Wax Museum Radio
Next broadcast July 4th Friday Night at midnight and Saturday night at 10pm on WRGG.
Hear Today In Rock and Roll History
Today In R&R History July 4th
Daily Rock and Roll History, Birthday and short music clips.
A year long, day by day look back at this date in Rock History in 3-5 minute segments. Now airing WRGG in Greencastle, PA.
Rock and Roll Birthdays
July 4th
- July 4th Birthday, Blues pianist Champion Jack Dupree, born William Thomas Dupree in 1910 in Irish Channel, New Orleans, Louisiana. He died on January 21st, 1992 at the age of 81.
- July 4th Birthday, Singer, songwriter Bill Withers, born in 1938 in Slab Fork, West Virginia. He died on March 30th, 2020, aged 81.
- July 4th Birthday, The Animals keyboardist Dave Rowberry, born in Mapperley, Nottinghamshire, England in 1940. He died on June 6th, 2003, aged 62.
- July 4th Birthday, Canned Heat singer, songwriter and harmonica player Al Wilson, born John Wilson in Arlington, Massachusetts in 1943. He died of a drug overdose on September 3rd, 1970.
- July 4th Birthday, Session bassist Harvey Brooks, born in Manhattan, New York City in 1944. Brooks played on records by The Doors, Bob Dylan, Miles Davis, Seals and Croft, Paul Kantner and many others.
- July 4th Birthday, Early Fleetwood Mac guitarist Jeremy Spencer, born in West Hartlepool, England in 1948.
- July 4th Birthday, Earth, Wind and Fire drummer Ralph Johnson, born in 1951 in Los Angeles, California.
- July 4th Birthday, John Waite, who was the lead singer and bassist with The Babys before going solo in the 1980’s and later, with Bad English, born in 1952 in Lancashire, England.
Today In Rock and Roll History
July 4th
- July 4th, 1964 “Viva Las Vegas” by Elvis Presley enters the singles charts on RCA Victor Records. The song was co-written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman and became the theme song for a Presley film with Ann Margaret. The single charted for seven weeks and peaked at No. 29 on June 13th.
- July 4th, 1964 London Records release The Rolling Stones’ “Tell Me” on 45. Recorded in January and February at Regent Sound Studios in London with producer Andrew Loog Oldham, the sessions included pianist Ian Stewart. Co-written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the single reached No. 24 on August 8th.
- July 4th, 1964 “I Get Around” becomes the first US No. 1 single for The Beach Boys.
- July 4th, 1969 Grand Funk Railroad played the Atlanta Pop Festival in Hampton, Georgia. A representative from Capitol Records caught their act and signed the band to their first record deal.
- July 4th, 1970 The self-titled debut album by Mott The Hoople enters the album charts following a June release on Atlantic Records. Island Records in England issued the LP in November 1969. The record was produced by Guy Stevens at Morgan Studios from May through July. In addition to group originals written by guitarist Mick Ralphs and pianist Ian Hunter, the record covered songs by Sonny Bono, Doug Sahm and The Kinks. In America, the record peaked at No. 185 on July 11th.
- July 4th, 1970 “Superman” by Ides Of March enters the singles charts following a June release on Warner Brothers Records. “Superman” was written by Jim Peterick. The record was co-produced by Frank Rand and Bob Destocki. The 45 peaked at No. 64 on July 18th.
- July 4th, 1970 “Destiny” backed with “Suzie-Q” by Jose Feliciano enters the singles charts following a June release on RCA Records. “Destiny” was a Feliciano original. “Suzie-Q” was a cover, co-written by Dale Hawkins, Robert Chaisson, Stan Lewis and Eleanor Broadwater. The single was produced by Rick Jarrard and charted for two weeks, peaking at No. 83.
- July 4th, 1974 Despite the fact that they have the No. 4 song in the US and a current Platinum album with “Pretzel Logic,” Steely Dan’s Walter Becker and Donald Fagan play their final live gig together in Santa Monica, California. They would not tour again for next eighteen years.
- July 4th, 1975 RCA Records in Britain release the Sweet’s “Action” on 45. Co-written and produced by the four members of Sweet, the version of the song on the band’s “Give Us A Wink” LP has slight differences from the 45 version. The first verse of the song bears a resemblance to the hard rock section of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” released four months later. The single entered the US charts on February 14th, 1976 and peaked at No. 20 on April 17th.
- July 4th, 1976 Mercury Records release “Farther Along,” the eighth album by Spirit. Co-produced by Al Schmitt and Randy California, the record peaked at No. 179 on August 21st. Ian Underwood from The Mothers Of Invention played synthesizer on the sessions for the album.
- July 4th, 1976 Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers record “American Girl” at Shelter Studios in Hollywood, California with Denny Cordell producing. The recording featured Shelter Records’ label mate Phil Seymore on backing vocals. Shelter Records in the US released the single in May 1977, credited only to Tom Petty, after the British release on February 4th, where the record went to No. 48 in the charts. The song never charted until it was reissued in 1994 as the second single from the band’s greatest hit album, peaking at No. 68.
- July 4th, 1976 “Shower The People” by James Taylor enters the singles charts on Warner Brothers Records. Sessions for the song featured Carly Simon on backing vocals, Leland Sklar on bass and Russ Kunkel on drums. Co-produced by Lenny Waronker and Russ Titelman, the song, written by Taylor, served as the lead track on his “In The Pocket” LP and peaked at No. 22 on September 18th.
- July 4th, 1976 The Clash made their first public appearance supporting the Sex Pistols at the Black Swan in Sheffield, England. The Clash would sign to CBS Records six months later despite the fact they’d only played a handful of live dates.
- July 4th, 1976 “Don’t Touch Me There” by the Tubes enters the singles charts following a June release on A&M Records. The Phil Spectorish 1950’s rock and roll pastiche was co-written by Jane Dornacker and Ron Nagle. “Don’t Touch Me There” was produced by Ken Scott and peaked at No. 61 on August 14th.
- July 4th, 1976 Arista Records release the self-titled debut album by Texas band Point Blank. Produced by ZZ Top manager and record producer Bill Ham, the record peaked at No. 175 on September 11th.
- July 4th, 1976 “Silly Love Songs” by Wings is the No. 1 single in the US, the same day the new Wings single “Let Em In” is released. Written and produced by Paul McCartney for the “Wings At The Speed Of Sound” album, “Let Em In” went to No. 2 in Britain and No. 3 in the US and Canada.
- July 4th, 1976 “Roots, Rock, Reggae” by Bob Marley and The Wailers enters the singles charts following a June release on Island Records. Written by Bob Marley’s friend from Kingston, Jamaica, Vincent “Tata” Ford, it was Marley’s one and only charting single in the US, peaking at No. 51 on July 17th.
- July 4th, 2006 American Recordings Records release “A Hundred Highways” the final album by Johnny Cash. Produced by Rick Rubin, Cash’s vocals were recorded months before he died, on September 12th, 2003, with the backing tracks recorded two years later.
Miscellaneous July
- July 1959, Chess Records release “Go Bo Diddley,” the second album by Bo Diddley.
- July 1959, Chess Records release “Berry Is On Top” by Chuck Berry. Other than the song “Blues For Hawaiians,” the record was a collection of previously issued singles with nine hit 45’s.
- July 1964 Nashville label RIC Records release “Beach Walkin’” backed with “Banzai Washout,” the first single by California band The Catalinas on 45. Both songs were written by Los Angeles session musician and record producer Steve Douglas. Future Beach Boy Bruce Johnston and Wrecking Crew alumni Hal Blaine, Bill Pitman, Billy Strange, Leon Russell and others were part of the studio band.
- July 1965 Fantasy Records release “You Can’t Be True” backed with “You Got Nothin’ On Me,” the third single by The Golliwogs. Both sides were co-written by Tom and John Fogerty, using the names Rann Wild and Toby Green. The Golliwogs renamed themselves Creedence Clearwater Revival in 1967.
- July 1967, Elektra Records release “The 5,000 Spirits Or The Layers Of The Onion” by The Incredible String Band in England. Recorded at Sound Techniques in Chelsea, London with producer Joe Boyd, it was the group’s second album, regrouped as a duo following their first album in 1966. “The 5,000 Spirits Or The Layers Of The Onion” went to No. 25 in Britain. The LP came out in America in January 1968.
- July 1969, Douglas Records release “Devotion,” the second album by John McLaughlin. There are conflicting dates attributed to the release. Some say May some July and others say September. The record was recorded while McLaughlin was a member of Tony Williams Lifetime, using a backing band of organist Larry Young, bassist Billy Rich and Buddy Miles. The album did not chart in the US.
- July 1970 Capitol Records release the self-titled debut album by British jazz-rock band “If.” The album reached No. 187 in the US.
- July 1974, Casablanca Records release “Strutter,” the third single by Kiss. The song was co-written by Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons. The track was co-produced by Kenny Kerner and Richie Wise, taken from Kiss’ self-titled first album.
- July 1975, RCA Records release “Why Do Fools Fall In Love,” the second single by Bruce Johnston, Gary Usher and Terry Melcher’s California Music. The song was credited to Frankie Lymon and Morris Levy. The song was originally a hit for Lymon and The Teenagers in 1956.
- July 1976 Oyster Records release “Child In Time” by the Ian Gillan Band. It was the first solo album by former Deep Purple vocalist Ian Gillan. The group featured keyboardist Mike Moran, guitarist Ray Fenwick and bassist John Gustafson. The LP was produced by Purple’s Roger Glover at Musicland Studios in Munich, Germany in December 1975 through January 1976. The album reached No. 55 in England.
- July 1976 Atco Records release “Viva! Roxy Music,” a live album by Roxy Music, six months in advance of its British release date in February 1977. The recordings were taped at the Glasgow Apollo in November 1973, Newcastle City Hall in October 1974 and the Wembley Empire Pool in October 1975. “Viva! Roxy Music” was produced by Chris Thomas. The same month, Island Records in Britain release a new four-song EP by Bryan Ferry, “Price Of Love” and “Shame Shame Shame” backed with “Heart On My Sleeve” and “It’s Only Love.” Island issued “Price Of Love” as a single in August.
- July 1981 A&M Records in America release “Iris” by Split Enz on 45. The track came from the band’s “Waiata” album, produced by David Tickle.
- July 1983 Virgin Records release “Wonderland” by XTC on 45 in England. Written by Colin Moulding, the session was co-produced by XTC and Steve Nye. It was the only single from the group’s “Mummer” LP to be released in the US, in February 1984.
- July 1984 A&M Records in the US release “Message To My Girl” by Split Enz on 45 from the LP “Conflicting Emotions.” The song was written by Neil Finn, co-produced by Hugh Padgham and Eddie Rayner.
- July 1987 Jet Records release “1, 2, 3” backed with “O What A Shame” by Roy Wood on 45. The A-side was a cover version of the Len Barry hit from 1967, co-written by J Madaea, D White and L Bonsoff. The B-side was written by Roy Wood. Both tracks were produced by Roy Wood.
- July 1987 Virgin Records release “You’re A Good Man Albert Brown (Curse You Red Barrel)” by The Dukes Of Stratosphere on 45. The band were XTC with guitarist Dave Gregory’s brother Ian on drums. The song was written by Andy Partridge and credited to Sir John Johns. The record was co-produced by the band and John Leckie.
- July 1990 Phil Manzanera and Andy Mackay release “Christmas ; MacKay and Manzanera featuring The Players” on Ryko Records. Album is a collection of Christmas songs by Andy MacKay and Phil Manzanera from Roxy Music.
- July 1991 Demon Records in Britain release the soundtrack to the British TV series “G.B.H.” It was the first of two collaborations between Elvis Costello and English composer, musician and member of progressive rock band Gryphon, Richard Harvey.
- July 1994 Warner Brothers Records in Britain release “You Tripped At Every Step” by Elvis Costello and The Attractions on 45, the third single released from the band’s “Brutal Youth” LP. The song was written by Costello, who co-produced the track with Mitchell Froom.
This Week In Rock and Roll History
This Week In Rock and Roll History week of June 28th
This Week In Rock and Roll History is a weekly one hour look back at the songs, the artists, and the stories behind the music of the rock and roll era.
The Cool Song Of The Week
Cool Song Of The Week 6/28 It's A Beautiful Day
Cool songs from the Rock and Roll Era, Closet Classics and more.
Craig Maher / Exo-X-Xeno Wax Museum Interview
Craig Maher from Exo-X-Xeno talking about the 2025 album "Luminous Voyage"
- Click picture to listen to the interview with Craig talking about the Exo-X-Xeno project with Yes members Billy Sherwood, Jay Shellen and Patrick Moraz.
Nektar Wax Museum interview 4/11/25
Nektar interviewed on the second night of the 2025 "Mission To Mars" Tour
- Click image to hear the exclusive the Wax Museum interview with Nektar discussiing the current tour, future plans and group history.
The Paul Bielatowicz Band Wax Museum interview 4/11/25
The Paul Bielatowicz Band interviewed on their 2025 Spring Tour
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Music and conversation with Andy Tillison of The Tangent
Wax Museum interview May 2024
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Jonas Reingold in The Wax Museum
Click image to hear the Wax Museum Interview with Jonas Reingold
Carl Giammarese / The Buckinghams Interview
The Buckinghams Radio Show
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Robert Fripp Radio Oz interview 7/25/85
King Crimson guitarist Radio Oz interview
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Annie Haslam 2019 Wax Museum interview
Annie Haslam "In Words and Music"
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Tommy James Wax Museum Interview January 2019
Tommy James
- Click picture to hear Tommy promoting all his planned 2019 activities; new album, Sirius XM radio show, touring, new movie, etc.
From the Radio Oz interview archives
Firesign Theatre interview 1980
- Click picture to listen to this archival interview with The Firesign Theatre recorded during their 1980 Fighting Clowns tour of the US for Radio Oz now available for purchase in the Firesign Theatre's "Fighting Clowns" of Hollywood" collection! Also check out this Tiny Ossman interview from 1995 -
Woody Lissauer Wax Museum Interview 2/22/20
Baltimore based Woody Lissauer steps up to the Wax Museum microphones for this in depth interview!
- Click picture to listen to the Wax Museum interview with Woody Lissauer and his latest album "Trouble The Water" with Barbara Ireland and Steve Caplan.
