Casey Kasem's American Top 40 - The 70s

Baldemar Huerta said Mexicans should be proud of their heritage – so why did he change his name to Freddy Fender? Anyway, he wrote and recorded Wasted Days & Wasted Nights in 1959. He re-recorded the song in 1975. Here is the original:



Using his real name, he recorded nine singles for Falcon Records, a label founded by songwriter/producer Arnaldo Ramirez in 1948 in McAllen, Texas. The first of those was No Seas Cruel, a Spanish-language version of Elvis Presley's Don't Be Cruel. This was released on 10-inch shellac. All his other singles were released on 7-inch vinyl.

 
I can't keep-up with these back-to-back countdowns, especially over holiday weekends.

22 for 1977, with plenty of nostalgia songs

38. Boston - Peace of Mind (NEW!)
37. Alice Cooper - You and Me
35. Pablo Cruise - Whatcha Gonna Do
34. Helen Reddy - You're My World
33. Rita Coolidge - (Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher
31. ABBA - Knowing Me, Knowing You
30. Eagles - Hotel California
29. Maynard Ferguson - Gonna Fly Now
26. Leo Sayer - When I Need You
25. Peter Frampton - I'm in You
24. Climax Blues Band - Couldn't Get It Right (↓14)*
17. Jimmy Buffett - Margaritaville
14. Marshall Tucker Band - Heard It in a Love Song
13. Eagles - Life in the Fast Lane
11. Steve Miller Band - Jet Airliner
9. Stevie Wonder - Sir Duke
8. KC & the Sunshine Band - I'm Your Boogie Man
7. Andrew Gold - Lonely Boy
6. Alan O'Day - Undercover Angel
4. Foreigner - Feels Like the First Time
3. Bill Conti - Gonna Fly Now
1. Fleetwood Mac - Dreams


17 for 1975

39. Spinners - Games People Play (NEW!)
28. Orleans - Dance with Me (NEW!)
21. ZZ Top - Tush
19. Captain & Tennille - Love Will Keep Us Together
16. Sweet - The Ballroom Blitz
15. Earth Wind & Fire - That's The Way of the World
14. Bad Company - Feel Like Makin' Love
13. Freddy Fender - Wasted Days and Wasted Nights
12. Barry Manilow - Could It Be Magic
11. David Bowie - Fame
9. War - Why Can't We Be Friends
8. Elton John - Someone Saved My Life Tonight
7. Janis Ian - At Seventeen
6. Bee Gees - Jive Talkin'
5. James Taylor - How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)
3. Glen Campbell - Rhinestone Cowboy
1. KC & the Sunshine Band - Get Down Tonight
 
Don't know about a wheel o'casey but here's the weekend edition

September 5th, 1970

40 DE FREE - ALL RIGHT NOW
39 35 THE WHO - SUMMERTIME BLUES
38 DE HOTLEGS - NEANDERTHAL MAN
37 DE MELANIE - PEACE WILL COME (ACCORDING TO PLAN)
36 DE MICHAEL NESMITH - JOANNE
35 DE GRAND FUNK RAILROAD - CLOSER TO HOME
34 34 IKE & TINA TURNER - I WANT TO TAKE YOU HIGHER
33 38 THE SPINNERS - IT’S A SHAME
32 32 ELVIS PRESLEY - I’VE LOST YOU
31 22 JAMES BROWN - GET UP I FEEL LIKE BEING LIKE A SEX MACHINE
30 18 ROBIN McNAMARA - LAY A LITTLE LOVIN’ ON ME
29 40 NEIL DIAMOND - CRACKLIN’ ROSIE
28 15 ALIVE AND KICKING - TIGHTER, TIGHTER
27 31 RARE EARTH - (I KNOW) I’M LOSING YOU
26 36 ERNIE (JIM HENSON) - RUBBER DUCKIE
25 17 KENNY ROGERS AND THE FIRST EDITION - TELL IT ALL BROTHER
24 25 GENE CHANDLER - GROOVY SITUATION
23 24 NEIL DIAMOND - SOLITARY MAN
22 13 FREDA PAYNE - BAND OF GOLD
21 23 THE SUPREMES - EVERYBODY’S GOT THE RIGHT TO LOVE
20 29 TOM JONES - I (WHO HAVE NOTHING)
19 26 ANNE MURRAY - SNOWBIRD
18 33 DAWN - CANDIDA
17 19 THE GUESS WHO - HAND ME DOWN WORLD
16 16 THE ASSEMBLED MULTITUDE - OVERTURE FROM TOMMY
15 11 B.J. THOMAS - I JUST CAN’T HELP BELIEVING
14 14 BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS - HI-DE-HO
13 20 BOBBY SHERMAN - JULIE, DO YA LOVE ME
12 21 ARETHA FRANKLIN - DON’T PLAY THAT SONG
11 06 STEVIE WONDER - SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED I’M YOURS
10 12 CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL - LOOKIN’ OUT MY BACK DOOR
09 05 ERIC BURDON and WAR - SPILL THE WINE
08 08 RONNIE DYSON - WHY CAN’T I TOUCH YOU?
07 07 CLARENCE CARTER - PATCHES
06 10 CHICAGO - 25 OR 6 TO 4
05 03 CARPENTERS - (They Long To Be) CLOSE TO YOU
04 04 MUNGO JERRY - IN THE SUMMERTIME
03 02 BREAD - MAKE IT WITH YOU
02 09 DIANA ROSS - AIN’T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH
01 01 EDWIN STARR - WAR
 
Great/good/ok 8

***** great
07 07 CLARENCE CARTER - PATCHES

**** good
40 DE FREE - ALL RIGHT NOW

*** okay
26 36 ERNIE (JIM HENSON) - RUBBER DUCKIE
11 06 STEVIE WONDER - SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED I’M YOURS
09 05 ERIC BURDON and WAR - SPILL THE WINE
06 10 CHICAGO - 25 OR 6 TO 4
04 04 MUNGO JERRY - IN THE SUMMERTIME
01 01 EDWIN STARR - WAR

** nah
39 35 THE WHO - SUMMERTIME BLUES
29 40 NEIL DIAMOND - CRACKLIN’ ROSIE
10 12 CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL - LOOKIN’ OUT MY BACK DOOR
03 02 BREAD - MAKE IT WITH YOU
02 09 DIANA ROSS - AIN’T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH

* bad
05 03 CARPENTERS - (They Long To Be) CLOSE TO YOU

? 26
 
8 good/ok from 1970:

40 DE FREE - ALL RIGHT NOW
29 40 NEIL DIAMOND - CRACKLIN’ ROSIE
23 24 NEIL DIAMOND - SOLITARY MAN
19 26 ANNE MURRAY - SNOWBIRD
05 03 CARPENTERS - (They Long To Be) CLOSE TO YOU
04 04 MUNGO JERRY - IN THE SUMMERTIME
02 09 DIANA ROSS - AIN’T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH
01 01 EDWIN STARR - WAR

1 extreme disliked songs from 1970:
06 10 CHICAGO - 25 OR 6 TO 4
 
13.

40 DE FREE - ALL RIGHT NOW
39 35 THE WHO - SUMMERTIME BLUES
38 DE HOTLEGS - NEANDERTHAL MAN - Nostalgia / Novelty
35 DE GRAND FUNK RAILROAD - CLOSER TO HOME
34 34 IKE & TINA TURNER - I WANT TO TAKE YOU HIGHER
31 22 JAMES BROWN - GET UP I FEEL LIKE BEING LIKE A SEX MACHINE
26 36 ERNIE (JIM HENSON) - RUBBER DUCKIE - Nostalgia / Novelty
11 06 STEVIE WONDER - SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED I’M YOURS
10 12 CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL - LOOKIN’ OUT MY BACK DOOR
09 05 ERIC BURDON and WAR - SPILL THE WINE
06 10 CHICAGO - 25 OR 6 TO 4
04 04 MUNGO JERRY - IN THE SUMMERTIME
01 01 EDWIN STARR - WAR
 
20. A lot of good and nostalgic songs for 1970

40 DE FREE - ALL RIGHT NOW
39 35 THE WHO - SUMMERTIME BLUES
35 DE GRAND FUNK RAILROAD - CLOSER TO HOME
34 34 IKE & TINA TURNER - I WANT TO TAKE YOU HIGHER
31 22 JAMES BROWN - GET UP I FEEL LIKE BEING LIKE A SEX MACHINE
29 40 NEIL DIAMOND - CRACKLIN’ ROSIE
28 15 ALIVE AND KICKING - TIGHTER, TIGHTER
27 31 RARE EARTH - (I KNOW) I’M LOSING YOU
26 36 ERNIE (JIM HENSON) - RUBBER DUCKIE
17 19 THE GUESS WHO - HAND ME DOWN WORLD
16 16 THE ASSEMBLED MULTITUDE - OVERTURE FROM TOMMY
14 14 BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS - HI-DE-HO
11 06 STEVIE WONDER - SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED I’M YOURS
10 12 CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL - LOOKIN’ OUT MY BACK DOOR
09 05 ERIC BURDON and WAR - SPILL THE WINE
06 10 CHICAGO - 25 OR 6 TO 4
04 04 MUNGO JERRY - IN THE SUMMERTIME
03 02 BREAD - MAKE IT WITH YOU
02 09 DIANA ROSS - AIN’T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH
01 01 EDWIN STARR - WAR
 
September 11, 1976:
40. Paul Davis - Superstar (NEW!)
39. Alan Parsons Project - (The System Of) Dr. Tarr and Professor Fether (NEW!)
38. Blue Oyster Cult - (Don't Fear) The Reaper
37. Beach Boys - Rock and Roll Music
36. Vicki Sue Robinson - Turn the Beat Around
35. Olivia Newton-John - Don't Stop Believin'
34. Manhattans - Kiss and Say Goodbye
33. Gary Wright - Love is Alive
32. Seals & Crofts - Get Closer (↓18)*
31. Heart - Magic Man
30. Diana Ross - One Love in My Lifetime
29. Helen Reddy - I Can't Hear You No More
28. Lady Flash - Street Singin'
27. Steve Miller Band - Rock'n Me
26. Rick Dees & His Cast of Idiots - Disco Duck
25. Linda Ronstadt - That'll Be the Day (↑13)*
24. Peter Frampton - Baby I Love Your Way
23. James Taylor - Shower the People
22. Daryl Hall & John Oates - She's Gone
21. Silver - Wham Bam Shang-A-Lang
20. Ohio Players - Who'd She Coo
19. Earth Wind & Fire - Getaway
18. Orleans - Still the One
17. Dr. Hook - A Little Bit More
16. George Benson - This Masquerade
15. Tavares - Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel
14. Jefferson Starship - With Your Love
13. Cliff Richard - Devil Woman
12. Fleetwood Mac - Say You Love Me
11. Chicago - If You Leave Me Now
10. War - Summer
9. Elton John & Kiki Dee - Don't Go Breaking My Heart
8. Wings - Let Em In
7. Boz Scaggs - Lowdown
6. Bee Gees - You Should Be Dancing
5. Walter Murphy & the Big Apple Band - A Fifth of Beethoven
4. England Dan & John Ford Coley - I'd Really Love to See You Tonight
3. Wild Cherry - Play That Funky Music
2. Lou Rawls - You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine
1. KC & the Sunshine Band - (Shake Shake Shake) Shake Your Booty
 
29 Good:
38. Blue Oyster Cult - (Don't Fear) The Reaper
37. Beach Boys - Rock and Roll Music
36. Vicki Sue Robinson - Turn the Beat Around
34. Manhattans - Kiss and Say Goodbye
33. Gary Wright - Love is Alive
32. Seals & Crofts - Get Closer (↓18)*
31. Heart - Magic Man
27. Steve Miller Band - Rock'n Me
26. Rick Dees & His Cast of Idiots - Disco Duck
25. Linda Ronstadt - That'll Be the Day (↑13)*
22. Daryl Hall & John Oates - She's Gone
19. Earth Wind & Fire - Getaway
18. Orleans - Still the One
17. Dr. Hook - A Little Bit More
16. George Benson - This Masquerade
14. Jefferson Starship - With Your Love
13. Cliff Richard - Devil Woman
12. Fleetwood Mac - Say You Love Me
11. Chicago - If You Leave Me Now
10. War - Summer
9. Elton John & Kiki Dee - Don't Go Breaking My Heart
8. Wings - Let Em In
7. Boz Scaggs - Lowdown
6. Bee Gees - You Should Be Dancing
5. Walter Murphy & the Big Apple Band - A Fifth of Beethoven
4. England Dan & John Ford Coley - I'd Really Love to See You Tonight
3. Wild Cherry - Play That Funky Music
2. Lou Rawls - You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine
1. KC & the Sunshine Band - (Shake Shake Shake) Shake Your Booty
 
20 for 1976:

38. Blue Oyster Cult - (Don't Fear) The Reaper
37. Beach Boys - Rock and Roll Music
33. Gary Wright - Love is Alive
32. Seals & Crofts - Get Closer (↓18)*
31. Heart - Magic Man
27. Steve Miller Band - Rock'n Me
25. Linda Ronstadt - That'll Be the Day (↑13)*
24. Peter Frampton - Baby I Love Your Way
23. James Taylor - Shower the People
22. Daryl Hall & John Oates - She's Gone
19. Earth Wind & Fire - Getaway
18. Orleans - Still the One
16. George Benson - This Masquerade
12. Fleetwood Mac - Say You Love Me
11. Chicago - If You Leave Me Now
9. Elton John & Kiki Dee - Don't Go Breaking My Heart
8. Wings - Let Em In
7. Boz Scaggs - Lowdown
3. Wild Cherry - Play That Funky Music
1. KC & the Sunshine Band - (Shake Shake Shake) Shake Your Booty
 
17 good/ok from 1976:

38. Blue Oyster Cult - (Don't Fear) The Reaper
31. Heart - Magic Man
27. Steve Miller Band - Rock'n Me
26. Rick Dees & His Cast of Idiots - Disco Duck
25. Linda Ronstadt - That'll Be the Day (↑13)*
24. Peter Frampton - Baby I Love Your Way
18. Orleans - Still the One
17. Dr. Hook - A Little Bit More
13. Cliff Richard - Devil Woman
9. Elton John & Kiki Dee - Don't Go Breaking My Heart
8. Wings - Let Em In
7. Boz Scaggs - Lowdown
6. Bee Gees - You Should Be Dancing
5. Walter Murphy & the Big Apple Band - A Fifth of Beethoven
4. England Dan & John Ford Coley - I'd Really Love to See You Tonight
3. Wild Cherry - Play That Funky Music
1. KC & the Sunshine Band - (Shake Shake Shake) Shake Your Booty
 
14

38. Blue Oyster Cult - (Don't Fear) The Reaper
33. Gary Wright - Love is Alive
31. Heart - Magic Man
27. Steve Miller Band - Rock'n Me
26. Rick Dees & His Cast of Idiots - Disco Duck - Nostalgia pick.
24. Peter Frampton - Baby I Love Your Way
22. Daryl Hall & John Oates - She's Gone
18. Orleans - Still the One
13. Cliff Richard - Devil Woman
12. Fleetwood Mac - Say You Love Me
9. Elton John & Kiki Dee - Don't Go Breaking My Heart - Nostalgia pick.
8. Wings - Let Em In
7. Boz Scaggs - Lowdown
3. Wild Cherry - Play That Funky Music
 
Disco Duck was also recorded by Milles, a Swedish disco quintet. It isn't on YouTube.

Disco Duck was also recorded by the Hiltonaires, a group of German session musicians who recorded sound-alike versions of pop hits for the Europa record label. It isn't on YouTube.

Disco Duck was also recorded by Earl Mallard & His Web Feet Of Rhythm. It appeared on a 1-Shot Records EP, Wax Donuts Vol. 1: An Archive Of America's Forgotten Artists. Dr. Demento has played it on his syndicated radio show – but it isn't on YouTube.

Disco Duck was also recorded by Blackbuster, a Filipino band led by Bob Guzman – and it is on YouTube:

 
About that #40 song, it was one of four different Superstar songs in the 1970s:

Murray Head & The Trinidad Singers, #14 in May 1971; written by Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd Webber
Carpenters, #2 in October 1971; written by Bonnie Bramlett & Leon Russell
Temptations, #18 in December 1971; written by Barrett Strong & Norman Whitfield
Paul Davis, #35 in September 1976; written by Paul Davis

Here is the original version of the Superstar that later became a hit for the Carpenters. Titled Groupie (Superstar), this was released in December 1969 as the B-side of Delaney & Bonnie's Comin' Home:

 
Great/Good/Ok 11

*****
38. Blue Oyster Cult - (Don't Fear) The Reaper
22. Daryl Hall & John Oates - She's Gone
13. Cliff Richard - Devil Woman
12. Fleetwood Mac - Say You Love Me
7. Boz Scaggs - Lowdown
3. Wild Cherry - Play That Funky Music

****
27. Steve Miller Band - Rock'n Me
1. KC & the Sunshine Band - (Shake Shake Shake) Shake Your Booty

***
26. Rick Dees & His Cast of Idiots - Disco Duck
24. Peter Frampton - Baby I Love Your Way
8. Wings - Let Em In

**
36. Vicki Sue Robinson - Turn the Beat Around
32. Seals & Crofts - Get Closer (?18)*
25. Linda Ronstadt - That'll Be the Day (?13)*
23. James Taylor - Shower the People
18. Orleans - Still the One
11. Chicago - If You Leave Me Now
9. Elton John & Kiki Dee - Don't Go Breaking My Heart
4. England Dan & John Ford Coley - I'd Really Love to See You Tonight
2. Lou Rawls - You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine

*
31. Heart - Magic Man
6. Bee Gees - You Should Be Dancing
5. Walter Murphy & the Big Apple Band - A Fifth of Beethoven

? 17
 
February 23, 1974:
40. Dickie Goodman - Energy Crisis (NEW!)
39. Barry White - Never Never Gonna Give Ya Up (↓11)*
38. Wednesday - Last Kiss
37. Spinners - Mighty Love (NEW!)
36. Charlie Rich - There Won't Be Anymore (NEW!)
35. B.B. King - I Like to Live the Love
34. Smokey Robinson - Baby Come Close
33. Stevie Wonder - Living for the City
32. Redbone - Come and Get Your Love
31. Natural Four - Can This Be Real
30. Cliff DeYoung - My Sweet Lady
29. Lamont Dozier - Trying to Hold On to My Woman
28. Black Oak Arkansas - Jim Dandy
27. Paul McCartney & Wings - Jet (NEW!)
26. Brownsville Station - Smokin' in the Boys Room
25. Gladys Knight & the Pips - I've Got to Use My Imagination (↓11)*
24. John Denver - Sunshine on My Shoulders (↑15)*
23. Steve Miller Band - The Joker
22. Mocedades - Eres Tu (Touch the Wind)
21. Carly Simon & James Taylor - Mockingbird
20. The Moments - Sexy Mama
19. Gregg Allman - Midnight Rider
18. Al Wilson - Show and Tell
17. Anne Murray - A Love Song
16. Cher - Dark Lady
15. Rolling Stones - Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker)
14. Diana Ross - Last Time I Saw Him
13. Tom T. Hall - I Love
12. Byron MacGregor - The Americans
11. O'Jays - Put Your Hands Together
10. Olivia Newton-John - Let Me Be There
9. Ringo Starr - You're Sixteen
8. David Essex - Rock On
7. Eddie Kendricks - Boogie Down
6. Kool & the Gang - Jungle Boogie
5. Love Unlimited Orchestra - Love's Theme
4. Jim Stafford - Spiders & Snakes
3. Aretha Franklin - Until You Come Back to Me
2. Terry Jacks - Seasons in the Sun
1. Barbra Streisand - The Way We Were
 
11 good/ok songs from 1974:

40. Dickie Goodman - Energy Crisis (NEW!)
27. Paul McCartney & Wings - Jet (NEW!)
26. Brownsville Station - Smokin' in the Boys Room
24. John Denver - Sunshine on My Shoulders (↑15)*
23. Steve Miller Band - The Joker
21. Carly Simon & James Taylor - Mockingbird
10. Olivia Newton-John - Let Me Be There
9. Ringo Starr - You're Sixteen
8. David Essex - Rock On
4. Jim Stafford - Spiders & Snakes
2. Terry Jacks - Seasons in the Sun

1 channel changer from 1974:
1. Barbra Streisand - The Way We Were
 
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