Forty years passed in a flash, but I can still remember the sounds of 1975.
As I glance at the Googled list of Billboard’s Hot 100 from that long-ago year, the song titles rekindle catchy choruses releasing a pleasant flood of fond memories.
In fact, that year’s soundtrack featured many tunes that have become pop standards of a sort, from the Bee Gees’ “Jive Talkin’” to Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Shining Star.” Labelle cooed a suggestive “Lady Marmalade” while Freddy Fender bemoaned “Wasted Days and Wasted Nights.”
Elton John celebrated “Philadelphia Freedom,” the Doobie Brothers paddled through “Black Water” and John Denver gave thanks in “Thank God I’m a Country Boy.” Carl Douglas kicked in with “Kung Fu Fighting” while War asked innocently, “Why Can’t We Be Friends?”
Glen Campbell crooned “Rhinestone Cowboy,” Orleans sang “Dance with Me,” Van McCoy & the Soul City Symphony promoted “The Hustle,” and KC & The Sunshine Band advised “Get Down Tonight.”
B.J. Thomas requested “(Hey, Won’t You Play) Another Done Somebody Wrong Song” and Alice Cooper observed “Only Women Bleed” while James Taylor exclaimed “(How Sweet It Is) To be Loved by You.”
Janis Ian confessed “At Seventeen,” the Eagles looked forward to “One of These Nights,” and Bad Company admitted they “Feel Like Makin’ Love.”
The Captain & Tennille topped the year’s charts by promising “Love Will Keep Us Together.”
Chamber celebrates 40 years
Fab Five Paul will recall the songs of the Seventies when he entertains at the Greater Liverpool Chamber of Commerce’s 40th anniversary party from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at the Elks Club, 3730 Cold Springs Road.
A devoted Beatles acolyte, Paul Davie, who lives in Liverpool on Cypress Street, may well cover a few songs released in 1975 by two former members of the Fab Four members, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. Macca sang “Junior’s Farm,” an original song he waxed in Nashville along with his band, Wings. Ringo actually has two Top 100 hits that year, “Only You (And You Alone) and “The No-No Song.”
Elton John had a hit in ’75 with a cover of The Beatles “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” while The Carpenters scored with “Please, Mr. Postman,” the old Marvelettes tune that had been notably covered by the lads from Liverpool.
The chamber’s 40th anniversary bash features food, raffles, games and plenty of shared memories. A donation of $10 is requested; 457-3895; liverpoolchamber.com.
Assembly race heats up
If you’re a Democrat, don’t forget to vote in the primary Thursday, Sept. 10. The main race locally is that for the 128th District Assembly seat vacated earlier this year by Democrat Sam Roberts, who was appointed in May to head the state’s Office of Temporary Assistance and Disability.
Former Onondaga County Democratic Legislator Dave Stott, who lives in the town of Salina, is seeking the seat, but he’s up against two strong candidates from the Syracuse City Council, Pamela Hunter and Jean Kessner. Hunter has the party’s official backing.
Stott’s hoping that the two city women cancel each other out, allowing him to snag the chance to face Republican John Sharon in the general election in November.
The Democrats enjoy a huge advantage in the oddly configured 128th, which includes all of the towns of Salina, DeWitt and Onondaga and parts of Syracuse and the Onondaga Nation. Registered Dems outnumber Republicans 36,518 to 19,625 in the district, so that whoever is listed on the Democratic ballot line this fall is all-but-certain to win.
Ascioti’s to go…later
After two years in Liverpool, Ascioti’s To Go owners announced last week that they were pulling up stakes from their location in Ponderosa Plaza, at 207 Oswego St. But then, on Sept. 6, Marc and Dawn Ascioti changed their minds.
“We have had such an outpouring of support from our customers, friends and family,” Dawn Ascioti wrote on the shop’s Facebook page. “All of you that said you would say prayers that something good would happen so we could stay open. Prayers have been answered!
“Due to the kindness of our landlord and my son, Jarred willing to get us through this time period, we are able to stay open month to month until we see how my husband, Marc, recovers from hip surgery. We will be open through the holidays!”
So you can still order your bucket of meatballs by dialing 457-0683,
The Ascioti family also operates a landmark meat shop in Solvay that recently celebrated its 100th anniversary; asciotismarket.com/.
The columnist can be contacted at [email protected].
