AT40 The 80s July 31st 2010

This week AT40 The 80s July 31st 1982

10 - Keep The Fire Burnin - REO Speedwagon
9 - Only the Lonely - The Motels
8 - Even the Nights Are Better - Air Supply
7 - Don't You Want Me - The Human League
6 - Hard to Say I'm Sorry - Chicago
5 - Abracadabra - The Steve Miller Band
4 - Hold Me - Fleetwood Mac
3- Hurts So Good - John Cougar
2 - Rosanna - Toto
1- Eye of The Tiger - Survivor
(2nd of 6 weeks at #1)




The Top 10 Albums this week in 1982

10- Special Forces - .38 Special
9- Good Trouble - REO Speedwagon
8- Pictures at Eleven - Robert Plant
7- Eye of The Tiger - Survivor
6- American Fool - John Cougar Mellencamp
5- Still Life - The Rolling Stones
4- Toto IV - Toto
3- Mirage - Fleetwood Mac
2- Always on My Mind - Willie Nelson
1- Asia - Asia
9th of 9 non consecutive weeks at #1)


The best selling album of 1982, this was the debut album for Asia and contained the #4 hit "Heat of the Moment".
This album was certified 4 times platinum in 1995 (4 million copies).

AT40 The 70s July 31st 2010

This Week its July 29th 1978

10- Love Will Find a Way - Pablo Cruise
9- The Groove Line - Heatwave
8- Use Ta Be My Girl - The O'Jays
7- Still The Same - Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
6- Three Times a Lady - The Commodores
5- Grease - Frankie Valli
4- Last Dance - Donna Summer
3- Miss You - The Rolling Stones
2- Baker Street - Gerry Rafferty
1- Shadow Dancing - Andy Gibb
(6th of 7 weeks at #1)




The Top 10 Albums this week in 1978

10- Thank God Its Friday - Soundtrack
9- Saturday Night Fever - Soundtrack
8- Double Vision - Foreigner
7- Shadow Dancing - Andy Gibb
6- City To City - Gerry Rafferty
5- Darkness on the Edge of Town - Bruce Springsteen
4- Stranger in Town - Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
3- Natural High - The Commodores
2- Some Girls - The Rolling Stones
1- Grease - Soundtrack
(1st of 12 non consecutive weeks at #1)

The soundtrack to the smash movie from the summer of 1978 spent 12 weeks at the top spot interrupted twice (1 week each time) by Boston and their smash album Dont Look Back.
Grease produced 2 songs that reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with 2 others songs reaching the top 5.
Going to #1 were "Grease" by Frankie Valli and "You're The One That I Want" by Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta.
Making it into the top 5 were "Hopelessly Devoted To You" by Olivia Newton-John reaching #3 and "Summer Nights" John Travolta and Olivia making it to #5.
The album has been certified 8 times platinum (8 million copies sold) in the US, 7 times platinum in the UK and 11 times platinum in Australia.

Your Classic Country Video

Today its a #1 country hit from 1981 by Barbara Mandrell,
"I Was Country (When Country Wasn't Cool)"

#1 Song of the Week

This week we look at the 2nd #1 song for the King, Elvis Presley. His follow up to the smash "Heartbreak Hotel" was the ballad "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You" which spent just one paltry week at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. During a recordings session in Nashville after a plane ride that Elvis thought would be his last, he would only record one song and it would the this old ballad.
After fumbling his way through almost 2o takes the producer called an end to the session. Most of the problem was Elvis was still shaken from the turbulent plane ride from Texas to Nashville. Later the producer would splice together the 14th and 17th takes and come up with a seamless version that raced up the charts in July of 1956.

American Top 40 The 70s - July 24th 2010

This week AT40 the 70s - July 20th 1974

10 - If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - Olivia Newton-John
9 - The Air That I Breathe - The Hollies
8 - You Won't See Me - Anne Murray
7 - Rikki, Don't Lose That Number - Steely Dan
6 - Rock the Boat - The Hues Corporation
5 - On and On - Gladys Knight and The Pips
4 - Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me - Elton John
3 - Rock and Roll Heaven - The Righteous Brothers
2 - Annie's Song - John Denver
1 - Rock Your Baby - George McRae
(2nd of 2 weeks at #1)


The Top 10 Albums this week in 1974

10- On Stage - Loggins & Messina
9- Greatest Hits - John Denver
8- Bachman-Turner Overdrive II - Bachman Turner Overdrive
7- Sundown - Gordon Lightfoot
6- Buddha and The Chocolate Box - Cat Stevens
5- Diamond Dogs - David Bowie
4- Band on the Run - Paul McCartney
3- Journey To The Centre Of The Earth - Rick Wakeman
2- Back Home Again - John Denver
1- Caribou - Elton John

(2nd of 4 consecutive weeks at #1)

This was Elton John's fourth chart topping album and contained 2 singles to reach the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. This weeks #4 single "Don't Let The Sun Go Down on Me" and "The Bitch is Back" which reached #3 in the fall of 1974.

Album Spotlight

This Sunday the 25th of July will mark the 30th anniversary of the release of one of the most popular albums of all time, Back In Black by AC/DC.

This was the follow up the AC/DC's hugely popular Highway To Hell, which was sadly the last to feature lead singer Bon Scott. He died in February of 1980 in the middle of the writing of songs for what became this album.
The group toyed with the idea of disbanding but decided to move on and found new lead singer in Brian Johnson and ask Highway to Hell producer Mutt Lang to come in and produce the new album. As a sign of tribute and dedication to Bon Scott, the album has a black cover (the western color of mourning) and named "Back In Black".
This became, to that point, their highest charting LP by reaching #4 on the US Billboard album chart and #1 in the UK.

There were 5 singles from the LP with the highest charting US single being "You Shook Me All Night Long" which reached #35. In the UK they reached #15 with "Rock n Roll Aint Noise Pollution".

They reached the top of the US Billboard album chart in 1981 with their next release, For Those About Rock (We Salute You).

Currently Back In Black is the 2nd biggest selling album worldwide with 49 million copies sold, behind Michael Jackson's Thriller which is at 50 million sold.

In the US the album sits at #4 all time with 22 million copies sold.

Today in Music History

1954 - Sun Records released the first Elvis Presley single 'That's All Right / Blue Moon Of Kentucky' which made the local Memphis chart.



1958 - The manager of The Drifters, George Treadwell, sacked the entire group and hired the unknown Ben E King and The Five Crowns as their replacements.


1967 - The Beatles were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'All You Need Is Love' the group's 12th UK No.1 single.


1967 - Elvis Presley was working on his latest movie Speedway co-starring Nancy Sinatra at the MGM Soundstage, Hollywood, California. (It was Presley’s twenty-seventh film).


1975 - The Bay City Rollers were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Give A Little Love', the group's second and final UK No.1.


1976 - Deep Purple split up at the end of an UK tour. David Coverdale went on to form Whitesnake, Jon Lord and Ian Paice formed a band with Tony Ashton. The classic line up of Blackmore, Gillan, Glover, Lord & Paice reformed in 1984. Glenn Hughes returned to Trapeze and Tommy Bolin put together his own band, (but would die before the end of the year).


1947 - Born on this day, Brian May, guitar, Queen,
1980- Queen scored their third UK No.1 album with 'The Game', featuring the single 'Another One Bites The Dust'.


1986 - Genesis went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Invisible Touch'. The bands former lead singer Peter Gabriel was at No.2 with 'Sledgehammer'.


1944 - Born on this day, Commander Cody, (George Frayne), piano, vocals, Commander Cody And His Lost Planet Airmen, country rock group.


1937 - Born on this day, George Hamilton IV, US country singer,

Casey Kasem's American Top 40 - The 80s - July 17th 2010

AT40 the 80s this week is for July 19th 1980

10- Let Me Love You Tonight - Pure Prairie League
9- Let's Get Serious - Jermaine Jackson
8- The Rose - Bette Midler
7- Magic - Olivia Newton-John
6- Steal Away - Robbie Dupree
5- Shining Star - The Manhattans
4- Cupid/I've Loved You for a Long Time - The Spinners
3- Little Jeannie - Elton John
2- Coming Up - Paul McCartney
1- It's Still Rock N Roll To Me - Billy Joel
(1st of 2 weeks at #1)


The Top 5 Albums this week in 1980
5- Empty Glass - Pete Townsend
4- The Empire Strikes Back - Soundtrack
3- McCartney II - Paul McCartney
2- Just One Night - Eric Clapton
1- Glass Houses - Billy Joel
(6th of 6 week at #1)

This was the 7th album for Billy Joel and contained his first single to top the Billboard Hot 100 (It's Still Rock N Roll To Me) and sold over 5 million copies making it the #4 best selling album of 1980.
He had 3 other songs from the album reach the top 40, "Sometimes A Fantasy" reaching #36, "Don't Ask Me Why" reaching #19 and "You May Be Right" going to #7.

Your Classic Country Video of the Week

This week we have the last #1 country song for the late great Jerry Reed, "She Got the Gold Mine(I Got the Shaft).
Spent 2 weeks at the top of the country charts in September 1982.

Casey Kasem's American Top 40 - The 70s - July 17th 2010

AT40 the 70s this week July 17th 1971

10- That's the Way I've Always Heard it Should Be - Carly Simon
9- How Can You Mend a Broken Heart? - The Bee Gees
8- Draggin' The Line - Tommy James
7- Rainy Days & Mondays - The Carpenters
6- Mr. Big Stuff - Jean Knight
5- Treat Her Like a Lady - Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose
4- Don't Pull Your Love - Hamilton, Joe Frank and Reynolds
3- You've Got a Friend - James Taylor
2- Indian Reservation - The Raiders
1- It's Too Late - Carole King
(5th of 5 consecutive weeks at #1)


The top 5 albums this week in 1971
5- Ram - Paul McCartney
4- Carpenters - The Carpenters
3- Jesus Christ Superstar - Various Artist
2- Sticky Fingers - The Rolling Stones
1- Tapestry - Carole King (5th of 15 weeks at #1)

Casey Kasem's AT40 The 80s - July 10th 2010

AT 40 The 80s, This week July 7th 1984

10- Legs - ZZ Top
9- The Heart of Rock N Roll -Huey Lewis & News
8- Almost Paradise - Mike Reno and Ann Wilson
7- Time After Time - Cyndi Lauper
6- Eye Without a Face - Billy Idol
5- The Reflex - Duran Duran
4- Self Control - Laura Branigan
3- Jump (For My Love) - The Pointer Sisters
2- Dancing in the Dark - Bruce Springsteen
1- When Doves Cry - Prince
(1st of 5 Weeks at #1)



Top 5 Albums This week in 1984:

5- Can't Slow Down - Lionel Richie
4- Heartbeat City - The Cars

3- Footloose - The Soundtrack

2- Sports - Huey Lewis and The News

1- Born in The USA - Bruce Springsteen

(1st of 7 non consecutive weeks at #1)

While released in 1984, Born in the USA became the biggest selling album of 1985 and produced a record tying 7 top 10 Singles from one album. Of those singles "Dancing in Dark" was the highest, reaching #2 this week.

The other singles were "Cover Me" #7, "Born in the USA" #9, "I'm on Fire" #6,"Glory Days"#5,

"I'm Goin Down" #9 and "My Hometown" #6.

Bruce Springsteen won the Grammy in 1984 for Best Rock Vocal Performance -Male for "Dancing in the Dark" and was also nominated for Album of the Year.

Casey Kasem's American Top 40 - The 70s - July 10th 2010

AT40 the 70s, this week July 10th 1976

10- Got To Get You Into My Life - The Beatles
9- Sara Smile - Hall and Oates
8- Love is Alive - Gary Wright
7- Misty Blue - Dorothy Moore
6- Silly Love Songs- Wings
5- More, More, More (Part 1) - Andrea True Connection
4- Shop Around - The Captain and Tennille
3- I'll Be Good To You - The Brothers Johnson
2- Kiss and Say Goodbye - The Manhattans
1- Afternoon Delight - The Starland Vocal Band
(1st of 2 weeks at #1)


The Top 5 Albums this week in 1976:

5- Frampton Comes Alive! - Peter Frampton
4- Breezin - George Benson
3- Rocks - Aerosmith
2- Rock N Roll Music - The Beatles
1- Wings At The Speed of Sound - Wings
(6 of 7 non consecutive weeks at #1)


2 top ten singles with the #1 smash "Silly Love Songs" and the #3 hit "Let'em In"

Your Classic Country Video of the Week

October of 1988 the 15th #1 country single for the Oak Ridge Boys,
Gonna Take a Lot of River

#2 Song of the Week

This week we look at another #2 song that should have hit the top but had the misfortune of being blocked by 2 super singles. In this case it "Open Arms" by Journey and it was February 1982 and the J Geils Band was atop the Billboard Hot 100 with "Centerfold", Journey hit #2 the week ending Feb 27th.
Now instead of just going away they outlasted J Geils as they fell out of the top spot after a 6 week run, but jumping over Steve Perry and the boys was the smash "I Love Rock N Roll" by Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, which stayed at #1 for 7 weeks.
After spending a total of 6 weeks at #2 "Open Arms" finally ran out of steam and dropped to #7. Even today when that familiar piano opening comes on the radio most of us turn it up and sing our hearts out.

Casey Kasem's American Top 40 - The 70s - July 4th 2010

This weekend marks the 40th Anniversary of the very first American Top 40 Countdown with Casey Kasem. July 4th 1970 was the official beginning to a new era in music and how people found out what the top songs and artist were, by listening every Sunday.
To celebrate this week AT40 the 70s is airing the very first American Top 40 countdown show.

10 - Hitchin' A Ride - Vanity Fare
9- The Wonder of You - Elvis Presley
8- The Long and Winding Road - The Beatles
7- (They Long to be) Close To You - The Carpenters
6- Lay Down (Candles in the Rain) - Melanie
5- Band of Gold - Freda Payne
4- Ride Captain Ride - Blues Image
3- Ball of Confusion - The Temptations
2- The Love You Save - The Jackson 5
1- Mama Told Me (Not To Come) - Three Dog Night
(first of 2 weeks at #1)


The #1 Album this week in 1970:
Let It Be - The Beatles 4th of 4 consecutive weeks at #1


What do you say about one of the best albums ever by the biggest group to every record music?
It was 1970 and the Beatles were just in name only, everyone was moving on, Paul McCartney had just been moved out of the top spot of the album chart by, of all groups, The Beatles.
Paul McCartney's album McCartney had been the top album in the US for 3 weeks in May until his other group came along and pushed him out.
Let It Be was already considered a classic with a movie about the making of the album and they had just had 2 #1 singles from the album with "Let it Be" and just 2 weeks earlier with "The Long and Winding Road" . This album was a Phil Spector produced release because of the dissolution of the group and the original album title Get Back was scrapped for Let It Be.
In 2003 Paul McCartney along with BMI and Apple records remastered and remixed the original master tapes of Let It Be and released Let It Be...Naked as a way of putting their version of the album out to the public.

#1 Song of the Week

Being the first of July and a great month lets give our spotlight to a song that held the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for the entire month of July of 1967. Oddly enough that was the month and year I was born...so lets celebrate with The Association and their last #1 single "Windy"