The "Insane World Of Mike Sain" airs every Wednesday at 9:00 AM Eastern Time on WPON-AM 1460 Detroit. Today's show was a continuation of last week's theme of "artists within a song" in which each song make mention of at least one band, artist, or other song.
- Three Stars - Eddie Cochran - 1959
- Back In My Arms Again - The Supremes - 1965
- Ball of Confusion (That's What The World Is Today) - The Temptations - 1970
- Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley - 1955 (by request)
- Buddy's Song - Bobby Vee - 1964
- Legend Of Paul Revere - Paul Revere And The Raiders - 1967 (by request)
- Lewis Boogie - Jerry Lee Lewis - 1958
- My Boy Elvis - Janis Martin - 1956
- Rings - Cymarron - 1971
- Roll Over Beethoven - Chuck Berry - 1956
- American Pie - Don McLean - 1972
Notes:
- Eddie Cochran's noncharting "Three Stars" was a tribute to his friends Bubby Holly, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper who all died in 1959 in a plane crash. Eddie Cochran was an up-and-comin rock and roller who, ironically, also died young and in a manner similar to that of Holly. He was killed in 1960 at age 21 in an auto accident that also injured Gene Vincent. Cochran's tearful "Three Stars" was recorded as a single in 1959 two days after Holly's plane crash on the Liberty label, but the song was not released until 1966 on a UK single (Liberty LIB 10249). This song was written by John D. Loudermilk who had a hit with this song (under the name of Tommy Dee) in 1959 shortly after Eddie Cochran first recorded it. Ruby Wright also charted with this song that same year. Cochran had several chart hits from 1957-1959, his best known being "Summertime Blues" (1958). He also appeared in the movies, "The Girl Can't Help It," "Untamed Youth," and "Go, Johnny, Go!" Cochran was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
- "Back In My Arms Again" (1965) was one of many chart topping songs for the Supremes during the mid-late 1960s. "Back In My Arms Again" later became a minor hit for Genya Ravan in 1978. This song makes reference to two Supremes' members by first name, i.e., Mary (Mary Wilson) and Flo (Florence Ballard). The Supremes were a top Motown group led by Diana Ross with a long string of hits from 1962-1976. They started out as the Primettes and provided backing vocals for many top acts. The Supremes were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.
- "Ball of Confusion (That's What The World Is Today)" (1970) by the Temptations mentions the Beatles and also works in various song titles, e.g., Sonny and Cher's "The Beat Goes On," "Eve Of Destruction" by Barry McGruire, and "Indian Reservation" by the Raiders (and also Don Fardon). The Temptations were a top Motown group with many lead singers who would often share the spotlight during a song. In "Ball Of Confusion," Eddie Kendricks, Dennis Edwards, Paul Williams, and Melvin Franklin all take turns singing solo. The Temptations were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.
- Famed rock and roller Bo Diddley recorded his first song in 1955, "Bo Diddley." Both this song and its flip side, "I'm A Man," topped the R&B charts in 1955, which launched his career. Bo Diddley was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
- Bobby Vee's noncharting "Buddy's Song" was a tribute to Buddy Holly. This song was included on Vee's 1964 album, "I Remember Buddy Holly" (Liberty LST-7336). This song's lyrics were written by Buddy Holly's mother Ella Holly and include many Buddy Holly song titles. Bobby Vee was a teen idol with a long string of hits from 1959-1970. He also appeared in a number of movies from the early-mid 1960s.
- The Raiders' autobiographical "Legend Of Paul Revere" was the B-side song of their 1967 hit, "Him Or Me - What's It Gonna Be." Paul Revere and the Raiders had a long string of hits from 1961-1973. Key members included lead singer Mark Lindsay and the band's founder, Paul Revere, who was named after the Revolutionary War hero.
- Jerry Lee Lewis' noncharting "Lewis Boogie" was released as a single in 1958 (Sun 301 b/w "The Return Of Jerry Lee", billed as George and Louis). Jerry Lee Lewis is a highly acclaimed rockabilly singer and pianist. Although various personal and other setbacks temporarily curtailed his career in the late 1950s, he made a major comeback in 1968 on the Country charts. Lewis was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.
- Rockabilly singer Janis Martin had only one chart hit in 1956 with "Will You, Willyum" and she was dubbed "the female Elvis" by RCA, the record company that she signed up with in 1956. Her noncharting "My Boy Elvis" as heard today is one of hundreds of songs made over the years that either mention or pay tribute to the King. This song was released as a single in 1956 (RCA 6652 b/w "Little Bit").
- Cymarron was a male pop trio from Memphis best remembered for "Rings" (1971). This song is all about rings - telephone rings, doorbell rings, wedding rings, and ringing wedding bells - and James Taylor is mentioned as being "on the stereo." This song later also charted in 1974 for both Lobo and Reuben Howell. In Lobo's version, he substitutes "got the Allman Brothers on the stereo" for "got James Taylor on the stereo." "Rings" was also a Country chart hit for Tompall and the Glaser Brothers in 1971.
- Chuck Berry's "Roll Over Beethoven" (1956) mentions (of course) Beethoven as well as Tchaikovsky and also includes a snippet from "Blue Suede Shoes." "Roll Over Beethoven" later also charted for the Velaires (1961), the Beatles (1964) and the Electric Light Orchestra (1973). This song was also a country chart hit for Linda Gail Lewis & Jerry Lee Lewis (1970) and Narvel Felts (1982). Of all the early breakthrough rock and roll artists, Chuck Berry is considered by many to be the most influential. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.
- "American Pie" by singer-songwriter Don McLean topped the charts in 1972. This song was a tribute to the late Buddy Holly and quotes lyrics from Holly's "That'll Be The Day" as part of the refrain. This longish song was recorded in two parts. Part I mentions the Rolling Stones (in passing) and James Dean. Part II mentions the Beatles' "Helter Skelter," the Byrds' "Eight Miles High," and the Rolling Stones' "Jumpin' Jack Flash." "American Pie" later also became a hit for Madonna in 2000.
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