Don’s Top 10 From June 23, 1979
Back into time with "The Time Machine" to Saturday, June 23, 1979. Here are the local top 10 singles:
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- 10
"Boogie Wonderland" by Earth, Wind & Fire And The Emotions
(#14 last week) One of the most enduring hits of the disco era, this song has been featured in at least seven movies, two video games & one Broadway musical.
- 9
"You Take My Breath Away" by Rex Smith
(#11 last week) I forgot how big this guy was as a teen idol on the basis of starring in the TV movie “Sooner Or Later”, from whence this tune came. In 1982, he replaced Andy Gibb as co-host of “Solid Gold”.
- 8
"Ain't No Stopping Us Now" by McFadden & Whitehead
(#7 last week) This anthem was the duo's "declaration of independence" from anther famous duo, their label head Gamble & Huff. Sold over two million singles.
- 7
"She Believes In Me" by Kenny Rogers
(#8 last week) Kenny first tasted pop chart success with The First Edition from 1968-1970, then reinvented himself as a country-to-pop chart crossover specialist starting in 1977. The hits just kept coming from then until 1983.
- 6
"We Are Family" by Sister Sledge
(#6 last week) Best remembered today as the unofficial anthem of the eventual-world champion Pittsburgh Pirates. Written by Nile Rodgers & Bernard Edwards of Chic.
- 5
"The Logical Song" by Supertramp
(#5 last week) First single from what would become the #1 album of the year. Honestly, I never knew what this song was all about, but if you believe Wikipedia its a condemnation of an education system not focused on knowledge and sensitivity.
- 4
"Bad Girls" by Donna Summer
(#4 last week) When Donna first wrote this song, Casablanca Records chief Neil Bogart wanted her to give it to Cher! Summer refused. Good move.
- 3
"Reunited" by Peaches & Herb
(#1 last week) Big nationally, even bigger locally. Herb Fame (actual last name: Feemster) has several time over his life left show biz to change careers, first as a Washington police officer, then later in government security.
- 2
"Hot Stuff" by Donna Summer
(#2 last week) “Hot Stuff” won Summer the Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance, making her not only the first African-American artist to achieve that feat, but also the first woman to ever win a Grammy for Best Rock Vocal Performance. It is ranked #104 on the updated Rolling Stone magazine's list of “the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time”. The song is at #67 on Billboard's Greatest Songs of all time. The blistering guitar on the song is by ex-Doobie Brothers & Steely Dan guitarist Jeff “Skunk” Baxter.
- 1
"Ring My Bell" by Anita Ward
(#3 last week; 1st week at #1) Derided as a novelty, this has surprisingly endured over the years. Originally offered to Stacy Lattisaw, who's parents thought it too risque for such a young (13) girl. This smash has been featured in at least nine movies & three TV ads.