests and memories.  Perhaps you will win one of six trivia prizes (one per hour).   You could be the one that gets hooked up with two tickets to see Elvis tribute artist Tony Rocker on September 22nd in Richland Center courtesy of Galaxie Entertainment!  All of this and more will come your way Saturday night on WRCO FM 100.9.

Phil

In September 1974 I was getting on the bus with my new school pants and a rugby shirt that looked like what the kids on the PBS program 'Zoom'  were wearing.  It was a great time to be living.  The music on Top Forty radio stations was the soundtrack to our lives.  Some of my favorite September songs from '74 were the following: The Night Chicago Died-Paper Lace,  Clap For The Wolfman-Guess Who,  It's Only Rock n' Roll-Rolling Stones,  Tell Me Something Good-Rufus,  Who Do You Think You Are?-Bo Donaldson & the Heywoods,  Another Saturday Night-Cat Stevens,  Can't Get Enough-Bad Company,  You Little Trustmaker-The Tymes, and Beach Baby-First Class.  While attempting to do my home work in the middle bedroom at the old farm house, I would have the radio tuned to my favorite songs.  With the metal clothes hanger antenna bent just right, I could get FM stations for the first time in my life.  A brand new Madison Top Forty was debuting that fall and it was called Z-104. WRCO AM/FM  featured a rock and roll format after 7 pm and it was called Music Scene.  For a small town station, they played some cool tunes.  Far away AM stations could be heard later in the evening.  It was cool to hear what was hot on KAAY- Little Rock,  WLS-Chicago, and CKLW-Windsor, Canada.  WISM AM 1480 out of Madison was a very good station.  They had a great play list that did not always follow the national trends. I could get them on the old tube radio in the barn.  The cows were rocking back and forth!   Unfortunately that station lowered power at 6:45 pm and I would lose their signal right in the middle of Rock Me Gently by Andy Kim (or any other current hit of the day).  

We will attempt to recreate some of that 1974 magic on WRCO FM 100.9 this Saturday night during Those Were The Days.  You can request a song and challenge yourself with trivia.   I will be in the studio to play the best of the fifties through the eighties between six and Midnight.  Be one of the cool kids and join the party!

Phil

Hey Rock and Rollers!  During WRCOs' six hour classic rock and roll show Saturday night,  I will be saluting the working folks of Southwest Wisconsin with some blue collar songs.  There are many songs that talk about work including;  Summer Breeze-Seals & Crofts,  Takin'' Care Of Business-B.T.O.,  16 Tons-Ernie Ford,  A Hard Days Night-Beatles,  Blue Collar Man-Styx, and Bang The Drum All Day (I don't want to work)- Todd Rundgren.  I will be in the studio to take your requests during the holiday weekend Saturday night.  Last week you hit a lot of home runs when you asked for songs that we have not played since my hair was brown.   Keep up the good work!   It is so much fun when I hear stories from radioland.  Last week a lady called and told about the first record she bought.  She made 25 cents per hour baby sitting.  After four hours she had a dollar and would go the store and buy a 45 record.  The first one that she ever bought was Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White by Prez Prado and his Orchestra in 1955!  Thanks for being so loyal to the Saturday night show, Those Were The Days.  I have been successful at acting like I've been working for the past 33 years.  I really like the following quote from Bob Dylan....“A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night, and in between he does what he wants to do.”      I hope to hear from you on Saturday night between six and midnight.

Phil

In August of 1982 I jumped off the tractor and went away to learn the radio trade in Wausau at Trans American School of Broadcasting.  My friend Marty and I were ready to leave Richland County to see if we could wreak havoc on Marathon County.  We met a lot of interesting characters that also wanted to be radio d.j.'s.  Music was always on in the back ground while we were taking part in our hoot and hijinks.  Wausaus' Top 40 radio station WIFC was playing all of the hits and MTV was brand new.  We also made lots of mix tape cassettes so that we could jam on the way to the arcade at Schofield Shopko Mall.  Some of my favorite August of 1982 jams included: Abracadabra-Steve Miller Band,   Out Of Work-Gary U.S. Bonds,  Vacation-Go-Go's , Jack & Diane-John Cougar (Mellencamp),  Do You Wanna Touch Me?-Joan Jett,  I Think I'm In Love-Eddie Money,  Hot In The City-Billy Idol,  Somebody's Baby-Jackson Browne, and Eye Of The Tiger-Survivor.  Join me Saturday night when I put my broadcasting tech school education to the test on WRCOs' Those Were The Days.  Between six and midnight you can contribute a song suggestion.  You could be the winner when we ask the trivia question of the hour.  Perhaps you will be the winner of tickets to see Elvis tribute artist Tony Rocker September 22nd at the Richland Center Performing Arts Center/City Auditorium.  We will have a rock and roll  party Saturday night during Those Were The Days radio when we feature the best music of the fifties through the eighties.  All the cool kids will be listening!

Phil

This Saturday night we will look back at the Woodstock Music and Art Fair which happened fifty years ago this weekend.  We will play some tracks from the artists that were at that history making festival.  I have watched the Woodstock documentary movie many times over the years and I have been blessed to be able to interview a few of the artists that graced that stage at Yasgur's Farm. You can hear a few stories from those that were there.  Join our Those Were The Days retro show on FM 100.9 for trivia and requests.  You could be the winner of tickets to see Elvis tribute artist Tony Rocker.  He will be playing in Richland Center on September 22nd courtesy of Galaxie Entertainment.  It will be a great show, and you can be one of the first to hold tickets for that concert at the Richland County Performing Arts Center (downtown auditorium).    You can be one of the cool kids and come to our Those Were The Days party on WRCO Saturday night.  We will take you to Woodstock and all over the World courtesy of our 45 RPM records.

Phil

We will playing some real classic rock and roll Saturday night during Those Were The Days radio show on WRCO FM 100.9.  You will be able to hear forty of the best charting hits from the psychedelic era of rock and roll.  All of the heavy hits that we will play were released between 1966 and 1969.  Many of these songs have been requested on a regular basis.  You will be able to hear tunes from artists including:  The Doors,  Steppenwolf,  Beatles,  Yardbirds,  Canned Heat,  Cream,  Jimi Hendrix Experience,  Blues Magoos,  Vanilla Fudge, and Deep Purple.  This was an outstanding era for rock and roll music.  There was so much experimentation and a return to more roots music and the beginning of what became known as heavy metal.  I will not be in the studio this week to take your requests.  Hang on to those and we will let you assemble the playlist again next Saturday night.  This week we will pay tribute to the 80s In The Dells concert Friday August 16th at the Crystal Grand Music Theater.  It will be a full fun night of great rock and roll.  I can't wait for you to hear all of the cool vinyl tunes during this weeks Those Were The Days.

Phil

This Saturday night on FM 100.9,  I will be looking back at the career of Lou Gramm and his former band Foreigner.  This will be a great show especially since some of our listeners will be seeing Lou perform with John Payne and Asia in a couple of weeks at Crystal Grand in the Wisconsin Dells.  Earlier this week , I had the chance to interview Lou Gramm and that was a real treat.  All through my younger days in the seventies and eighties the songs of Foreigner were on the radio.  The Lou Gramm solo single 'Midnight Blue' still is a popular request during Those Were The Days.  When I hear a song like 'Cold As Ice' or ' Long, Long Way From Home', I have flashbacks of riding in Larry Ferguson's Dodge on the way to the movies or Center Lanes (the bowling alley). Foreigner's first eight singles cracked the Billboard Top 20, making them the first band since the Beatles to achieve this.  It is such a blessing to be able to thank one of the creators of the hits of your youth and I have had the chance to do that over the years.  I hope that you will join me for a six hour tribute to the fifties through the eighties music on WRCO FM 100.9.  The magic cowbell will ring and trivia questions will be shared. Perhaps you will win tickets to see a show at the outdoor stage at 80s' In The Dells August 16th and 17th.  This Saturday night you can help me program the music on Those Were The Days when you request a song. 

Phil

My special guest on WRCO FM 100.9 on Saturday night will be Taylor Dayne.  She has sold over 75 million records worldwide and is considered one of the top dance artists of all time.  I was in charge of getting the new songs on the radio back in 1987 when Tell It To My Heart was released by Arista records.  All of our new music came to the station on 45 rpm records.  After her first record went to the Top 10, she followed it quickly with Prove Your Love,  I'll Always Love You,  Don't Rush Me,  With Every Beat Of My Heart,  Love Will Lead You Back, and I'll Be Your Shelter.  These were also top 10 records and they were released in a span of just two years!  During this weeks Those Were The Days radio show,  I will feature an interview with Taylor Dayne.  You could be the winner of tickets to see her show at the Crystal Grand Music Theatre's 80s' In The Dells August 16th and 17th.  I will be answering the WRCO 'hot line' so that you can contribute a song suggestion to the program.   It is still a joy to host Those Were The Days after all of these years.  I received a letter in the mail last week from a listener near Prairie Du Chien that just discovered the show.  It is very rewarding to hear that people still appreciate the show.  Thank you so much for reading this and listening Saturday nights.  Lets have another rock and roll party this weekend!

Phil

When I was young,  it was fascinating to read about the Apollo missions.  The school 'Weekly Reader'  often had stories of the upcoming moon missions.  I do remember the glow of the Curtis Matthis television set on July 20th, 1969.  My parents and other family members were glued to the screen while I was playing with my Tinker Toys trying to build a rocket.  Sometime during the night, I wandered onto the screen porch and looked up at the moon to see if I could see Neil and Buzz.  Do you remember watching or listening to this historic event?   You can share your memories with me during our Those Were The Days radio show Saturday night on WRCO FM 100.9.  We will countdown to the exact moment (9:56 pm CDT) when Neil Armstrong stepped onto the lunar surface fifty years ago.  During the six hour tribute to the fifties through the eighties, we will be playing a few space/moon songs including:  Space Oddity-David Bowie,  Rocket Man-Elton John,  Dancing In The Moonlight-King Harvest,  Moonshadow-Cat Stevens,  Bad Moon Rising-C.C.R,  Space Age Love Song-Flock Of Seagulls,  and Major Tom-Peter Schilling.  Perhaps you have an idea for a song to go along with this weeks theme?  I will be in the studio Saturday night and you can check in with me.  It might be your night to win a big trivia prize like tickets to 80s' In The Dells at the Crystal Grand Music Theater.

Phil

Hey Rock n' Rollers!  I look forward to visting with you this Saturday night during my Those Were The Days radio show.  On this weekends WRCO FM 100.9 program, we will feed you with some fun food songs.  You could have a 'Cheeseburger In Paradise', 'Jambalaya', 'Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie', and other delicious song treats!  I hope you are 'Hungry', for 'Bread And Butter'.  It will be 'Yummy, Yummy, Yummy'.  We featured this theme a few years ago.  It is back by listener request.  There are many food songs that are easy to think of.  What about tunes such as; Popcorn by Hot Butter,  Eat It-Weird Al,  A Taste Of Honey-The Beatles,  I Want Candy-Strangeloves,  Sugar Sugar-Archies,  and TV Dinner-ZZ Top.  The request line will be open for those of you who want to contribute a song choice.  You can request your favorite song from the fifties through the eighties between six and Midnight this Saturday night.  Perhaps you will win tickets for the outdoor concerts during 80s In The Dells August 16th and 17th at Crystal Grand Music Theater.  Brush up on your trivia and be ready when you hear the 'Magic Cow Bell'  on Saturday night during Those Were The Days.

Phil