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Next broadcast October 17th Friday Night at midnight and Saturday night at 10pm on WRGG.
Hear Today In Rock and Roll History
Today In R&R History October 16th
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
October 16th
- October 16th Birthday, Blues guitarist Big Joe Williams, born Joseph Lee Williams in 1903 in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi. He died on December 17th, 1982.
- October 16th Birthday, Velvet Underground singer and solo artist Nico born Christa Päffgen in 1938 in Cologne, Germany. She passed away from injuries sustained in a cycling accident on July 18th, 1988 at the age of 49.
- October 16th Birthday, Charles Frederick “C.F.” Turner, bassist and singer from Bachman-Turner Overdrive, born in 1943 in Winnipeg, Canada.
- October 16th Birthday, Grateful Dead guitarist and solo artist Bob Weir, born in 1947 in San Francisco, California. He passed away on January 10th, 2026 at the age of 78.
- October 16th Birthday, Parliament and Funkadelic bass guitarist Cordell “Boogie” Mosson, born in 1952 in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He passed away on April 18th, 2013 at the age of 60.
- October 16th Birthday, Keyboardist, singer and songwriter Tony Carey from Rainbow, the Planet P Project and a solo artist, born in Watsonville, California in 1953.
- October 16th Birthday, Husker Du guitarist, singer and solo artist Bob Mould, born in 1960 in Malone, New York.
- October 16th Birthday, Red Hot Chili Pepper bassist Flea, born Michael Peter Balzary in 1962 in Melbourne, Australia.
- October 16thBirthday, Singer, songwriter, guitarist John Mayer, born in 1977 in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Today In Rock and Roll History
October 16th
- October 16th, 1951 An eighteen-year-old Richard Penniman, already going by the stage name Little Richard, makes his first recordings for RCA Camden Records at Atlanta radio station WGST.
- October 16th, 1954 Imperial Records release “Toy Bell” by New York City R&B group The Bees on 45. Written by Dave Bartholomew, the song was recorded at Cosimo Matassa’s J&M Studio in New Orleans, Louisianna. Bobby Bland sang lead vocals. Bartholomew himself had recorded and released a version of the song himself in 1952, a prototype for Chuck Berry’s “My Ding-A-Ling.”
- October 16th, 1962 Motown launches its first “package tour,” a revue of the label’s artists featuring Marvin Gaye, The Miracles, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder and Mary Wells at The Howard Theater in Washington, DC. The tour ran through December and ended with ten nights at The Apollo Theater in New York City.
- October 16th, 1963 The Beatles record a BBC Radio session at The Playhouse Theatre, London, England for the Light Programme show Easy Beat, recorded before a live studio audience 9-10pm. The session was broadcast on October 20th. Performed songs, all co-written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, were “I Saw Her Standing There,” “Love Me Do,” “Please Please Me,” “From Me To You” and “She Loves You.”
- October 16th, 1964 Parlophone Records in Britain release “Bad Blood,” the fourth single by The Paramounts. The song was a cover version of the Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller song.
- October 16th, 1964 Petula Clark records “Downtown” with writer and producer Tony Hatch at Pye Records Studios in Marble Arch, London. A young Jimmy Page played as a session guitarist along with Big Jim Sullivan on the track. Out December 12thin America, the single hit No. 1 on January 23rd, 1965 and went to No. 2 in Britain. When the record began its ascent on the charts, Clark recorded non-English language versions in French, Italian and German. The song made Clark the first British female artist to have a single certified as a Gold Record for US sales of one million copies.
- October 16th, 1965 The Beatles record the John Lennon and Paul McCartney composition “Day Tripper” and George Harrison’s “If I Needed Someone” at EMI Studios in London with producer George Martin. “Day Tripper” was written early in The Beatles “Rubber Soul” sessions. John Lennon claimed authorship of the song, including the main guitar riff and Paul McCartney contributed to some of the lyrics and sang lead. “Day Tripper” was issued as a single in England and in America where it peaked on December 3rd at No. 5 on January 22nd.
- October 16th, 1968 Volt Records release “Complete And Unbelievable - - - The Otis Redding Dictionary Of Soul.” On the album, Redding presents songs ranging from new originals, pop standards and contemporary covers. The record peaked at No. 73 on February 11th, 1967.
- October 16th, 1968 Dunhill Records release the self-titled debut album by Three Dog Night. The LP was produced by Gabriel Mekler and engineered by Richard Podolor and Bill Cooper at American Recording Company Studios in Los Angeles. The record featured the hit cover of Harry Nilsson’s “One” and peaked at No. 11 on June 21st, 1969.
- October 16th, 1968 The third and final album by The Jimi Hendrix Experience, “Electric Ladyland” is released in Britain. Recorded at Olympic Studios, London and The Record Plant and Mayfair Studios in New York City, the record was co-produced by Jimi Hendrix and Chas Chandler. The album began a two-week stay at No. 1 on the US album charts on November 16th and went to No. 6 in Britain.
- October 16th, 1971 Parrot Records release “Tell Mama” by Savoy Brown. The song was co-written by group guitarist Kim Simmonds and keyboardist Paul Raymond. The session for the song was produced by Decca and Deram Records producer Neil Slaven. The record entered the singles charts on November 6th, 1971 and peaked at No. 83 on December 11th.
- October 16th, 1971 Jackie Wilson’s “Love Is Funny That Way” is released as the B-side of “Try It Again.” The song was written by Chi-Lites singer Eugene Record. Produced by Carl Davis, “Love Is Funny That Way” entered the singles charts in November and peaked at No. 95 on December 11th.
- October 16th, 1971 Curtis Mayfield releases “Get Down” on his own Curtom Records label. Recorded, written and self-produced by Curtis Mayfield from “Roots,” his second solo album after leaving The Impressions. The album is considered a classic 1970’s soul. The single version of “Get Down,” a shortened edit of the album track, peaked at No. 69 on December 18th.
- October 16th, 1971 “Absolutely Right” by The Five Man Electrical Band enters the singles charts following a September release on the Lionel Records label. “Absolutely Right” was co-written by group guitarist and singer Les Emmerson, the follow-up release to the band’s previous single “Signs,” a Top Five in Canada and the United States. “Absolutely Right” peaked at No. 26 on November 13th.
- October 16th, 1972 Internal strife between the three remaining band members of CCR leads to the announcement of their breakup.
- October 16th, 1974 Rolling Stones Records release “It’s Only Rock and Roll,” the fourteenth American album by The Rolling Stones. It was the last Stones album to feature guitarist Mick Taylor as a member of the band. The LP featured the title track hit, “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg,” and “Heartbreaker (Do Do Do Do Do).” It was the first group LP to be self-produced by guitarist Keith Richards and singer Mick Jagger under the pseudonym “The Glimmer Twins.” Sessions for the album spanned November 1973 through March 1974 at Musicland Studios in Munich, Germany, Mick Jagger’s Stargroves Studios in Newbury and Island Studios in London. “It’s Only Rock and Roll” peaked at No. 1 on November 23rd.
- October 16th, 1976 “Hello Old Friend” by Eric Clapton enters the singles charts. Written by Clapton and produced by Rob Fraboni, the single went to No. 24 in America on December 11th.
- October 16th, 1978 Rocket Records in Britain release “A Single Man,” the twelfth studio album by Elton John. It was the first time Elton used a lyricist other than Bernie Taupin, collaborating with Joe Osbourne on the words to the songs on the LP. Osborne also sang backing vocals on the LP, recorded at The Mill in Cookham, Berks, England with Clive Franks and Elton co-producing. The record came out in America on October 28th on MCA Records and featured two hit singles, “Part Time Love” and “Song For Guy.” “A Single Man” peaked at No. 15 on December 9th.
- October 16th, 1981 Neutron Records in Britain release “Tears Are Not Enough” by ABC on 45. The track was written by the band collectively, singer Martin Fry, guitarist and keyboardist Mike White, saxophonist Stephen Singleton, bassist Mark Lickley and drummer Dave Robinson. The single was a Top 20 hit in Britain.
- October 16th, 1981 Virgin Records in Britain release “Dare,” the third studio album by The Human League. Issued in America in February 1982, the album featured the hits “Don’t You Want Me Baby” and “Love Action (I Believe In Love).” It was the first LP by the band following the departure of founding members Martin Ware and Ian Craig Marsh, who left, formed Heaven 17 and became in demand record producers. “Dare” went to No. 1 in Britain and No. 3 in the US on July 10th, 1982.
- October 16th, 1989 EMI America Records in the US release “The Sensual World,” the sixth studio album by Kate Bush. Self-produced at Wickham Farm Home in Welling, England, Windmill Lane in Dublin, Ireland and Angel Studios in Islington, England, David Gilmour plays on the album track “Love And Anger.” The record peaked at No. 43 on November 25th in the US, No. 2 in Britain.
- October 16th, 1992 The Bob Dylan 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration is staged at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. Columbia Records released a double disc of highlights from the show. The surviving members of Booker T and The MG’s were the house band. Guest artists appearing that night included Anton Fig, G.E. Smith (who served as thew musical director of the show), Sheryl Crow, John Mellencamp, Kris Kritofferson, Stevie Wonder, Lou Reed, Eddie Vedder and Mike McCready from Pearl Jam, Tracy Chapman, June Carter, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Johnny Winter, Ron Wood, Richie Havens, The Clancy Brothers, Tommy Makem, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Rosanne Cash, Shawn Colvin, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Chrissie Hynde, The O’Jays, The Band, George Harrison, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Roger McGuinn, Sinead O’Conner and Dylan himself. The album peaked at No. 40 on September 11th, 1993.
- October 16th, 1999 Santana started a twelve-week run at No. 1 with “Smooth.”
- October 16th, 2001 Polydor Records release “Bootleg Series Volume One: The Quine Tapes” by The Velvet Underground. The archival release featured tracks recorded by the band in 1969.
- October 16th, 2003 Simon and Garfunkel open their “Old Friends” Tour with a concert in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
Miscellaneous October
- Mid-October 1960, The Silver Beatles (John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Stu Sutcliffe) minus drummer Pete Best, play on a recording session arranged by manager Allan Williams for Lu Walters, bassist and vocalist from Rory Storm and The Hurricanes at Akustik Studios in Hamburg, Germany. Drumming on the session was Hurricane’s drummer Ringo Starr. Four copies of a 78rpm demo disc were pressed. Recorded that day were ‘Fever”co-written by Eddie Cooley and Otis Blackwell, “Summertime” co-written by George Gershwin and DuBose Heyward and “September Song” co-written by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson.
- October 1961, Chess Records release “The Red Rooster” backed with “Shake With Me” by Howlin’ Wolf on 45, credited to blues writer and arranger Willie Dixon.
- October 1961, Canadian American Records release “I Wish I Weren’t In Love” backed with “I’m Lonely” by Jerry Landis on 45. Both songs were written by Landis, an early stage name used by Paul Simon.
- October 1961, Ray Charles releases “The Genius Sings The Blues,” his final album for Atlantic Records. The record peaked at No. 73.
- October 1964, Ringo Starr records “In America” with Rory Storm and the Hurricanes at EMI Studios, 3 Abbey Road, St. John’s Wood, London with Brian Epstein, his only record production. Co-written by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Soundheim, the track was released as a single on November 16thby Parlophone Records with “Since You Broke My Heart” as the single’s B-side. Ringo sang backing vocals with Rory Storm’s brother-in-law Shane Fenton, later known as Alvin Stardust and added miscellaneous percussion.
- October 1967, Scorpio Records release “Porterville” backed with “Call It Pretending,” the seventh and final single by pre-Creedence Clearwater Revival band The Golliwogs. Written by John Fogerty using the name T. Spicebush Swallowtail, “Porterville” would be rerecorded for CCR’s first LP.
- October 1967, Verve Records release “Chelsea Girl,” the debut solo album by Nico. After recording the first Velvet Underground LP and touring with Andy Warhol’s Exploding Plastic Inevitable multimedia show, Nico recorded the LP at Mayfair Recording in Manhattan, New York City with Tom Wilson producing. Jackson Browne played guitar and wrote songs for the record and VU members Lou Reed, Sterling Morrison and John Cale were backing musicians on many of the tracks.
- October 1968, Reprise/Bizarre Records release “The Circle” backed with “Merry-Go-Round” by Wild Man Fischer on 45. Both songs were written by Larry Fischer, credited as L. Fischer. The tracks were produced and arranged by Frank Zappa. Zappa plays all the instruments on “The Circle.”
- October 1968, Parlophone Records in Britain release “Blues Helping” the debut LP by Welsh trio Love Sculpture featuring Dave Edmunds on guitar.
- October 1969, Island Records release the self-titled second album by Free. Traffic flutist Chris Wood played on the song “Mourning Sad Morning.” Produced by Island label founder Chris Blackwell, the LP peaked at No. 22 in Britain but didn’t chart in the US.
- October 1969, Island Records in Britain release “Rock And Roll Queen,” the first single by Mott The Hoople. Written by guitarist Mick Ralphs, the record was issued in America on Atlantic Records the following July.
- October 1970, Reprise Records release the self-titled debut album by guitarist Ry Cooder. The LP was co-produced by Van Dyke Parks and Lenny Waronker. Cooder was part of the Los Angeles folk music scene in the mid-1960’s, playing in a band called The Rising Sons with Taj Mahal and future Spirit drummer Ed Cassidy.
- October 1971, Charisma Records in Britain release “Pawn Hearts,” the fourth album by Van der Graaf Generator. Robert Fripp guested on the LP sessions at Trident Studios, recorded July through September with producer John Anthony. The album came out the following May in the US.
- October 1971, Capitol Records release “People Let’s Stop The War” backed with “Save The Land” by Grand Funk Railroad on 45. Both songs were Mark Farner compositions with Terry Knight producing.
- October 1973, RCA Records release Lou Reed’s tragic rock opera “Berlin.” Recorded at Morgan Studios in London with producer Bob Ezrin, session players on the record include Steve Wagner, Jack Bruce, Steve Winwood, Aynsley Dunbar and B.J. Wilson. The record peaked at No. 98 in America and No. 7 in Britain.
- October 1974, RCA Records release “Subterranean Homesick Blues” by Nilsson on 45. A cover version of the Bob Dylan song, the track came from the John Lennon produced “Pussycats” LP. The singe’s B-side was a medley of Lennon’s “Mucho Mungo” and Nilsson’s “Mt. Elga.”
- October 1974, Harvest Records in Britain release “See My Baby Jive,” a compilation album by Roy Wood’s band Wizzard.
- October 1975, A&M Records release “Mama Coco” by Gino Vannelli on 45. Written by Vannelli and co-produced by he and his brother Joe Vannelli, the record peaked at No. 115 in America.
- October 1975, Discreet Records release the album “Bongo Fury” by Frank Zappa and The Mothers Of Invention with Captain Beefheart. The LP was recorded mostly live on May 20thand the 21st at Armadillo World Headquarters in Austin, Texas with two studio tracks in January 1975.
- October 1976, 20th Century Records release the various artist movie soundtrack “All This And WWII.” The record featured songs by The Beatles recorded by various artists Peter Gabriel, Roy Wood, Jeff Lynne, Ambrosia, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Tina Turner, Bryan Ferry and others. The album peaked at No. 48 on December 25th.
- October 1977, John Entwistle produces the self-titled debut LP by The Fabulous Poodles and played on the Lonnie Donegan LP “Puttin’ On The Style.”
- October 1977, Virgin Records in Britain release “Science Friction” backed with “She’s So Square” the first single by XTC. Both songs were written by singer and guitarist Andy Partridge and produced by John Leckie.
- October 1978, Brian Eno’s “Music For Films” is released. Originally issued as a limited edition of five hundred copies sent to filmmakers, the full release of the record added more tracks to the set. The ambient songs on the album were recorded from 1975 through 1978.
- October 1978, Chrysalis Records release “Hanging On The Telephone” by Blondie on 45. The song was a cover version of The Nerves’ song from 1976, written by Jack Lee. Produced by Mike Chapman, the single went to No. 5 in Britain.
- October 1980, Atco Records release “In The Midnight Hour,” a cover version of the Wilson Pickett hit, on 45. Ther record had a brief chart run, peaking at No. 106 on the US singles charts.
- October 1980, Atco Records release “People Who Died” by The Jim Carroll Band on 45. Written by Jim Carroll and produced by Earl McGrath, the record peaked at No. 103.
- October 1980, Virgin Records in Britain release “Towers Of London” by XTC on 45. The song was written by Andy Partridge, taken from the Steve Lillywhite produced LP “Black Sea.” The record peaked at No. 31 in England.
- October 1981, Capitol Records release “Lunatic Fringe” by Red Rider on 45. Written by singer and guitarist Tom Cochran, the record peaked at No. 11 in the US.
- October 1986, Legacy Records release “Raining In The City” by Roy Wood on 45. The song was 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 October 11th
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 of 10/11 The Johnny Burnette Trio
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
- Click image to hear the exclusive the Wax Museum interview with The Paul Bielatowicz Band discussiing the current tour and future plans.
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
Click image to hear Chris Palladino's interviews on WRGG with Carl Giammarese from The Buckinghams in 2022 and 2024
Robert Fripp Radio Oz interview 7/25/85
King Crimson guitarist Radio Oz interview
- Click Fripp's image to hear the King Crimson guitarist, record producer, solo artist in this 1985 interview for the WARX Sunday night Radio Oz program. Fripp discusses his then current Guitar Craft courses, King Crimson stories, his start in the music business, and more.
Annie Haslam 2019 Wax Museum interview
Annie Haslam "In Words and Music"
- Click picture to hear Annie Haslam "In Words and Music". The iconic Renaissance singer talks at length about music, her life, and artwork for an exclusive interview in The Wax Museum.
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.
