WIBG… "wibbage"… 990 on your AM dial… the ORIGINAL Power 99, although they never did, to my knowledge, use that slogan. If you grew up, heck, if you had a neck and were in anything but a catatonic state in the Philadelphia area in the 1960s, you knew about WIBG. AM radio had lots of music stations… WIBG was the #1 station for rock and roll. It eventually was overtaken by WFIL 560 AM, which had a much stronger signal, bigger budget, and for the most part a pretty lame Top 40 playlist. WIBG went a little deeper, musically.

WIBG was a big part of my life… the music you and I heard there and the dreams we dared to dream while listening… well, as John Lee Hooker said, it's in him, and it's got come out.

I first heard THOSE words on WIBG, in 1969. Disc Jockey Joey Reynolds was on the air, and he was playing The Savoy Brown Boogie from that band's A STEP FURTHER album… something you would never hear on WFIL.

WIBG… "Wibbage" to those who were there, is still alive, and quite well in 2012, in fact! On the air on the FM diak at 94.3 and based in Ocran City, New Jersey, the music lives on the Internet at https://www.wibg.fm/. Tune in today, and take a little trip back to yesterday!

I bought my first 45 rpm record in 1965. It was Birds and bees by Jewel Akens, on the ERA label. It cost me 59 cents, at the W.T. Grant store on the Ellisburg Circle in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. The story however, goes back a bit further.

In 1963, my father put an AM clock radio in the room I shared with my younger brother so we could get ourselves up and go to school. This had the unintended consequence of giving me access to THE MUSIC!!!!

WIBG was my first, and for many years, my favorite station. When I started listening the lineup was Joe Niagara, Hy Lit, Frank X. Feller, Bill Wright Sr., and if memory serves Jerry Stevens. Joe Niagarea and Hy Lit were my favorite disc jockeys. When other buys my age dreamed of being cowboys, sports stars, firemen, or whatever… I wanted to be a disc jockey on AM radio… and after a long an circuitous trip, I did!!

Phil Cohen, July 31, 2007

#1 THE ASSOCIATION

Above 'em all, the Association!

The number one spot on the Top 300 goes to CHERISH, one of the most hauntingly beautiful love ballads of any era. The song was written by group member, Terry Kirkman and during the summer of 1966 shot the Association up to the exclusive cloud occupied by today's super stars.

#2 ROBERT KNIGHT

An outstanding young artist from Nashville poured his heart and soul into his debut disc, which leaped to the top of the music heap overnight during the summer of 1967. The number two all timer, EVERLASTING LOVE, is a never-say-die smash that everyone enjoys hearing again and again.

#3 JIMMY RUFFIN

The guy has a way with music-no doubt about it! Jimmy smashed into prominence in 1966 doing what Jimmy does best ­telling a story so that anyone who was ever "brokenhearted" shares with him that emotional experience. You've ranked WHAT BECOMES OF THE BROKEN HEARTED as the number three entry on the list of all time favorites. 

#4 THE DOORS

1967 was the year of LIGHT MY FIRE. Rhythm to move feet and mind-a rousing musical experience that has become a theme for today's generation. The quartet creates its own material and envelopes it with a blend of organ, guitar and percussion backing. LIGHT MY FIRE has sold over three million copies. And, the number four memory maker on the Top 300 continues to sell day after day.

#5 THE TEMPTATIONS

About six years ago, five Detroiters got together to do some harmonizing. They've been singing together ever since, thanks to the writing talent of Smokey Robinson and the guiding hand of Berry Gordy, Jr. Melvin, Eddie, Paul, Otis, and David make the musical dedication of number five from the Top 300 to MY GIRL.

#6 FRANKIE VALLI

The lead voice on such Top 300 smashes by the Four Seasons as SHERRY, RAG DOLL and LET'S HANG ON stepped out for a solo performance early in 1967. And CAN'T TAKE MY EYES OFF YOU turned out to be one of the year's biggest hits. The hit consistency of Frankie Valli and the Seasons guarantees their fans much more to come … perhaps to challenge number six on the Top 300.

#7 THE SHIRELLES

Originally released in 1962, SOLDIER BOY became one of the biggest hits of that year. Day after day the story told by the Shirelles is repeated and the song's· popularity continues year after year. 

#8 THE ROLLING STONES

Mick, Brian, Charlie, Bill and Keith comprise one of the most powerful and exciting groups in the world. As the record that probably captured the mood of the summer of '65 better than any other, SATISFACTION assures the group and their song a permanent groove among the all time greats.

# 9 THE HAPPENINGS

It takes a special kind of talent to turn the "now generation" on to a song like SEE YOU I N SEPTEMBER, and the Happenings have that kind of talent. All hail from Paterson, New Jersey and their first recording is the classic you made number nine on the Top 300.

#10 THE BEATLES

For the hung-up minds that predicted a Beatle burn-out after their unparalleled successes of 1964, the boys, in mid-'65, served up final proof that this amazing foursome was just getting into gear. I none of pop music's outstanding examples of brilliant versatility, YESTERDAY became not only the Beatles' biggest of 1965, but also the Lennon-McCartney song most recorded by other artists. The highest ranked Beatle hit on the Top 300, YESTERDA Y is just one of the group's nineteen all timers on the list. What next from the pacesetters? Whatever, count on hearing it first on the Big 99.

70. A Million To One Jimmy Charles 1960
71. The Letter Box Tops 1967
72. Dawn Four Seasons 1964
73. Forever Marvelettes 1963
74. A Whiter Shade Of Pale Procol Harum 1967
75. Soul Man Sam and Dave 1967
76. In The Still Of The Night Five Satins 1956
77. Dancing I n The Street Martha and the Vandellas 1964
78. Gloria Shadows of Night 1966
79. Sixteen Reasons Connie Stevens 1959

80. Higher and Higher Jackie Wilson 1967
81. I Am A Rock Simon and Garfunkel 1966
82. Mickey's Monkey Miracles 1963
83. I'm Sorry Brenda Lee 1960
84. Let's Hang On Four Seasons 1965
85. Alfie Dionne Warwick 1967
86. Keep The Ball Rollin' Jay and the Techniques 1967
87. The End Of The World Skeeter Davis 1963
88. Young Girl Union Gap 1968
89. Where Did Our Love Go Supremes 1964

90. Green Green Grass Of Home Tom Jones 1967
91. All I Need Temptations 1967
92. Venus Frankie Avalon 1959
93. My Boyfriend's Back Angels 1963
94. Baby I Need Your Lovin' Four Tops 1964
95. Johnny Angel Shelley Fabares 1962
96. Sunshine Superman Donovan 1966
97. Penny Lane Beatles 1966
98. Along Comes Mary The Association 1966
99. Born Free Roger Williams 1966

100. Daydream Believer Monkees 1967
101. These Boots Are Made For Walkin' Nancy Sinatra 1966
102. Silence Is Golden Tremeloes 1967
103. When A Man Loves A Woman Percy Sledge 1966
104. Walk Away Rene The Left Bank 1966
105. The Rain, The Park and Other Things Cowsills 1967
106. Wild Thing Troggs 1966
107. Come See About Me Supremes 1964
108. Honey Bobby Goldsboro 1968
109. Yellow Submarine Beatles 1966

110. My Guy Mary Wells 1964
111. Big Girls Don't Cry Four Seasons 1962
112. Ain't No Mountain High Enough Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell 1967
113. Do You Believe In Magic Lovin' Spoonful 1965
114. Elusive Butterfly Bob Lind 1966
115. Hanky Panky Tommy James and the Shondells 1966
116. One Night Elvis Presley 1958
117. I Got You Babe Sonny and Cher 1965
118. Sweet Soul Music Arthur Conley 1967
119. California Dreamin' Mamas and Papas 1966

120. Last Train To Clarksville Monkees 1966
121. You D/on't Have To Say You Love me Dusty Springfield 1966
122. This Ole Heart Of Mine Isley Brothers 1966
123. Georgy Girl Seekers 1967
124. I Can't Stop Loving You Ray Charles 1962
125. It's My Party Leslie Gore 1963
126. Sixteen Candles Crests 1959
127. Wooly Bully Sam The Sham 1965
128. Please Mr. Postman Marvelettes 1961
129. Louie Louie Kingsmen 1963

130. The Tracks Of My Tears Miracles 1965
131. (Oh) Pretty Woman Roy Orbison 1964
132. Somewhere My Love Ray Conniff 1966
133. Papa's Got A Brand New Bag James Brown 1965
134. Monster Mash Bobby Pickett 1962
135. Strangers in the 'Night Frank Sinatra 1966
136. Red Rubber Ball The Cyrkle 1966
137. Since I Don't Have You, Skyliners 1959
138. I Want To Hold Your Hand Beatles 1964
139. Yes I'm Ready Barbara Mason 1965

140. I Got Rhythm Happenings 1967
141. And I Love Her Beatles 1964
142: Runaway Del Shannon 1961
143. Dry Your Eyes Brenda and the Tabulations 1967
144. King Of The Road Roger Miller 1965
145. Tell Laura I Love Her Ray Peterson 1960
146. A Hard Days Night Beatles 1964
147. Runaround Sue Dion 1961
148. I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You Aretha Franklin 1967
149. Teen Angel Mark Dinning 1960

150. 19th Nervous Breakdown Rolling Stones 1966
151. Our Day Will Come Ruby and the Romantics 1963
152, Image of A Girl Safaris 1960
153. It Ain't Me Babe Turtles 1966
154. So Much In Love Tymes 1963
155. Reach Out And I'll Be There Four Tops 1966
156. What The World Needs Now Is Love Jackie DeShannon 1965
157. Ticket To Ride Beatles 1965
158. I Second That Emotion Miracles 1967
159. Hey Paula Paul and Paula 1963

160. I Fought The Law Bobby Fuller Four 1966
161. Daddy's Home Shep and the Limelites 1961
162. Bang Bang Cher 1966
163. Are You Lonesome Tonight Elvis Presley 1960
164. This Diamond Ring Gary Lewis and the Playboys 1965
165. Fingertips II Stevie Wonder 1963
166. There's A Kind of A Hush Herman's Hermits 1967
167. Chapel Of Love Dixie Cups 1964
168. Cathy's Clown Everly Brothers 1960
169. A Groovy Kind Of Love Mindbenders 1966

170. With This Ring Platters 1967
171. Patches Dickie Lee 1962
172. Shotgun Junior Walker and the All Stars 1965
173. Only Love Can Break A Heart Gene Pitney 1962
174. Uptight Stevie Wonder 1966
175. Last Kiss J. Frank Wilson 1964
176. Sunday Will Never Be The Same Spanky and Our Gang 1967
177. M r. Lonely Bobby Vinton 1964
178. Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow Shirelles 1961
179. Lightning Strikes Lou Christie 1965

180. Ode To Billie Joe Bobbie Gentry 1967
181. I Feel Fine Beatles 1964
182. Travelin' Man Ricky Nelson 1961
183. What's New Pussycat Tom Jones 1965
184. Where The Boys Are Connie Francis 1961
185. Stay Maurice Williams 1960
186. A World Without Love Peter and Gordon 1964
187. The Name Game Shirley Ellis 1965
188. The Twist Chubby Checker 1960
189. The Girl From Ipanema Getz and Gilberto 1964

190. Little Star Elegants 1958
191. Lady Godiva Peter and Gordon 1966
192. Bobby's Girl Marcie Blaine 1962
193. Standing In The Shadows of Love Four Tops 1966
194. Mr. Blue Fleetwoods 1959
195. 96 Tears ? and the Mysterians 1966
196. Do You Want To Know A Secret Beatles 1964
197. Mashed Potato Dee Dee Sharp 1962
198. G.T.O. Ronny and the Daytonas 1964
199. Surrender Elvis Presley 1961

200. She's Not There Zombies 1964
201. I'm Your Puppet James and Bobby Purify 1966
202. Do Wah Diddy Diddy Manfred Mann 1964
203. Love Letters Ketty Lester 1962
204. Mr. Tambourine Man Byrds 1965
205. Be My Baby Ronettes 1963
206. A Teenager In Love Dion and the Belmonts 1959
207. It's The Same Old Song Four Tops 1965
208. Paint It Black Rolling Stones 1966
209. Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye Casinos 1967

210. Party Lights Claudene Clark 1962
211. You Were On My Mind We Five 1965
212. It's Only Make Believe Conway Twitty 1958
213. Twist and Shout Beatles 1964
214. Sugar Shack Jimmy Gilmer 1963
215. That's Life Frank Sinatra 1966
216. Under the Boardwalk Drifters 1964
217. Bernadette Four Tops 1967
218. Dream Lover Bobby Darin 1959
219. Don't Mess With Bill Marvelettes 1966

220. Can't Buy Me Love Beatles 1964
221. Misty Johnny Mathis• 1959
222. Hang On Sioopy Mc Coys 1965
223. Take Good Care Of My Baby Bobby Vee 1961
224. Daydream Lovin' Spoonful 1966
225. Message To Michael Dionne Warwick 1966
226. Help Me Rhonda Beach Boys 1965
227. The Twelfth of Never Johnny Mathis 1958
228. Winchester Cathedral New Vaudeville Band 1966
229. I Do Marvelows 1965

230. Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter Herman's Hermits 1965
231. It's Time To Cry Paul Anka 1959
232. I Heard It Through The Grapevine Gladys Knight and the Pips 1967
233. Memphis Johnny Rivers 1964
234. Dedicated To The One I Love Mamas and Papas 1967
235. Duke of Earl Gene Chandler 1962
236. Mack The Knife Bobby Darin. 1959
237. Love Me Do Beatles 1964
238. Somethin' Stupid Frank and Nancy Sinatra 1967
239. New Orleans U. S. Bonds 1960

240. Mellow Yellow Donovan 1966
241. Only The Lonely Roy Orbison 1960
242. I'm Henry The VIII Herman's Hermits 1965
243. Get Off My Cloud' Rolling Stones 1965
244. Go Away Little Girl Steve Lawrence 1962
245. Love Potion #9 Searchers 1965
246. Navy Blue Diane Renay 1964
247. Baby Now That I Found You. Foundations 1968
248. Stagger Lee Lloyd Price 1959
249. Stranger On The Shore Mr. Acker Bilk 1962

250. Little Girl Syndicate of Sound 1966
251. To Know Him Is To Love Him• Teddy Bears 1958
252. All My Lovin' . Beatles 1964
253. Love Is A Hurtin' Thing Lou Rawls 1966
254. Bread and Butter' Newbeats 1964
255. Hello Goodbye Beatles 1967
256. Limbo Rock Chubby Checker 1962
257. Monday Monday Mamas and Papas 1966
258. Boogaloo Down Broadway The Fantastic Johnny C 1967
259. Soul and Inspiration Righteous Brothers 1966

260. Jenny Take A Ride Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels 1965
261. I Was Made To Love Her Stevie Wonder 1967
262. Sleep Walk Santo and Johnny 1959
263. There I've Said It Again Bobby Vinton 1964
264. The Great Pretender Platters 1955
265. Green Tambourine Lemon Pipers 1967
266. Don't Be Cruel Elvis Presley 1956
267. Ain't Too Proud To Beg ;Temptations 1966
268. Secret Agent Man Johnny Rivers 1966
269. 8 Days a Week Beatles 1965

270. Judy in Disguise John Fred and the Playboys 1967
271. Puff, The Magic Dragon Peter, Paul and Mary 1963
272. Cool Jerk Capitols 1966
273. Kansas City Wilbert Harrison 1959
274. Kicks Paul Revere and the Raiders 1966
275. Up Up And Away Fifth Dimension 1967
276. Peggy Sue Buddy Holly 1958
277. Simon Says 1910 Fruitgum Company 1968
278. Devil With A Blue Dress On Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels 1966
279. I Get Around Beach Boys 1964

280. Rescue Me Fontella Bass 1965
281. Poor Side Of Town Johnny Rivers 1966
282. I Wanna Testify Parliaments 1967
283. P. S. I love You Beatles 1964
284. Just A Dream Jimmy Clanton 1958
285. Ruby Tuesday Rolling Stones 1967
286. Quarter To Three U. S. Bonds 1961
287. I'm A Believer Monkees 1966
288. Snoopy Vs The Red Baron Royal Guardsmen 1966
289. I Hear A Symphony Supremes 1965

290. Don't let The Sun Catch You Crying Gerry and the Pacemakers 1964
291. Suspicion Terry Stafford 1964
292. leader Of The Pack Shangri-las 1964
293. By The Time I Get To Phoenix Glen Campbell 1967
294. Kind of a Drag Buckinghams 1967
295. lonely Teardrops Jackie Wilson 1959
296. Sealed With A Kiss Brian Hyland 1962
297. Incense and Peppermints Strawberry Alarm Clock 1967
298. Can't Help Falling In love Elvis Presley 1962
299. A Lover's Concerto Toys 1965
300. Fun Fun Fun Beach Boys 1964 

The popularity of records listed within is the opinion of WIBG based upon votes mailed and phoned in by its listeners listing their favorite all time records.