Monday, September 28, 2026

Prince’s 1999 from 1982 is the Random Lp. Which track is your favorite? 

The picture reveals my Random LP 45 draw. The Motels “Shame.”

However, we are playing the b-side “Save the Last Dance for Love.”

Right after we will play “Save the Last Dance for Me” from Ben E. King in honor of his birthday today. 

And the big question. Original or Cover?

Of course Ron kicks off the show with his two doo-wop hits. We are pitting birthday boy Ben E. King’s original  “There Goes My Baby” from 1959 against Otis Redding’s cover from the mid- 60’s.

*Our Album Turning 50 did so fifty years ago on this day. September 28th, 1976, Stevie Wonder released Songs in the Key of Life. It's a double LP plus a 4-song bonus EP.

Number ones on this day: 

1961: Bobby Vee was keeping us sweet with "Take Good Care of My Baby.”

1971: Rod Stewart rasped his way to the top with "Maggie May."

1981: Diana Ross & Lionel Richie melted hearts with "Endless Love.”

Plus our birthday salutes to legends born Sept 28:

 Ben E. King - The Drifters lead voice.

 Koko Taylor, Queen of the Blues — Chicago clubs shaking with "Wang Dang Doodle". 

2-4 PM Eastern.

WBTNam.org

#MagicalMondayMatinee #No1Hits #MusicHistory

September 21st Diana Ross history

 We have musician birthdays to celebrate this Monday, September 21st — but first, something that's never happened in all of our features to date.

Her name is Diana Ross.

She has the number one song for this date across two decades.

September 21, 1970 Diana Ross’
cover of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” was in the number one spot.
((Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell first released it in 1967. ))

A decade later- on this same date in 1980 Diana Ross was in the middle of a four week number one run with “Upside Down.”

September 21st birthdays we will play tribute to
Don Felder, original lead guitarist of Eagles who co wrote “Hotel California” “Victim of Love” and others.

Faith Hill and Leonard Cohen.

Magical Monday Musical Matinee. Email me your requests.
Heather@wbtnam.org
2-4 pm Eastern
#Magicalmondaymusicalmatinee
#dianaross

"Hangin' Tough" Ron's Royal Return

Are you tough enough for this magical Monday musical Matinee lineup? 

The number one song on this date September 14, 1989- was “Hangin Tough” by New Kids On The Block.
Yes, this is my childhood poster.
Do you remember the album artwork? Ron did! He immediately said they were on an 1940’s IRT subway train.
He was right. Looks like this Boston boy band was going to Coney Island.

We also have the number ones from 69 - “Sugar Sugar” and 79, “My Sharona.”
We return after a few weeks after Ron’s health issue, so I’m also calling this show Ron’s Royal Return.
It’s because we have some tributes we didn’t do from August, including the 16th, which was the day the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley died.
The Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin also died that day.

So did Robert Johnson. In 1961 Columbia released an album of his work called “King of the Delta Blues Singers.”

The Queen of Pop, Madonna was born on the same day, August 16th.

We have a tribute to the Queen of Country, Dolly Parton, who passed August 25th.

And today would have been the birthday of the Queen Mother of Nashville Mae Axton. She cowrote Elvis’ “Heartbreak Hotel.”

Summer La La Playlist

 What is your favorite La La song of all time? I’ll add it to our playlist .

Here is our La La playlist from the past several Mondays. June 29th we featured “You Can Call Me Al” the 1986 lead single from Paul Simon’s 7th studio album “Graceland.” July 6th we had The Beach Boys with “You’re So Good To Me” from 1965’s “Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!)” Monday the 13th was Lalala “If I Had You” by Bobby Sherman from 1969. 1967’s “Brown Eyed Girl” from Van Morrison was our sha la la on July 13th. The next week was The Beatles with “Nowhere Man” from 1965. August 3 was “The Man in Me” by Bob Dylan from his 1970 album “New Morning.” When we return September 14th, our La La is “Spike” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers from 1985’s Southern Accents.

September 7th musician birthdays are stacked.

 September 7th musician birthdays are stacked.

Here’s a set list. (1936-1959) Buddy Holly “Rave On” from 1958. Love the a-well-a hook. It was released a year before his death. Next- Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders. (1951) “Brass in Pocket” released 1979. Akron girl moves to London, forms a band, writes one of the coolest come-ons in rock. She has performed Holly’s “Rave on” live. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005 as a member of the Pretenders. She’s still performing. (1943) Gloria Gaynor “I Will Survive" Originally a B-side to “Substitute”in 1978. DJs flipped it and turned it into the ultimate anthem. (1954) Happy Birthday Benmont Tench, founding member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Listen for his Hammond organ on “Refugee” from 1978. (1957-1997 )And Jermaine Stewart “We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off.” The massive 1986 hit with a message — slowdown and get to know someone through conversation and dancing. #magicalmondaymusicalmatinee #buddyholly #gloriagaynor #BenmontTench #ChrissieHynde #JermaineStewart

“Dumb Blonde” was Dolly Parton’s first song to chart

“Dumb Blonde” was Dolly Parton’s first song to chart, released in November 1966.

The not-so-dumb Dolly didn’t write this one, but-a song she co-wrote before she was 20- led to the Dumb Blonde release. “Put It Off Until Tomorrow" was written by Dolly Parton and Bill Owens, — first released by Bill Phillips in January 1966. It was his biggest hit- Parton had uncredited harmony- and earned her first BMI award. Following that success- Monument Records was convinced she’d make it in country music and released Dumb Blonde. Dolly recorded “Put It Off Until Tomorrow" several times, first on her debut album, Hello, I'm Dolly, which also featured Dumb Blonde. A few years later Dolly wrote a song - they wouldn’t play. “Down From Dover,” about an unmarried, pregnant teenager abandoned by her lover and family, was deemed too taboo . It wasn’t a single but was released in her 1970 album The Fairest of Them All.  

Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazelwood covered Down From Dover a year later. Several others followed.