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Hear Today In Rock and Roll History
Today In R&R History April 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
April 20th
- April 20th Birthday, Grand Funk Railroad and Silver Bullet Band keyboardist Craig Frost, born in Flint, Michigan in 1948.
- April 20th Birthday, R&B singer Luther Vandross, who had a prolific career as a solo singer and as a backing vocalist, born in 1951 in Manhattan, New York City. He died on July 1st, 2005 of a heart attack, aged 54.
- April 20th Birthday, Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy, born in 1967 in Long Beach, New York.
Today In Rock and Roll History
April 20th
- April 20th, 1959 ABC-Paramount Records release “(You’ve Got) Personality” by Lloyd Price on 45. The song was co-written by Lloyd Price and Harold Logan. The record peaked at No. 2 on June 20th.
- April 20th, 1960 Elvis Presley begins work on the film GI Blues following his return from Army duty.
- April 20th, 1965 The Yardbirds, with guitarist Jeff Beck in the lineup, record the Graham Gouldman song “Heart Full Of Soul” at Advision Studios in London. Producer Georgio Gomelski attempted to record the song with an Indian sitar and tabla in the arrangement. Ditching the early version, Beck developed the signature guitar riff in the song. The shift into double time in the middle break was a signature feature of The Yardbirds live set, called a “Rave Up.” The single was released July 2nd, entered the charts in July and peaked at No. 9 on September 25th.
- April 20th, 1967 Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell release “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” on 45. Co-written by Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson and recorded at sessions from December 1966 through February 1967 at Motown’s Hitsville USA Studios in Detroit with producers Harvey Fuqua and Johnny Bristol. The record entered the charts in May and peaked at No. 19 on July 15th.
- April 20th, 1968 The Rolling Stones record “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” at Olympic Studios in London with producer Jimmy Miller during the “Beggars Banquet” LP sessions. Bassist Bill Wyman played organ on the track with Miller adding backing vocals. The song was released as a single by Decca Records in Britain on May 24thand a week later, June 1st, in the US. “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” would reach No. 1 in Britain and No. 3 in the US, on July 6th.
- April 20th, 1968 Spanky and Our Gang’s “Like To Get To Know You” enters the singles charts following a March release on Mercury Records. Written by Stuart Scharf, who produced the track with Bob Dorough, “Like To Get To Know You” was the first hit the band recorded in Los Angeles. All of their previous records were cut in New York with Jerry Ross producing. A number of backing musicians and vocalists were employed on the session, including keyboardist Larry Knechtel. The record charted for eleven weeks and peaked at No. 17 on June 8th.
- April 20th, 1968 Columbia Records release the double album “Wow” / “Grape Jam” by Moby Grape. The unusual packaging had both albums in separate sleeves but shrink wrapped together for the price of a single LP. Most of the album was recorded in New York City in late 1967 and early 1968 with producer David Rubinson, who added string and horn arrangement to the tracks. The album peaked at No. 20 on June 15th.
- April 20th, 1968 UNI Records release “Brooklyn Roads” by Neil Diamond on 45, the label’s first Neil Diamond single after he left the Bang Records label. Produced by Chip Taylor and arranged by Artie Schroek, the record entered the charts in May and peaked at No. 58 on June 1st.
- April 20th, 1968 Deep Purple played its first live concert in Denmark. The band scored a big hit that year covering Joe South’s “Hush.”
- April 20th, 1969 The Beatles record the backing tracks for “Oh Darling” at EMI Studios in London with Chris Thomas producing. The group played through the song numerous times during the January Get Back sessions. Further studio sessions with producer George Martin were recorded in July and August. Billy Preston played a Hammond organ on the track but isn’t heard in the final mix.
- April 20th, 1970 Epic Records release “I Can’t Tell The Bottom From The Top” by The Hollies on 45. Recorded during sessions from March 9th through the 13that EMI Studios in London with producer Ron Richards, Elton John played piano on the track. Co-written by Guy Fletcher and Doug Flett, the record entered the singles charts in May and peaked at No. 82 on June 13th. The song was a big hit in Britain, where it peaked at No. 7 on the singles charts.
- April 20th, 1970 Jethro Tull release their third LP “Benefit” on Island Records in Britain, out May 1st, on Reprise Records in the US. Mostly recorded in December 1969 and January 1970 at Morgan Studios in London, co-produced by the band’s Ian Anderson and Terry Ellis. It was the first to feature pianist John Evan, who joined Tull for the tour that followed the release of the album. In America, “Benefit” reached No. 11 on June 6th.
- April 20th, 1970 Columbia Records release “Are You Ready?” by Pacific Gas and Electric with The Blackberries on 45. The song was co-written by drummer Charles Allen and producer John Hill. The record entered the charts in May and peaked at No. 14 on August 1st.
- April 20th, 1972 Atco Records release “Dr. John’s Gumbo,” the fifth album by Dr. John. The album peaked at No. 112 in the album charts. Co-produced by Jerry Wexler and Harold Battiste, the record was a tribute to the city of New Orleans and features the hit single “Iko Iko.”
- April 20th, 1973 RCA Records release “One Of The Survivors” on 45 by The Kinks. Written and produced by Kinks front man Ray Davies for the album “Preservation Act 1,” the record was recorded in March 1973 at Morgan Studios, Willesden, London. The released single version is a different stereo mix and edit from album version.
- April 20th, 1973 Track Records in Britain release “Daltrey,” the first solo album by Roger Daltrey. Ten of the twelve songs on the album were co-written by David Courtney and Leo Sayer. Recorded over six weeks from January through February sessions took place at Daltrey’s Barn Studio, Burwash, East Sussex, where the backing tracks were laid down. The vocals, overdubs and mixing were completed at the Beatles’ Apple Studios at 3 Saville Row. Daltrey recorded his vocals for the “One Man Band (reprise)” on the Apple rooftop, where the Beatles had performed their famous final concert in January 1969 and at Nova Sound Studios. Released the same month in America, the album entered the charts in May and peaked at No. 45 on July 14th.
- April 20th, 1974 Chrysalis Records release “Stick Around” by New York band Black Sheep. The group featured Lou Gramm on lead vocals, who would become the original singer for Foreigner in 1977. “Stick Around” was co-written by Gramm under his real name, Lou Grammatico and Bruce Turgon.
- April 20th, 1974 Chrysalis Records release “Bridge Of Sighs,” the second solo album by guitarist Robin Trower. The album was produced by organist and Trower’s former band mate in Procol Harum, Matthew Fisher, with Geoff Emerick engineering at AIR and Olympic Studios in London. The album peaked at No. 7 on August 31stand featured the song “Day Of The Eagle.”
- April 20th, 1974 “If You Wanna Get To Heaven” by Ozark Mountain Daredevils enters the singles charts. Co-written by Steve Cash and John Dillon and co-produced by David Anderle and Glyn Johns, “If You Wanna Get To Heaven” was the band’s debut single, reached No. 25 on June 29th and sold a half a million copies in the US.
- April 20th, 1974 “If I Were A Carpenter” by Leon Russell enters the singles charts following a February release on Shelter Records. The track was a cover of the Tim Hardin song. Co-produced by Leon Russell and Denny Cordell, the record peaked at No. 73 on May 11th.
- April 20th, 1974 Atlantic Records release “Queen Of The Night,” the debut solo album by Scottish singer Maggie Bell. The LP peaked at No. 122 on June 1st.
- April 20th, 1974 The John Lennon and Paul McCartney tune “You Won’t See Me,” covered by Canadian singer Anne Murray on Capitol Records, enters the singles charts. The record peaked at No. 8 on July 13th.
- April 20th, 1974 A&M Records release “(Baby) Somethin’s Happening” by Peter Frampton on 45. Written and produced by Frampton, the song served as the title track of his third solo LP.
- April 20th, 1979 Dark Horse Records release George Harrison’s “Love Comes To Everyone” on 45 in Britain, out May 11th in the US. Eric Clapton plays the guitar intro on the song while Steve Winwood is credited with a number of keyboard parts and backing vocals on the track. Harrison recorded “Love Comes to Everyone” at his home studio, FPSHOT, between March and October 1978, co-produced by Harrison and Russ Titelman.
- April 20th, 1979 Columbia Records release “Gimme Some Neck,” the third solo album by Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood. The LP was recorded from January through March 1978 at Pathe Marconi Studios in Paris, France and from October through December 1978 at Cherokee Studios in Los Angeles, California. Produced by Roy Thomas Baker, Stones’ band mates Mick Jagger, Charlie Watts and Keith Richards appear on the album, as well as Dave Mason, Mick Fleetwood and Ian McLagan. The LP was supported by a tour with Richards, McLagan, Bobby Keyes and Stanley Clarke as the New Barbarians.
- April 20th, 1979 Epic Records release “Million Mile Reflections,” the tenth album by Charlie Daniels and the sixth credited to The Charlie Daniels Band. The record was recorded at Woodland Sound Studios in Nashville with John Boylan producing. The album reached No. 5 on September 1st and featured the hit single “The Devil Went Down To Georgia.”
- April 20th, 1981 MCA Records release “The Waiting” by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers on 45. Written by Tom Petty and co-produced by Petty and Jimmy Iovine, the track was released as the lead single from the band’s “Hard Promises” album. The record reached No. 19 on June 13th.
- April 20th, 1985 The self-titled third album by The Velvet Underground enters the album charts sixteen years after its’ March 1969 release by MGM Records. It was their first record to feature Doug Yule, John Cale’s replacement. The record was recorded in 1968 at TTG Studios in Hollywood, California. Following a 1985 reissue of the record, the album peaked at No. 197 on April 27th.
- April 20th, 1992 “The Concert For Life,” a tribute to Queen vocalist Freddie Mercury, was held in London. Mercury passed away in 1991 from complications from the AIDS virus. The concert featured performances by David Bowie, Elton John, Guns and Roses and the surviving members of Queen.
- April 20th, 1993 Geffen Records release “Get A Grip” by Aerosmith. Don Henley and Lenny Kravitz both sang backing vocals on the LP. The album was recorded at A&M Studios in Los Angeles and Little Mountain Sound in Vancouver, Canada with producer Bruce Fairbain. “Get A Grip” peaked at No. 1 on May 8th, selling over twenty million copies worldwide.
- April 20th, 1999 Rhino Records release the four CD box set “The Life And Crimes Of Alice Cooper.” The set collected rarities, tracks from every solo and group Cooper LP and his biography Alcohol and Razor Blades, Poison and Needles: The Glorious Wretched Excess of Alice Cooper, All-American.
Miscellaneous April
- April 1953 Specialty Records release “Don’t Take It Out On Me” backed with “Lucy Mae Blues,” the third single by Texas electric blues guitarist Frankie Lee Sims. Both songs were written by Frankie Lee Sims, a cousin to musician Lightnin’ Hopkins. “Lucy Mae Blues” became a regional hit in Texas.
- April 1954 Specialty Records release “The Story Of My Life” backed with “A Letter To My Girl Friend,” the third single by electric blues pioneer Guitar Slim and His Band. Both songs were written by Slim, credited to his given name Eddie Jones.
- April 1963 Ron Romans record “Tell Me” and “Love Of My Life.” Daani Records released them as the A and B-side of a single. The A-side was written by Frank Zappa associate Kenny Williams, while “Love Of My Life” was a Zappa/Dave Aerni co-write. The song was recorded at PAL Recording Studio in Cucamonga, California with Zappa playing guitar and drums. Zappa rerecorded “Love Of My Life” with The Mothers Of Invention on the 1968 LP “Cruising With Ruben and The Jets.
- April 1964 Chess records release the “Folk Singer” album, the fourth by Muddy Waters. The album features Waters on acoustic guitar, Willie Dixon on string bass, Clifton James on drums and Buddy Guy on acoustic guitar.
- April 1965 Fantasy Records release “Where You Been” backed with “You Came Walking,” the second single by The Golliwogs on 45. 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.
- April 1966 Are You Kidding Me? Records issue “The Ballad Of The Yellow Beret” backed with “Florida Time” by The Beach Bums, actually Bob Seger’s first released record. Done as an answer record to Sgt. Barry Sandler’s “The Ballad Of The Green Beret,” “The Ballad Of The Yellow Beret” is executed in a humorous manner but the lyrics are a sharp criticism of men who dodged the draft in the US. The song is credited to D. Dodger. “Florida Time” is closer to the style of The Beach Boys, written by long-time Seger producer “Punch,” with both sides produced and arranged by The Omens.
- April 1966 Paradise Records out of Texas release “Splash Day” backed with “Life’s A Misery” by The Warlocks on 45. The band featured brothers Rocky and Dusty Hill. The band would change their name to American Blues when drummer Frank Beard joined. Beard and Dusty Hill would later join Billy Gibbons in ZZ Top.
- April 1969 Liberty Records in Britain release “Folkjoke Opus,” the third album by Roy Harper. Produced by Shel Talmy, the LP sessions included Nicky Hopkins on piano and Clem Cattini on drums. Ron Geesin scored the arrangements on the record.
- April 1970 CBS Records in Britain release “Zero She Flies,” the third album by Al Stewart. The LP was produced by Roy Guest at Sound Technics Studios in London. Gerry Conway and Trevor Lucas from Fairport Convention played sessions on the record.
- April 1971 Harvest Records release “Stormcock,” the fifth studio album by Roy Harper. Produced by Peter Jenner at EMI Studios in London, David Bedford played keyboards and did the arrangements and Jimmy Page played guitar on “The Same Old Rock,” credited as S. Favius Mercurius.
- April 1973 Chrysalis Record in England release “Parcel Of Rogues,” the fifth studio album by Steeleye Span. The LP was co-produced by Steeleye Span and Jerry Boys at Sound Techniques Studios in Chelsea, London. The band toured the album in the US opening for Jethro Tull.
- April 1975 Asylum Records release “Fountain Of Sorrow” by Jackson Browne on 45. Written by Browne, it was the second single issued from his “Late For The Sky” LP. The 45 version was two minutes shorter than the nearly seven-minute-long album version.
- April 1975 Bob Seger releases “Beautiful Loser,” his first single for Capitol Records. The 45 peaked at No. 103 on the Pop Singles charts.
- April 1978 DB Records in Georgia release “Rock Lobster” backed with “52 Girls,” the debut single by The B-52’s. The A-side was co-written by Fred Schneider and Ricky Wilson. “52 Girls” was co-written by Jeremy Ayers and Ricky Wilson.
- April 1978 Virgin Records release “This Is Pop” backed with “Heatwave,” the third single by XTC. “This Is Pop” was written by Andy Partridge and “Heatwave” was written by Colin Moulding. Both songs were produced by Robert John “Mutt” Lange. The A-side was an album track, re-recorded for its’ single release.
- April 1979 Asylum Records release “Alison,” Linda Ronstadt’s cover version of the Elvis Costello song on 45, produced by Peter Asher.
- April 1980 Harvest Records release “The Unknown Soldier,” the tenth studio album by Roy Harper. Co-produced by Harper and Peter Jenner at Abbey Road Studios in London, David Gilmour Andy Roberts, Andy Newmark, Kate Bush, B.J. Cole, Pete Wingfield and others play on the record. David Bedford did the orchestral arrangements.
- April 1981 RCA Records release the soundtrack to the movie Christiane F., Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo. The record was a collection of previously released songs by David Bowie that spanned the years 1976-1978. Bowie appears in an in-concert sequence of the movie during the Isolar Tour of 1976.
- April 1982 Warner Brothers Records release “Deep Sleep” by The B-52’s on 45. The track came from the David Byne produced “Mesopotamia” EP, recorded at Blank Tape Studios in New York City. The song was co-written by Keith Strickland, Kate Pierson and Robert Waldrop.
- April 1982 Woody Records in Britain release “O.T.T.” backed with “Mystery Song” by Roy Wood on 45. Both songs were written and produced by Roy Wood.
This Week In Rock and Roll History
This Week In Rock and Roll History week of April 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 4/19
Cool songs from the Rock and Roll Era, Closet Classics and more.
Craig Maher / Exo-X-Xeno Wax Museum Interview
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Nektar Wax Museum interview 4/11/25
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Tommy James
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