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If anyone knows what song #49 below was, please contact the webmaster.

The end of the most tumultuous decade in American history coupled with the dawning of a new age (of Aquarius no doubt) with the Apollo 11 moon landing set the stage for a look into the future with Zager & Evans', 'In The Year 2525' in the year, 1969. The song holds the distinction of being the most successful one hit wonder ever on the charts.

'Hair' shattered barriers on the stage as performers shed their clothes and inhibitions while generating memorable hits such as the title track from the Cowsills, 'Easy To Be Hard' from Three Dog Night, Oliver's, 'Good Morning, Starshine' and the 5th Dimension's memorable cover to the close of the show, 'Aquarius / Let the Sun Shine In'.

On a stage of a different kind, Woodstock epitomized the Love Generation's aspirations on a monumental scale with the Who, Richie Havens, Joan Baez, Jimi Hendrix, Melanie, Ravi Shankar, Arlo Guthrie, Santana, John Sebastian, Canned Heat, Mountain, Creedence Clearwater Revival, the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Joe Cocker, Janis Joplin, Ten Years After, the Band, Johnny Winter, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Sly & the Family Stone, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Sha Na Na and others performing before half a million strong.

Elvis' amazing comeback had started late the previous year and grew during 1969 with three of his biggest songs, 'In the Ghetto', 'Suspicious Minds' and 'Don't Cry Daddy'. As the King reclaimed the crown he had lost to the Fab Four, the Beatles continued in increasingly separate directions musically, with Yoko's influence most plainly visible (if not for the paper wrapper on the outside) of their, 'Two Virgins' LP released late in '68. Despite internal strife, the band managed to 'come together' one last time for what many consider their finest work with their 'Abbey Road' collection.

By far the biggest 'new' act was Creedence Clearwater Revival. Though, 'Susie Q' made noise for them the year before, 1969 was the year they exploded nationally with one hit after another. In rapid-fire succession, tuneage including, 'Proud Mary', 'Bad Moon Rising', 'Green River', 'Down On the Corner', 'Fortunate Son' and others along with three Platinum selling albums (though the platinum designation came several years later) made them the biggest act of the year. Another 'new' band caught the attention of Rock fans that year as well called, 'Led Zeppelin'...

As for swan songs, Diana Ross & the Supremes' bittersweet farewell came late in the year with, 'Someday, We'll Be Together', a prediction that was never to be. Aside from the fact the other two members of the group did not even sing on the song, it did mark the passage of Ms. Ross to a successful solo career in the '70's.

 

'Bob Raleigh (Jr.)' (Dewitt Robert Raleigh) was the sixth jock to use that name at WPGC from late 1969 - 1971. It was in fact his real name! Problem was, the previous guy to use the name (Bill Miller) was still working at the station.

The solution concocted by General Manager, Bob Howard? Bill Miller became 'Bob Raleigh Sr.', while Dewitt Robert Raleigh took on 'Jr.' to his moniker, under the pretense the two were related as father & son! The charade lasted only as long as Dewitt stayed at the station. With his departure in 1971, Bill dropped the 'Sr.'.

 

 

Weekender 'Handy Andy Andrews' took his name from nearby Andrews Air Force Base and was with the station from late 1969 through approximately 1970.

This countdown aired on January 1st, 1970 and was recorded by someone who obviously only wanted to hear the songs. Although it's a bit choppy, the historical significance of it outweighs this concern.

Other things to listen for:

- The 'more music' battles were heating up. 'Two in a row' sweepers touting no commercials between 2 songs can be heard at various points in the countdown.

- Check out the Legal ID promoting the advent of 'Triple Music Power' with 3 songs, no less without commercial interruption. Seems quaint now but the notion of music sweeps & spot clustering as we know them today simply didn't exist back then.

 

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