My Favorite One Hit Wonders of the 70s: Life Is a Rock (But the Radio Rolled Me) (#4)
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (87037)
United States
July 7, 2016 7:26pm CST
Scott (@teamfreak16 ) and I started with the great one-hit wonders of the 1980s, then we moved backward to the 70s. I guess the 60s are next! Meanwhile, here's my next entry in my top ten favorite one-hit wonders of the 70s.
#4: Life Is a Rock (But the Radio Rolled Me) - Reunion
Ah, chewy, chewy, chewy, chewy, chewy, chewy, baby! And if you're wondering what that 60s bubblegum classic has to do with this 70s hit, the answer is Joey Levine. He was the lead singer for the Ohio Express, the bubblegum "group" in the late 60s that had hits like "Chewy Chewy" and "Yummy, Yummy, Yummy." According to the Picky Wedia entry, the Ohio Express really wasn't a "band" but rather a group of studio musicians (kinda like the Archies) who put out singles. And, as there wasn't really a demand for touring back then the way there is now, they got away with being a faceless studio act.
In the mid-70s Joey Levine, who had been the lead singer on the Ohio Express' hits, took the lead in another group of studio musicians. Dubbed "Reunion," they released a rap song that named over 100 singers, groups, and songs.
It was a big hit. And, as it was more of a one-off, it was their only hit.
There are a lot of terrible songs about rock and roll out there. This is not one of them. This is a fabulous look at the world of popular music.
Life Is a Rock (But the Radio Rolled Me)
Written by Paul DiFranco and Norman Dolph
Recorded by Reunion
Released as a 45, 1974
Here is a superb video that matches the people in the song with pictures. (One note: the "Ray Charles Singers" in the song were in no way related to the great R&B singer. That was an easy listening outfit fronted by a white guy who died in 2015, featured on Perry Como's TV show in the 50s.)
A sweet novelty song by "Reunion": studio musicians Joey Levine, Norman Dolph, and Paul DiFranco... I think it deserves a video.
3 people like this
3 responses
@teamfreak16 (43729)
• Denver, Colorado
10 Jul 16
Ah yes, another old K-Tel hit. Had no idea about the dudes history, though.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
8 Jul 16
I know yummy yummy yummy I got love in my tummy. Don't know this song. Or maybe just don't remember. In 74, I was still listening to pop radio.
1 person likes this




