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Hear Today In Rock and Roll History
Today In R&R History October 26th
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 26th
- October 26th Birthday, The Wrecking Crew guitarist Al Casey, born Alvin Wayne Casey in Long Beach, California in 1936. He passed away on September 17th, 2006 at the age of 69.
- October 26th Birthday, Them bassist Alan Henderson, born in Belfast, Ireland in 1944.
- October 26th Birthday, Herman’s Hermits guitarist Keith Hopwood, born in Manchester, England in 1946.
- October 26th Birthday, Frank Zappa keyboardist Tommy Mars, born in Thomas Mariano in 1951 in Waterbury, Connecticut.
- October 26th Birthday, Maggie Roche, One of three singing sisters in The Roches, born in 1951 in Park Ridge, Illinois.
- October 26th Birthday, P Funk bassist and solo artist Bootsy Collins, born William Earl Collins in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1951.
- October 26th Birthday, B52’s guitarist and drummer Keith Strickland born in Athens, Georgia in 1953.
- October 26th Birthday, Singer, songwriter, pianist, an original member of 10,000 Maniacs and a solo artist Natalie Merchant, born in 1963 in Jamestown, New York.
Today In Rock and Roll History
October 26th
- October 26th, 1961 Bob Dylan signs with Columbia Records, his first recording contract with Columbia Record’s John Hammond. Dylan’s first album was recorded in two sessions and was completed less than a month after he’d signed.
- October 26th, 1963 Warner Brothers Records release “Out Of Limits” by The Marketts on 45. Written and led by Michael Z. Gordon, who borrowed the four-note motif from the theme of the television show Outer Limits, to craft the instrumental without permission from the show’s creator, Rod Serling. Early pressings of the disc named the song “Outer Limits,” but Serling sued and the titled changed. The record sold over a million copies and peaked at No. 3 on February 1st, 1964.
- October 26th, 1964 On the last day of recording their fourth album, “Beatles For Sale,” The Beatles are visited in studio by rockabilly icon Carl Perkins. With Perkins in attendance, the group record a cover of his “Honey Don’t” with producer George Martin and engineer Norman Smith. On the same day, The Beatles record “Another Beatles Christmas Record,” for their second holiday greetings flexi disc, released by mail to members of their fan club on December 18th. Their dialogue was written by group publicist Tony Barrow and recorded in five takes.
- October 26th, 1965 The Rolling Stones record the Mick Jagger/Keith Richards/Andrew Loog Oldham composition “As Tears Go By” at IBC Studios. Marianne Faithful’s version of the song a year earlier launched her career and reached No. 9 in Britain. Produced by Oldham, The Stones’ version was performed by Keith Richards on an acoustic twelve-string guitar with no percussion and featured a string arrangement by Mike Leander. “As Tears Go By” was released as a single on December 18th in the US, February 4th in Britain and became their first British hit.
- October 26th, 1966 Pye Records in Britain release the “Face To Face” album by The Kinks, where it peaked at No. 12 in the British charts. The songs on the record were all original Ray Davies’ compositions and ushered in a shift from hard driving beat music towards baroque pop with observational lyrics. The LP was produced by Shel Talmy at Pye Studios in London. “Face To Face” came out December 7thin the US and peaked at No. 135 on February 25th, 1967.
- October 26th, 1967 Stax Records release “Soul Men,” the third album by Sam and Dave. Co-produced by Isaac Hayes and David Porter, the LP peaked at No. 62 on January 13th.
- October 26th, 1968 Free of Bang! Records and their bubblegum rock past, The McCoys enter the singles charts with Mercury Records and a new single “Jesse Brady.” Written by Rick Derringer under his real name Zehringer, the band would cut two albums before becoming Johnny Winter’s backing band.
- October 26th, 1968 Tetragrammaphone Records release Deep Purple’s cover version of Neil Diamond’s “Kentucky Woman,” out December 6th in Britain. The band’s second single, the 45 version was a shorter edit than the one on the album “The Book of Taliesyn.” “Kentucky Woman” entered the charts in November and reached No. 38 on December 7th.
- October 26th, 1968 Stax Records release the Booker T. and The MG’s version of “Hang Em High.” “Hang Em High” is a musical theme composed by Dominic Frontiere for the soundtrack of the 1968 film of the same name. Self-produced by the band as an R&B instrumental, “Hang Em High” went Top Ten at No. 9 on February 8th, 1969.
- October 26th, 1968 A&M Records release Judy Collins’ version of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” on 45. Recorded by Collins for her album “Wildflowers” with producer Mark Abramson, the single reached No. 8 on December 21st.
- October 26th, 1969 British band White Plains record “My Baby Loves Lovin’” with producers Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway. The group evolved from an earlier Brit Pop band called The Flowerpot Men. The single came out in Britain on January 2nd, 1970 and February 20th in the US on Deram Records. Co-written by Cook and Greenaway, Tony Burrows was originally credited as the lead vocalist on the track, but it’s likely Burrows doubled singer Ricky Wolff in the chorus. The record went to No. 10 in the US on June 27th.
- October 26th, 1969 Island Records release the self-titled second album by Free. Produced by Island Records owner Chris Blackwell, the album furthered the songwriting partnership between Paul Rodgers and bassist Andy Fraser. The record went to No. 22 in Britain but did not chart in America.
- October 26th, 1970 Columbia Records release Santana’s “Black Magic Woman” on 45. Written by Fleetwood Mac guitarist Peter Green, the song first appeared as a Fleetwood Mac single in 1968. Sung by keyboardist Gregg Rolie, the record entered the charts in November and went to No. 4 on January 9th, 1971.
- October 26th, 1970 DJM Records in England release Elton John’s “Your Song” on 45, co-written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. The track was recorded at Trident Studios in London in January 1970 with producer Gus Dudgeon. In America, the record entered the charts in November and reached No. 8 on January 23rd, 1971.
- October 26th, 1972 Columbia Records release “The Cover of The Rolling Stone” by Dr. Hook and The Medicine Show on 45. Written by Shel Silverstein and produced by Ron Haffkine, it was the band’s third single, entered the charts in December and reached No. 6 on March 17th, 1973.
- October 26th, 1973 Mooncrest Records in England release “Loud ‘n’ Proud,” the fourth album by Scottish band Nazareth. The LP was produced by Deep Purple bassist Roger Glover. Issued in America in February the record peaked at No. 150 on April 20th.
- October 26th, 1973 Columbia Records release “All American Boy,” the debut solo album by Rick Derringer. Guest musicians on the sessions included Joe Walsh, Bobby Caldwell, Kenny Passarelli, Joe Vitale, David Bromberg, Edgar Winter and others. The album featured the hit single “Rock And Roll Hootchie Koo” and reached No. 25 on March 23rd, 1974.
- October 26th, 1974 Ode Record release Cheech and Chong’s “Black Lassie Featuring Johnny Stash” on 45. The song was co-written by Tommy Chong, Cheech Marin, Gene Page and Billy Page. Produced by Lou Adler, the record entered the charts in November and peaked at No. 55 on December 7th.
- October 26th, 1974 “Easy Street” by The Edgar Winter Group enters the singles charts. The song was written by Dan Hartman. The studio track was produced by Rick Derringer. Issued as one of two charting singles from the LP “Shock Treatment,” the record peaked at No. 83 on November 9th.
- October 26th, 1974 Warner Brothers Records release “Long Tall Glasses” by Leo Sayer on 45. Co-written by Sayer and David Courtney, the single went to No. 4 in Britain. Co-produced by Adam Faith and David Courtney, “Long Tall Glasses” entered the charts in America four months later and went to No. 9 on May 3rd, 1975.
- October 26th, 1974 MGM Records release “L.A. 59,” the second album by Elf. The album came out in Britain the previous April on Purple Records as “Carolina County Ball.” The band, fronted by Ronnie James Dio, had toured with Deep Purple. Purple bassist Roger Glover took them into the studio to co-produce the album with Purple band mate, drummer Ian Paice.
- October 26th, 1978 The Police made their US debut at Boston’s Rathskeller Club.
- October 26th, 1979 Chrysalis Records release “In the Heat of the Night,” the debut LP by Pat Benatar. Produced by Mike Chapman at MCA Whitney Studios in Glendale, California in June and July the album went to No. 12 on March 15th, 1980 and spawned two hit singles “Heartbreaker” and “We Live For Love.”
- October 26th, 1981 EMI Records release the “Freeze Frame” LP by The J. Geils Band, their last studio album to feature original lead singer Peter Wolf. The band’s Seth Justman produced the album at Long View Farm in Brookfield, Massachusetts. The LP featured the hits “Freeze Frame,” Centerfold” and “Angel In Blue.” The album reached No. 1 on February 6th.
- October 26th, 1982 Epic Records release “The Girl Is Mine” by Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney on 45, released from Jackson’s “Thriller” LP. Written by Michael Jackson and produced by Quincy Jones at Westlake Studios in Los Angeles April 14th through the 16th. David Paich, Jeff Porcaro, Steve Lukather and Steve Porcaro from Toto play on the record. The record peaked at No. 2 on January 8th, 1983.
- October 26th, 1984 Queen release their holiday 45 “Thank God It’s Christmas” on 45 in Britain. The song was co-written by drummer Roger Taylor and guitarist Brian May. The track was co-produced by Queen and Reinhold Mack.
- October 26th, 1993 Columbia Records release “World Gone Wrong,” the twenty-ninth studio album by Bob Dylan, a record of Dylan versions of tradition folk songs. It was Dylan’s second consecutive studio LP recorded in his Malibu garage, this one self-produced, playing and singing the LP himself without additional musicians. The record peaked at No. 70 on November 13th.
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 25th
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 10/25 Robert Wyatt
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
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
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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
- 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"
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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.
