I’ve been working full-time radio for the last three weeks, a combination of vacation fill-ins on two stations and some other responsibilities I’ve been asked to take on. Although I’ve made jokes about the Hotel California—you can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave—it’s been a fun and rewarding time. I’ve got one more week to go before things slack off a bit, and when that happens, the ongoing hiatus will end and we’ll get back to our normal four or five posts a week here.

I plan to return to the summer of 1976 later this week. In the meantime, there are a couple of good 1976-related pieces in other places around the web, and you should go read ’em now: Barely Awake in Frog Pajamas remembers a close encounter with Peter Frampton, and the Washington Post presents an oral history of “Afternoon Delight,” your Number One song in America 35 years ago this week. Also worth reading if you haven’t already: whiteray’s piece about Rob Grill of the Grass Roots, who died earlier this week. Few groups delivered AM-radio pleasure like they did, particularly on their 1971 records “Temptation Eyes,” “Sooner or Later,” and “Two Divided by Love.”

Just a song before I go, from 35 years ago, a record I have mentioned repeatedly around here over the years, but one I always enjoy hearing: the magnificent gibberish that is Neil Diamond’s “If You Know What I Mean.” Here he is, killin’ it on the Love at the Greek album, recorded live in September 1976.

Now go play outside.