My own Casey Kasem-style countdown

[READER]( Clearing out stuff from my parents’ garage after my father died, I came across a box on a shelf filled with ancient memorabilia—notebooks, letters, photos, and a top-40 survey from the week ending May 27, 1971. A survey from radio station WCFL, to be exact—union owned. CFL standing for Chicago Federation of Labor—which sponsors my podcast to this day! For people not of the Baby Boomer persuasion: back in the day, ’CFL, like WLS and WVON, put out weekly surveys of the hottest singles. Passionate fan of top pop, I’d grabbed one as soon as they showed up at Hear Here, a record store on Dempster Street in Evanston. They seemed so relevant at the time. As opposed to an old piece of paper in a forgotten box on a dusty shelf in my parents’ empty garage. [[Illustration of Ben Joravsky]]( Unfortunately for me, I pretty much stopped listening to new music around the time Ronald Reagan was first elected president. So, these songs—50 years later—remain fresh in my mind. As I stood in the driveway perusing the list, I found myself doing my own Casey Kasem-style countdown. And so . . . Weighing in at number two, a song I’m so sick and tired of, I hope I never hear it again. “Joy to the World” by Three Dog Night. At four, a song I still love, though I’ve heard it one too many times. “Brown Sugar” by the Rolling Stones. At seven is a song I can’t believe I still know by heart. C’mon, everyone: “Wanted, young man single and free—experience in love preferred, but will accept a young trainee.” “[Want Ads]( by Honey Cone. At 16, a song I listen to all the time. Heard it last night, as a matter of fact. From Aretha Live at Fillmore West—one of the greatest records of the 70s. “[Bridge Over Troubled Water]( by Aretha Franklin. And, finally, at 17 and falling, down from six the previous week, a song I’m embarrassed to admit I love so much. Oh, who would have predicted back in May of 1971 that Michael Jackson—then 13 years old—would turn out the way he did? Yet, I still crank it up every time it comes on the radio. Still love the way his voice rises like an elevator—“every time I think I’ve had enough, I start heading for the door . . .” I remind myself that technically it’s not Michael Jackson, but . . . “[Never Can Say Goodbye.]( By the Jackson 5. Whatever it takes to get us through life . . . [Ben Joravsky [signature]]( [Aaron Cohen]( on Archie Shepp [Maya Dukmasova]( on predatory lenders putting pressure on Pritzker [Ben Joravsky]( on mayoral budget games [Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez]( on Mayor Lightfoot and budgets [Two-year Birthday Show]( with special guests [Cosgrove, Moeller, and Widen]( on parental notification [The Ben Joravsky Show]( [Listen to The Ben Joravsky Show]( [Strange reformers]( Alderman Ed Burke finally tells the truth about the budget games that mayors play. By [Ben Joravsky]( [@bennyjshow]( [Sexual violence survivors say Moody Bible Institute still isn’t taking their claims seriously]( Nearly six months after dozens of people came forward with allegations, the religious school has made few moves—and isn’t talking. By [Adam M. Rhodes]( [@byadamrhodes]( [Into the void]( Finding forgotten relics is never that simple. By [Mads Horwath]( [Harm reduction]( As Chicago Recovery Alliance feuds, overdoses spike. By [Adam M. Rhodes]( [@byadamrhodes]( [Have you seen these 51 women?]( If there wasn’t a serial killer who picked off dozens of victims without detection for decades, then the city was broken in a way that gave off the illusion of one. By [Ben Austen]( [@ben_austen]( [Issue of Feb. 18 - March 3, 2021 Vol. 50, No. 11]( [Download Issue]( (PDF) 1971 Chicagoans have relied on the Reader for trusted alternative coverage of our city. The Chicago Reader is now a 501c3 nonprofit organization which means our survival is in your hands. In order to continue to be your trusted alternative voice of Chicago, we need your help. If you can donate just $5 today, we can show the world that community funded, independent journalism is the future. [DONATE TODAY!]( [View this e-mail as a web page]( [@chicago_reader]( [/chicagoreader]( [@chicago_reader]( [Chicago Reader on LinkedIn]( [/chicagoreader]( [chicagoreader.com]( [Forward this e-mail to a friend](. Want to change how you receive these e-mails? You can [update your preferences]( or [unsubscribe from this list](. Copyright © 2021 Chicago Reader, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Chicago Reader, 2930 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 102, Chicago, IL 60616