Elton John "Bennie & The Jets"

Credit a single mother of three who worked at a Michigan radio station for "Bennie & The Jets" becoming a big radio hit. Rosalie Trombley turned her gig as a switchboard operator at Detroit/Windsor's CKLW into the radio station's Music Director in the late-1960s. At the time, Trombley took note what people bought at local record stores and the titles of the station's most-requested songs. In particular, folks keep asking record stores about Elton John's "Bennie & The Jets" -- a song not yet released. Trombley phoned MCA, Elton's record label, and urged them to release the song. CKLW added the song to its playlist and it became Detroit's #1 song. MCA released the song in 1974 which led to a phone call from Elton himself to Trombley to thank her for her input and for expanding Elton's audience. The African-American community embraced "Benny & The Jets" and, a year later, Elton performed the catchy tune on Soul Train.

Neil Sedaka "Laughter in the Rain"

Have you ever heard laughter in the rain? Songwriter Phil Cody apparently did -- but that happened after smoking a joint. Struck with writer's block, Cody needed inspiration to write lyrics to a melody Neil Sedaka composed. Cody took a walk in a New York forest where he smoked a joint and spent two hours watching deer frolicking. When Cody returned to the cabin to meet Sedaka, he managed to pour out "Laughter in the Rain" in just five minutes. Now you know.

Chicago "(I've Been) Searchin' So Long"

Many wedding receptions in the mid-70s likely featured the unmistakable voice of Peter Cetera fronting the Chicago ballad "(I've Been) Searchin' So Long".

Carly Simon "Haven't Got Time for the Pain"

How effective is using a popular song in advertising? I can't hear Carly Simon's "Haven't Got Time for the Pain" without thinking of the popular 1980s television commercials for Medipren. I just don't know what the hell Medipren is.

The Doobie Brothers "Black Water"

"Old black water, keep on rollin'
Mississippi moon, won't you keep shinin' on me"

The Eagles "Best of My Love"

Q: What meandering ballad from Country Rock band The Eagles was the group's first #1 hit?

A: "Best of My Love"

The Eagles' tune topped the Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary Chart in 1974 (then called the Easy Listening Chart)

Harry Chapin "Cat's in the Cradle"

Before Ugly Kid Joe took "Cat's in the Cradle" out for a spin, Harry Chapin made a name for himself with the folksy father-and-son tune.  Sadly, Chapin died mysteriously in an automobile crash in 1981. Chapin, who was driving with a revoked license at the time, collided with a truck.  He ultimately died from a heart attack, but it's not known whether this occurred before or after the accident.  He was 38.

Olivia Newton-John "I Honestly Love You"

Which version of "I Honestly Love You" is your favorite?  Olivia Newton-John first charted the sappy ballad in 1974.  Then in 1998, she re-recorded that same tune with her pal Babyface.  Both versions spent time on the Adult Contemporary, Country, and Hot 100 Charts.

Gordon Lightfoot - "Sundown"

Gordon Lightfoot's country-tinged soft rock tune, "Sundown", hit #1 in 1974.

Electric Light Orchestra - "Can't Get It Out of My Head"

During the 1990s, guys used to make mixtapes for girls -- this practice usually was a result of guys having a crush on the recipient of the mixtape.  In my case, a somewhat annoying girl (who reminded me of Jan Brady) in one of my classes knew that I owned a huge CD collection and asked if I could make her a mixtape.  I told her I'd be happy to...provided she picked out her own songs and bought her own cassette tape.  Looking back, I admit that wasn't very nice of me, but I didn't want the girl to think that I liked her (because I didn't...and because I was 17 years old and acted like a stereotypical 17-year-old).  Her mixtape contained the usual mix of popular songs from 1994 (Bryan Adams, The Cranberries, Michael Bolton), but I remember she chose the song "Can't Get It Out of My Head" by Electric Light Orchestra.  I had never heard of the song and this girl was a couple years younger than me yet she somehow knew a song released in 1974.  Much like the song title implies, this memory is firmly etched in my brain.

George Michael & Elton John - "Don't Let The Sun Go Down on Me"

• Originally recorded by Elton John and released in 1974
• Another live version was released in 1987 followed by a third live version sung by George Michael and Elton John went to #1 in 1991
• Elton and George originally sang this song together at 1985's Live Aid concert
• The one lyric of this song you likely know isn't exactly a lyric: "Ladies and gentlemen, Mister Elton John!"
• The 1991 duet came from Michael's concert at Wembley Arena in London, yet footage for the video to the George Michael/Elton John version came from a concert in Chicago 

Firefall - You Are The Woman

First off, Jock Bartley is a great name.

Secondly, Jock is one of the founding members of Firefall.

Third, Jock has been with the band since its inception and remains so today.

Fourth, if you wanted to see Jock, Firefall and other 70s Yacht Rock favorites...climb aboard the Rock & Romance Cruise boarding in 2017.

Chicago - "Wishing You Were Here"

On April 8th, the band Chicago joins Cheap Trick, N.W.A., Deep Purple, and Steve Miller as performers at the Rock 'n Roll Induction Ceremony. None of the current members of the band Chicago will be wishing that Peter Cetera was there as Cetera twice has bailed on re-joining his old bandmates for this special once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Bruised egos, ill feelings, and past issues are apparently too difficult for some to put aside despite receiving one of the highest honors in the music business. Godspeed.

George McCrae - "Rock Your Baby"

George McCrae's "Rock Your Baby" is considered one of the first disco recordings.

Carl Carlton - "Everlasting Love"

Step right up and take your place in the long line of singers who have taken their turn singing the song "Everlasting Love".  Robert Knight, Love Affair, Sanda, Gloria Estefan, and (finally) Carl Carlton have all put their marks on this song that clocks in well under three minutes.  Good gig if you can get it.