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Hear Today In Rock and Roll History
Today In R&R History May 22nd
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
May 22nd
- May 22nd Birthday, Jazz composer, bandleader, pianist and synthesizer player Sun Ra, born Herman Poole Blount in Birmingham, Alabama. He died on May 30th, 1993 of pneumonia, aged 79.
- May 22nd Birthday, Ian Robertson Underwood, keyboardist for the Mothers of Invention, born in New York City in 1939.
- May 22nd Birthday, Parliament and Funkadelic singer, a member of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, Calvin Simon, born in 1942 in Beckley, West Virginia. He died on January 6th, 2022, aged 79.
- May 22nd Birthday, Robin Trower drummer Bill Lordan, born in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1947.
- May 22nd Birthday, A founding member of the Marshall Tucker Band, singer Doug Gray, born in Spartanburg, South Carolina in 1948.
- May 22nd Birthday, Lyricist Bernie Taupin born in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, England in 1950. Together with Elton John, the pair wrote the bulk of the material for Elton’s records since the early 1970’s.
- May 22nd Birthday, The Specials keyboardist and primary songwriter Jerry Dammers, born in Ootacamund, Tamil Nadu, India in 1955.
- May 22nd Birthday, The Smiths singer and solo artist Morrissey, born Steven Patrick Morrissey in Davyhulme, Lancashire, England in 1959.
Today In Rock and Roll History
May 22nd
- May 22nd, 1961 “Quarter To Three” by Gary US Bonds enters the singles charts following an April release on Legrand Records. The song was a vocal version of the instrumental “A Night With Daddy G” by The Church Street Five in 1960 on the same record label. Co-written by Gene Barge, Frank Guida and Joseph Royster, Bonds performed “Quarter To Three” on American Bandstand on June 16th. The song became a No. 1 hit in the United States for three weeks beginning July 1st.
- May 22nd, 1961 Warner Brothers Records release “Temptation” backed with “Stick With Me Baby” by The Everly Brothers on 45. The song was co-written by Arthur Grossman under the name Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown. The record peaked at No. 27 on July 1st.
- May 22nd, 1965 The Beatles’ “Ticket To Ride” is the No. 1 record in the US.
- May 22nd, 1965 “You Turn Me On (The Turn On Song)” by Ian Whitcomb and Bluesville enters the singles charts following an April release on Tower Records. The single peaked at No. 8 on July 17th.
- May 22nd, 1965 Philles Records release “Is This What I Get For Loving You?” by The Ronettes featuring Veronica on 45. The song was co-written by Phil Spector, Carole King and Gerry Goffin, produced by Spector, engineered by Larry Levine and arranged by Jack Nitzsche. The record peaked at No. 75 on June 12th.
- May 22nd, 1965 Bang Records release “I Want Candy” by The Strangeloves on 45. Co-written by Bang Records label owner Bert Berns with the team of Bob Feldman, Jerry Goldstein and Richard Gottehrer, the trio who wrote “My Boyfriend’s Back” by The Angels and other hits. As The Strangeloves, they put on fake accents and played as three Australian brothers (and ex-sheep farmers) named Giles, Miles and Niles Strange. The record entered the singles charts in June and hit No. 10 in Canada and No. 11 in the US, on August 14th.
- May 22nd, 1965 London Records release “From The Bottom Of My Heart (I Love You)” by The Moody Blues. The song was co-written by keyboardist Mike Pinder and guitarist Denny Laine, produced by Denny Cordell. The vocal choral production at the end of the song foreshadowed the sound of their “Nights In White Satin,” still two years away. The record peaked at No. 93 on June 19th.
- May 22nd, 1967 The Monkees’ third LP, “Headquarters” is released by Colgems Records, their first album recorded primarily by the band’s four members from February through March. Additional musicians on the sessions include Chip Douglas, Jerry Yester and John London. The song “Shades Of Gray” was co-written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil with lead vocals by Davy Jones and Peter Tork. “Headquarters” was produced by Chip Douglas at RCA Victor Studios A, B and C in Hollywood, California from February through April. The album reached No. 1 in the US on June 24th, No. 2 in Britain.
- May 22nd, 1970 Epic Records release “Yellow River” by British band Christie. Written by band leader Jeff Christie, it was first recorded by The Tremeloes with producer Mike Smith. When The Tremeloes decided not to release it, Smith took their vocals off the track and recorded Jeff Christie on lead. The result was an international hit, reaching No. 1 in England. The record entered the US singles charts in July and went to No. 23 on November 28th.
- May 22nd, 1971 “Joy To The World” by Three Dog Night is the No. 1 record in the US.
- May 22nd, 1971 Elektra Records release “Death Walks Behind You,” the second album by Atomic Rooster. The LP was recorded in August 1970, self-produced by what is considered the classic lineup of the band, keyboardist Vincent Crane, guitarist and singer John Du Cann and drummer Paul Hammond. Out in November 1970 in England, the LP entered the charts in July and peaked at No. 90 on September 11th.
- May 22nd, 1971 “Never Ending Song Of Love” by Delaney and Bonnie and enters the singles charts following a March release on Atco Records. Credited to Delaney Bramlett although it’s most likely co-written by the duo, the song became their biggest hit, reaching No. 13 in the US on July 24th and was later a No. 2 hit in Britain for The New Seekers later in 1971.
- May 22nd, 1971 A&M Records released the self-titled third album by The Flying Burrito Brothers. It was a period during the band’s history when the lineup was in flux. Gram Parsons was fired from the band prior to the sessions. Rick Roberts, later of Firefall was hired and Bernie Leadon would leave before the LP came out and became a founding member of the Eagles. Recorded at Sunset Sound Studios in Los Angeles, California with co-producers Jim Dickson and Bob Hughes, the record charted for nine weeks and peaked at No. 176 on July 10th.
- May 22nd, 1971 Warner Brothers Records release “Call Me Up In Dreamland” by Van Morrison on 45. The record entered the singles charts for two weeks on June 5th and peaked at No. 95.
- May 22nd, 1971 Epic Records release Redbone’s “The Witch Queen Of New Orleans” on 45. Co-written and produced by brothers Lolly and Pat Vegas, the record entered the charts in November and went to No. 21 in America on February 9th, 1972. “The Witch Queen Of New Orleans” hit No. 2 in Britain.
- May 22nd, 1971 Joe Cocker’s “High Time We Went” enters the singles charts, originally released by A&M Records as the B-side of “Black-Eyed Blues” earlier in the month. Co-written by Cocker and Chris Stainton and produced by Denny Cordell, the record peaked at No. 22 on July 17th.
- May 22nd, 1972 David Bowie records four songs for the BBC Radio show The Johnny Walker Lunchtime Show. The songs were broadcast over four different show segments, June 5th through June 9th.
- May 22nd, 1972 The Raspberries release “Go All The Way” on 45. Written by singer Eric Carmen, produced by Jimmy Ienner, the song entered the charts in July and went to No. 5 on October 7th. The record was certified Gold for a million copies sold on November 6th.
- May 22nd, 1972 Capitol Records release “I Am Woman” by Helen Reddy on 45. The song was co-written by Reddy and Ray Burton, produced by Jay Center with an arrangement by Jim Horn. The record entered the singles charts in June spent twenty-two weeks on the charts and reached No. 1 on December 9th.
- May 22nd, 1972 The Guess Who record their live album “Live At The Paramount” in Seattle, Washington. Released in September the LP featured “Runnin’ Back To Saskatoon,” issued as an edited version of the recording on 45. The record was the first Guess Who album to feature guitarist Donnie McDougal and the last with original group bassist Jim Kale. “Live At The Paramount” peaked at No. 39 on October 14th.
- May 22nd, 1972 The Who record “Join Together” at Olympic Studios in London. Released June 16th on 45 in Britain and July 8th in the US, the song was originally considered part of the “Lifehouse” album, The Who’s planned follow-up to the “Tommy” LP. Written by Pete Townshend, the track was instead released as a stand-alone single, the second of three non-album 45’s relating to the “Lifehouse” project, along with “Let’s See Action” and “Relay.” In America, “Join Together” reached No. 17 on September 9th.
- May 22nd, 1976 “Silly Love Songs” by Wings is the No. 1 record in the US.
- May 22nd, 1976 “Let It Shine” by Santana enters the singles charts, released earlier in the month on Columbia Records. The song was co-written by David Brown and Ray Gardner and the record, produced by David Rubinson at Wally Heider Studios in San Francisco. “Let It Shine” peaked at No. 77 on May 22nd.
- May 22nd, 1976 “TVC15” by David Bowie enters the singles charts, released by RCA Records in America earlier in May, April 30th in Britain. Written by Bowie, the track was recorded during sessions at Cherokee Studios and The Record Plant in Los Angeles for Bowie’s “Station To Station” album. Bowie co-produced the record with Harry Maslin and features the twin guitars of Carlos Alomar and Earl Slick and E-Street Band pianist Roy Bittan. “TVC15” peaked at No. 64 on June 5th.
- May 22nd, 1976 “High Out Of Time” by Carole King enters the singles charts, released by Ode Records in May. A Gerry Goffin, Carole King song produced by Lou Adler, the single peaked at No. 76 on May 29th.
- May 22nd, 1978 Charisma Records in Britain release “D.I.Y.” by Peter Gabriel on 45. Produced by Robert Fripp of King Crimson, the track was recorded at Relight Studios, Hilvarenbeek, Holland and The Hit Factory in New York City during sessions for Gabriel’s second solo album.
- May 22nd, 1982 “Offramp” by The Pat Metheny Group enters the album charts. Produced by Manfred Eicher at Power Station Studios in New York City in October 1981, the record peaked at No. 50 on June 19th.
- May 22nd, 1989 EMI America Records release the self-titled first album by Tin Machine. The band were David Bowie, guitarist Reeves Gabriel and brothers Hunt and Tony Sales on drums and bass. The band co-produced the record with Tony Palmer at Compass Point Studios in The Bahamas and Mountain Studios in Montreux, Switzerland. “Tin Machine” peaked at No. 28 on July 1st.
- May 22nd, 1989 EMI Records in Britain release “The Miracle,” the twelfth studio album by Queen. Produced by Queen and David Richards at Olympic and Townhouse Studios in London and Mountain Studios in Montreux, Switzerland over the course of an entire year from January 1988 into 1989. The public was not made aware of singer Freddie Mercury's HIV diagnosis, but the band knew and dealt with it and difficulties that resulted from Brian May’s marital problems. The LP peaked at No. 24 on July 8th.
- May 22nd, 1999 EMI Records release the self-titled first album by Tin Machine, featuring David Bowie, guitarist Reeves Gabrels and Tony and Hunt Sales on bass and drums. The record was recorded at Mountain Studios in Montreux, Switzerland and Compass Point Studios in Nassau, Bahamas from August 1988 through the middle of 1989. The album peaked at No. 28 on July 1st.
- May 22nd, 1992 Private Records release the Ringo Starr album “Time Takes Time.” The sessions for the LP were recorded with four different producers, Jeff Lynne, Don Was, Peter Asher and Phil Ramone. Among the many session players on the album were Harry Nilsson, Brian Wilson, Jeff Baxter, Benmont Tench, Mark Hudson, Waddy Wachtell, Andrew Gold and Jim Horn.
- May 22nd, 1997 A reunited Fleetwood Mac performs the first of two MTV specials which are taped to be aired later that Summer. The second show on May 23rd was recorded and released as the live LP “The Dance” by Reprise records on August 19th.
Miscellaneous May
- May 1949 “Back Home Blues” backed with “Rock Awhile” by Goree Carter and His Hep Cats is released as a 78 rpm record on the Freedom Records label. Influenced by the guitar work of T Bone Walker, “Rock Awhile” stakes a legitimate claim as the first rock and roll record released. Eighteen years old when he recorded the song, the overdriven guitar tone and pentatonic lead predated rock and a style similar to Chuck Berry.
- May 1966 White Whale Records release “If You Gotta Go, Go Now” backed with “I’ll Go On,” the second single by Lyme & Cybelle, the folk rock duo of Warren Zevon and Violet Santangelo. Bob Dylasn wrote “If You Gottsa Go, Go Now,” and the B-side was a Zevon/Santangelo co-write. The record was produced by Bones Howe.
- May 1968 Parlophone Records in Britain release “(The Autobiography Of) Mississippi Hobo,” the second single by Hans Christian. Hans Christian was future Yes singer Jon Anderson. The single was arranged and produced by Paul Korda.
- May 1970 Viking Records press promotional copies of “From Denver To L.A.” on 45. Credited with a vocal by “Elton Johns,” it was taken from the movie soundtrack from the 20thCentury Fox film The Games. Original copies of the record are considered one of the rarest Elton John singles.
- May 1972 Bearsville Records release “Wonder Girl,” the debut single by Sparks. Written by Ron Mael, the record was produced by Todd Rundgren. Rundgren signed the band to Bearsville and produced their first album when the band was known as Halfnelson. The band changed its’ name to Sparks after the LP came out in October 1971. The name change led to a new cover and re-release of the album in February 1972.
- May 1973 Chrysalis Records release “Grand Hotel” by Procol Harum on 45. Co-written by Keith Reid and Gary Brooker, the song served as the title track of Procol Harum’s sixth studio LP, produced by Chris Thomas.
- May 1975 Harvest Record release “HQ,” the eighth studio album by Roy Harper. Recorded in March at Abbey Road Studios in London with producer Peter Jenner, when the LP came out in America, the cover art and the title changed to “When An Old Cricketer Leaves The Crease.” David Gilmour, Chris Spedding, Bill Bruford and John Paul Jones played sessions on the LP.
- May 1976 MCA Records release “Gimme Back My Bullets” by Lynyrd Skynyrd on 45. The song was co-written by Gary Rossington and Ronnie Van Zant. The studio track was produced by Tom Dowd.
- May 1977 CBS Records in Britain release “Ian Hunter’s Overnight Angels” album. Recorded at several different studios in the US, Canada and England with producer Roy Thomas Baker, Hunter’s US label, Columbia Records refused to release the LP with Hunter’s business management in disarray and no tour scheduled to support the album. Featured on the album sessions were guitarist Earl Slick.
- May 1984 Passport Records release “Russians & Americans,” the tenth studio album by Al Stewart. The LP was produced by Mike Flicker at four different studios, three in California and Abbey Road Studios in London. British and US issues on the record had different tracks. A 2007 reissue collected all the songs on one CD.
- May 1985 EMI Records in Britain release remixed versions of “Loving The Alien” backed with “Don’t Look Down” on 45, originally from from the David Bowie LP “Tonight.” Bowie wrote the AS-side. “Don’t Look Down” was a song co-written by David Bowie and The Stooges’ guitarist James Williamson.
- May 1985 Legacy Records in Britain release “Under Fire” backed with “On Top Of The World” by Roy Wood on 45. Both songs were written and produced by Roy Wood from the LP “Starting Up.”
This Week In Rock and Roll History
This Week In Rock and Roll History week of May 17th
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 5/17 The Beatles
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"
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Nektar Wax Museum interview 4/11/25
Nektar interviewed on the second night of the 2025 "Mission To Mars" Tour
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The Paul Bielatowicz Band Wax Museum interview 4/11/25
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Jonas Reingold in The Wax Museum
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Tommy James Wax Museum Interview January 2019
Tommy James
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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.
