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Johnny Rock and Roll Radio, China Grove, TX (2025)

07/15/2025

On This Day – July 15, 1973
Ray Davies quits The Kinks… but not for long.

In a moment fueled by exhaustion, heartbreak, and the weight of fame, Ray Davies—the voice and visionary behind The Kinks—announced he was leaving the band. His wife had just left him, and the pressures of touring, writing, and leading one of Britain’s most influential rock groups had taken their toll.

The Kinks were no strangers to chaos—onstage fights, record label battles, and internal tension often made headlines—but this felt like it might be the end.

Fans were stunned. Was this really the final Waterloo Sunset?

Not quite. Just one week later, Ray returned to the fold, picking up where he left off and proving that for all the turmoil, The Kinks were far from finished. The band would continue on for two more decades, solidifying their status as rock royalty.

Sometimes, even legends need a break—but real rock and roll never truly retires.

Got a favorite Kinks track? Drop it in the comments and let’s celebrate the music that survived the madness.

07/15/2025

On This Day – July 15, 1958
A moment that changed John Lennon's life forever.

At just 17 years old, John Lennon suffered a devastating loss when his mother, Julia Lennon, was struck and killed by a car while crossing Menlove Avenue in Liverpool. The driver was an off-duty police officer, 24-year-old Constable Eric Clague, who was later acquitted of the offense, with the jury calling it "death by misadventure." He was suspended from duty and eventually left the force to become a postman.

Julia had been a free spirit—a lover of music who had introduced John to the joy of rock and roll. Though John lived with his Aunt Mimi, Julia remained an important and nurturing presence in his life. Her death was a crushing blow, one that haunted him for years. John would later say, “I was in a blind rage for two years. I was either drunk or fighting.”

Her loss echoed through his music—from the pain in "Mother", to the longing in "Julia", a tender tribute he recorded with The Beatles in 1968.

This photo captures a rare moment between a son and the mother who helped plant the earliest seeds of his musical genius.
She may have left far too soon, but her influence—and her love—never faded.

07/15/2025

On This Day – July 15, 1963
Elvis Presley began filming what would become one of his most iconic—and most talked-about—movies: Viva Las Vegas 🎬🎰

Starring opposite the fiery and magnetic Ann-Margret, Elvis brought his signature swagger to the big screen, but it was the chemistry between these two stars that really had Hollywood buzzing. When photos of their on-screen wedding scene hit the tabloids, rumors spread like wildfire that the two had actually tied the knot in real life.
Spoiler alert: They didn’t—but the heat was real.

Critics may not have been kind to the film, but the fans had their say. Viva Las Vegas hit #11 at the box office in 1964, making it one of the top-grossing films of the year. And while the title track only reached #29 on the charts, it would go on to become one of the most beloved and enduring songs of Elvis' career.

🎶 Bright light city gonna set my soul, gonna set my soul on fire…
It’s impossible not to sing along.

Do you remember the first time you saw Elvis and Ann-Margret on screen together?
Drop your favorite moment from Viva Las Vegas in the comments!

07/15/2025

On This Day – July 15, 1952
Before she was the Empress of Soul, she was just an 8-year-old with a mighty voice and a dream.

Gladys Knight stepped into the spotlight and won $2,000 on Ted Mack’s Amateur Hour, a popular TV talent show of the time. The song? Fittingly, it was "Too Young"—but make no mistake, her voice was already seasoned well beyond her years.

Just five years later, she’d record her first single… and the rest is music history.

With Gladys Knight & the Pips, she would go on to deliver timeless hits like:
🎶 Midnight Train to Georgia
🎶 If I Were Your Woman
🎶 Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye)

Her journey from childhood talent show winner to Grammy-winning legend is a true testament to perseverance, talent, and soul.

Did you ever watch Ted Mack’s Amateur Hour—or remember Gladys in her early years?
Let’s hear your favorite Gladys Knight song in the comments!

07/15/2025

Your Slice of Daily Bread with Pastor T Lobell

07/15/2025

I think I'm in love.

07/15/2025

A Surprise Sight to See… Neil Diamond in the House! 🎶✨

On July 12, fans at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood were treated to an unforgettable moment when the legendary Neil Diamond himself made a rare public appearance—attending a matinee performance of A Beautiful Noise, the Broadway musical based on his incredible life and music.

Now 83 and living with Parkinson’s disease, Neil has kept a low profile in recent years, but seeing him out and about—smiling, soaking up the love, and watching his story unfold on stage—was a beautiful reminder of just how deeply his music has touched generations.

From Sweet Caroline to I Am... I Said, his songs have always come from a place of truth, vulnerability, and heart. Seeing him honored while still with us is a rare and meaningful gift.

Here’s to you, Neil. You’ve earned every note of that applause. 👏

07/14/2025

On This Day – July 13, 1985
LIVE AID changed the world with the power of music.

It was more than just a concert—it was a global event. Broadcast live to over 1.5 billion people across 150 nations, Live Aid was organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia. The event became one of the most iconic moments in music history.

Two massive stages—Wembley Stadium in London and JFK Stadium in Philadelphia—hosted a staggering lineup of the biggest names in rock, pop, and soul:

🎤 Queen’s electrifying 20-minute set is still hailed as one of the greatest live performances of all time.
🎤 U2’s passionate delivery of “Bad” turned them into global superstars.
🎤 David Bowie, The Who, Elton John, and Paul McCartney brought British rock royalty to Wembley.
🎤 Over in Philly, the U.S. crowd saw Madonna, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, The Beach Boys, Mick Jagger & Tina Turner, and a reunited Led Zeppelin.
🎤 Phil Collins famously performed on both continents—playing in London and then flying via Concorde to Philadelphia to play again!

An estimated $127 million was raised from donations and sales, but perhaps more importantly, Live Aid proved that music could unite people in compassion, urgency, and hope.

Were you watching that day? Do you remember where you were?
Share your favorite performance or memory in the comments!

07/14/2025

Did You Know?

When Star Trek launched into its second season in 1967, a fresh-faced character named Ensign Pavel Chekov beamed aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise. Played by Walter Koenig, Chekov was the young, enthusiastic Russian navigator with a mop of dark hair and a thick accent.

But here's the twist: Chekov was not just a random addition to the crew.
He was intentionally created to appeal to younger viewers—and his look was directly inspired by none other than Davy Jones of The Monkees!

That’s right—Gene Roddenberry and the producers saw the enormous popularity of The Monkees (especially with teen girls) and thought Star Trek could benefit from a “teen idol” of its own. So they gave Chekov a Beatles-esque haircut, a youthful vibe, and a little rebellious charm—all to bring a bit of pop music energy into the sci-fi frontier.

From the bridge of the Enterprise to the airwaves of The Ed Sullivan Show, the influence of the '60s pop explosion was everywhere—even in the Final Frontier.

Who was your favorite character from the original Star Trek crew?

07/14/2025

On This Day – July 14, 1987
The Space Cowboy took his rightful place among the stars… literally.

Steve Miller was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a well-deserved tribute to a musician who gave the world some of the most iconic rock hits of the '70s and early '80s.

With his band, The Steve Miller Band, he delivered a string of hits that became staples of FM radio and backyard barbecues alike—songs like:
🎸 The Joker (1973) – a laid-back anthem that topped the charts and made us all “midnight toker” believers
🎸 Fly Like an Eagle – a sonic journey with a message
🎸 Rock’n Me – a road trip essential
🎸 Abracadabra (1982) – which cast a spell all the way to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100

Miller's blend of blues, psychedelia, pop hooks, and spacey vibes made him a defining voice of a generation. His smooth guitar work and laid-back vocal style were unmistakable—and unforgettable.

Do you remember where you were the first time you heard “The Joker”?
Let’s raise a toast to Steve Miller and his place among the legends.

07/14/2025

Let’s hear it for the TV Moms!

From the nurturing wisdom of Carol Brady to the witty sass of Roseanne Conner, television has given us some unforgettable mothers who helped raise not only their fictional families—but also generations of viewers.

Whether she was baking cookies, solving teen drama, or delivering a classic one-liner with perfect timing, there’s a TV mom who made a lasting impression on all of us.

So tell us—who was YOUR favorite TV Mom?
Was it June Cleaver with her pearls and patience?
Florida Evans holding the family together on “Good Times”?
Maybe it was Sophia Petrillo with a sharp tongue and a heart of gold?

Drop your pick in the comments and let’s celebrate the ladies who made prime time feel like home.

07/14/2025

🏍️ On This Day – July 14, 1969 🏍️
“Easy Rider” roared into theaters for the first time, premiering in New York City — and the counterculture would never be the same.

Starring Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, and a breakout performance by Jack Nicholson, Easy Rider wasn’t just a movie — it was a movement. A gritty, soul-searching road trip through an America in transition, the film captured the dreams, disillusionment, and rebellion of a generation.

But just as legendary as the film was its soundtrack — a rock ‘n’ roll time capsule that gave the story its pulse. The music wasn’t background filler — it was the narration, the emotion, and the fuel behind every mile of that freedom ride.

🎸 Featuring tracks by:
– The Jimi Hendrix Experience
– The Byrds
– The Band
– Steppenwolf (“Born to Be Wild” and “The Pusher” — both burned into pop culture forever)

The Easy Rider soundtrack was released just ahead of Woodstock, and by September 1969, it had climbed to #6 on the Billboard album chart. It was certified Gold in January 1970, cementing its place in music history as one of the greatest rock soundtracks ever pressed.

This wasn’t your parents’ road movie… this was freedom set to fuzz guitar, and a defiant howl at the establishment.

Easy Rider didn’t just define the era — it scored it.

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