[Dixielandjazz] It was 44 years ago today....

[Hal Vickery]

In Chicago we have a rock 'n' roll oldies station WRLL, "Real Oldies 1690,"
that has a weekly show counting down the top 25 songs in Chicago from the
date of the show's broadcast for some year in the '50s or '60s.

 

This week's date was March 18-19, 1962.  It turns out that the number 2 hit
in Chicago on this date 44 years ago was definitely OKOM:  Midnight in
Moscow by Kenny Ball.  I guess Chicagoans had remarkably good taste in music
in '62.  It was a kick hearing that old record again.  I remember requesting
it at the local roller rink that year.  Yup, at the age of 11-12, I used to
roller skate to OKOM.  Now if I got on skates, I'd probably break the axles
if I didn't break my neck.

 

Anyone interested in picking up the broadcast and hearing what was on the
pop charts "just" 44 years ago, can hear the replay of today's show tomorrow
on WRLL's web site:  www.realoldies1690.com <http://www.realoldies1690.com/>
.  Smith did include a tidbit or two about Ball after he played the record.
Oh, and for the record, the number 3 song in Chicago that year also had a
Russian theme:  "The Nut Rocker" by "B. Bumble and the Stingers."  I'm going
to have to listen again tomorrow so I can remember who he said played the
role of Mr. William Bumble at that particular session.

 

Hal Vickery