Michigan Rock and Roll Legends

01/09/2024

Dr. J’s Legendary Michigan Song of the Week is “One In A Million” by The Romantics. It was the third and final single taken from The Romantics’ most successful album, “In Heat”. After the single “Rock You Up” failed to keep up the momentum started with the success of “Talking In Your Sleep”, “One In A Million” got the band back in the Top 40 when it peaked at # 37 in 1984. It also reached # 22 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart. Despite achieving their commercial breakthrough in 1984, The Romantics had begun to splinter. “One In A Million” would prove to be the band’s last big hit. Disagreements with management, and also between band members, resulted in Jimmy Marinos leaving the band later in the year. He was replaced by drummer Dave Petratos. They recorded one more album, “Rhythm Romance,” before becoming entangled in legal matters that caused undue hardships for the band, rendered them unable to record for a seven-year period, and effectively torpedoed The Romantics’ run as hitmakers.

All rights belong to their respective owners. Digitally remastered and AI Full HD 1080 Upscaled. Follow The Romantics: https://www.theromanticsdetroit.com/ht...

25/08/2024

Dr. J’s Legendary Michigan Song of the Week is “1969” by The Stooges. Listed among Rolling Stone magazine’s 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time, “1969” was the first single issued from the Stooges debut album released in the summer of 1969. The song was recorded with John Cale of the Velvet Underground at the Hit Factory in New York, but conflicts arose immediately when the band turned their amps up to 10 in the recording studio. According to author David A Carson, the Stooges practically had to stage a sit-down strike over the issue before they reached a compromise, and the band recorded with their amps on 9. The attitude expressed by Iggy Pop in “1969”, the lead track on the album, provided the blueprint for the punk rock movement in the 1970’s in both England and the United States. It was paired with another Stooges’ classic, “I Wanna Be Your Dog,” but there were only a few Top 40 stations outside of Michigan willing to play either side of the single.

You're listening to the official audio for The Stooges - "1969" from the album 'The Stooges' (1969). The 50th anniversary super deluxe edition of The Stooges...

23/08/2024

The Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame and the Bay County Historical Society are proud to announce the recordings that have been inducted into the Legendary Michigan Song category in 2024. The five new inductees to the MRRL HOF bring the total number of honored recordings by Michigan artists to 160. This year’s Legendary Michigan Song inductees include “Don’t You Know” by Della Reese. The 1959 recording was Reese’s biggest hit, reaching #1 on Billboard’s R&B chart and #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was adapted from an aria from Puccini’s opera, La boheme. “I’m Still In Love With You” by Al Green. Released as a single from the album of the same name, Green’s hit song spent two weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Hot Soul Singles chart in 1972, and it peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 that same year. “Lose Yourself” by Eminem was taken from the soundtrack to the 2002 hit motion picture 8 Mile. It became Eminem’s first #1 single on Billboard’s Hot 100, and it went on the win the Academy Award for Best Original Song. “You’re So Fine” was the biggest hit by The Falcons. The Motor City vocal group’s recording was released on Detroit’s tiny Flick label, but it managed to become a #2 hit on the Billboard R&B chart in early 1959 and also crossed over to #17 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes charted in multiple countries in 2003, and its success contributed greatly to the popularity of the Detroit rock duo and the garage rock revival movement. The song reached # 1 on Billboard’s Alternative Airplay chart and went on to win the Grammy Award for Best Rock Song.

22/08/2024

Check out our latest podcast episode featuring Keith Hlavacs and Marlin Wilson, two of Michigan's most fascinating record collectors.

Michiganders Keith Hlavacs and Marlin Wilson belong in their own music collection time zone. Hlavacs not only collects artifacts of early music from 78s/cylinders/diamond discs and phonographs, but he touches upon some of the most sought after music from the earliest days of recordings--with some ra...

18/08/2024

Dr. J’s Legendary Michigan Song of the Week is “Village Of Love” by Nathaniel Mayer & The Fabulous Twilights. Mayer recorded his composition at the age of 18 for Detroit’s Fortune Records in 1962. It would go on to become Fortune’s biggest hit after it was leased to United Artists for national distribution and peaked at # 22 on Billboard’s Hot 100. Mayer’s raw brand of doo-wop was very different from the smooth tones of his Fortune label mates, Nolan Strong & The Diablos, but it is an unquestioned Motor City classic. The prominent bass voice at the beginning and end of “Village Of Love’ was sung by Harold Smith. After the song became a national hit, Nathaniel Mayer played the best clubs in Detroit including the Gay Haven and the 20 Grand, and then went on to headline a tour around the country fronting his own r***e, but he was never able to duplicate the success of “Village Of Love.”

http://www.myspace.com/fortunerecordsdetroithttp://www.myspace.com/nathanielmayerNATHANIEL MAYER!"Village of Love" Detroit CLASSIC!From the Fortune Records 4...

11/08/2024

Dr. J’s Legendary Michigan Song of the Week is “Heavy Music (Part 1)” by Bob Seger & The Last Heard. "Heavy Music" might have been the single that broke Seger nationally except for the bad luck of having his Cameo-Parkway record label go out of business just as the song was becoming a hit. Still, "Heavy Music" did crack open the door of stardom, and it became Bob’s first charting single when it reached # 103 on Billboard in 1967. According to the Seger File, “Heavy Music” grew out of a jam at a bar in Columbus, Ohio, and they just happened to be taping the performance that night. Seger really dug the ‘deeper’ part of the jam and wrote a song around it after he went home. It was a new sound, and it remained the focal point of his live performances for the following decade as captured on the “Live Bullet” LP. It was the first song on vinyl that really captured his ability to combine the raw power of rock with the punch and rhythm of the James Brown style of soul music he loved.

Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, t...

10/08/2024

Yes!

Truth. ❤

08/08/2024

Does anyone recognize this band? They may have been from the Rogers City area.

07/08/2024

Thanks for all the birthday wishes. To quote my favorite guitarist, "I'm glad to be here. I'm glad to be anywhere."

04/08/2024

Dr. J’s Legendary Michigan Song of the Week is “Baby Please Don’t Go” by The Amboy Dukes. The traditional blues song was first popularized by Big Joe Williams in 1935, but it was an electric Chicago blues recording by Muddy Waters in 1953 that influenced the rock version of the song by Van Morrison and Them in 1964. Detroit-born Ted Nugent formed the first version of the Amboy Dukes following his father’s transfer to Chicago. He went on to relocate the band to Detroit and, along with lead vocalist John Drake, put together a new lineup that quickly became one of the Motor City’s top bands. They signed with Mainstream Records in 1967 and recorded their self-titled debut album in just one night. The Amboy Dukes’ scalding cover of “Baby Please Don’t Go” was released as the first single, and its propulsive beat and howling guitar served to raise the bar for Detroit rock and roll. The song was a big local hit and even made the national charts, reaching # 106 in Billboard in early 1968.

The Amboy Dukes is the first studio album released by The Amboy Dukes. It was released in November 1967 on Mainstream Records (stereo S/6104, mono 56104). Th...

28/07/2024

Dr. J’s Song of the Week is “East Side Story” by Bob Seger and The Last Heard. Inducted into the MRRL Hall of Fame as a Legendary Michigan Song in 2014, “East Side Story” is the defining recording of Seger’s early years. It is the song that captures the full power of his voice, his promise, and his songwriting ability. It became a huge hit in Detroit, a #3 record on Detroit radio in 1966, which was rare for a local band. Fifty-eight years later, the song has not lost one iota of energy -- it still has the same raw, pulsing urgency of a rock classic.

Bob Seger And The Last Heard - East Side Story

26/07/2024

Tonight is the only time you will have the opportunity to see the family-friendly "Great Affection" on the Delta Planetarium dome. Showings at 5:30 and 7:00 PM. Tickets $10.

The Bay County Historical Museum and Delta College Planetarium will host GREAT AFFECTION, an entertaining documentary that highlights Madonna's connection to Bay City. There will be two showings at Delta College Planetarium on July 26 at 5:30 PM & 7 PM.

The curator of the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame exhibit, Gary Johnson, will make a special introduction. Director and Co-Producer, Malcom Cottle, will be available for a Q&A session following the showing.

Tickets are $10/person.

Purchase tickets: https://tickets.delta.edu/mainstore?vid=0&cid=1341

25/07/2024

Our latest podcast episode features all three members of Mad Dog, 2019 inductees to the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame.

Mad Dog--a 1970's independent touring machine, known for crossing the state and region, fuzzed out and throttling headliners like Bob Seger, has gone on to have their much-sought-after debut album '617' amongst the finest in vinyl collectors realms. Straight out of Bay City, Mad Dog's '617' continue...

24/07/2024

https://michiganrockandrolllegends.com/mrrl-hall-of-fame/349-mad-dog

24/07/2024

This is a great Bay City rock and roll story!

Send a message to learn more

24/07/2024

Tickets are still available.

The Bay County Historical Museum and Delta College Planetarium will host GREAT AFFECTION, an entertaining documentary that highlights Madonna's connection to Bay City. There will be two showings at Delta College Planetarium on July 26 at 5:30 PM & 7 PM.

The curator of the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame exhibit, Gary Johnson, will make a special introduction. Director and Co-Producer, Malcom Cottle, will be available for a Q&A session following the showing.

Tickets are $10/person.

Purchase tickets: https://tickets.delta.edu/mainstore?vid=0&cid=1341

24/07/2024

More sad news.

John Mayall, the influential British blues-rock musician whose bands included Eric Clapton, Mick Fleetwood, John McVie and Jack Bruce, died at age 90.

22/07/2024

Very sad news.

Send a message to learn more

21/07/2024

Get your tickets for the July 26th premiere of "Great Affection" at the Delta Planetarium. Showings will be at 5:30 and 7:00 for the locally produced film that features Bay City sites connected to Madonna and her family. "Great Affection" is a fundraiser for both the Historical Museum of Bay County and the Delta Planetarium. Tickets are $10 for the family friendly film.

21/07/2024

Dr. J’s Legendary Michigan Song of the Week is “Talking In Your Sleep” by The Romantics. “Talking In Your Sleep” was the first single released for the band’s fourth album, “In Heat”. The song became the band’s biggest chart hit, reaching # 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1984 and staying at that position for three weeks. “Talking In Your Sleep” garnered a great deal of radio airplay and eventually sold over one million copies of the single in the United States. The song’s music video, in which the Romantics were shown performing while surrounded by standing, but supposedly sleeping young women in lingerie, pajamas, and other sleepwear, received heavy rotation on MTV and helped boost sales. The song went # 1 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play charts and also topped the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart.

The Romantics' official music video for 'Talking In Your Sleep'. Click to listen to The Romantics on Spotify: http://smarturl.it/TheRomsSpotify?IQid=Romantic...

14/07/2024

Dr. J’s Legendary Michigan Song of the Week is “Flamingo Express” by The Royaltones. The Royaltones formed in Dearborn, Michigan, in 1957 while they were still in high school. Originally called The Paragons, the band was renamed ‘The Royaltones’ when their original composition of “Poor Boy” was leased by Jubilee Records. The instrumental became a # 17 hit in the fall of 1958. In 1960, original members George Katsakis – sax, and identical twins Mike Popoff – drums and Greg Popoff – keyboards, added guitarist Karl Kaminski and signed with George Goldner’s Goldisc label. “Flamingo Express" was recorded at the first session produced by Goldner in New York. The song was originally called “Wiggle, Wiggle” but was renamed in honor of The Flamingos, George Goldner’s highly successful vocal group. “Flamingo Express” was released in late 1960 and peaked at # 82 in early 1961. It would prove to be the last charting hit for the Royaltones. Future Funk Brother Bob Babbitt played bass on the hit instrumental and would officially join the band a few months later. Guitarist Dennis Coffey also joined the band in 1961.

Flamingo Express (Popoff-Katsakis-Popoff) by The RoyaltonesThe group from Dearborn MI had previously charted with the 1958 instrumental “Poor Boy” https://ww...

06/07/2024

Dr. J’s Legendary Michigan Song of the Week is “The Tears of A Clown” by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles. “The Tears of A Clown” has to be the most unusual # 1 hit in the long and storied history of the Motown record label. Stevie Wonder and his producer Hank Cosby had composed the music in 1966, but couldn’t come up with a lyric to match the instrumental. Wonder played it to Smokey Robinson who said the tune reminded him of the circus. Smokey wrote the lyrics, and sang lead on the song that became part of the Miracles’ 1967 album, “Make It Happen”. By the end of 1969, Robinson had informed the other Miracles that he was tired of touring and would be retiring from the act to spend more time in Detroit with his family and concentrate on his duties as vice-president of Motown Records. Because of a lack of new material from the Miracles, the division of Motown in Britain selected “The Tears Of A Clown” from the group’s catalogue for a single release in that country. A new mix was made of the song, and by September of 1970, the single was # 1 in Great Britain. The success of the song overseas prompted Motown to release the single in the United States, where it quickly became a # 1 hit on both the Hot 100 and the R&B charts. The Miracles had sold millions of records during their long career at Motown, but “The Tears Of A Clown” was the group’s first and only # 1 hit with Smokey Robinson as the lead singer. Because of the success of the single, Robinson delayed his decision to leave the Miracles for two more years. “The Tears Of A Clown” remains the biggest hit of the 46 recordings that the Miracles placed on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2002, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

The Official Lyric Video for “The Tears Of A Clown" by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles.

30/06/2024

Dr. J’s Legendary Michigan Song of the Week is “You Are The Sunshine Of My Life” by Stevie Wonder. Written and produced by Stevie, the hit song was taken from “Talking Book”, the second album issued after his new Motown contract gave him full creative control over the songs he recorded for the label. “You Are The Sunshine Of My Life” not only became Wonder’s third # 1 on the Hot 100, but it also became his first # 1 on the Billboard Easy Listening chart in 1973. In addition, Stevie was presented with the Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for his recording of the song.

Provided to YouTube by Universal Music GroupYou Are The Sunshine Of My Life · Stevie WonderTalking Book℗ 1972 UMG Recordings, Inc.Released on: 1972-01-01Prod...

28/06/2024

Join our guest Daniel Ralston as we discuss one of Michigan's great rock and roll tales - "The Fake Zombies."

"In 2016 it was the biggest rock and roll story in some time," noted MMHP and Michigan Rock Legend Hall Of Fame CEO Gary 'Dr. J' Johnson, on the Fake Zombies...

24/06/2024

I still love my vinyl albums after all these years. This is a short video produced by the Bay City Times that allowed me to explain why I feel this way.

This is "Spin Guys 2" by Gary Johnson on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

23/06/2024

Dr. J’s Legendary Michigan Song of the Week is “Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye. His second # 1 single and biggest hit of the 1970s was the title track and the first song recorded for his acclaimed album “Let’s Get It On”. Gaye’s music during the decade had moved away from the Motown sound that he had helped popularize with his many classic recordings during the 1960s. “Let’s Get It On” was originally composed as a religious ode to life, but with the help of co-writer Ed Townshend, the lyrics were changed to better reflect Gaye’s views on love and s*x. The song features soulful, passionate vocals and multi-tracked background singing, both done by Marvin. The explicit content of “Let’s Get It On” cemented Gaye’s reputation as Motown’s s*x icon. In 2004, the song was included on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. It was ranked at # 32 on Billboard’s Hot 100 All Time Top Songs list in 2008.

Provided to YouTube by Universal Music GroupLet's Get It On · Marvin GayeThe Marvin Gaye Collection℗ 2004 Motown Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.R...

16/06/2024

Dr. J’s Song of the Week is “Stop! In The Name of Love” by The Supremes. It was the fourth consecutive # 1 single written and produced for The Supremes by Motown’s most successful production team, Holland-Dozier-Holland. Prior to this impressive string of hits, no other Motown artist had enjoyed more than one # 1 hit on the Hot 100. The Supremes' choreography for this song, with one hand on the hip and the other outstretched in a "stop" gesture, is equally legendary. Paul Williams and Melvin Franklin of The Temptations taught the girls the routine backstage in London, before the Supremes' first televised performance of the single on the Ready Steady Go! Special, The Sound of Motown. “Stop! In The Name Of Love” was inducted as a Legendary Michigan Song in the MRRL Hall of Fame in 2013.

PLEASE NOTE: I divided my uploads between multiple channels, Bookmark this link in your browser for instant access to an index with links to all of John1948'...

13/06/2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBaEZts8NfU&list=PLA7uGnBobjw_DJm17T1X1Q3fMN0uZtorz

Mark Sanders has been there and done that. From the '60 to his current output, Sanders has never given up on songs, creation, and finding the right tones to ...

12/06/2024

https://omny.fm/shows/the-true-story-of-the-fake-zombies/trailer One of Michigan's coolest rock and roll stories is now the subject of a podcast. It starts on July 11th. Check out the trailer below.

09/06/2024

Dr. J’s Legendary Michigan Song of the Week is “Hollywood Nights” by Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band. It was the second single released from the “Stranger In Town” album, and it reached # 12 on Billboard’s Hot 100 in 1978. Seger had rented a house in the Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles while recording, and every night when he’d get back from the studio, he would look out at all the lights of the city. The view inspired him to write “Hollywood Nights,” one of the last songs written for the album. The album cover photo for “Stranger In Town” was shot on the lawn of that same house.

Provided to YouTube by Universal Music GroupHollywood Nights · Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet BandGreatest Hits℗ 1978 Hideout Records & Distributors, Inc., un...