History matters. We can't learn from the past if we don't know the past: The good, the bad, the proud, the shameful, the wins and the losses, the triumph and tragedy alike. It matters. It always will. Our country, our culture, our species--none of it can advance if we don't retain awareness of the roads that got us here. Wrong turns included.
And if all history matters, then certainly black history matters. We celebrate black history every February. Sure, we should revel in the rich heritage of black culture more often than just a single month each year. But designating an official Black History Month at least provides an essential reminder of the importance of recognizing and celebrating that heritage.
Every month should be Black History Month. Every month should be Women's History Month, and Pride Month, and so on. But efforts to deny the worth of those specific months are never--never--carried out with intent to expand their scope; they are, invariably, an effort to marginalize them and eliminate them.
We reject those efforts. In the popular parlance: Fuck that noise.
February is Black History Month. It's a necessary focal point in our ongoing dedication to understanding the whole of our stories, inclusively and completely, twelve months a year. This week, This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio celebrates Black History Month with a little bit of music. It's what we do.
He who forgets the pasta is condemned to reheat it. I...don't think I got that quote quite right. The past lives on, and we can't hope to build a proper future without it. Tonight, let's play some music. Tomorrow, we keep fighting to preserve, protect, and defend what's right.
This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio celebrates Black History Month. This is what rock 'n' roll radio sounded like while celebrating that history on another Sunday night in Syracuse this week.
This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio with Dana & Carl airs Sunday nights from 9 to Midnight Eastern, on the air in Syracuse at SPARK! WSPJ 103.3 and 93.7 FM, streaming at SPARK stream, and on the Radio Garden app as WESTCOTT RADIO. Recent shows are archived at Westcott Radio
You can read all about this show's long and weird history here: Boppin' The Whole Friggin' Planet (The History Of THIS IS ROCK 'N' ROLL RADIO).
TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS are always welcome.
Carl's new book The Greatest Record Ever Made! (Volume 1) is now available, and you can order an autographed copy here. You can still get Carl's previous book Gabba Gabba Hey! A Conversation With The Ramones from publisher Rare Bird Books, OR an autographed copy here. If you like the books, please consider leaving a rating and/or review at the usual online resources.
The many fine This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio compilation albums are still available, each full of that rockin' pop sound you crave. A portion of all sales benefit our perpetually cash-strapped community radio project:
TIRnRR # 1272: 2/9/2025: TIRnRR celebrates BLACK HISTORY MONTH
ARTHUR CONLEY: Sweet Soul Music (Rhino, Sweet Soul Music)
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BIG MAMA THORNTON: Hound Dog (Time-Life, VA: The Rock And Roll Era: Roots Of Rock : 1945-1956)
THE ISLEY BROTHERS: That Lady (Epic, The Essential Isley Brothers)
HUEY "PIANO" SMITH AND THE CLOWNS: Sea Cruise (History Of RnB, VA: How Britain Got The Blues 1: Skiffle, Folk, R 'n' R & The British Blues Boom)
EARTH, WIND AND FIRE: September (Epic, The Eternal Dance)
ESQUERITA: Rockin' The Joint (Collectables, Rockin' The Joint)
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ERNIE K-DOE: A Certain Girl (Capitol, VA: Finger Poppin' And Stompin' Feet)
JOAN ARMATRADING: Eating The Bear (A & M, Walk Under Ladders)
OTIS REDDING: (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay (Rhino, Otis! The Definitive Otis Redding)
BONEY M: Rasputin (BMG, The Greatest Hits)
ANN PEEBLES: I Can't Stand The Rain (Rhino, VA: Can Yu Dig It?)
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HOT CHOCOLATE: Green Shirt (EMI, Box Selection)
BARBARA LYNN: (Daddy Hot Stuff) You're Too Hot To Hold (Atlantic, The Complete Atlantic Recordings)
BOB MARLEY AND THE WAILERS: Simmer Down (Soul Jazz, VA: Studio One Classics)
BETTYE LAVETTE: Piece Of My Heart (Sundazed, Do Your Duty)
THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE: Fire (Reprise, Are You Experienced?)
DON COVAY: Bip Bop Bip (Razor & Tie, Mercy Mercy: The Definitive Don Covay)
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THE FOUR TOPS: Love Music (MCA, Keepers Of The Castle: Their Best 1972-1978)
ERMA FRANKLIN: Baby, What You Want Me To Do (Shout!, Piece Of Her Heart: The Epic And Shout Years)
OUTKAST: Hey Ya! (Arista, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below)
LITTLE EVA: The Loco-Motion (Collectables, VA: Great Ladies Of Rock & Roll: The 60s)
PRINCE: Hot Summer (NPG, Welcome 2 America)
MAJOR LANCE: The Monkey Time (Rhino, VA: Beg, Scream & Shout!)
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DONNA SUMMER: I Feel Love (Casablanca, Summer: The Original Hits)
THE SOUL CHILDREN: Finder's Keepers (Legacy, VA: Lost Soul)
THE METERS: Hand Clapping Song (Sundazed, Struttin')
HOWLIN' WOLF: Do The Do (MCA, The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions)
TERENCE TRENT D'ARBY: If You Let Me Stay (Columbia, Introducing The Hardline According To Terence Trent D'Arby)
PARLIAMENT: Flashlight (Casablanca, Parliament's Greatest Hits)
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WAR: Low Rider (Hip-O, Icon 2: The Hits & More)
RICHIE HAVENS: Here Comes The Sun (Stormy Forest, Alarm Clock)
THE SELECTER: On My Radio (EMI, Greatest Hits)
RICK JAMES: Below The Funk (Pass The J) (Gordy, Street Songs)
P. P. ARNOLD: Soul Survivor (Metrophonic, single)
RUFUS: Tell Me Something Good (Rhino, VA: Can You Dig It?)
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The Greatest Record Ever Made!
THE CHAMBERS BROTHERS: Time Has Come Today (Columbia, The Time Has Come)
SCREAMIN' JAY HAWKINS: Monkberry Moon Delight (Red Lightnin', Screamin' The Blues
BOOKER T. AND THE MG'S: Green Onions (Atlantic, VA: The Complete Stax/Volt Singles 1959-1968)
OTIS REDDING AND CARLA THOMAS: Tramp (Atlantic, VA: The Complete Stax/Volt Singles 1959-1968)
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RIHANNA: Shut Up And Drive (Def Jam, Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded)
FATS DOMINO: Whole Lotta Lovin' (Liberty, Fats Domino Swings)
BOBBY WOMACK: Lookin' For A Love (EMI, Midnight Mover: The Bobby Womack Story)
THE SUPREMES: Where Did Our Love Go (Motown, DIANA ROSS AND THE SUPREMES: The Ultimate Collection)
CHARLEY PRIDE: It's Gonna Take A Little Bit Longer (Legacy, The Essential Charley Pride)
JACKIE WILSON: Please Stick Around (Not Now Music, The Very Best Of Jackie Wilson)
CHUCK BERRY: Come On (MCA, The Anthology)
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RAY CHARLES: Hit The Road Jack (Castle, The Collection)
SUGAR PIE DeSANTO: Mama Didn't Raise No Fool (Kent Soul, Go Go Power--The Complete Chess Singles 1961-1966)
GRANDMASTER AND MELLE MEL: White Lines (Don't Don't Do It) (Rhino, single)
THE SWANKY MODES: Ordinary Man (Island, VA: Tapeheads OST)
THE DRIFTERS: Only In America (Atlantic, Rockin' & Driftin')
THE RONETTES: Be My Baby (Abkco, The Best Of The Ronettes)
CEELO GREEN: Forget You (Elektra, single)
AL GREEN: I Want To Hold Your Hand (The Right Stuff, Green Is Blues)
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JAMES BROWN: Say It Loud--I'm Black And I'm Proud (Pt. 1) [single version] (Polydor, The 50th Anniversary Collection)
SAM COOKE: Soul (Abkco, 30 Greatest Hits: Portrait Of A Legend 1951-1964)
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