Tag Archives: rock

Broadcasting, Music, Music Countdowns, Pop Music, Radio, Retro Rock

1979 Stellar Top 40 Hits

During the year of 1979, I was a student at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, getting a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts.  While at JMU, I worked part-time at Public Radio station WMRA 90.7 FM, that served the Shenandoah Valley.

When I wasn’t attending classes or working at WMRA, I would spend my spare time listening to other radio stations that I could pick up in Harrisonburg. Most of my radio surfing was concentrated either on Top 40 outlets or album-oriented rock (AOR) stations.

With this music blog message, I will be counting down what I consider to be my favorite top 40 hits from 1979. My selections are 45-rpm singles that I treasured while a JMU student, and I still love these songs today.

Since I started my radio career at legendary Top 40 WROV 1240 AM Roanoke in 1974, I was drawn to listening to any radio station that featured top 40 radio during my JMU student years.

My time in Harrisonburg gave me an opportunity to hear various Top 40 stations on any given day.  The local Top 40 station that JMU students could pick up on campus was WQPO (Q101) 100.7 FM in Harrisonburg.

I was not a fan of Q101 as it was automated with no live DJs.  I preferred tuning in WWWV 97.5 FM (3WV) in Charlottesville as they were an AOR formatted station. Plus, 3WV had an excellent morning show and live DJ staff throughout the broadcast day.

To get my fix of Top 40 radio while I was at JMU, I would listen to stations out of Richmond and Washington DC radio markets.  Picking up these stations tended to be hit or miss, depending on the weather conditions. Cloudy days seemed to be the best opportunity to hear these signals coming in strong at my Harrisonburg home.

Below are the Top 40 radio signals that I could pick up on a regular basis in Harrisonburg during 1979:

WRVQ (Q94) 94.5 FM Richmond

WPGC 95.5 FM Washington DC Market

WRQX (Q107) 107.3 FM Washington DC Market

As a side note: Top 40 K92 92.3 FM Roanoke came on the air January 1, 1980. Between New Year’s Day and my JMU graduation in May 1980, I would listen to K92 on a regular basis in Harrisonburg.

After sundown, I would also listen to a couple of high-powered 50,000 watt AM stations: WLS 890 AM Chicago and WABC 770 AM New York. Those stations always had top-notch DJs playing the hits. On the Big 89 WLS, my favorite DJs were Jeff Davis, Larry Lujack and John Records Landecker.

For the rest of this message, I will be counting down my favorite Top 25 singles from 45 years ago. The sole criterion I utilized with song tabulation for the countdown is simple: I used Billboard’s “Year-End Hot 100 singles chart for 1979.”

As I surveyed the prominent 1979 hits, the countdown is entirely based on my opinions. The songs that I selected are singles that I deem to be culturally, historically, aesthetically significant, meaningful or relevant.

For a historical reference, below are the top 15 singles of 1979, according to Billboard magazine:

1          “My Sharona” The Knack

2          “Bad Girls”      Donna Summer

3          “Le Freak”       Chic

4          “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?”  Rod Stewart

5          “Reunited”      Peaches & Herb

6          “I Will Survive”  Gloria Gaynor

7          “Hot Stuff”      Donna Summer

8          “Y.M.C.A.”       Village People

9          “Ring My Bell” Anita Ward

10        “Sad Eyes”       Robert John

11        “Too Much Heaven”   Bee Gees

12        “MacArthur Park”       Donna Summer

13        “When You’re in Love with a Beautiful Woman”       Dr. Hook

14        “Makin’ It”      David Naughton

15        “Fire”   The Pointer Sisters

Before I start my countdown, I want to share some of my favorite top 40 singles from 45 years ago that were not ranked by Billboard on their 1979 Top 100 year-end chart.

  • Let’s Go—The Cars
  • Cruel to Be Kind—Nick Lowe
  • Crazy Love—Poco
  • Blow Away—George Harrison
  • Roxanne—The Police
  • Love Takes Time—Orleans
  • Driver’s Seat—Sniff ‘N’ the Tears
  • Serve Somebody—Bob Dylan
  • Blue Morning, Blue Day—Foreigner
  • Heart of the Night—Poco
  • Get It Right Next Time—Gerry Rafferty
  • Song on the Radio—Al Stewart
  • People of the South Wind—Kansas
  • Morning Dance—Spyro Gyra
  • Take Me to the River—Talking Heads

Next are songs that I considered for the countdown but fell just outside of my top 25.  These selections are not ranked and are placed in a random order:

  • Lady—Little River Band
  • Gold—John Stewart
  • New York Groove—Ace Frehley
  • A Little More Love—Olivia Newton John
  • Fire—The Pointer Sisters
  • Reunited—Peaches & Herb
  • The Devil Went Down to Georgia—The Charlie Daniels Band
  • I Want You to Want Me—Cheap Trick
  • Strange Way—Firefall
  • Double Vision—Foreigner
  • Dance the Night Away—Van Halen
  • The Gambler–Kenny Rogers
  • Just When I Needed You Most—Randy VanWarmer
  • Lotta Love—Nicolette Larson
  • Promises—Eric Clapton
  • I Was Made for Loving You—Kiss
  • Shake It—Ian Matthews
  • I Just Fall in Love Again–Anne Murray
  • Chuck E’s in Love—Rickie Lee Jones
  • Stumblin’ In—Suzi Quatro & Chris Norman
  • Music Box Dancer–Frank Mills
  • I Just Wanna Stop—Gino Vannelli
  • She Believes in Me–Kenny Rogers
  • Shine a Little Love—Electric Light Orchestra
  • Got to Be Real—Cheryl Lynn
  • Tragedy—The Bee Gees
  • Shake Your Groove Thing—Peaches & Herb
  • We Are Family—Sister Sledge
  • Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now—McFadden & Whitehead
  • Goodnight Tonight—Paul McCartney & Wings

Without further ado, my stellar singles of 1979 countdown begins:

25. I Will Survive—Gloria Gaynor

Peak positions on Billboard Charts: #1 Hot 100, 6th Biggest Song of 1979

Lyrics have become an anthem for female empowerment. Inducted into Library of Congress National Recording Registry in 2016.  “I Will Survive” received a Grammy Award for “Best Disco Recording.”

24. Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough—Michael Jackson

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #1 Hot 100, 91st Biggest Song of 1979

Produced by Quincy Jones and written by Michael Jackson.  It was the biggest solo hit of the 70s by the “King of Pop.”  Musically, it features a six-piece horn ensemble of saxophones, trumpets and trombone.  A sterling string section also adds to the rich sound on this tune.

23. Sail On—The Commodores

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #4 Hot 100, 98th Biggest Song of 1979

Commodores front man Lionel Richie wrote this country flavored ballad and provided lead vocals on this country influenced ballad. Song features superb keyboard and guitar instrumentation.

22. Rock & Roll Fantasy—Bad Company

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #13 Hot 100, 54th Biggest Song of 1979

Written by Bad Company’s vocalist Paul Rodgers. It was the biggest selling-single by British classic rock band. From the “Desolation Angels” album.

21. Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor)—Robert Palmer  

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #14 Hot 100, 92nd Biggest Songs of 1979

Written by singer-songwriter Moon Martin. Robert Palmer’s cover version became the biggest hit by the British artist in the 70s. The song was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of “Best Male Rock Vocal Performance.”

20. My Sharona—The Knack

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #1 Hot 100, the #1 Biggest Song of 1979

New Wave band from Los Angeles, California.  The Knack came on strong during the summer of 1979. “My Sharona” spent 6 weeks at the top spot with Billboard’s Hot 100 chart and is ranked as the #1 biggest single from 45 years ago.

19. Rise—Herb Alpert

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #1 Hot 100, 80th Biggest Song of 1979

Tumpeter Herb Alpert was the first artist to reach number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with a vocal performance as well as an instrumental production. (Artist took “This Guy’s in Love with You” to #1 in 1968). Tune received a Grammy Award for “Best Pop Instrumental Performance.”

18. After the Love Has Gone—Earth Wind & Fire

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #2 Hot 100, 38th Biggest Song of 1979

Composed by David Foster and Jay Graydon, with lyrics written by Bill Champlin. First of two Earth Wind & Fire songs in the countdown. Maurice White on lead vocals while Philip Bailey sings backup harmonies. Tune has superb horn section.

17. Good Times—Chic

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #1 Hot 100, 20th Biggest Song of 1979

Written by Chic band members Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers. Song has legendary bass line riff and is one of the most sampled tunes in music history.

Backing track from “Good Times” was used on the first Top 40 hip-hop hit, “Rapper’s Delight” by Sugarhill Gang.  Comes in at number 68 on Rolling Stone “Greatest Songs of All Time” list.

16. Too Much Heaven—The Bee Gees

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #1 Hot 100, 11th Biggest Song of 1979

Co-written by the brothers Gibb: Barry, Robin and Maurice. Song features the Chicago horn section (James Pankow, Walter Parazaider and Lee Loughnane). Single became the fourth of six consecutive number 1 hits by the Bee Gees on the Billboard Hot 100.

15. Ooo Baby Baby—Linda Ronstadt

Peak Position on Billboard Charts: #7 Hot 100, 77th Biggest Song of 1979

A cover of Smokey Robinson & the Miracles 1965 hit. Has outstanding saxophone played by David Sanborn. Produced by Peter Asher. Linda Ronstadt also scored airplay on country and R&B/soul radio with this hit.

14. What You Won’t Do for Love—Bobby Caldwell

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #9 Hot 100, 59th Biggest Song of 1979

Co-written by Bobby Caldwell and Alfons Kettner. Was Caldwell’s only top 40 hit on the Billboard singles chart. Song is now considered to be in the “yacht rock” sub-genre of music.

13. How Much I Feel—Ambrosia

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #3 Hot 100, 84th Biggest Song of 1979

Quintessential Yacht Rock band. “How Much I Feel” was written by the band’s guitarist/vocalist David Pack. Song is smooth featuring a jazz/R&B groove and great group harmony.

12. Every Time I Think of You—The Babys

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #13 Hot 100, 89th Biggest Song of 1979

British band had 3 U.S. top 40 hits. Bassist John Waite was the lead singer with group. Myrna Matthews shares singing duties on this hit. Waite had two #1 hits in the 80s: “Missing You” as a solo hit (1984) and “When I See You Smile” as singer in Bad English (1989).

11. Don’t Bring Me Down—Electric Light Orchestra

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #4 Hot 100, 81st Biggest Song of 1979

Produced and written by ELO front man Jeff Lynne. It was the highest-charting 45-rpm single by the British band in America. Unlike most other ELO songs, “Don’t Let Me Down” didn’t contain a string section.

10. Love is the Answer—England Dan & John Ford Coley

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #10 Hot 100, 68th Biggest Song of 1979

Written by Todd Rundgren. The England Dan and John Ford Coley rendition of the song reached #1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. The soft rock duo also received airplay on some Christian music radio stations during 1979.

9.   Hold the Line—Toto

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #5 Hot 100, 44th Biggest Song of 1979

Toto’s keyboardist David Paich wrote “Hold the Line” which became the group’s first hit record.  Lead vocals were by Bobby Kimball. This up-tempo tune remains one of the most beloved songs by the 70s and 80s pop rock band.

8.   What a Fool Believes—The Doobie Brothers

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #1 Hot 100, 19th Biggest Song of 1979

The only yacht rock song to receive a 100 score on the Yachtski Scale was co-written by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins. The second #1 hit for the Doobie Brothers.  The single received two Grammy Awards in 1980: for “Song of the Year” and “Record of the Year.”

7.   Time Passages—Al Stewart

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #7 Hot 100, 79th Biggest Song of 1979

Written by Al Stewart and Peter White.  Song has outstanding saxophone performance by Phil Kenzie. Produced by Alan Parsons. Spent 10 weeks on top of the Billboard Easy Listening chart and was the rated as the #1 biggest Adult Contemporary song of 1979 by the music magazine.

6.   My Life—Billy Joel

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #3 Hot 100, 28th Biggest Song of 1979

Singer-songwriter and “Piano Man” Billy Joel wrote “My Life” which came from the “52nd Street” album. Musically, tune has vigorous guitar and keyboards. The artist sings this hit with high energy.

5.   Renegade—Styx

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #16 Hot 100, 67th Biggest Song of 1979

Styx guitarist Tommy Shaw is the songwriter of “Renegade.” The song starts cold with a cappella singing and then goes into a full-fledge blazing rock tune. Pounding drums, infectious guitar riffs and catchy hooks drive this classic rock standout.

4.   Heart of Glass—Blondie

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #1 Hot 100, 18th Biggest Song of 1979

Co-written by Blondie singer Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein.  Single is a brilliant crossing of “New Wave” rock with a powerful disco beat. It was the first of 4 number one hits for Blondie between 1979 and 1981. Song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2015.

3.   Sultans of Swing—Dire Straits

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #4 Hot 100, 61st Biggest Song of 1979

Dire Straits lead vocalist and guitarist Mark Knopfler penned this first hit by the British group. Lyrics are about a Dixieland swing jazz band playing at a near empty bar in south “London town.” Knopfle’s phrasing of vocals and his exceptional catchy guitar riffs, made “Sultans of Swing” the most unique top 40 single of 1979.

2.   The Logical Song—Supertramp

Peak Position on Billboard Charts: #6 Hot 100, 27th Biggest Song of 1979

Supertramp’s former co-front man Roger Hodgson came up with the idea of “The Logical Song” after he spent ten years at a boarding school when he was boy. This was the biggest single by the British progressive pop-rock band.  Saxophonist John Helliwell of Supertramp is magnificent playing his woodwind instrument.

1..   September—Earth Wind & Fire

Peak Positions of Billboard Charts: #8 Hot 100, 78th Biggest Song of 1979

“September” by Earth Wind & Fire (EW&F) is a quintessential song with multiple genres of music:  R&B, Soul, Funk, Jazz, Disco and Yacht Rock. Upbeat, feel-good groove. Philip Bailey and Maurice White share lead vocals on this successful song.

Instrumentally, the single features brass instruments, woodwinds, keyboards, guitars and drums. A signature song for EW&F, it was inducted into the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry list of sound recordings in 2018.

Without a doubt, I proclaim “September” by Earth Wind & Fire as my favorite number one single with the countdown of stellar top 40 hits from 1979.

That wraps up what I consider to be my favorite and best 1979 top 40 hits. I completely understand that my listing of songs in this category was written from my point of view and is subjective.

If you were creating a similar register of excellent 1979 singles, your tabulation may be totally different. What do you consider to be best preeminent singles from ’79? I hope you will comment below.

I have passionate memories of my college years at JMU and hearing my favorite songs played on the radio during 1979. I still cherish and fondly remember the excellent music of 45 years ago. Rock on!

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Broadcasting, Music, Music Countdowns, Pop Music, Radio, Retro Rock

Fantastic Flute Favorites from Top 40 Golden Age

When I think about core instruments in pop rock music, there is one that doesn’t fit into that category: a flute.  While this woodwind may be more at home with orchestras, the breezy sound of flutes was an integral part on many top 40 hits during the 20th century.

With this music blog message, I will be counting down what I consider to be my favorite songs featuring a flute. My selections are mostly tunes that I treasured when I was a teenager or as a young adult and I still love these songs in 2024.

My listing of fantastic flute songs all became hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart during the golden age of top 40 radio. Obviously, that means that outstanding ensembles, classical masterworks, and any other genre of music outside of pop, rock and soul, are excluded from this article.

To avoid any confusion, here are the criteria that I used to narrow down my listing of outstanding flute songs:

  • My selections were aired on Top 40 radio between the years 1966 and 1976.
  • Only songs released as 45-rpm singles are listed.
  • No album tracks used on countdown.
  • Flute needs to be prominently heard in a song.
  • Lead flute solos on instrumental breaks on songs with lyrical singing.
  • Countdown songs peaked at #40 or higher on the Billboard Hot 100.

There are many top 40 songs that employ flutes as part of their musical mix but the instrument doesn’t standout. A good example of this is the Beatles’ song “Penny Lane.”

This tune features oboes, piccolos, trumpets and a flugelhorn, as well as traditional pop instruments of piano, guitar, bass and drums.  Thus, the flute sound is not distinguishable on this masterpiece song by the Beatles.

And since my countdown only spans from 1966 through 1976, excellent 80s flute singles won’t be listed on this message.  If I had chosen music from the totally tubular decade of the 80s, I surely would have included the 1982 Men at Work song “Down Under” as a superb flute single.

As I surveyed the prominent flute hits, the countdown is entirely based on my opinions. My selections are songs that I deem to be culturally, historically, aesthetically significant, meaningful or relevant.

Before I start the countdown, I am sharing some other first-class flute singles in a couple of different categories. I am a fan of all of the extra songs that didn’t make my favorite flute songs all-time listing.

Songs played on Top 40 and AOR (album-oriented-radio) stations but not released as 45-rpm singles:

  • Moondance—Van Morrison
  • Aqualung—Jethro Tull
  • So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright—Simon & Garfunkel

45-rpm singles that charted number 41 or lower on the Billboard Hot 100 chart

  • Locomotive Breath—Jethro Tull
  • White Bird—It’s a Beautiful Day
  • Can’t You See—The Marshal Tucker Band

This next group are songs that I considered for the flute countdown but fell outside of my top 20 selections. Singles are not ranked and are placed in a random order:

  • Fire on the Mountain—The Marshal Tucker Band
  • Ruby Tuesday—The Rolling Stones
  • Tubular Bells—Mike Oldfield
  • The Good, The Bad and the Ugly—Hugo Montenegro
  • Sing—The Carpenters
  • Walking In Rhythm · The Blackbyrds
  • Bungle in the Jungle—Jethro Tull
  • Kung Fu Fighting—Carl Douglas
  • There is a Mountain—Donovan
  • The Hustle—Van McCoy
  • The Power of Gold—Dan Fogelberg & Tim Weisberg
  • The Pied Piper—Crispian St Peters
  • Paloma Blanca—George Baker Selection
  • Born to Wander—Rare Earth
  • Dark Horse—George Harrison
  • Rockin’ Robin—Michael Jackson
  • Walk Away Renée—The Left Banke

Without further ado, here is my top flute songs countdown:

Top 20 Countdown

20.  You Are the Woman—Firefall (1976)

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  Adult Contemporary #6, Hot 100 #9

Written by Rick Roberts. Flute artist David Muse. Biggest hit for Firefall. Band had two other major hits: “Just Remember I Love You” and “Strange Way” both peaked at #11.

19.  I’m Your Captain (Closer to Home)—Grand Funk Railroad (1970)

Peak Positions on Billboard Chart:  #22 Hot 100

Written by Mark Farner. Flute artist: member of the Cleveland Orchestra. First top 40 hit and best-known songs from Grand Funk Railroad.

18.  Hocus Pocus—Focus (1973)

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #9 Hot 100, 69th Biggest Song of 1973

Co-written by Thijs van Leer and Jan Akkerman. Flute artist Thijs van Leer. Dutch progressive rock band. A one hit wonder in the U.S.

17.  Spill the Wine—Eric Burdon & War (1970)

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #3 Hot 100, 20th Biggest Song of 1970

Songwriters: Eric Burdon and 7 members of the band War.  Flute artist Charles Miller. Tune is a combination of progressive soul, funk and psychedelic rock.

16.  Hitchin’ a Ride—Vanity Fare (1970)

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #5 Hot 100, 14th Biggest Single of 1970

Co-written by Mitch Murray & Peter Callander. Flute artist: Bernie Hagley. English sunshine pop rock band had two hits in the U.S.  “Early in the Morning” peaked at #12 in early 1970.

15.  The Tears of a Clown—Smokey Robinson & the Miracles (1970)

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #1 Hot 100, #1 Hot Soul

Co-written by Hank Cosby, Smokey Robinson and Stevie Wonder. Flute artist Jim Horn. Song is a 2002 Grammy Hall of Fame inductee. First #1 hit for Robinson and his Miracles group.

14.  Windy—The Association (1967)

Peak Position on Billboard Charts:  #1 Hot 100, 4th Biggest Song of 1967

Written by Ruthann Friedman. Flute artist Gene Cipriano of the Wrecking Crew. Song spent four weeks at #1 during the summer of love 1967. Quintessential sunshine pop single.

13.  It Never Rains in Southern California—Albert Hammond (1972-1973)

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #5 Hot 100, 98th Biggest Song of 1973

Co-written by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood. Flute artists Alan Beutler, Jacky Kelso and Tommy Scott from the Wrecking Crew. Hammond’s biggest top 40 hit.

12.  Undun—The Guess Who (1969)

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  15 Adult Contemporary #22 Hot 100

Written by Randy Bachman. Flute artist Burton Cummings.  Originally the B-side of the Guess Who’s hit song “Laughing.” Numerous jazz musicians have recorded covers of “Undun.”

11.  Creeque Alley—The Mamas & the Papas (1967)

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #5 Hot 100, 60th Biggest Song of 1967

Co-written by John Phillips and Michelle Phillips. Flute artist Jim Horn of the Wrecking Crew. Autobiographical account on how the Mamas and the Papas were formed and chronicles early years of the folk-pop group.

10.  Heard It in a Love Song—The Marshal Tucker Band (1977)

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #14 Hot 100, 57th Biggest Song of 1977

Written by Troy Caldwell. Flute artist Jerry Eubanks. Song became a country crossover hit. Was the biggest charting single for the Southern Rock band.

9.    Spinning Wheel—Blood Sweat & Tears (1969)

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #2 Hot 100, 27th Biggest Song of 1969

Written by David Clayton-Thomas. Flute artist Ken Gioffre. “Spinning Wheel” was the second consecutive single to peak at #2, after “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy” did so in April 1969.

8.    El Condor Pasa (If I Could)—Simon & Garfunkel (1970)

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #6 Easy Listening, #18 Hot 100

Songwriters: Daniel Alomía Robles (music), Paul Simon (English lyrics), Jorge Milchberg (Arrangement). Flute artists: Los Incas, an Andean folk music group.  This became the last top 40 hit for Simon & Garfunkel before the duo broke up and pursued solo careers.

7.    So Far Away—Carole King (1971)

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #3 Adult Contemporary, #14 Hot 100

Written by Carole King.  Flute artist Curtis Amy.  From the legendary 1971 “Tapestry” album. James Taylor plays acoustic guitar on song.

6.    Living in the Past—Jethro Tull (1969 & 1972)

Peak Positions on Billboard Chart: #11 Hot 100

Written by and flute artist: Ian Anderson.  Originally released as a single in Europe during 1969. In 1972, Jethro Tull’s, “Living in the Past” album dropped and the title track was re-released as a 45-single in the U.S.

5.    Lowdown—Boz Scaggs (1976)

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #3 Hot 100, #5 Hot Soul Singles, 49th Biggest Song of 1976

Co-written by Boz Scaggs and David Paich. Song is categorized in multiple musical genres. R&B, Disco, Jazz, Pop and Yacht Rock. Won a Grammy Award for best R&B song.

4.    California Dreamin’—The Mamas & the Papas (1966)

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #4 Hot 100, #1 Biggest Song of 1966

Written by John Phillips and Michelle Phillips. Flute artist Bud Shank of the Wrecking Crew. Classic “Sunshine Pop” with outstanding vocal harmonies. Signature song for the folk-rock group was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001.

3.    Going Up the Country—Canned Heat (1968-1969)

Peak Position on Billboard Chart: #11 Hot 100

Written by Alan Wilson. Flute artist Jim Horn of the Wrecking Crew.  Tune was adapted from an old 1920 blues song. Canned Heat’s biggest hit single was performed in August 1969 at Woodstock and is considered a “hippie anthem.”

2.    Colour My World—Chicago: (1971)

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #7 Hot 100, 56th Biggest Song of 1971

Written by James Pankow. Flute artist Walter Parazaider. “Colour My World” is a short ode from Pankow’s, “Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon” song cycle/suite, on the legendary 1970 “Chicago” (Chicago II) album. Terry Kath sings lead vocals.

  1. Nights in White Satin—The Moody Blues (1967 & 1972)

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #2 Hot 100, 32nd Biggest Song of 1972

Written by Justin Hayward. Flute artist Raymond Thomas. From the 1967 “Days of Future Passed” album and originally released as a single in 1967 and reached #19 in the U.K. It was re-released in the U.S. in 1972 and became a huge hit for the British band.

Musical backup on the track was provided by the London Festival Orchestra and the song is considered a progressive rock masterpiece. The 1972 single was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.

I proclaim “Nights in White Satin” as my third favorite song of all-time and the Moody Blues hit is number 1 on my countdown of fantastic flute singles from the Top 40 golden age.

That wraps up what I consider to be my favorite and best flute hits. I completely understand that my listing of songs in this category was written from my point of view and is subjective.

If you were creating a similar register of excellent flute hits, your tabulation may be totally different. What do you consider to be the best preeminent flute singles?  I hope you will comment below.

Listening to music from the golden age of Top 40 radio will always have a special place in my heart.  I still cherish and fondly remember my favorite flute singles of all-time.

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Artist Profiles, Broadcasting, Music, Music Countdowns, Radio, Retro Rock

Outstanding Trio Rock Bands from the 20th Century

What are the greatest rock bands in the history of popular music that featured trios?

With my latest music blog message, I will be counting down what I consider to be the ten best rock band trios from the 20th century from 1965 through 1985.

Before I share the countdown of the ten bands that I have selected for this topic, I need to state what constitutes a rock trio band.

Basically, a rock trio band features all three members playing instruments: normally an electric guitar, an electric bass guitar and drums. In some other trios, keyboards are substituted for either a guitar or a drum set.

At the same time that instruments are being played by all members, one or more of those same individuals will provide singing on songs that have vocals. These bands tend to have a full, rich sound with just three members.

The fresh electric sounds of British Invasion bands in the mid 60s such as the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and the Who, gave inspiration to those wanting to play that type of music with just 3 musicians. Soon thereafter, many new rock trio bands started forming in the United States and Great Britain.

As I did research for the topic of rock trio bands, I realized there were other types of musical groups with just 3 members.  I classify these artists as vocal pop groups, that featured 3 singers that didn’t play musical instruments.

Below are some outstanding 3-person vocal groups from the 60s and 70s. These trios performed in a variety of musical genres from pop, rock, folk and soul.

  • The Supremes
  • Three Dog Night
  • The Bee Gees
  • Peter Paul and Mary
  • The Isley Brothers
  • Martha and the Vandellas

While all of the above 3-person vocal groups produced excellent music, they are not power trio rock bands and have been excluded from consideration on my countdown. Maybe I will write and publish a separate article on outstanding 60s and 70s trio vocal groups in the future?  Stay tuned.

Here are the criteria I used in compiling my countdown of best rock trio bands:

  • Majority of album chart success between the years of 1965 and 1985.
  • Since my home country is in America, my rankings are based solely on what bands achieved in the United States.
  • In researching historical musical data for this article, I used Billboard and Cash Box magazines for documentation.
  • I also gathered artist information from the liner notes of vinyl albums that I still own in 2024.
  • Bands received significant airplay on Top 40 and Album Oriented Rock (AOR) radio in the U.S. from mid 60s through to the mid 80s.
  • Some groups listed in countdown may have had more than 3 members at some point but stayed as a trio during a majority of the band’s existence.
  • I will document main members of trio bands and may leave out part time personnel and/or people in a band whom stayed for short periods of time.

Please note that my ranking of albums and songs within the countdown of best rock trio bands is entirely based on my own opinion. My rating system reflects directly upon music that I deem to be culturally, historically, aesthetically significant, meaningful or relevant.

Without further ado, my countdown of the ten best trio rock bands begins:

10. James Gang

Main Lineup: Joe Walsh (guitars, lead vocals), Dale Peters (bass) and Jim Fox (drums).  Widely acclaimed album: “James Gang Rides Again.”  My #1 top-rated song: “Walk Away.”   Second favorite track: “Funk #49.”

Active years as a trio: 1968-1974. The front man & lead singer for American band James Gang was Joe Walsh. He left the classic rock trio in 1971 for a solo career. Walsh later joined Eagles band during late 1975 and still is a member in 2024. He and his Eagles group were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.

9.   Emerson Lake & Palmer

Main Lineup: Keith Emerson (keyboards), Greg Lake (Vocals and guitar) and Carl Palmer (drums and percussion).  Widely acclaimed album: “Pictures at an Exhibition.”  My #1 top-rated song: “Nut Rocker.”  Second favorite track: “Lucky Man.”

Active years as a trio: 1970-1979, 1991-1999.  Emerson Lake & Palmer (ELP) were an English progressive rock juggernaut. The band mixed genres of jazz, classical, along with pop-rock sounds together and became one of the leading bands for experimental music during the 70s.

8.    Grand Funk Railroad

Main Lineup:  Mark Farner (lead vocals, guitarist, keyboards), Mel Schacher (bassist) and Don Brewer (drummer and vocalist).  Widely acclaimed album: “Closer to Home.”  My #1 top-rated song: “We’re an American Band.”  Second favorite track: “I’m Your Captain (Closer to Home).”

Active years as trio: 1969-1976.  Grand Funk Railroad (GFR) was founded in Flint, Michigan during 1969. Labeled as arena rock, the group toured intensively and the band’s live shows were popular among concert attendees. (GFR) was inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame in 2015.

7.   Rush

 Main Lineup: Geddy Lee (bass guitar, keyboards, vocalist), Alex Lifeson (guitar) and Neil Peart (drums, percussion and songwriter). Widely acclaimed album: “Moving Pictures.” My #1 top-rated song: “Tom Sawyer.” Second Favorite track: “New World Man.”

Active years as trio: 1974-2015.  Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2013. Canadian band formed in Toronto, Ontario. Musically, group is considered progressive rock. Band also is known for synthesizer pop and hard rock blues. Rush produced excellent musicianship and top-notch lyrical compositions during the 20th century.

6.   Genesis

Main Lineup: Tony Banks (keyboards, acoustic guitar), Mike Rutherford (electric guitar, bass) and Phil Collins (Drums, percussion and vocalist). Widely acclaimed album: “Abacab.”  My #1 top-rated song: “Abacab” Second favorite track: “No Reply at All.”

Active years as a trio: 1977-1996.  Genesis is considered as a pioneer progressive rock band. This English group actually started with 5 members but paired down to just 3 fellows in 1977. All 3 guys recorded side projects in the 80s, with Collins having the most success, followed by Rutherford (Mike + The Mechanics).  Band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.

5.   ZZ Top

Main Lineup: Billy Gibbons (guitarist and vocalist), Frank Beard (drums) and Dusty Hill (bassist and vocalist).  Widely acclaimed album: “Tres Hombres.”  My #1 top-rated song: “La Grange.” Second favorite track: “Sharp Dressed Man.”

Active years as a trio: 1969 to 2021. The 2004 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees started in Houston, Texas. During the 70s, this southern rock band played a combination of hard rock and blues. During the MTV 80s, ZZ Top switched into a synthesizer pop-rock sound which brought the band much success.  The band still performed as a trio until Hill’s death in 2021.

4.   The Jimi Hendrix Experience

Main Lineup:  Jimi Hendrix (guitarist and vocalist), Noel Redding (bass guitar) and Mitch Mitchell (drums).  Widely acclaimed album: “Are You Experienced.”  My #1 top-rated song: “All Along the Watchtower.”  Second favorite track: “Purple Haze.”

Active Years as a trio: 1966-1970: Jimi Hendrix was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall in 1992, along with the other members of his Experience trio, drummer Mitch Mitchell and bassist Noel Redding.  Although his mainstream music career was only 4 years long, many music critics consider Hendrix to be the greatest guitarist of all-time.

3.   Crosby Stills & Nash

Main Lineup:  David Crosby (guitarist, singer-songwriter), Graham Nash (singer-songwriter, keyboardist and guitarist) and Stephen Stills (lead guitarist, bass guitar, percussion, singer-songwriter).  Widely acclaimed album: “Crosby Stills & Nash.”  My #1 top-rated song: “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes.”  Second favorite track: “Marrakesh Express.”

Active years as a trio: 1969-1970, 1973-1974, 1976-2015:  Crosby, Stills & Nash (CSN) were a superb folk-rock supergroup and in 1997 became members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.  During 1970-1971 and occasionally at other select times, Neil Young joined CSN to form a quartet.  The CSN trio contributed outstanding vocal harmonies and all were first-rate singer-songwriters.

2.   The Police

Main Lineup: Sting (singer-songwriter, bass guitarist, main vocalist), Stewart Copeland (drums, percussion) and Andy Summers (guitarist). Widely acclaimed album: “Synchronicity.”  My #1 top-rated song: “Every Little Thing She Does is Magic.”  Second favorite track: “Roxanne.”

Active years as a trio: 1977-1984: English band formed in London during 1977.  This trio combined rock, pop, reggae, jazz and punk together. Considered a new wave band in the late 70s. The Police became one of the biggest bands during the 80s and got into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.

1.   Cream

Main Lineup: Jack Bruce (bassist chief vocalist and songwriter), Eric Clapton (guitarist, songwriter) and Ginger Baker (drums). Widely acclaimed album: “Disraeli Gears.”  My #1 top-rated song: “Sunshine of Your Love.” Second favorite track: “White Room.”

Active years as a trio: 1966–1969:   Cream is among the first supergroups in rock music history.  Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce were pioneers musically mixing blues and hard rock sounds for trios. This British band reformed temporarily in 1993 when the group were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.  Without a doubt, Cream is my number one best power rock trio of all-time.

That wraps up what I consider to be my favorite and best top trio rock bands.  I completely understand that my listing of songs and albums in this category was written from my point of view and is subjective.

If you were creating a similar register of excellent trio rock bands, your tabulation may be totally different. What do you consider to be the best rock groups with just 3 members from the years 1965 through 1985?  I hope you will comment below.

I still love listening rock trio bands on the radio or at home on my home stereo system. Music from the groups in my countdown will always have a special place in my heart. Long live the outstanding music of classic rock trio bands.  Rock on!

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