1150 CKOC

1150 CKOC SUPERHITS OF THE 70s AND 80s

"Musicians want to be the loud voice for so many quiet hearts."-Billy Joel, during his commencement address at the Berkl...
10/01/2026

"Musicians want to be the loud voice for so many quiet hearts."

-Billy Joel, during his commencement address at the Berklee College of Music in 1993.

Though he is considered laid back and shy out of the spotlight, Billy Joel is no stranger to serious accomplishments. The Piano Man himself has won five Grammy Awards (nominated for 23), an honorary Grammy award, a Tony Award, and was even nominated for two Primetime Emmy awards.

Madison Square Garden was a whole other accomplishment: Joel has performed there 150 times - the most at the Madison Square Garden in history. His 100th performance was in July 2018, while his final, 150th performance was in July 2024.

There’s more to his first Madison Square Garden milestone than you may think: July 18 is now Billy Joel Day in New York as proclaimed in 2018. An interesting modern holiday for the legendary artist.

Your favourite music is playing NOW - listen to our station at https://www.1150ckoc.com - or say 'Alexa, play CKOC’!

Something is rotten in SWEDEN … at least, it smells that way.ABBA has had the time of their lives. They’ve sold somewher...
09/16/2026

Something is rotten in SWEDEN … at least, it smells that way.

ABBA has had the time of their lives. They’ve sold somewhere between 150 and 400 million records worldwide, enjoyed nine number-one singles and released ten number-one albums. Their simple name is made up of the first letters of their first names, an acronym for the ages, that has come to define everything they’re involved in. Think Mamma Mia!, the jukebox stage musical and film!

Back in the early 70s, ABBA was successful but struggling to set a name in stone and decide on their identity. Once they settled on ABBA, they faced what could have been a calamity: Abba Seafood AB. Their head offices are located in Gothenburg, Sweden - close to home for this Swedish pop music group.

Agnetha Fältskog contacted the company to see if they could use the name without having to watch their back for leaping lawyers. Their answer would be easy to abide by: “Ok, as long as you don’t make us feel ashamed for what you’re doing.” They would keep that promise.

Rediscover your favourite artists - listen to our station at www.1150ckoc.com - or say 'Alexa, play CKOC'!

"They call it paradise, I don't know why … you call someplace paradise, kiss it goodbye."from ‘The Last Resort’They’re t...
09/15/2026

"They call it paradise, I don't know why … you call someplace paradise, kiss it goodbye."

from ‘The Last Resort’

They’re the highest-selling American band in history, with more than 100 million records sold in the U.S. and 200 million records sold worldwide - many of which were their fifth studio album, ‘Hotel California’. The symbolic metaphor that anchors the album’s title song, ‘Hotel California’, is anything but a paradise … though according to some fan theories, ‘Hotel California’ was a bit more literal.

Some believed Hotel California was an actual hotel run by cannibals - the reason you ‘can never leave’ is that you were the cleaning lady’s lunch. Others believed the hotel represented the dwellings of a malevolent cult. These theories seem to have missed the metaphor: all have been debunked by the Eagles band members. The song’s lyrics are intended to mention the dark side of the American Dream and the pitfalls of excess.

A lighter fact for you, too: only one of the band members actually hailed from California. Famously, Timothy B. Schmit was born and raised in Sacramento, while others hailed from cities like Detroit, Minneapolis, and Wichita.

Your favourite artists are waiting for you - listen to our station at www.1150ckoc.com - or say 'Alexa, play CKOC'!

The Doobie Brothers' success was no mistake … but the title of their hit song "China Grove" could be considered one.Who ...
08/06/2026

The Doobie Brothers' success was no mistake … but the title of their hit song "China Grove" could be considered one.

Who could have thought up the song, which was famous for its lick that captures an 'eastern flavour'? The name at least was 'created' by the band's writer, Tom Johnston, to be fictional - something he invented as a killer song title. Genius! Killer as it was - and a great track as it is - it's actually a real town in Texas.

The best part? Johnston did not realize this until he took a cab through Houston and the cab driver mentioned the song in 1975, two years after its release on their studio album, 'The Captain and Me'. Johnston said it best: “In 1972 we were touring in Winnebagos, and we were driving into San Antonio. And there is a China Grove, Texas, right outside of San Antonio. I must have seen the sign and forgotten about it.”

For a song with a fictional storyline of a wacky, wild town, the real one is a small place of with just over 1,000 residents. It is named after its local chinaberry trees.

Your favourite artists are waiting for you - listen to our station at www.1150ckoc.com - or say 'Alexa, play CKOC'!

Unlike other bands and groups, The Four Tops' line-up did not change across 44 years of music. From 1953 to 1997, the o...
07/30/2026

Unlike other bands and groups, The Four Tops' line-up did not change across 44 years of music. From 1953 to 1997, the original line-up was Levi Stubbs, Abdul "Duke" Fakir, Renaldo "Obie" Benson, and Lawrence Payton.

It's clear everyone was in it for the long haul. In fact, on top of their unmoving line-up, Levi Stubbs was the only lead vocalist for the group. If there was a giant hit by The Four Tops, it was sung by Stubbs to ensure a consistent sound and polish. That consistency helped launch the group (and Motown Records) to international renown.

The Four Tops group still tours and performs live today with a new line-up. The first to come was Motown artist Ronnie McNeil in 1999, who was raised in Pontiac, Michigan. Before his passing in 2024, Fakir still performed as first tenor. The son of Lawrence Payton (Lawrence Payton Jr.), still performs in the band to this day as a bass/baritone singer.

Enjoy The Four Tops when you listen to our station at www.1150ckoc.com - or say 'Alexa, play CKOC'!

Ah, the Rolling Stones - a rock band jammed with legends and storied songs that would be passed down for generations. Fr...
07/29/2026

Ah, the Rolling Stones - a rock band jammed with legends and storied songs that would be passed down for generations. Frontman Mick Jagger turned 83 on July 26, so it's only natural we discuss his achievements.

Before the Rolling Stones formed and topped charts with number-one hits, Mick Jagger studied finance and accounting on a government grant at the London School of Economics. He was dealing with a different type of numbers, but numbers nonetheless. According to his tutor at the LSE, Walter Stern, Jagger wanted to 'go into business but was worried about mathematics'.

Following a distraction, he was now getting letters - straight C's, not fan mail. The distraction? Running into Keith Richards at the Dartford train station in Kent, England soon after he started. A bored Jagger left school in 1963 after the Rolling Stones' music career launched and they signed a record deal. The rest is history.

Rock on with CKOC, playing all your favourites like 'Sympathy for the Devil'. Listen to our station at www.1150ckoc.com - or howl 'Alexa, play CKOC'!

Elegance. Style. Stardom. The Supremes scored their legendary status as chart-toppers on August 22, 1964 with 'Where Did...
07/17/2026

Elegance. Style. Stardom. The Supremes scored their legendary status as chart-toppers on August 22, 1964 with 'Where Did Our Love Go' landing number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Three years of successful singles followed, including "Baby Love" and "Stop! In the Name Of Love", were captured in the 20-track double LP 'Diana Ross and the Supremes' Greatest Hits'.

This was the first album billing Ross' name before the group - a major change for Motown's most commercially successful act. Ross would, of course, later depart the Supremes to forge a solo career in 1970, giving a final farewell and introducing new member Jean Terrell.

Her solo career is storied and cemented her as a global superstar, but we'll never forget where she came from… and that unprecedented three-year period of massive singles from 1964 - 1967. All this, captured in a 20-track double LP album freezing the group in time.

Stay tuned to CKOC for all your favourites, including The Supremes - listen to our station at www.1150ckoc.com - or shout 'Alexa, play CKOC'!

At the age of nine, Joni Mitchell was a self-described tomboy who preferred physically active games over playing with do...
07/13/2026

At the age of nine, Joni Mitchell was a self-described tomboy who preferred physically active games over playing with dolls. Driven, athletic, and free. All of this made the limits of her hospital bed even more painful after she contracted polio.

Polio could have meant she'd never walk again - a reality a nine year old should never have to contend with. From her wheelchair, she refused to accept a grim future. To pass the time in treatment and in spite of her clinical hospital environment, she often belted out Christmas carols, which Mitchell cites as her 'first time performing'.

After excruciating treatments, she did recover the use of her legs, though her athletic potential was sadly limited. Thankfully, she had discovered new talents, interests and ways to express herself through the hardship.

Keep it tuned to CKOC for all your favourites, including Joni Mitchell - listen to our station at www.1150ckoc.com - or shout 'Alexa, play CKOC'!

Robert Allen Zimmerman at birth … Bob Dylan today. The legal name change was finalized August 9, 1962. But what other na...
07/11/2026

Robert Allen Zimmerman at birth … Bob Dylan today. The legal name change was finalized August 9, 1962. But what other names did Bob Dylan perform under before (and after!) settling on … Bob Dylan? There have been many.

One of his earlier pseudonyms, Elston Gunnn (with three of the letter 'N' at the end), was used when playing the piano for Bobby Vee. Robert Milkwood Thomas was used when working harmonica magic on Steve Goodman's albums, while Tedham Porthouse was used when playing harmonica on Ramblin' Jack Elliot on one 1964 album.

As part of the legendary Traveling Wilburys, Dylan was known as Lucky Wilbury in their first volume and Boo Wilbury in their third.

CKOC is live now with all your classic favourites - listen to our station at https://www.1150ckoc.com - or shout 'Alexa, play CKOC'!

Takin' care of MISSED business! Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) was rejected by record labels 24 TIMES before signing wit...
07/07/2026

Takin' care of MISSED business! Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) was rejected by record labels 24 TIMES before signing with Mercury Records. Imagine… 24 missed opportunities to wow "gearheads" across the globe. Imagine something as BIG as BTO slipping through your fingers.

Thankfully, BTO was signed with Mercury in April 1973, and their self-titled debut would release May 1, 1973. Their third album, Not Fragile, became legend as it reached No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 and the Canadian RPM albums chart. It brought the band worldwide recognition.

CKOC is live - and much like the title of the hit BTO song: "You ain't seen nothing yet!" you've got to stream it to believe it. Listen to our station at www.1150ckoc.com - or say 'Alexa, play CKOC'!

Address

Hamilton, ON

Telephone

+19054814921

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when 1150 CKOC posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to 1150 CKOC:

Shortcuts

Share

Category