Wax Museum Radio
Next broadcast June 20th Friday Night at midnight and Saturday night at 10pm on WRGG.
Hear Today In Rock and Roll History
Today In R&R History June 20th
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
June 20th
- June 20th Birthday, American icon and electric guitar pioneer Chet Atkins, born Chester Atkins in Luttrell, Tennessee in 1924. He died on June 30th, 2001 at the age of 77.
- June 20th Birthday, Record producer Mickie Most, born Michael Peter Hayes in 1938 in Aldershot, Hampshire, England. Most is credited with producing hit records for The Animals, Herman’s Hermits, Donovan, Lulu, The Jeff Beck Group and others.
- June 20th Birthday, Vocalist, bass player, pianist and writer of many of The Beach Boys biggest hits Brian Wilson, born in Inglewood, California in 1942.
- June 20th Birthday, The Commodores singer, songwriter and solo artist Lionel Richie, born in 1949 in Tuskegee, Alabama.
- June 20th Birthday, Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony, born in Chicago, Illinos in 1954.
- June 20th Birthday, Drummer, composer and bandleader Anton Fier, born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1956.
- June 20th Birthday, Bassist for Duran Duran and The Power Station, John Taylor born in Birmingham, England in 1960.
Today In Rock and Roll History
June 20th
- June 20th, 1963 Martha And The Vandellas record “Heatwave” at Hitsville USA Studios in Detroit. The song was co-written by Motown’s Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland and co-produced by Dozier and Brian Holland. Released on July 9th on Gordy Records, “Heatwave” would reach No. 4 on the singles charts on September 21st and No. 1 on the R&B chart by mid-August. “Heat Wave” received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rhythm and Blues Recording for 1964.
- June 20th, 1964 “Steal Away” by R&B singer Jimmy Hughes enters the singles charts following a May release on Fame Records. It was the first record recorded at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Written by Jimmy Hughes and produced by Rick Hall, the record peaked at No. 17 on August 15th.
- June 20th, 1964 Atlantic Records release “Under The Boardwalk” by The Drifters on 45. Co-written by Kenny Young and Arthur Resnick, the song was set to be recorded with producer Bert Berns on May 21st, but the band’s lead singer, Rudy Lewis, died the night before session. Rather than reschedule, the lead on “Under the Boardwalk” was given to vocalist Johnny Moore who had returned to the group in April 1963. There were two entirely different recordings of the song released. The 45 version contained the line “We’ll be falling in love.” The album version substituted that lyric with “We’ll be making love.” The record entered the singles charts a week later and reached No. 4 on August 22nd, No. 1 R&B.
- June 20th, 1966 Capitol Records release “Yesterday and Today” by The Beatles. The first run of the album were sleeved with the famous “Butcher Cover” album art that depicted The Beatles in butcher smocks, chunks of raw meat and decapitated baby dolls. Conceived as Pop Art by the photographer Robert Whitaker, the record cover drew negative attention and was quickly recalled. The LP peaked at No. 1 on July 30th.
- June 20th, 1968 John Lennon and George Harrison record prose for inclusion in the “Revolution 9” sound collage. Lennon made several mixes from previously recorded takes of “Revolution” and compiled tape loops from a session on June 6th, mixing them together several times until he had one he liked that became the album version of the song.
- June 20th, 1968 The Bee Gees begin recording “I Started A Joke” at IBC Studios in London, co-producing with their manager Robert Stigwood. The song would be released on the forthcoming “Idea” LP and as a single backed with “Kilburn Towers.” Entering the charts in December the single would peak at No. 5 on February 8th, 1969, No. 1 in Australia, Brazil, Canada and New Zealand.
- June 20th, 1969 Motown Records release “I’ve Lost Everything I’ve Ever Loved” by former Temptations singer David Ruffin on 45. Produced by Johnny Bristol and co-written by Bristol with Thomas Kemp, the record entered the charts in July and peaked at No. 58 on August 9th.
- June 20th, 1969 Columbia Records release “Simple Song Of Freedom” by Tim Hardin on 45. Written by Hardin and produced by Gary Klein, the song encourages the listener to stand up for justice, unity and peace. Hardin sings about the need for understanding and acceptance in a world of darkness and division. The record peaked at No. 50 on August 30th.
- June 20th, 1969 Warner Brothers Records release “Aoxomoxoa,” the third studio LP by the Grateful Dead. The Dead produced the sessions themselves from September 1968 through March 1969 at Pacific Recording in San Mateo and Pacific High Recording in San Francisco. It was one of the first rock albums recorded with sixteen track recording technology. David Nelson and John “Marmaduke” Dawson played on sessions for the album. The record peaked at No. 73 on July 26th.
- June 20th, 1969 David Bowie records “Space Oddity.” Out three weeks later in Britain on 45, the song was inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 film 2001 A Space Odyssey. “Space Oddity” was Bowie’s first single to chart in Britain, entering on September 6th. It reached the Top Five on its initial release and features Rick Wakeman on keyboards. The record would enter the US singles charts nearly four years later, January 27th, 1973 and peaked at No. 15 on April 7th.
- June 20th, 1969 Page One Records in England release “Early In The Morning” by Vanity Fare on 45. Co-written by Mike Leander and Eddie Seago, the single went to No. 8 in Britain. In America, the record entered the charts in November and reached No. 12 on January 31st, 1970.
- June 20th, 1969 Approximately one hundred and fifty-thousand rock fans showed up in the suburban Los Angeles city of Northridge, California, to witness the Newport 69 Festival featuring Jimi Hendrix, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Joe Cocker, Jethro Tull, Steppenwolf and others. Jimi Hendrix’ fee was reported to be one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars, at that time a record-breaking sum for a single appearance by a rock performer.
- June 20th, 1969 Volt Records release the posthumous “Love Man” LP by Otis Redding. The album was culled from unreleased recordings Redding made in 1967. The record peaked at No. 46 on August 23rd.
- June 20th, 1970 The Beatles “The Long And Winding Road” is the No. 1 record in the US.
- June 20th, 1970 Former Traffic guitarist Dave Mason releases “Alone Together,” his first solo album, on Blue Thumb Records. The LP was recorded at Sunset Sound in Hollywood and Elektra Sound in Los Angeles with Mason and Tommy LiPuma producing. Guest musicians on “Alone Together” include Leon Russell, Larry Knechtel and John Simon on keyboards, Knechtel, Chris Etheridge and Carl Radle on bass, John Barbata, Jim Capaldi, Jim Gordon and Jim Keltner on drums and Bonnie Bramlett and Rita Coolidge on backing vocals. The album charted for twenty-five weeks in the US and peaked at No. 22 on August 1st.
- June 20th, 1970 Kirshner Records release “Sunshine” by The Archies on 45. Co-written by Jeff Barry and Bobby Bloom, the record entered the singles charts in July and peaked at No. 57 on August 1st.
- June 20th, 1974 Asylum Records release the double live set “Before The Flood” by Bob Dylan and The Band. It was Dylan’s first official live album, recorded during their two-month long 1974 tour. The album peaked at No. 3 on August 3rd.
- June 20th, 1974 Elektra Records release “Seven Seas Of Rhye” by Queen on 45. Co-written by Freddie Mercury with Brian May and produced by Roy Thomas Baker, the song was Queen’s first big hit in England, peaking at No. 10.
- June 20th, 1975 Island Records in Britain release “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” backed with “I’ll Come Running (To Tie Your Shoes)” by Eno on 45. The A-side was a cover of Tokens hit. “I’ll Come Running” was an Eno original. Both tracks were co-produced by Eno and Rhett Davies.
- June 20th, 1975 A&M Records release “Cat Steven’s Greatest Hits.” The LP had two previously released tracks on it. Both were issued as singles. The record peaked at No. 6 on August 22nd.
- June 20th, 1975 Reprise Records release “Tonight’s The Night,” the sixth studio album by Neil Young. The LP is regarded as an expression of Young’s grief over the deaths of two close friends to heroin overdoses, Crazy Horse guitarist Danny Whitten and roadie Bruce Berry. Recorded with producer David Briggs at S.I.R. Studio in Hollywood, a rehearsal studio turned into recording facility in August and September 1973. Young worked on new songs for the “Tonight’s The Night” on and off in 1974 and nearly abandoned the record. Session musicians on the record include Nils Lofgren, Ralph Molina, Billy Talbot, Ben Keith, Jack Nitzsche and others. Danny Whitten appears on the song “Come On Baby Let’s Go Downtown.” The album peaked at No. 25 on August 9th.
- June 20th, 1980 The Rolling Stones Records label release “Emotional Rescue” on 45 in Britain, out three days later, June 23rd, in the US. The record charted for nineteen weeks and peaked at No. 3 on September 6th. On the same day, the Stones fifteenth British studio album, their seventeenth in America, the “Emotional Rescue” album is released. The LP was co-produced by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards as The Glimmer Twins at Compass Point Studios in Nassau, Pathe Marconi in Paris, Electric Lady and The Hit Factory in New York City from January through October. Ian Stewart, Nicky Hopkins, Bobby Keys, Sugar Blue and others played on the sessions. The record peaked at No. 1 on July 26th.
- June 20th, 1980 “It’s Still Rock and Roll To Me” became Billy Joel’s first No. 1 hit.
- June 20th, 1983 Duane Eddy performs in San Francisco, kicking off his first US tour in fifteen years.
- June 20th, 1988 Mercury Records release the “Irish Heartbeat” album by Van Morrison and The Chieftains. The album included a pair of Van Morrison originals and the rest were traditional Irish songs arranged and co-produced by Van Morrison and The Chieftains’ Paddy Maloney. The album peaked at No. 102 on August 20th.
- June 20th, 1989 Polydor Records release “Dreams,” a six-album retrospective of the Allman Brothers. The set included hits and previously unreleased tracks from the band and various group member projects. The box set peaked at No. 103 on July 29th.
- June 20th, 1992 “Good Stuff” by The B-52’s enters the singles charts on Reprise Records. The song was co-written by Kate Pierson, Fred Schneider and Keith Strickland. The track was produced by Don Was. “Good Stuff” peaked at No. 28 on August 1st.
Miscellaneous June
- June 1948 Recorded in April, Aristocrat Records release “I Can’t Be Satisfied” backed with “I Feel Like Going Home” by Muddy Waters on 78 rpm record. Both songs were written by Muddy Waters, who most likely reworked the song from earlier standards with slide guitar work in the style of Robert Johnson.
- June 1960 Warwick Records release “Shy” backed with “Just A Boy” by Jerry Landis on 45. Landis was one of a few different stage names used by Paul Simon early in his music career. Both songs were written by Simon as Jerry Landis and produced by Morty Croft.
- June 1961 Emmy Records release “Sixteen Tons” backed with “Breaktime” by The Masters on 45. Produced by Gary Price at PAL Studios in Cucamonga, California, the A-side was a cover version of the Merle Travis song. The B-side was co-written by Ronnie Williams, Paul Buff and Frank Zappa and features Zappa on guitar, Williams on drums and bass and Buff on piano.
- June 1963 “Mr. Clean” backed with “Jessie Lee” by Mr. Clean is recorded at PAL Studios in Cucamonga, California. The tracks were issued on 45 on Original Sound Records later that month. Both songs were written by Frank Zappa, who actually was Mr. Clean. Zappa plays guitar, drums and backing vocals on Mr. Clean” and plays guitar, drums and percussion on the B-side. Paul Buff played bass guitar on the songs and electric piano on the A-side.
- June 1963 Vigah! Records release “Hey Nelda” backed with “Surf Along” by Ned and Nelda on 45. The A-side was a parody of “Hey Paula” by Paul and Paula. Both songs were co-written by Frank Zappa and Ray Collins. Collins sang co- lead vocals with Zappa, who plays guitar and drums with Paul Buff on piano, organ and bass. The song was recorded in May at PAL Recording Studio in Cucamonga, California.
- June 1964 Snap Records out of Niles, Michigan release “Pretty Little Redbird” backed with “Penny Wishing Well” by The Shondells.
- The A-side was written by producer J.D. Deafenbaugh. “Pretty Wishing Well” was written by Tommy (James) Jackson.
- June 1965 RIC Records release “Boss Barracuda” by The Catalinas on 45. Written and produced by Bobby Darin, the studio band included Bruce Johnston, Hal Blaine, and other members of The Wrecking Crew.
- June 1965 Elektra Records release “Bleeker and McDougal,” the first album by folk-rock pioneer Fred Neil. Produced by Gordon Anderson and engineered by Paul Rothchild, Felix Pappalardi and John Sebastian both played sessions for the LP.
- June 1966 Penthouse Records release “Reconsider Baby” by Bobby Jamerson on 45. Written by Jameson, the recording session was produced and arranged by Frank Zappa, although the label credited Norm Ratner with producing the disc. Jameson wrote the song as a response to Percy Sledge’s “When A Man Loves A Woman.”
- June 1967 Buddah Records release “Safe As Milk,” the debut album by Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band. The LP was co-produced by Richard Perry and Bob Krasnow at RCA Studios in Los Angeles in the Spring of 1967.
- June 1971 Atlantic Records release “Album II” by Loudon Wainwright III. The record was recorded at Intermedia Sounds in Boston, Massachusetts with Wainwright and Milton Kramer co-producing. Kate McGarrigle sings on the song “Old Paint.”
- June 1972 Reprise Records release “Henry The Human Fly,” the first solo album by Fairport Convention guitarist Richard Thompson. Co-produced by Thompson and John Wood at Sound Techniques Studio in London, Fairport band mates Sandy Denny and Ashley Hutchins both make guest appearances on the LP.
- June 1974 Island Records release LP “In Search Of Eddie Riff” by Roxy Music saxophone player Andy MacKay. The record was produced by Andy MacKay at Island Studios in London in January 1974. Playing on the LP were Eddie Jobson, Phil Manzanera and Paul Thompson from Roxy Music, Deep Purple’s Roger Glover and others.
- June 1976 Private Stock Records release “X Offender” backed with “In The Sun,” the first single by Blondie. The A-side was co-written by singer Debbie Harry and Bassist Gary Valentine. In The Sun” was written by guitarist Chris Stein. The record was co-produced by Craig Leon and Richard Gottehrer, “X Offender” was a different take from the one issued on the band’s debut LP.
- June 1977 German electronic music duo Cluster, Hans-Joachim Roedelius and Dieter Moebius record sessions with Brian Eno at Conny Plank’s Studios in Cologne, Germany. Joined on the sessions by bassist Holger Czukay from the band Can and Asmus Tietchens on synthesizer, Sky Records released an LP from the recordings, the ambient “Cluster and Eno” album later in 1977.
- June 1979 Virgin Records release “Force Majeure,” the ninth LP by Tangerine Dream. Produced by Edgar Froese and Chris Frank at Hansa Studios in Berlin in August and September 1978, the album reached No. 26 on the British charts.
- June 1979 “Capricorn Records release “Can’t Take It With You” by The Allman Brothers Band on 45. The song was co-written by Dickie Betts and Don Johnson. Produced by Tom Dowd, the record peaked at No. 105 in July.
- June 1981 A&M Records in the US release “One Step Ahead” by Split Enz on 45. The song was written by Neil Finn, produced from the LP “Waiata” by David Tickle.
- June 1982 Warner Brothers Records release the title track from The B-52’s “Mesopotamia” EP as a 45. The song was co-written by band members Keith Strickland, Ricky Wilson, Fred Schneider and Kate Pierson. “Mesopotamia” was produced by David Byrne form Talking Heads.
This Week In Rock and Roll History
This Week In Rock and Roll History week of June 14th
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 6/14 Chris Farlowe
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
- Click image to hear The Wax Museum's Andy Tillison interview
Jonas Reingold Interview
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.
