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Hear Today In Rock and Roll History
Today In R&R History July 21st
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 21st
- July 21st Birthday, Producer, singer, songwriter, manager, deejay and poet Kim Fowley, born in Los Angeles, California in 1939. He died on January 15th, 2015.
- July 21st Birthday, Yusuf Islam, professionally known as Cat Stevens, born Steven Demetri Georgiou, in 1948 in London, England.
- July 21st Birthday, Bass player for Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Howie Epstein, born in 1955 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He died on February 23rd, 2003, aged 47.
- July 21st Birthday, The Hooters singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record producer Eric Bazillan, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1953.
Today In Rock and Roll History
July 21st
- July 21st, 1958 End Records release “Tears On My Pillow” by Little Anthony and The Imperials on 45. Co-written by Al Lewis and Sylvester Bradford, the song was first credited to The Imperials. DJ Alan Freed began to introduce the song on the air with lead singer Anthony Gourdine given top billing and the name stuck. “Tears On My Pillow” peaked at No. 4 on October 11th.
- July 21st, 1966 Columbia Records release “Turn-Down Day” by The Cyrkle on 45. Co-written by Jerry Keller and David Blume, the single was produced by John Simon and peaked at No. 16 on September 17th.
- July 21st, 1967 Fontana Records in Britain release “The Sunday Song” backed with “Horizons” by Alex Harvey on 45. Harvey wrote the A-side and co-wrote the B-side with his brother Les Harvey. The record was produced by future Alan Parsons Project songwriter Eric Woolfson for Meridian Productions.
- July 21st, 1969 The Beatles record the basic track for John Lennon’s “Come Together” at EMI Studios in London with producer George Martin. Lennon wrote an early draft of the song for Timothy Leary’s gubernatorial campaign in California. Further work on the track continued throughout July. “Come Together” was issued as the single B-side of “Something” in October. Something” backed with “Come Together” went to No. 1 on November 29th.
- June 21st, 1970 A new Hendrix composition “Tune X Just Came In,” later retitled “In From The Storm” is rehearsed and recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York City with Hendrix and Eddie Kramer co-producing. Written on tour, rough mixes of the song were done but an approved final mix was never completed before Hendrix passed away. The finished master included on the posthumous “Cry Of Love” LP were among the last songs Hendrix himself worked to complete.
- July 21st, 1971 Warner Brothers Records release “Master Of Reality,” the third album by Black Sabbath. The LP was recorded at Island Studios in London from February through April produced by Roger Bain. The record peaked at No. 8 on September 25th.
- July 21st, 1971 Carole King received a Gold Record award for her “Tapestry” album. At the same time, “It’s Too Late” was the No. 1 single in the country. “Tapestry” would remain on the Top Two Hundred for two hundred and ninety-two weeks.
- July 21st, 1972 Rod Stewart releases his self-produced fourth solo LP “Never A Dull Moment,” on Mercury Records. Recorded March through May 1972 at Morgan and Olympic Studios in London, the album went to No. 1 in Britain and No. 2 in the US, on September 9th. Stewart’s Faces band mates, guitarist Ron Wood and bassist Ronnie Lane play on the LP.
- July 21st, 1972 T. Rex release “The Slider,” their seventh album, in England. The LP was produced by Tony Visconti at Rosenburg Studio in Copenhagen, Denmark, and Chateau d’Herouville in France with Flo and Eddie backing vocals taped at Elektra Studios in Los Angeles in April. Featuring the hits “Telegram Sam” and “Metal Guru,” the album was issued in America on Reprise Records in August and peaked at No. 17 on November 11th.
- July 21st, 1973 Jim Croce’s “Bad Bad Leroy Brown,” taken from his second LP “Life and Times” started a two-week run as the No. 1 song in the country.
- July 21st, 1973 “Bongo Rock” by The Incredible Bongo Band enters the singles charts on Pride Records. Co-written and originally recorded in 1959 by Preston Epps with Arthur Egnoian, The Surfaris 1963 hit single “Wipe Out” was based on this song. The Incredible Bongo Band version went to No. 57 on August 25th.
- July 21st, 1973 London Records release “Tres Hombres,” the third album by ZZ Top. Produced by Bill Ham and engineered by Terry Manning, the LP featured the hit “La Grange.” The record peaked at No. 8 on August 10th and remained on the charts for eighty-one weeks.
- July 21st, 1973 Coven’s version of “One Tin Soldier (The Legend Of Billie Jack)” enters the singles charts following a June release on Warner Brothers Records. An anti-war song co-written by Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter, the tune was first recorded by Canadian pop group The Original Caste and released in 1969. Coven singer Jinx Dawson recorded a solo version in 1971. The Jinx Dawson version was credited to Coven and was featured in the film Billy Jack. It was that version that went to No. 26 on November 27th, 1971, before it was pulled from radio by the film’s producer. Recorded again by the full band, the second, full band version of “One Tin Soldier” peaked at No. 79 on August 11th. “One Tin Soldier (The Legend Of Billy Jack)” had one final short chart appearance on December 29th, 1973.
- July 21st, 1974 Polydor Records in the UK release “Irish Tour ‘74” by Rory Gallagher. Recorded at shows in Belfast Ulster Hall, the Dublin Carlton Cinema and Cork City Hall in January 1974, the double album set came out in the US in August and peaked at No. 110 on October 26th.
- July 21st, 1977 Atlantic Records release “Just Remember I Love You” by Firefall on 45. The song was written by Rick Roberts and featured backing vocals by Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles. Produced by Jim Mason, the record peaked at No. 11 on November 19th.
- July 21st, 1978 Polydor Records in Britain release “Sign Of The Times” by Bryan Ferry on 45. Written by Bryan Ferry, the track was recorded at Atlantic Studios in New York City, co-produced by Waddy Wachtell, Rick Marotta, Simon Puxley, Steve Nye and Bryan Ferry. “Sign Of The Times” was released on Ferry’s “The Bride Stripped Bare” LP in September. The 45 went to No. 37 on the British singles charts.
- July 21st, 1978 Ringo Starr releases “Tonight” on 45 in Britain. The song was written by Faces keyboard player Ian McLagan and John Pidgeon. The single’s B-side, “Heart On My Sleeve” was co-written by former McGuinness Flint members Benny Gallagher and Grahama Lyle and was issued as a single A-side in America on July 6th. “Heart On My Sleeve” was produced by Vini Poncia from the Ringo Starr LP “Bad Boy.”
- July 21st, 1979 Island Records release “Bad Case Of Loving You” by Robert Palmer on 45. Written and released by Moon Martin a year earlier, the Robert Palmer single was produced by Palmer and peaked at No. 14 on September 29th, No. 1 in Canada, No. 61 in Britain.
- July 21st, 1979 Nick Lowe’s “Cruel To Be Kind” enters the Pop Singles charts. Produced by Nick Lowe and co-written by Lowe and his former Brinsley Schwarz band mate Ian Gomm, Lowe revealed the song was inspired by “The Love I Lost” by Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes. The single peaked at No. 12 on September 29th.
- July 21st, 1979 “Lonesome Loser” by Little River Band enters the singles charts on Capitol Records. Written by LRB guitarist David Briggs, the record peaked at No. 6 on September 29th, co-produced by the band and John Boylan.
- July 21st, 1979 Singer Michael Bolton hits the singles charts as a member of the band Blackjack when their single “Love Me Tonight” enters the charts on Polydor Records. The record peaked at No. 62 on August 18th.
- July 21st, 1979 “Lovin’ Touchin’ Squeezin’” by Journey enters the charts following a June release on Columbia Records. The track was produced by Roy Thomas Baker, who’d had major success producing for Queen and The Cars. Written by Steve Perry, “Lovin’ Touchin’ Squeezin’” peaked at No. 16 on October 27th.
- July 21st, 1980 Columbia Records release “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd on 45, one of only three songs on “The Wall” LP credited to both Roger Waters and David Gilmour. In spite of the album and the band’s previous single “Another Brick In The Wall” having both reached No. 1, the record did not chart in the US.
- July 21st, 1980 Atco Records release “Tomcattin’” the fourth studio album by Blackfoot. The album peaked at No. 50 on August 23rd.
- July 21st, 1982 Warner Brothers Records release “I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near)” by Michael McDonald on 45. The song was co-written by McDonald and Ed Sanford. The tune was similar to Leiber and Stoller’s 1962 song “I Keep Forgettin’” As a result, all four are credited with writing the song. Toto’s Steve Lukather and Jeff Porcaro play on the track. The record peaked at No. 4 on October 23rd.
- July 21st, 1984 “Conflicting Emotions” by Split Enz enters the US album charts following a November 1983 release in Australia. The LP was recorded at Paradise Studios in Sydney, Australia with Hugh Padham and the band’s Eddie Rayner co-producing. “Conflicting Emotions” peaked at No. 137 on August 18th.
- July 21st, 1987 Geffen Records release “Appetite For Destruction” by Guns And Roses. The LP was recorded at four studios in California with producer Mike Clink. The record featured the hits “Sweet Child Of Mine,” Welcome To The Jungle” and “Paradise City.” The record peaked at No. 1 on August 6th, 1988, spending two-hundred and fifty-six on the charts.
- July 21st, 2009 Proper Records in Europe release “The Brentford Trilogy” by Nick Lowe, a three disc box set of Lowe’s three albums from 1994 through 2001. The set covers the albums “The Impossible Bird” from 1994, “Dig My Mood” from 1998 and “The Convincer” from 2001.
- July 21st, 2023 Cattle Track Road Records release “Mountain” by Nils Lofgren. The album features David Crosby, Ringo Starr and Neil Young as guests on the record.
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.
