The death of Raul Malo a week ago at 60 colored a lot of today’s Capital Radio, from his work over the decades with The Mavericks to start the show, to his holiday work later on. We also remembered Carl Carlton who died Sunday at 72, Faces bassist Tetsu Yamauchi, who died Dec. 4 at 79, and the shocking murder Sunday of Rob Reiner through the work of his creation Spinal Tap.
Reiner wasn’t music’s only victim of apparent patricide this month; we also heard from operatic baritone Jubilant Sykes, stabbed to death Dec. 8. And we played Joe Ely not knowing he’d die today too at 78.
Birthdays included Paul Simonon of The Clash, turning 70, Dave Clark, turning 78, as did Cindy Birdsong, briefly of The Supremes; and drummer Carmine Appice, turning 79. Three having birthdays were also represented through Christmas songs: Stan Kenton, Jesse Belvin and Rudi Protrudi of The Fuzztones.
The release, 50 years ago today, of Parliament’s “Mothership Connection” brought some funk.
Then it was all holidays — with 16 Hanukkah songs and 16 for Christmas to close the show.
Here’s the link to archived show; the setlist follows.
Capital Radio December 15, 2025 1:02 – 4:34 p.m. www.cygnusradio.com
- “Capital Radio Two,” The Clash
- “There Goes My Heart,” The Mavericks
- “All You Ever Do is Bring Me Down,” The Mavericks
- “Born to be Blue,” The Mavericks
- “Hot Burrito #1,” The Mavericks
- “The Song of Everything,” Los Super Seven
- “Downbound Train,” Raul Malo
- “Everlasting Love,” Carl Carlton
- “You Can Make Me Dance, Sing or Anything (Even Take the Dog for a Walk, Mend a Fuse, Fold Away the Ironing Board, or Any Other Domestic Shortcoming),” Faces
- “Hell Hole,” Spinal Tap
- “If I Should Fall Behind,” Jubilant Sykes
- “The Guns of Brixton,” The Clash
- “Plastic Beach,” Gorillaz featuring Mick Jones & Paul Simonon
- “Over and Over,” Dave Clark Five
- “Catch Us If You Can,” Dave Clark Five
- “Up the Ladder to Roof,” The Supremes
- “Stoned Love,” The Supremes
- “Bury Me Beneath the Willow,” The Carter Family
- “I’m So Proud,” Beck, Bogert, Appice
- “P. Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up),” Parliament
- “Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker),” Parliament
- “8 Days (Of Hanukkah),” Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
- “Can I Interest You in Hanukkah?” Stephen Colbert & Jon Stewart
- “Hanukah, Oh Hanukah,” Brave Combo
- “Hanukkah Dance,” Woody Guthrie
- “Hanukkah Dance,” Hiss Golden Messenger
- “Chanukah Prayer,” Carole King
- “Chanukah Under the Stars,” Fountains of Wayne
- “Festival of Lights (Hanukkah Song),” The Minus 5 with Mike Mills
- “Feast of Lights,” They Might Be Giants
- “How Do You Spell Channukkahh?” The LeeVees
- “Applesauce vs. Sour Cream,” The LeeVees
- “Latke Clan,” The LeeVees
- “Hanukkah Blessings,” Barenaked Ladies
- “The Chanukah Song,” Neil Diamond
- “Hanukkah and Christmas Hand in Hand,” Huffamoose
- “Christmastime for the Jews,” Darlene Love
- “What is a Santa Claus?” Stan Kenton
- “I Want You with Me Xmas,” Jesse Belvin
- “Santa Claus,” Fuzztones
- “Hey! Merry Christmas,” The Mavericks
- “Santa Does,” The Mavericks
- “Pretty Paper,” Raul Malo
- “Merry Texas Christmas Y’all,” Asleep at the Wheel
- “Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy (Daddy Looked a Lot Like Him),” Buck Owens
- “Christmas Every Day,” Rosie Flores
- “Cajun Drummer Boy,” Evan Johns & His H-Bombs
- “I’m Gonna Lasso Santa Claus,” Brenda Lee
- “Winterlude,” Joe Ely
- “I Hear Jingle Bells,” Freddie King
- “Santa Claus Boogie,” The Voices
- “New Baby for Christmas,” George Jones
- “Merry Christmas from The Family [live],” Robert Earl Keen
Capital Radio returns Dec. 22 at 1 p.m. ET until after 4 on www.cygnusradio.com, where this and other recent shows are posted. The show can also be heard via the cygnusradio.com app, available free at iTunes or GooglePlay. Older shows are available at Substack.com/@rogercatlin.