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Next broadcast July 25th Friday Night at midnight and Saturday night at 10pm on WRGG.
Hear Today In Rock and Roll History
Today In R&R History July 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
July 20th
- July 20th Birthday, Moody Blues bass player and vocalist John Lodge, born in 1944 in Birmingham, England. Lodge died on October 10th, 2025 at the age of 82.
- July 20th Birthday, Singer Kim Carnes, born in Los Angeles, California in 1945.
- July 20th Birthday, Mark-Almond saxophonist Johnny Almond, born in 1946 in Enfield, Middlesex, England.
- July 20th Birthday, Guitarist Carlos Santana, born in 1947 in Autlan de Navarro, Mexico.
- July 20th Birthday, Van Halen and Chickenfoot bassist Michael Anthony, born in 1955 in Chicago, Illinois.
- July 20th Birthday, Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook, born in Shepherds Bush, London in 1956.
- July 20th Birthday, Soundgarden and Audioslave lead singer Chris Cornell, born Chris Boyle in Seattle in 1964. He died on May 18th, 2017 at the age of 52.
- July 20th Birthday, Mother Love Bone, Temple of the Dog and Pearl Jam guitarist Stone Gossard, born in Seattle, Washington in 1966.
Today In Rock and Roll History
July 20th
- July 20th, 1957 ABC-Paramount Records release “Black Slacks,” the first single by Spartanburg, South Carolina rockabilly quartet Joe Bennett and The Sparkletones. The song was co-written by guitarist and lead vocalist Joe Bennett and drummer Jimmy Denton. The song was issued aas a 45 and 78 rpm record. “Black Slacks” charted for nineteen weeks and peaked at No. 17 on October 14th.
- July 20th, 1961 Liberty Records release “Take Good Care Of My Baby” by Bobby Vee on 45. Producer Snuff Garrett heard a demo of Carole King singing the song that she and husband Gerry Goffin had written for Don Kirshner’s Aldon Publishing and requested a new intro for the song for Vee to record. Taped at United Recording Studios in Hollywood, California, Garrett brought in Barney Kessel, Tommy Alsup and Howard Roberts on guitar, Clifford Hills on bass, Robert Florence on piano, with Earl Palmer on drums. The string arrangement was written by Sid Sharpe and the Johnny Mann singers sang backing vocals. The single went to No. 1 on September 23rd.
- July 20th, 1964 Capitol Records release two singles by The Beatles on the same day, “And I Love Her” and “I’ll Cry Instead,” capitalizing on the box office success of the new A Hard Days Night movie. “And I Love Her” peaked at No. 12 on September 9thand “I’ll Cry Instead” went to No. 25 on August 29th. In addition to the two singles, Capitol Records release “Something New” by The Beatles. The album was a compilation of the German language Beatles single “Komm Gib Mir Deine Hand”, tracks from the “A Hard Day’s Night” movie soundtrack and two previously unreleased in America tracks from The Beatles’ “Long Tall Sally” EP in Britain. “Something New” peaked at No. 2 on August 22nd.
- July 20th, 1965 Kama Sutra Records release the Lovin’ Spoonful’s first single, “Do You Believe In Magic.” Written by the group’s John Sebastian, who claimed he wrote the intro to the song based on Martha and The Vandellas “Heatwave.” Produced by Erik Jacobsen, well known session drummer Gary Chester plays tambourine on the studio track. Sessions took place in June and the 45 entered the singles charts in August reaching the Top Ten at No. 9 on October 16th.
- June 20th, 1967 The Buckinghams record “Hey Baby They’re Playing Our Song” in Los Angeles with producer Jim Guercio during the sessions for the group’s third album “Portraits.” Co-written by James Steven Holvay, known as “Jimmy Soul,” and The Mob’s Gary Beisbier, the track was co-arranged by Guercio, Holvay and Beisbier. Released as a single on August 22nd, “Hey Baby They’re Playing Our Song” peaked at No. 12 on October 14th and No. 2 in Canada.
- July 20th, 1968 Roulette Records release the “Mony Mony” album by Tommy James and The Shondells. Stylistically, the LP lay the foundation for more creative control of their own music, with several tracks self-produced by the band. The songs “Mony Mony,” “Get Out Now” and “Somebody Cares” were hit singles from the LP. The record peaked at No. 193 on July 27th.
- July 20th, 1968 “I Can’t Stop Dancing” by Archie Bell And The Drells enters the singles charts on Atlantic Records. The song was co-written by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff and produced by Skipper Lee Frazier. “I Can’t Stop Dancing” peaked at No. 9 on August 24th.
- July 20th, 1968 “Don’t Give Up” by Petula Clark enters the singles charts on Warner Brothers Records. The track was produced and arranged by Tony Hatch and co-written by Hatch with Jackie Trent. The record peaked at No. 37 on August 24th.
- July 20th, 1970 Elektra Records release “Down On The Street” by The Stooges on 45. The song was written collectively by the band, Dave Alexander, Ron and Scott Ashton and Iggy Pop; produced by the former keyboardist for The Kingsmen, Don Galluci, from The Stooges second album “Fun House.”
- July 20th, 1972 Grunt Records release “Long John Silver” by Jefferson Airplane. Self-produced by the band, sessions began in March at Wally Heider Studios and lasted for three months. Drummer Joey Covington quit the band during the recording of the album. It was the last Airplane record of all-new material until 1989. The LP peaked at No. 20 on September 30th.
- July 20th, 1973 CBS Records in Britain release “Mott,” the sixth studio album by Mott The Hoople. It was the first group album recorded without original organist Verdan Allen and the last with original guitarist Mick Ralphs, who left afterwards to form Bad Company with Paul Rodgers. “Mott” was mostly recorded from February through April at AIR and Abbey Road Studios in London with the band self-producing. The album went to No. 7 in the UK album charts. Issued in the US in August the record peaked at No. 35 on October 20th.
- July 20th, 1974 “461 Ocean Boulevard” by Eric Clapton enters the album charts on RSO Records. Recorded at Criteria Studios in Miami with producer Tom Dowd, the LP featured the hits “I Shot The Sheriff” and “Willie And The Hand Jive.” The LP peaked at No. 1 on August 17th.
- July 20th, 1974 “Beach Baby” by British band First Class enters the singles charts on UK Records. The song was co-written by John Carter and his wife, Gillian (Jill) Shakespeare. Carter hired Tony Burrows and session singer Chas Mills to record it under the band name First Class. Towards the end of the song, there are two instrumental quotations, both on the French horn. Referenced were the main theme from the last movement of Sibelius’ Fifth Symphony and the tune of the title line from one of Carter’s previous compositions, “Let’s Go to San Francisco,” a British hit in 1967 for The Flower Pot Men. “Beach Baby” peaked at No. 4 on October 5th.
- July 20th, 1974 “Rings” by Roland Kent LaVoie, professionally known as Lobo, enters the singles charts. Co-written by Eddie Reeves and country music songwriter Alex Harvey, the song was covered by a number of artists. “Rings” was a Top Ten Country hit for Tompall and The Glaser Brothers and a No. 17 Pop Singles hit for Memphis band Cymarron in 1971. The Lobo remake, produced by Phil Gernhard, reached No. 43 on September 7th. The record’s B-side was a version of The Beatles song “I’m Only Sleeping.”
- July 20th, 1974 “Clap For The Wolfman” by The Guess Who enters the singles charts. Released by RCA Victor Records in June the song was co-written by Guess Who members Burton Cummings, Bill Wallace and Kurt Winter. Recorded at RCA’s Studio A in Hollywood, California and the Sound Stage, Toronto with producer Jack Richardson, the track featured the voice of disc jockey, Wolfman Jack. “Clap For The Wolfman” peaked at No. 6 on October 5th.
- July 20th, 1976 Casablanca Records release “Clones of Dr. Funkenstein” by Parliament. George Clinton produced the LP at United Sound in Detroit, Michigan and Hollywood Sound in Hollywood, California. The record featured horn arrangements by former James Brown band member Fred Wesley. The album peaked at No. 20 on December 4th.
- July 20th, 1979 Zappa Records release “Touch Me There,” by Indian violinist L. Shankar. The album was produced by Frank Zappa at Advision and Air Studios in London. Zappa wrote the lyrics for four songs on the LP and sang on the track “Dead Girls Of London” using the name Stucco Homes.
- July 20th, 1979 Epic Records release “Nine Lives” by REO Speedwagon. Co-Produced by REO’s Kevin Cronin, Gary Richrath, with Kevin Beamish at both Sound City Studios in Los Angeles and Kendun Recorders in Burbank, California. The album peaked at No. 33 on September 29th.
- July 20th, 1981 Warner Brothers Records release “El Loco” by ZZ Top. The group incorporated keyboardist Linden Hudson into the sessions, foreshadowing the studio work on their next few albums. Produced by Bill Ham, the album featured three singles, “Leila,” “Tube Snake Boogie” and “Pearl Necklace,” and peaked at No. 17 on September 26th.
- July 20th, 1990 Pink Floyd’s The Wall was presented live on the site of the former Berlin Wall, performed by Roger Waters and “friends,” including The Band, Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell, Bryan Adams, Paul Carrack, Sinéad O'Connor, The Scorpions and others.
- July 20th, 1985 IMP Records in Britain release “The People’s Limousine” by The Coward Brothers on 45. The Coward Brothers were Elvis Costello and T Bone Burnett. Co-produced by the pair, the songwriting label credits the two as Henry Coward and Howard Coward.
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 July 19th
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 7/19 Albert Collins
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.
