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I always look forward to (a.k.a.) Kene Gelly 's nightly suggestions for the show so great things were expected of his summer mix selections. The boy didin't let us down. If you missed the show on air then you can listen again. Sleevenotes follow from the man himself...

"I've always felt privileged to have been around at a time (1970 to present) of unprecedented musical metamorphases. To have been musically aware and appreciative during the snowballing popular genres of rock, prog rock, glam, disco, punk, new wave, ska, new romaticism, electronica, phsycadelica, rave, indie, dance and trance has been nothing short of amazing. I guess that is perfectly highlighted by the eclectic extent of my record collection, which ranges from Abba to Metallica, from The Pistols to Sebielius and from Johnny Cash to Interpol. "
'Fun, Fun, Fun' ... The Beach Boys (1964)
Who else could possibly start such a selection but the band who will always epitomise summer. Seems they influenced my folks choice of clothing for me back then ... given the various Hawian shirts I can be seen sporting in many holiday pics. Thankfully this didn't have a lasting effect on my clothing tastes ...... in my opinion!
'Rockaway Beach' ... The Ramones (1977)
Who could fail to get in the mood with this song's feel-good rythm, and an opening like "Chewin' out a rythm on my bubble-gum, the sun is out and I want some". Memories of BB camp in Torquay with this one. Imagine the scene ... top deck of the local bus into Torquay town centre, full of annoying Glasgow teenagers belting out this classic along with many others of the day. Incuded in our number? ... Bobby Gillespie and Robert Young !!! Mmmm ......... wonder where the name 'Primal Scream' really came from?!?!?
'Boys of Summer' ... Don Henley (1984)
Driven by synths and drum machine, this song has a haunting rythm, and a killer summer-ey hook. Can almost smell that summer breeze! Was the perfect prescription for the summer of '84, which, by Scottish standards was long and hot!
'I feel Love' ... Donna Summer (1977)
Chose this not for the reason that (for many) this sizzling dance floor classic is still an abiding memory of that long hot summer of 1977. Great story concerning this one is that Bowie is famously quoted as saying that (during his Berlin collaboration with Eno) Eno came in one day and said he'd heard the sound of the future. Putting on this record, he told Bowie "this song is going to change the sound of club music for the next 15 years!" (which it did). Remember nights at 'The Savoy' in Glasgow (under that massive glitter ball), desperately trying to avoid the pseudo Travoltas of the day who were desperate to show everyone how much they loved this one. Still have the laughter lines and scars to prove it!
Ìý'Tarzan Boy' ... Baltimora (1985)
Classed (believe it or not) as Italian new wavers, this was THE summer holiday hit of that year! Although I was in the (at that time) small resort of Aya Napa that summer, I couldn't escape it, due to it being played by a group of German 'gigilos', who would insist on blaring it out constantly (and daily) at the pool side ... as they desperately tried to impress any girls who might be watching. I guess summer euro-cheese had to feature at some time in a list like this, so ... (altogether now) ... woh woh woh woh woh woh woh woh woh woh woh woh ......
'School's Out' ... Alice Cooper (1972)
Is it really 36 years? Well, one look at the TOTP recording of this song would convince you! Considered one of THE classic TOTP clips purely for the audience alone. Tank tops, crew neck jumpers, shirt and tie, pinnafore dresses, evening gowns ... they were all there, and as for the dancing ...!!! The words summed up the feeling perfectly for us school kids of that time. Prompted me to pluck up the courage to buy an enormous poster of Alice and pin it on the bedroom wall newly papered by me faither. It was the beginning of shock rock, and (I guess) the first signs of rebellion from me!
'Sunny Afternoon' ... The Kinks (1966)
After emerging as a hard-driving, power-chord rock band, this song featured a strong music-hall and lyrical focus, lending itself nicely to a relaxing summer feel. It's feel good factor was probably enhanced, due to it being at no. 1 while England (boo ... hiss) were winning the World Cup. I do have vivid memories of watching that game, but was a bit young to appreciate this classic offering!
'Stayin' out for the Summer' ... Dodgy (1995)
Contains all the essential elements of a summer hit ... catchy tune, sing-a-long chorus and was out at exactly the right time. Has stayed with me since then, probably due to my niece insisting on singing it to me every time we saw each other. Unless you've heard my niece sing (and we're talking Bonnie Langford x 10 to the power of 7), you cannot appreciate how much emotional scarring I suffered as a result. Ah well ... anything for GIO!
'Walkin' on Sunshine' ... Katrina and the Waves (1985)
Is it possible to get more summery than this? Simply oooooooozes sun, sand and suitcases! Screams at you to play it loud, with the soft top down and the revs high. Pity I was driving a boring old 100CC (well that's what it seemed like!) Fiesta back then. Still creates a 'feel good factor' to this day. Mine's a 99!
'Pretty Vacant' ... Sex Pistols (1977)
It's upstairs, back of the bus time again for this one also ... this time the daily return journey on the 37 bus from Mount Florida to King's Park Secondary in Glasgow. Every day 'Big' Jim Beattie would bring his ghetto blaster, and entertain us with all that was new in the world of Punk. One day he played 'Never Mind the Bollocks' for the first time ......... it was like nothing any of us had heard before. Our 'Brave New World' had arrived, and we wanted to be part of it. Little did I realise that only two years later, Jim, along with another two members of our crowd (Bobby Gillespie and Robert Young), would be forming their own band ... Primal Scream. That's rock 'n roll for you!
'Ballroom Blitz' ... Sweet (1973)
I guess glam was what started my interest in music. Who couldn't fail to be influenced by a genre that encouraged glitter, make-up for guys, platform shoes, 'Brutus' high waisters ... and brilliantly different music? Well ... perhaps the crowd at the 'Grand Hall of the Palace' theatre in Kilmarnock, where Sweet were forced off stage by a barrage of bottles ... thus providing the inspiration for this song. Remember trying my hardest to work out a dance routine to go with this classic, and failing miserably. Was a good time to be young and impressionable though!
'Wishing (I had a photograph of you)' ... Flock of Seagulls (1982)
Although short of true summer credentials, have nonetheless slipped this one in because of the obvious link from the group name. Voted second best sythesizer riff (after 'Are Friends Electric') of all time, this is a great excuse to hear a song that most listening will probably not have heard since the 80's! Remember many trying to copy lead singer Mike Score's incredibly unique hairstyle at the time ... and failing big time. Probably why we've never seen its like again!
Thanks for the excuse to put this list together. If nothing else, it's brought more than a few smiles to my face in the process. The Sex Pistols, Frank Sinatra, Baltimora ......... what other radio show would allow such diverse indulgence?
Keep it different GIO team
(a.k.a. Kene Gelly)