Tag: Rip It Up

Weekend Kickoff Songs

Back in the early 2000’s I was the Afternoon Drive guy on B-95. My shift was from 2pm to 7pm. I got to “kickoff” the weekend every Friday at 5pm. They were calling the 5pm hour “The Drive at Five.” It was far from an original name.

When the clock hit 5PM, I had a factory whistle that I would play followed by the voice guy saying, “Welcome to the weekend!” This was immediately followed by 4 or 5 weekend oriented country songs. Since it is now officially the weekend here in Michigan, I thought I’d showcase some of those songs.

I’d usually start with one of these two classics –

Finally Friday – George Jones

Take This Job and Shove It

Then I would rotate from the following:

Working for the Weekend – Ken Mellons

Redneck Rhythm and Blues – Brooks and Dunn

It’s Five O’clock Somewhere – Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett

Come Friday – Aaron Tippin

Wrong Five O’clock – Eric Heatherly

Yee Haw – Jake Owen

That got me thinking about other formats. What might I play if I was working at an oldies station? Maybe:

Rip It Up – Little Richard

Friday on my Mind – The Easybeats

Five O’clock World – The Vogues

If I was at a classic rock station? Maybe:

Saturday Night – Bay City Rollers

Working For The Weekend – Loverboy

Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting – Elton John

What song is YOUR weekend song? Drop it in the comments!

Enjoy your weekend!!

Saluting the “First Class”

It was 39 years ago today that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted its inaugural class. When you look at the 10 inductees, you cannot help but be impressed. These artists are legends who were a part of the birth of Rock and Roll. The performers category is meant for recording artists and bands that have “influence and significance to the development and perpetuation of rock and roll.” Each of them did just that!

To honor this class of Rock and Roll pioneers, I thought I would feature a favorite song from each of them. Feel free to add your favorites in the comments.

Chuck Berry – No Particular Place To Go

The “Granddaddy of Rock and Roll”

James Brown – Please, Please, Please

“The Godfather of Soul”

Ray Charles – Hallelujah, I Love Her So

“The Genius”

Sam Cooke – Twisting The Night Away

“The King of Soul”

Fats Domino – I’m Walkin’

“The Father of Rock and Roll”

The Everly Brothers – Bye Bye Love

Buddy Holly – Rave On

Jerry Lee Lewis – Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On

“The Killer”

Little Richard – Rip It Up

“The Architect of Rock and Roll” (Also “The Bronze Liberace”)

Elvis Presley – Blue Suede Shoes

“The King of Rock and Roll”

I wish I could find out who the artist is on this amazing caricature! I love this and would love to get a print of it.

The amount of music that these ten performers put out in their lifetime is overwhelming! It is fitting that they make up the first class of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees.

My wife and I took a trip to Cleveland for our anniversary one year. We visited the Hall of Fame and I was in awe walking amongst the pieces of history. If you have never been there, I highly recommend a visit!