If you love lists, you'll love this. Scientific, unbiased data used to determine the top 20 # hits of the 1960s and those of the 1970s. It's a countdown. What do you think makes the list? Probably have some guesses that are right. But what you will also find are the surprises that make you go, "huh, can't be true."

The top #1 chart perfromers on Billboard's Hot-100 of these two decades are gathered here for your enjoyment. Agree? Disagree? Wonder why? Don't argue with the data. Have fun.

Pretty much, these songs, selected from Broadway and off-Broadway musicals, are easy to listen to. They won't put you to sleep, but you won't run to turn them off either. Old and new.

Some musicals have songs that you have to be in the mood for. They may be very intense, layered and loud. That's all good, when you want it. These songs, culled from a couple dozen shows, tend not be intense but rather melodic and easy to listen to. The show starts with Daddy Warbucks, Reid Shelton, singing Something Was Missing from Annie, and ends up with three tunes from Summer: The Donna Summer Musical - easy ones.

A look at The Drowsy Chaperone, Pretty Woman - The Musical, and classics like Funny Girl, 42nd Street, Sweet Charity and Promises Promises are samples of what's in store. A surprise comes from Parade, the 1960 off-Broadway revue, Jerry Herman's first foray into show music.

Yacht Rock is a sub-genre of pop-rock very popular in the mid '70s to mid '80s. But nobody called it Yacht Rock. Now they do.

In the 1970's we had a type of pop some called, "soft rock." It had no hard edges. There were high production values, excellent musicians, some jazz and R&B influences, and very melodic. In 2005 an online video series called Yacht Rock used these smooth sounding songs from the '70s and early '80s, mostly by white artists, as the soundtrack to their episodes. Soon that style of music took on the name of the series, Yacht Rock.

The term was a putdown to this music when it was coined in 2005. But, by 2015 people began reevaluating the sound and today it's a defined genre that draws on the music of the specific time period: 1975ish - 1985ish. And record companies have cashed in on its popularity by reissuing songs in compilations called, yes, Yacht Rock.

Many of the songs and artists had big Billboard Hot-100, and Adult Contemporary hits with these songs. Many of them were one-hit wonders. On this edition, 23 of the 30 selections were in the Top-10 on Billboard's Hot-100, several at #1.

So who are we talking about? Here's a short list: Christopher Cross, The Doobies, Stephen Bishop, Jimmy Buffet, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Air Supply, Dr. Hook, Lionel Richie, 10cc, Harry Nilsson, and many others.

What do the songs have in common? Smooth sound, a gentle bounce now called the Doobie bounce, lighthearted lyrics, jazz and R&B influences, good production values, vulnerable males singing about their feelings of being hurt and especially using the word "fool."

Lots of rain, storms, and sun, but how about Noah in the flood or Dorothy in a tornado? Broadway musicals got 'em.

There is practically nothing you can't find in song. The weather is not exempt. Since Stormy Weather and Heat Wave were introduced in 1933 we've had many more weather songs. The '40s gave us I Got the Sun In the Mornin' and the Moon at Night and It's Too Darn Hot. Irving Berlin gave us It's A Lovely Day Today in Call Me Madam and Andrea McArdle forever charmed us saying the sun'll come out Tomorrow. That whorehouse in Texas was some hot place with 20 Fans a-turnin' in every room but nothing compares to Viet Nam's scorchers when The Heat Is On In Saigon.
From Oh, What a Beautiful Morning to A Grand Night For Singing this edition of Broadway Bound illustrates the breadth of lyrics and music that once again keeps the musical theater interesting and fresh.

It's a cruel world, a wild world, a young world, my world, and I'm on top of the world. It's all about worlds and how we see them. Each of us sees our worlds differently every day. Sometimes a "10" and other times a "1."

Anecdotal evidence shows the noun "world" is a huge part of song titles, and even more in song lyrics. Perhaps "love" beats it out in sheer numbers. But "world" is what we humans see when we open our eyes every day. Sometimes it's a wonderful world. Other times it's empty. When I'm happy, glad, worried or sad, it's all about "my world."

With this simple word, songwriters have crafted thousands of songs reflecting on "worlds." Three dozen of those make the point on this edition of American Jukebox®.

Where's off- Broadway? It's in New York right in the heart of the Broadway theater district. Off-Broadway refers to the number seats in a theater (100-499), not the location of the theater. Because off-Broadway theaters cost less to operate, producers often mount shows there. Some shows really take hold and move to the larger more expensive theaters on “Broadway" with seats 500+. Other shows are not meant for the much larger Broadway houses. They're intended for smaller venues and stay there.

Everything heard on this edition of Broadway Bound is from off-Broadway cast recordings.

This is a look at some musicals that use use rock 'n' roll in the musical or write the music in the style of rock. From 1968, Hair is considered the first successful Broadway Musical to have a rock score. Some like to say Bye Bye Birdie (1960) was the first rock 'n' roll musical. One listen to it, and you know it's not.
Other tracks from non-rock musicals are included on this edition of Broadway Bound.

Songs about parties, and what you do at parties fills this jam-packed edition of American Jukebox®. Sam Cooke starts us off with the set-up of We're Having a Party. Then that Party Doll shows up with Buddy Knox. Chris Montez shouts to everyone, Let's Dance! Things get hoppin' with the Twist and the Watusi and before you know it we're Dancing in the Street with Martha and the girls.

A thump through the disco follows and we quench our thirst with margaritas thanks to Jimmy Buffet, tequila sunrises compliments of the Eagles and lots of wine for everyone on Neil Diamond, Nancy Sinatra and her friend Lee Hazlewood. Not everyone is happy with the drinks though. Tom T. Hall brings the beer. He tells us as usual, I Like Beer.

The Beatles Don't Want to Spoil the Party but signal that all good parties come to an end while Donna Summer summons us to the dance floor for one Last Dance.

A good time was had by all.

When a new musical opens on Broadway audiences most often determine its success. Successful musicals run their course but producers keep their eyes open for the opportunity to bring them back after some time has passed or a new interpretation/production comes on the scene. When that happens, a Broadway "revival" is mounted. On this edition of Broadway Bound, 23 of the most revived musicals are featured.
We reach back to the first "modern" musical, Show Boat, that was originally mounted in 1927 and has been revived on Broadway six times since. That means it has been on Broadway a total of seven times: the original plus six revivals.
One musical holds the record for the most revivals - seven. Its first time on Broadway was 1935. Any guesses?
We look at musicals that have had at least three Broadway revivals. There are seven of those. Four Broadway revivals? Nine of those. Five Broadway revivals? Four of those. Six Broadway revivals? Two. And only one show has had seven revivals on Broadway.

So how many human emotions are there? Some say six, others say sixty. Songwriters seem to favor sixty. We've got songs about hurt, sadness, love, happiness, arousal, passion, trust, loneliness, jealousy, shame, friendship, more love, thanks, confidence, worry and so much more.
So what can you expect? Three dozen songs that highlight emotions in one way or another. Songs from The Supremes, Neil Diamond, The Beatles, The Spinners and The Dixie Cups for starters. Barbra Streisand, Donna Summer, Barry White and The Starland Vocal band for more. Add to those, Bobby Vinton, Bobby McFerrin, Elvis Presley, Rick Nelson and Lesley Gore.
Get on the roller coaster of emotions and have some fun.

The main feature of this edition of Broadway Bound is an entire run through of the Broadway musical 1776. The backstories about the musical, the actual historical facts that the show is based on, three sources of music (original 1969 cast, 1972 film soundtrack, and the 1996 Broadway revival), and a running commentary as the plot unfolds provide a unique experience to approaching this masterpiece.

Also featured are classic American show stoppers.

27 Broadway songs, most quite well known, fit the bill for exuberance. Stirring songs from Les Miz, Newsies, Memphis and Evita join the infectious toe-tappers like Brand New Day (The Wiz), Spercalifragilisticexpialidocious (Mary Poppins) and The Lambeth Walk (Me & My Girl). Songs from Dolly!, Mame, Seesaw, Spamalot and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas provide more uplifting music.

Guaranteed to make you move, sing, smile, and think.

Literally, hundreds of great hits were sung by boys and girls ages 17 and under. Not an 18 or 19-year-old in the pack!

Boys & Girls: The Hitmakers

When you focus on the ages of some of our favorite recording artists from the late '50s, '60s and '70s it's pretty incredible. Solo artists, groups, and family acts abound on this edition of American Jukebox. Big hits, many #1, were sung by children in elementary , middle and high school. Michael Jackson was 11, Donny Osmond was 13, The Bobbettes ("Mr. Lee") had two 12-year-olds in their quintet, and Ronnie Bennett-Spector was just 15 when she recorded Be My Baby.

The Rocky Fellers ("Killer Joe") from the Philippines were four boys and their father. The boys were 8, 10, 15, and 17. The Cowsills had six siblings, ages 8-19 plus their mother, while the Jackson 5 were five very young brothers, and the Osmonds' 5 brothers included a 13 and a 16-year old. Lesley Gore was just 16 when It's My Party soared to #1 and Dee Dee Sharp recorded Mashed Potato Time at 15. Society's Child, a serious song dealing with racial injustice and family bigotry, was written and performed by 15-year-old Janis Ian who took it to #14 on Billboard's Hot-100.

Up to this time in 1963, the youngest female artist to reach the top spot on the charts was "Little" Peggy March with I Will Follow Him. She was just 15.

And the list goes on. On this edition of American Jukebox all the singers or leads in the groups were boys or girls ages 17 or younger. None of them of legal age. In all 41 hits are presented!

Have fun while you appreciate these young kids and the energy they put into their music.

Broadway Bound 322 -- Ghostlight of 2020

Instrumentals used to to be a big part of the Hot-100. Throughout the '50s, '60s, '70s and '80s they ruled. Then they vanished.

Hundreds of instrumentals became huge hits on Billboard's Hot-100 from the '50s through the '80s. Many of them reached #1, many others hit the top-10, and hundreds more entered the Top-40. Some have become classic while others are long forgotten. But what they all share is that Americans bought them in droves.

Themes written for movies and television provided several memorable tunes. Others came from creative minds that would come up with a lick or two and suddenly they had a chart topper. Classical music also influenced many a top hit.

On this edition of American Jukebox, 37 instrumental hits from the late '50s through the '80s are featured. And remember, not a word was spoken!

For ten years, the Armed Forces Vietnam Network (AFVN) radio served as a lifeline to "home" for the millions who served in Vietnam and southeast Asia.

Americans in Vietnam between 1963 and 1973, without a doubt listened to the programs on AFVN, Armed Forces Vietnam Network. They were a big deal. There was no internet or email. The best way to connect with "home" was with the stateside vibe coming from the radio: news, information, "commercials" that were actually PSA's geared toward the troops, and most of all the music. Pop, rock, soul, folk and country all held their own on the programs heard on AFVN.

AFVN was staffed by military personnel with few exceptions. Your "job" in Vietnam just may have been as a broadcaster on one of the shifts coming from the radio 24/7. The 1987 film, Good Morning Vietnam starring Robin Williams, made one such broadcaster, Adrian Cronauer, famous. What you probably don't know is that for his two year stint in the Army, Wheel of Fortune's Pat Sajak did the Dawn Buster show with the famous opener GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD MORNING VIETNAM starting at 06:00 each day.

This edition of American Jukebox features the actual air checks of the voices of AFVN, and with careful editing, weaves the music into the soundtrack for a robust hi-def sound. The air checks came from the collection of Marine Sergeant Harry Simons, a prominent AFVN DJ who did two rock 'n' roll shifts a day - morning and night. The tapes also hold several other voices and programs. Town and Country, for the country and western leaning GI's and Chris Noel's A Date With Chris are also featured in the program. In 2015, WEBY in Pensacola, FL put a 10-hour special together master-minded by WEBY's Mike Bates and Harry Simons, USMC Retired. Portions of that 2015 broadcast have been used to create this two-hour special edition of American Jukebox. Without these men, all this history would be lost.

If you're a Vietnam Vet you'll be turned back to another time and place. For those of us who weren't in Vietnam, this is the "taste of home" that we were used to and they longed for. The program is dedicated to the 3.4 million Americans who served in Vietnam and to the memory of more than 58,000 who died there.

The title of the show says it all. Based on research of the Billboard charts by Dann Isbell and Bill Carroll detailed in the books Ranking the '60s and Ranking the '70's, they have identified the most successful solo artists of the two decades. The list is worth guessing about. Good trivia for chart and music buffs. So who do you think makes the Top-10 in the '60s, and the Top-10 in the '70s? There are the obvious winners and there are surprises.

Before the term "musicals" identified the Broadway genre, they were called "musical comedies." The shows were light and often very funny. Serious subject matter like murder, assassins, shipwrecks, prejudice and terminal illness were not on stage. On this edition of Broadway Bound we look at songs from Broadway that make us laugh. The clever lyrics, the delivery of the performance, the tongue in cheeks nature, the satire of the songs is bound to put a smile on your listeners' faces.

Join us for 30 comic, fun-time moments from Broadway musicals delivered by Carol Channing, Elaine Stritch, Judy Kaye, Bernadette Peters, Chita Rivera, Angela Lansbury, Patti LuPone, and a few good men.