Rock and Roll

One million performances is the equivalent of approximately 50,000 broadcast hours, or more than 5.7 years of continuous airplay!

Over 8 Million Times

The Righteous Brothers - You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'

Over 7 Million Times

The Association - Never My Love
The Beatles - Yesterday
Ben E. King - Stand By Me
Otis Redding - Dock Of The Bay

Over 6 Million Times


Simon and Garfunkel - Mrs. Robinson
Johnny Rivers - Baby, I Need Your Loving
Ray Charles - Georgia On My Mind
The Police - Every Breath You Take
Roy Orbison - Oh Pretty Woman
Gladys Knight - I Heard It Through The Grapevine
The Everly Brothers - All I Have To Do Is Dream
The Platters - Only You
The Chi-lights - Oh Girl
Elton John - Your Song
James Taylor - How Sweet It Is
Rita Coolidge - Higher & Higher
Ray Charles - I Can't Stop Loving You
Bette Midler - Wind Beneath My Wings
The Beatles - Michelle
The Fifth Dimension - Up, Up and Away
The Drifters - On Broadway
The Platters - Twilight Time
Frank Sinatra - Strangers in the Night
Neil Sedaka - Breaking Up Is Hard to Do
The Drifters - Save the Last Dance for Me

Over 5 Million Times

Roberta Flack - Killing Me Softly With His Song
Marcello Ciorciolini - More
Dolly Parton - I Will Always Love You
Percy Sledge - When A Man Loves A Woman
Glen Campbell - Gentle On My Mind
The Beatles - Something
Simon and Garfunkel - Sounds Of Silence
Simon and Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water
Simon and Garfunkel - Scarborough Fair
Glen Campbell - By The Time I Get To Phoenix
Merilee Rush - Angel Of The Morning
The Association - Cherish
The Supremes - You Can't Hurry Love
Credence Clearwater Revival - Proud Mary
Bobby Hebb - Sunny
Nilsson - Everybody's Talkin'
Little Anthony and The Imperials - Goin' Out Of My Head
Elvis Presley - Suspicious Minds
The Classics IV - Traces
Guy Lombardo - Canadian Sunset
The Turtles - Happy Together
Ray Charles - Georgia On My Mind
Johnny Rivers - Baby I Need Your Lovin'
The Cascades - Rhythm Of The Rain
The Four Seasons - Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You
Willie Nelson - Always on My Mind
Bette Midler - The Rose
Don Henley - The Heart of the Matter
The Box Tops - The Letter
The Casinos - Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye
Englebert Humperdinck - Release Me
The Drifters - Up on the Roof
Eric Clapton - Layla
Sam Cooke - You Send Me

Over 4 Million Times


Ray Price - For the Good Times
The Carpenters - We've Only Just Begun
Sam Cooke - What a Wonderful World
Anne Murray - Snowbird
Carl Carlton - Everlasting Love
The Vogues - My Special Angel
Charlie Rich - The Most Beautiful Girl
Van Morrison - Brown Eyed Girl
Stevie Wonder - My Cherie Amour
The Association - Windy
Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes - If You Don't Know Me By Now
Jimmy Buffett - Margaritaville
Engelbert Humperdinck - Spanish Eyes
The Monkees - Daydream Believer
Elton John - Daniel
The Eagles - Take It Easy
The Bellamy Brothers - Let Your Love Flow
Elvis Presley - Don't Be Cruel
The Doobie Brothers - Listen to the Music
Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders - A Groovy Kind of Love
Roy Orbison - Crying
Jackie DeShannon - Put A Little Love In Your Heart
Elton John - Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me
Sami Smith - Help Me Make It Through the Night
Eagles - Best of My Love
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Mr. Bojangles
James Taylor - Fire and Rain
Roy Orbison - Blue Bayou
Matt Monro - Born Free
Brook Benton - It's Just A Matter Of Time
The Beatles - Let It Be
Olivia Newton John - I Honestly Love You
Lynn Anderson - I Never Promised You A Rose Garden
Joni Mitchell - Both Sides Now

Over 3 Million Times


Engelbert Humperdinck - After The Lovin'
Gilbert O'Sullivan - Alone Again, Naturally
The Beatles - And I Love Her
Gerry Rafferty - Baker Street
Charlie Rich - Behind Closed Doors
The Everly Brothers - Bye Bye Love
The Beach Boys - California Girls
The Everly Brothers - Cathy's Clown
Mason Williams - Classical Gas
Elton John - Crocodile Rock
Sam Cooke - Cupid
B J Thomas - Hooked On A Feeling
Eagles - Desperado
Orleans - Dance With Me
Martha Reeves - Dancing In The Street
The Lovin' Spoonful - Do You Believe In Magic
Diana Ross - Do You Know Where You're Going To
Jackson Browne - Doctor My Eyes
Hamilton, Joe Frank and Reynolds - Don't Pull Your Love
Fleetwood Mac - Don't Stop
The Beach Boys - Don't Worry Baby
Credence Clearwater Revival - Down On The Corner
Bobby Darin - Dream Lover
Stevie Nicks - Dreams
Eddie Rabbit - Drivin' My Life Away
Kansas - Dust In The Wind
Marty Robbins - El Paso
Don Henley - The End Of The Innocence
Bryan Adams - Everything I Do, I Do It For You
Harpers Bizarre - Feelin' Groovy
Roberta Flack - The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
The Carpenters - For All We Know
Stevie Wonder - For Once In My Life
Buffalo Springfield - For What It's Worth
The Youngbloods - Get Together
Donnie Osmond - Go Away Little Girl
The Beach Boys - Good Vibrations
Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Chicago - Hard To Say I'm Sorry
Olivia Newton John - Have You Never Been Mellow
Eagles - Heartache Tonight
Todd Rundgren - Hello It's Me
The Beatles - Here Comes The Sun
The Beatles - Hey Jude
B.J. Thomas - Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song
Steve Winwood - Higher Love
Simon and Garfunkel - Homeward Bound
Michal Bolton - How Am I Supposed To Live Without You
The Bee Gees - How Can You Mend A Broken Heart
The Bee Gees - How Deep Is Your Love
The Four Tops - I Can't Help Myself
Eagles - I Can't Tell You Why
Elton John - I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues
Eddie Rabbit - I Love A Rainy Night
Barrie Manilow - I Write The Songs
England Dan and John Ford Coley - I'd Really Love To See You Tonite
John Lennon - Imagine
Bertie Higgins - Key Largo
Roger Miller - King Of The Road
Steam - Kiss Him Goodbye
The Beach Boys - Kokomo
Neil Sedaka - Laughter In The Rain
Bill Withers - Lean On Me
Olivia Newton John - Let Me Be There
Little Eva - The Loco-Motion
The Beatles - The Long and Winding Road
Elvis Presley - Love Me Tender
Captain and Tennille - Love Will Keep Us Together
Barrie White - Love's Theme
Rod Stewart - Maggie May
Barrie Manilow - Mandy
Chuck Berry - Memphis
Tommy James - Mony Mony
Frankie Valli - My Eyes Adored You
George Harrison - My Sweet Lord
Frank Sinatra - My Way
Eagles - New Kid In Town
Carly Simon - Nobody Does It Better
Stephen Bishop - On and On
The Beatles - Penny Lane
Johnny Rivers - Poor Side Of Town
Paul Anka - Put Your Head On My Shoulder
The Four Tops - Reach Out, I'll Be There
Little River Band - Reminiscing
The Rolling Stones - Satisfaction
The Supremes - Someday We'll Be Together
Dan Hill - Sometimes When We Touch
The Righteous Brothers - Soul and Inspiration
Glen Campbell - Southern Nights
Blood, Sweat and Tears - Spinning Wheel
The Classics IV - Spooky
Orleans - Still The One
Seals and Crofts - Summer Breeze
Eddie Cochran - Summertime Blues
Eagles - Tequila Sunrise
Buddy Holly - That'll Be The Day
Tony Orlando - Tie A Yellow Ribbon
The Zombies - Time Of The Seasons
The Bee Gees - To Love Somebody
The Byrds - Turn Turn Turn
The Drifters - Under The Boardwalk
The Everly Brothers - Wake Up Little Suzie
Dave Mason - We Just Disagree
The Fifth Dimension - Wedding Bell Blues
The Supremes - Where Did Our Love Go?
Michael Murphy - Wildfire
Joe Cocker - You Are So Beautiful
Firefall - You Are The Woman
Roy Orbison - You Got It
Blood, Sweat and Tears - You Made Me So Very Happy




In May, 2004, The British performing rights group Phonographic Performance Ltd celebrated its 70th anniversary by listing the 70 songs that have played most in Great Britain on the radio, in clubs and on jukeboxes. No indication was given of how many times the songs were played. The Top Ten are:

1. Procol Harum - A Whiter Shade Of Pale
2. Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody
3. Wet Wet Wet - Love Is All Around
4. Everly Brothers - All I Have To Do Is Dream
5. Bryan Adams - (Everything I Do) I Do It For You
6. Abba - Dancing Queen
7. Elvis Presley - All Shook Up
8. Rod Stewart - Maggie May
9. The Beatles - Hello Goodbye
10. The Beatles - Get Back

Unleashed this old classic and watched it for hours........Memories by the Million!!

Not that any of us need any more evidence of the severity of this country's economic woes, but a quick scan of this year's musical New Year's Eve celebrations is ample testament to how much all of us are cutting back: I cannot recall a quieter New Year's in Chicago in terms of high-profile rock celebrations ever.

Nevertheless, as on any other night of the year, there is plenty of great music happening--if you know where to look for it. And there are even a few welcome bargains, too.

Here is a rundown of the best musical option as 2008 becomes 2009 (and let's hope the next year is a better one for everyone!).


The Abbey Pub, 3420 W. Grace

The Abbey is presenting an evening of what it's calling "Future Rock"--electronica and progressive house music--with Daedelus, Dark Party (featuring Eliot Lipp and Leo123) and Ben Silver of Orchard Lounge. The show starts at 9 p.m. and tickets are $25 in advance, $30 on the day of the show or $75 for a V.I.P. package that includes open bar and hors d'oeuvres. For more information, call (773) 478-4408 or visit www.abbeypub.com.

Andy's Jazz Club, 11 E. Hubbard

Renowned jazz organist Joey DeFrancesco is playing throughout the night with his trio (drummer Byron Landham and guitarist Patrick Bianchi) as part of a $175 package deal that includes open bar and dinner. Tickets are available at www.andysjazzclub.com, or call 312-642-6805.

Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Parkway

Local jam-band heroes Umphrey's McGee concludes a three-night stand at this regale venue starting at 8:30 p.m. on New Year's Eve, with three sets of music and special appearances by Chicago blues legend Koko Taylor and another surprise guest. Tickets are $65 or $75 plus service fees via Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com; 312-559-1212) or without the fees at the theater's box office.

The Bottom Lounge, 1375 W Lake St.

The Bottom caps off its first year at its new location with a strong triple bill of local artists: Local H, who deserved much more attention than they received for their stellar 2008 album "12 Angry Months," up-and-comers Sybris and indie-pop favorites Office, plus the promised but unnamed "special guests." Tickets are $35; for more information, call (312) 929-2022 or visit www.bottomlounge.com.

Double Door, 1572 N. Milwaukee

Double Door boasts one of this year's best bills with a great night of entrancing guitars starting at 9 p.m. and featuring Hum, the reunited Champaign-based '90s champions of space-rock, the Life ant Times and Dianogah. The catch: It's already sold-out.

The Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western

On a completely different--and much more raucous--tip, the Bottle, which is always indie-rock party central on New Year's Eve, presents garage-rock maniac Jay Reatard, the undeniable and just as insane Miss Alex White, the Yolks and DJ Robert Q starting at 10 p.m. The cover is $25; call (773) 276-3600 or visit www.emptybottle.com.

Fitzgerald's, 6615 Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn

The venerable roots-rock club is holding a New Year's Eve Dance Party starting at 8 p.m. and featuring the Becca Kaufman Band for a $20 cover. (A separate show in the side bar starts at 9:30 and features Cole DeGenova & the People's Replublic for a $10 cover.) For more info, call (708) 7882118 or visit www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.

The Green Mill, 4802 N. Broadway

The famous jazz bar is hosting a "Battle of the Saxes" with Von Freeman and Edward Petersen from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., followed by one of its legendary jazz jams sessions until 4. The cover is $25 until midnight, $5 from midnight to 2 a.m. and free thereafter. Call (773) 878-5552 or visit www.greenmilljazz.com.

The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia

Starting at 9 p.m., this beloved watering hole is sponsoring a cutting-edge dance party with Walk This Way vs. Gutterbutter and DJs Frier Tuck and Logan Bay. Call (773) 227-4433 or visit www.hideoutchicago.com.

Martyr's, 3855 N. Lincoln

In keeping with a tradition that's been running strong for the last few years, the premier local tribute band Tributosaurus morphs into Led Zeppelin starting at 9 p.m. and no doubt featuring this combo's usual array of surprising guests sitting in. The cover is $30; call (773) 404-9494 or visit www.martyrslive.com.

Metro, 3730 N. Clark

Metro ends the year in fine, droning, druggy style with Dandy Warhols and a special guest DJ in the main room starting at 9 p.m. Tickets are $55 in advance or $65 on the day of the show, with--in a very Live Nation touch--special four-person V.I.P. tables available for $500 and "formal attire encouraged." (For the Dandy Warhols? Really?) Meanwhile, down below in the nether region of Smart Bar, Green Velvet, Justin Long, Santiago and Ori Kawa will be working their magic starting at 9 for $30 in advance, $35 on the day of the show, $80 for a V.I.P. ticket or $500 for a "V.I.P. Platinum Package" that includes admission for four, reserved table and seating next to the DJ booth and a bottle of Moet White Star. Call (773) 549-4140 or visit www.metrochicago.com.

The New Year's Eve Rock 'n' Roll Ball

In its 12th year, this annual institution takes place at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare, 9300 Bryn Mawr Ave. in Rosemont, and features music by Chicago's Marty Casey and the Lovehammers, Dot Dot Dot (local power-popsters best known for a stint on "The Next Great American Band") and funk/soul champs Bumpus. General admission tickets are $49, V.I.P. tickets are $119 with an open bar and several packages are available with hotel accommodations. Tickets are available through www.ticketmaster.com, (312) 559-1212.

Reggie's Rock Club, 2109 S. State

Hands down, Reggie's has the most punk-rock evening in town, ringing in the new year with ringing eardrums. The high-energy bill starts at 8 p.m. and features Lawrence Arms, the Methadones, the Arrivals, the Copyrights and Off with Their Heads. Tickets are $20; call (312) 949-0121 or visit www.reggieslive.com.

Schubas, 3159 N. Southport

For a much more sensitive and musically soothing night, Schubas is presenting local pop maestros the Sea and Cake on the second of a two-night stand starting at 10 p.m. Tickets are $40 via www.schubas.com, or call (773) 525-2508.