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.
Welcome to our show and we are excited to share decades of music with you in 2021. Here is my first selection of top 1979 hits which I hope you will enjoy.
News Event: January 12th 6th American Music Awards: Barry Manilow, Linda Ronstadt win
Donna Summer – Hot Stuff
“Hot Stuff” is from the album “Bad Girls.” It was the second of four songs by Donna Summer to reach #1 in the US, and spent 14 weeks in the top ten while topping the charts in many countries around the world.“Hot Stuff” won Summer the Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance and ranks at #104 on Rolling Stone’s list of The Greatest Songs of All Time.
News Event: February 7th Pink Floyd premiere their live version of “The Wall” in Los Angeles
The Doobie Brothers – What a Fool Believes
“What a Fool Believes,” written by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins, garnered two Grammy Awards for The Doobie Brothers: Song of the Year and Record of the Year. It peaked at #1 in the US and Canada and became a Top 40 hit throughout Europe and Australia.
News Event: February 10th “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” by Rod Stewart peaks at #1
Now time for my first picks from 1979 and I hope you will enjoy my selection too.
Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive
“I Will Survive” is a song first performed by American singer Gloria Gaynor, released in October 1978. It was written by Freddie Perren and Dino Fekaris. A top-selling song, it is a popular disco anthem, as well as being certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It received heavy airplay in 1979, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and on the UK Singles Chart on consecutive weeks.
News Event: April 24th US State of Georgia designates Ray Charles’ rendition of “Georgia On My Mind” (written by Hoagy Carmichael) as official state song
Rod Stewart Do You Think I’m Sexy
“Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” is a song by British singer Rod Stewart from his 1978 album Blondes Have More Fun. It was released as a single in November 1978. It spent one week atop of the UK Singles Chart in December 1978 and four weeks atop the US Billboard Hot 100 in February 1979. Billboard ranked it number four on its Top Singles of 1979 year-end chart. It also topped the charts in Canada for four weeks and in Australia for two weeks.
Royalties from the song were donated to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Stewart performed the song at the Music for UNICEF Concert at the United Nations General Assembly in January 1979 – Rod Stewart
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 1979 Part Two. We hope you will tune in.. as always we love to hear from you.. thanks William and Sally.
I still sing “I Will Survive” spontaneously for no reason. It’s a great song. Thank you for another week of great music.
William, I have a Rainbow Room story to tell you. In 1969 I ventured to New York city alone. I was in college, and my wonderful English teacher told me all about the Rainbow Room, and how it was ‘not to be missed’. He was older, Italian, and like the kind uncle everyone always wanted. I was young, sheltered, from the south, and had never been to New York city alone. I took the train to Grand Central Station and walked to Central Park and beyond. So, I arrived at the Rainbow Room for lunch. The Maitre d was obviously uncomfortable, and for some reason everyone was staring at me. Women were not allowed into the Rainbow Room unless they were escorted by a gentleman! Really! I was embarrassed and left as fast as possible. My English teacher was shocked. I thought you might enjoy this story.
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Wow Jennie, that must have been mortifying after plucking up your courage.. I would like to say things are very different now, but I still feel uncomfortable going into a restaurant on my own although when traveling for business I had to eat somewhere..♥
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I feel the same way, Sally!
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Love these classics, I Will Survive has always seemed to be my National anthem LOL. Good fun. Thanks Sal and Will ❤
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Thank you very much, Debby. It was indeed a great song. Glad you enjoyed. Hugs
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Hugs ❤
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Thanks Debby and I Will Survive should be the woman’s song of the century! ♥
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I think it is for many 🙂 ❤
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♥
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These are all favorites of mine. Do you read my mind?
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Lol.. delighted to hear it Noelle.. makes us very happy.. hugsx
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Fantastic, Noelle. Glad you enjoyed. Hugs
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A Terrific group of songs William and Sally. Thank. you very much. 79 was a busy year and these songs helped with the relaxation needed.
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Thanks John… I didn’t have much spare time that year but my little transistor was on every opportunity…hugsx
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😊
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Thank you, John. That was quite a busy time and the beat went on. Glad you enjoyed. All the best.
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My daughter and I grooved to these selections (with some laughter at disco dressing and dancing). She actually has sung “I Will Survive” for Kareoki. And she couldn’t stop laughing at Rod Stewart’s performance.
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Lol.. I think I Will Survive has been a favourite for open mic night ever since it came out… And Rod certainly camped it up… always was a performer…hugsx
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I understand perfectly, Liz. I’m delighted that you and your daughter had so much fun with these songs. Hugs
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Lots of memories in these songs!!!
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Thank you, Dorothy. I agree fully. Glad you enjoyed. Hugs
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With you all the way Dorothy…hugsx
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Each of these songs brings back such different and wonderful memories!
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Thank you, Annette. These songs were so popular at the time that they do take one back to certain instances in your life that are quite memorable. I understand that perfectly. Glad you enjoyed. Hugs
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I agree.. time-travel to the past..hugs ♥
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Ah! disco dancing era for me!
Sexy songs. Love them.
Wasn’t always a fan of Rob but loved Gloria Gaynor and Donna Summer.
Off for my dancing session now.
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Many thanks, Sue. Delighted you enjoyed your disco days. So did I. Do enjoy your Zumba class. You’re off to a good start. Hugs
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We were all so fit when we were dancing the night away.. you are keeping that up with your Zumba… I am sure you enjoyed..hugsx
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The Gloria Gaynor song was a theme song for a whole generation of women. All great choices. Great to see Rod Stewart still going strong these days.
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I Will Survive was definitely a theme song for me those years and Rod Stewart just keeps on rockin.. happy you enjoyed Darlene.. xxx
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Many thanks, Darlene. « I will survive » has stood the test of time, as has Rod Stewart. Glad you enjoyed our selection. Hugs
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I just love Rod Stewart, Sally and William. He was a favourite of my mom’s and so when I hear his music I always think of my school girl days, dancing to Rod Steward with mom in the kitchen. All the other tunes are all lovely. Thanks for sharing.
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Delighted it brought back such great memories Robbie and your mom has great taste.. keep dancing…♥
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Thank you, Robbie. These songs do bring back wonderful memories. Glad you enjoyed. Hugs
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It’s always been, Rod…..Long time since I listened to the Dooley Brothers a blast from the past…As always good musical choices..Thank you both 🙂 x
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Thanks Carol… and you only have to hear that raspy voice and you are back 40 years.. hugsxx
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I know, Sally..he has a new one out soon…Hugs xx
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He will keep going until he drops.. and why not! hugsx
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Thanks, Carol. Glad you enjoyed. Hugs
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Thanks, William and Sally – I love all these – but especially “I Will Survive,” which I think is beyond fantastic. Toni x
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Thanks Toni.. one of my favourites too.. ♥
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Thank you, Toni. « I will survive » became an anthem not only for women but for France’s National football team which is fantastic. Glad you enjoyed. Hugs
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Now you’re getting in my wheelhouse, as I graduated from high school in 1977. I remember going to clubs and dancing to disco songs by performers like Donna Summer and Gloria Gaynor. It wasn’t my favorite genre, but I went where the girls went in those days.😎 I saw Michael McDonald in concert in San Diego and Kenny Loggins in Las Vegas. While I liked this Rod Stewart song, I remember thinking the video was a little bit creepy as the girl seemed to be so much younger than Rod.
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Thanks, Pete. These were great songs and they kept us dancing and going to concerts. Glad you enjoyed. All the best.
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Glad to be in your wheelhouse Pete.. and let’s face it all his girlfriends and wives have always been a lot younger.. Actually the actress’s name was Lillian Muller and she was 28 at the time. She still looks stunning at 70 and could pass for 50… not fair lol… xx
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I was a huge fan of Rod Stewart! Great to see him here with these other wonderful tunes!
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Thanks, Jan. Rod Stewart was indeed one of the greats. Glad you enjoyed. Hugs
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Thanks Jan.. for me music played a big part in 1979.. and thankfully some great tracks…hugsx
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Four great song choices this week. To add to all the accolades for Gloria Gaynor it should be noted that I Will Survive is probably the most popular Karaoke song of all time. Thank you both.
Huge Hugs
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Thank you, David. Gloria Gaynor made history with this song which became an anthem and she’s still on the radio. All the best.
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Thanks David and I have certainly added to those statistics over the years… that and Heartbreaker by Dionne Warwick when that came along in 82…xxxhugsxxx
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Hard to pick only a few from all the deserving songs. The late 70s saw a clash of popular music, R&B and country, the decline of disco, and the rise of anti-establishment punk and Avant-garde college/art school bands. And you could only hear it on the radio…
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Indeed, Leon. The radio was always on in my house. All the best.
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Thanks Leon.. a wonderful decade for music… glad you enjoyed.
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These might not be my favourites, but it’s still great to be reminded of them. Many thanks! x
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Thank you, Alex. These songs do bring back many memories. Hugs
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Music can be a little like Marmite Alex… hugs xxx
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I can think of some proper bad Marmite songs! These were fine and I enjoyed listening to them again – just never been ones near the top of my list.
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♥♥
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