Each week William and I select two top hits from the charts in the US and UK starting with 1960 for two weeks followed by 1961 etc..through to 1985. We will also include some of the notable events in those years for the up and coming stars who were centre stage at the time. We are now in the 1970s.
William is now on a family break but will be back with us again in September, wishing him a wonderful summer.
Welcome to our show and we are excited to share decades of music with you in 2021. Here is my second selection of top 1977 hits which I hope you will enjoy and I will catch up with your comments on my return. William.
News Event: May 21st Stevie Wonder’s single “Sir Duke”, a tribute to Duke Ellington and other musical influences of Wonder’s, begins a 3-week run at #1
Stevie Wonder – Sir Duke
“Sir Duke” is from the “Songs in the Key of Life” album. It topped the charts in the US and around the world. “Sir Duke” was written as a tribute to Duke Ellington, and refers to Jazz greats Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Louis Armstrong, and Ella Fitzgerald.
News Event: June 26th Elvis Presley sings in Indianapolis, the last performance of his career
Manhattan Transfer – Chanson d’Amour
“Chanson d’Amour” (French for Love Song), written by Wayne Shanklin, was an international hit, reaching #1 in the UK and other European countries as well as in Australia. This was the Manhattan Transfer’s most widespread international success, despite being only moderately successful in the US, where the song peaked at #16 on Billboard’s Easy Listening chart.
News Event: October 1st Elton John honored by Madison Square Garden’s MSG Hall of Fame
Now time for my second picks from 1977 and I hope you will enjoy my selection from this interesting year in my life.
Queen – We Are The Champions
“We Are the Champions” is a song by the British rock band Queen, first released on their 1977 album News of the World. Written by lead singer Freddie Mercury, it is considered one of rock’s most recognisable anthems. The song was a worldwide success, reaching number two in the UK Singles Chart, number four on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, number three in Canada and the top ten in many other countries. In 2009 it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
New Event: October 3rd “Comedy with Music (Victor Borge)” opens at Imperial NYC for 66 performances
Barbra Streisand – Evergreen
“Evergreen” (also called “Love Theme from A Star Is Born”) is the theme song from the 1976 film A Star Is Born. It was composed and performed by Barbra Streisand with lyrics by Paul Williams, and arranged by Ian Freebairn-Smith. The song was released on the soundtrack album to A Star Is Born.
In the US, the single became Streisand’s second number 1 single and spent three weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and six weeks atop the easy listening chart. In its year-end chart for 1977, Billboard ranked the platinum-certified single, which sold more than 2 million copies, the fourth-biggest single of the year. In the UK Singles Chart, the song peaked at #3 in 1977 – Barbra Streisand
Additional sources: On This Day – Music – Hits of the 70s: Playback FM – Wikipedia
Your Hosts for The Breakfast Show
William Price King is an American jazz singer, crooner, and composer.
His interest in music began at an early age when he studied piano and clarinet in high school. At Morehouse College in Atlanta where he grew up, he sang in the Glee Club and studied classical music. After graduation he went off to the Yale School of Music where he earned a Masters degree. From there he journeyed to New York where he created a jazz trio ‘Au Naturel’ which performed in some of the hottest venues in Manhattan including gigs on Broadway and the famous ‘Rainbow Room.’ These gigs opened doors for performances in Montreal and a European tour.
While touring Europe he met a lovely French lady, Jeanne Maïstre, who, a year later became his wife. King left the group ‘Au Naturel’ and settled in the south of France where he started a new life on the French Riviera, opening his own music school – the “Price King Ecole Internationale de Chant.” He has had the pleasure over the years of seeing many of his students excel as singers on a professional level, and some going on to become national celebrities. He continues to coach young singers today, in his spare time.
Blog– IMPROVISATION – William Price King on Tumblr – Buy William’s music: William Price King iTunes – Facebook – William Price King – Twitter – @wpkofficial
Regular Venue – Cave Wilson
Sally Cronin is an author, blogger and broadcaster who enjoyed four years as part of the team on Onda Cero International’s English speaking morning show in Marbella and then for two years as a presenter on Expressfm the local radio station in Portsmouth. She co-presented two ‘Drive Time’ shows a week with Adrian Knight, hosted the live Thursday Afternoon Show and The Sunday Morning Show guests including musicians and authors. Following this she became Station Director for a local internet television station for two years, producing and presenting the daily news segment, outside broadcasts and co-presenting the Adrian and Sally chat show live on Friday evenings.
She and her husband David have now returned to Ireland where they live on the Wexford Coast where she blogs and continues to write books.
Books :Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – More reviews: Goodreads – blog: Smorgasbord Blog Magazine Twitter: @sgc58 – Facebook: Sally Cronin – LinkedIn: Sally Cronin
Next week 1978 Part One. We hope you will tune in.. as always we love to hear from you.. thanks William and Sally.
We are the Champions is my favourite Queen song, Sally. All of these are great. Thanks to you and William.
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I got so I couldn’t listen to that song for ever so long because the year it came out the basketball team where I went to school made the county finals and our school played that song over the intercom every single day. LOL.
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I can imagine it getting tiresome after a while… but from time to time it is great..hugsx
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Haha, I can just imagine, Patty.
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A brilliant track Robbie and delighted you enjoyed..♥
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Sir Duke is Indeed a classic (as is “Songs in the key of life) “Evergreen al;so, ooh but Manhattan Transfer……Very cheesy.
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Cheesy has its place in this world Ray.. on top of a hamburger or after a few drinks on a Saturday night…enjoy your weekend.
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And I love both your examples.
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Good Patty…hugsx
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Thanks for popping in, Ray. Your comments are much appreciated. I love cheese, too, especially accompanied with a good glass of wine. Glad you enjoyed. All the best.
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Sal, it doesn’t get better than Freddie and Babs! And wow, that Chanson song brought back a memory, I’d forgotten about that song but I do remember it played a lot on radio even here in Canada, as a kid. ❤
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I know you love Babs Debby and delighted you enjoyed ♥♥
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❤ ❤
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Thank you, Debby. Glad you enjoyed your trip down memory lane. Hugs
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Always Will ❤
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Thank you so much for another excellent selection of songs. Wonderful to see the performances from Freddie Mercury and Barbra Streisand.
During this era I spent hours and hours listening to Capital Radio in my bedroom, and every week I’d watch Top of the Pops on TV in the living room with my brother.
At school a group of us would pretend we were in The Manhattan Transfer and sing their songs during lunch breaks. I still have a couple of their albums up in the loft! I think it’s time to dig them out and revisit some old favourites: Tuxedo Junction, Operator, Java Jive…
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Fabulous Wendy and it was great when Capital came online and I was an early fan of Top of the Pops and my father let me dance behind the television lol..hugsx
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Great to think of you dancing behind the television! Hugs.
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xxx
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I had forgotten about Chanson d’Amore, lovely. And of course I hadn’t forgotten We are The Champions and our champions this week must be our paralympians
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Thanks Janet and our athletes are inspiring, overcoming disabilities and pushing forward.. hugsx
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I loved the movie “A Star Is Born” and the song “Evergreen.” Every sports team celebrating victory plays “We Are The Champions,” so it will always be around. Amazing that Manhatten Transfer could turn an old song from 1958 into a major hit. Quite the novelty at the time! 🙂 I didn’t know “Sir Duke” was a tribute to Duke Ellington. Interesting tidbit! Thanks for sharing these memories of 1977, Sally! It was a fun year.
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Thanks Debbie and glad you enjoyed our selections this week.. it was a very good year .. and decade…hugsx
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Thank you, Debbie. Glad you enjoyed your trip down memory lane. Hugs
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What a great idea for a show, William! Thank you. 🙂
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Hi William, so, I believe it says that your music is available. Is it available on Amazon Music?
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Oh, how I loved “A Star Is Born” with Kris and Barbara. I had the record album for years. Great selections, William! Thanks for sharing, Sally!
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Thanks Jan.. we do have fun finding our favourites down memory lane…hugsxx♥
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Thanks, Jan. This song was and still is amazing. Glad you enjoyed. Hugs
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I was 10-years-old and really starting to enjoy music during this year. I had a cute little transistor radio which went every-where with me. I even took it to school and during recess whilst hanging out either on the playground or in the gymnasium on rainy-days I’d take it out and we’d listen to our favorite rock station which at the time was WKIN AM.
Lord what awesome memories.
Thanks for the fantastic flashback.
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Wonderful memories Patty and those transistor were amazing… the first of the music on the move…hugsxx
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I still remember the stations we pulled in after sundown. Sometimes I truly miss those days.
OK now I’m getting old.
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You are still a spring chicken Patty… I remember the 50s which is definitely aging..hugsx
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You know, I’m enjoying the 50S quite a lot. I finally managed to find my brain.
Keeping with the topic of music, I listen to show on Fridays which features Funk, Blues, and everything in between. It’s a hoot.
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Sounds like a great mix and to be honest apart from some Gregorian chants I like most music in varying degrees.. hugsxx
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Thank you, Patty. I had my transistor radio hidden in my satchel, too, for the same reasons. Glad we brought back fun memories for you. Hugs
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Hi William, I kept that radio everywhere with me until it died. I used to ride round the neighborhood on my bike with it hooked through the handlebars. Had just enough vision then to ride a bike long as I stayed off the main roads. Those were the days.
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Loved your selections – you can’t go wrong with something from Queen! I think Evergreen is one of the best songs to show off Streisand’s vocal skills.
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Stunning song and will always be associated with her…thanks Noelle.. hugsx
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Thank you, Noelle. These were definitely great artists. Glad you enjoyed. Hugs
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Wow, The Manhattan Transfer, it has been a minute. Whenever I hear Chanson D’Amour, I can’t help but hear the cast of Are You Being Served in my head… ❤
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Thanks Annette.. and that was a show that had us all laughing…♥
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Thanks, Annette. That was, indeed, a super show. Hugs
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Some sparkling gems here! Evergreen was a massive hit and Queen produced consistently great numbers throughout their career. Manhattan Transfer took me by surprise because Chanson d’Amour was nothing like the other sounds in the charts back then and I loved it. Many thanks for another step along memory lane. xx
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Thanks Alex and I agree Chanson d’Amour was a gentle reminder that rock did not have a monopoly …glad you enjoyed..♥
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Thank you, Alex. Glad to have taken you down memory lane. Hugs
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Streisand is at her best as always…and Freddie ahhhh…All 4 bring back memories thank you both you always manage to delight me Hugs xx
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Thanks Carol.. lovely to hear. Such great music at the time and enjoying the walk down memory lane..♥
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Thank you, Carol. Always a pleasure having you along. Hugs
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Thank you, Will 😊xx
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Such an interesting selection. I liked early Stevie Wonder, but not much since. I worked with Queen, so the less said the better! I am not keen on Streisand but worked with some of her songwriters and producers back in the day. LOVE Manhattan Transfer and went to see them on my 26th birthday which was fantastic and we (hubby and I) had fun, but also a peculiar adventure at the nightclub where they performed…less said the better, but I did get a jeroboam of champers for my sins. Thanks for reminding me of these and for the giggle I have just had recalling MT back when. xx
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Thank you, Jane. Like you I love Manhattan Transfer and had the pleasure of seeing them in New York. The were fantastic – great musicians. Glad they brought back good memories for you. Hugs
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Oh yes, a fab evening, but they were special.
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Thanks Jane.. wonderful to have so many memories connected to the music and I am sure there were plenty of shenanigans with the bands of the day.. we just got to enjoy the music and it is only now that the biopics are coming out that the background stories are coming to light for the uninitiated.. ♥♥
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LOL oh yes! MT were fantastic and I loved seeing them.
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♥
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My day started with a lovely message, out of the blue, from an ex-pupil.
I was already smiling.
I didn’t think you could top that but todays music choices did.
These are champions! Well can the day get better?
Off to zumba with mre than a spring in my step, the sun is shining and my colouring books will be arriving anytime!
Thank you for the Tuesday morning musical start.
(I was already dancing with Stevie Wonder.)
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Fantastic, Sue. So glad you had a great start to your day. Have a super Zumba class and keep on dancing. Hugs
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How lovely to hear from a former pupil..you must have made an impression and glad we got your Tuesday off to a good start… hope Zumba went well…hugsxx
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Great for the coffee break. Thank you, Sally! I hope William will have a nice time, without any of these virus restrictions. xx Michael
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Glad you enjoyed Michael…and great to have William back…hugsxx
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He is back? Fantastic! hugsx
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Glad you enjoyed, Michael, and it’s good to be back. Had lots of fun. I hope your vacation went well, too. All the best to you.
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Reblogged this on OPENED HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thanks for sharing Michael…hugsxx
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Wonderful listen to songs with sense. 😉 hugsx
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Thanks so much for sharing, Michael. All the best.
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Welcome back, William! Thank you as well, for your efforts collecting these gems of music history. Enjoy a beautiful week! xx Michael
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Many thanks, Michael, and thanks for your fidelity to the Breakfast Show. All the best.
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I remember like it was yesterday going to the movies to see A Star is Born.
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I know what you mean, Becky. It’s amazing how time flys. Glad we brought back such memories. Hugs
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Wonderful memories! Thanks:)
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Fabulous film and such amazing and memorable music…thanks Becky hugs
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Yes, although I sometimes wish it ended differently…
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I’m going with three and a half out of four as my favourite song on Songs in the Key of Life is Pastime Paradise. Otherwise all absolute winners. I love Queen, I adore Streisand and I thought Manhattan Transfer were Fantastic and of course Stevie Wonder is just that, A Wonder. I’ve enjoyed the re-listen. Thanks so much
Humongous Hugs
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Thanks, David. Pastime Paradise is one of my favorites, too. Glad you enjoyed. All the best.
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Thanks very much David…delighted you enjoyed hugs xxxx
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Fantastic, Sally and William. Toni x
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Many thanks, Toni. It was a pleasure. Hugs
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Thanks Toni ♥
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It was so good to hear all four of these again. I do miss Freddy Mercury.
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Thank you, Liz. Glad you enjoyed. They brought back great memories for me. Hugs
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You’re welcome, William.
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Such a talent.. pleased you enjoyed Liz..xxx
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🙂
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