[READER]( Clearing out stuff from my parentsâ garage after my father died, I came across a box on a shelf filled with ancient memorabiliaânotebooks, letters, photos, and a top-40 survey from the week ending May 27, 1971. A survey from radio station WCFL, to be exactâunion owned. CFL standing for Chicago Federation of Laborâwhich sponsors my podcast to this day! For people not of the Baby Boomer persuasion: back in the day, âCFL, like WLS and WVON, put out weekly surveys of the hottest singles. Passionate fan of top pop, Iâd 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 parentsâ 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 songsâ50 years laterâremain 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 Iâm so sick and tired of, I hope I never hear it again. âJoy to the Worldâ by Three Dog Night. At four, a song I still love, though Iâve heard it one too many times. âBrown Sugarâ by the Rolling Stones. At seven is a song I canât believe I still know by heart. Câmon, everyone: âWanted, young man single and freeâexperience in love preferred, but will accept a young trainee.â â[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 Westâone of the greatest records of the 70s. â[Bridge Over Troubled Water]( by Aretha Franklin. And, finally, at 17 and falling, down from six the previous week, a song Iâm embarrassed to admit I love so much. Oh, who would have predicted back in May of 1971 that Michael Jacksonâthen 13 years oldâwould 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 elevatorââevery time I think Iâve had enough, I start heading for the door . . .â I remind myself that technically itâs not Michael Jackson, but . . . â[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 isnât taking
their claims seriously](
Nearly six months after dozens of people came forward with allegations, the religious school has
made few movesâand isnât 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 wasnât 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!](
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