Wax Museum Radio
Next broadcast December 6th, Friday Night at midnight and Saturday night at 10pm on WRGG.
Hear Today In Rock and Roll History
Today In R&R History December 1st
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, weekday mornings on KSRQ in Three River Falls, Minnesota, KIYU in Galena, Alaska
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.
Rock and Roll Birthdays
December 1st
- December 1st Birthday, R&B singer Lou Rawls, born in 1933 in Chicago, Illinois. He died on January 6th, 2006 at the age of 72.
- December 1st Birthday, Singer, songwriter, guitarist Eric Bloom from The Blue Oyster Cult, born in Brooklyn, New York City in 1944.
- December 1st Birthday, The Doors drummer John Densmore born in Los Angeles, California in 1944.
- December 1st Birthday, Bette Midler, born in Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii in 1945.
- December 1st Birthday, Singer, songwriter Gilbert O’ Sullivan born in Waterford, Ireland in 1946.
- December 1st Birthday, Bassist Jaco Pastorius from Weather Report, born in Norristown, Pennsylvania in 1951. He died on September 21st, 1987, aged 35.
- December 1st Birthday, Singer and solo artist Julee Cruise, born in Creston, Iowa in 1956. She was a touring member of The B52’s, released four solo albums, worked as a stage actress and appeared in the TV show and film Twin Peaks. She died by suicide on June 9th, 2022.
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.
Today In Rock and Roll History
December 1st
- December 1st, 1951 RPM Records release “Passing By Blues,” the first single by Howlin’ Wolf, issued as both a 45 and 78rpm disc. The song was written by Wolf.
- December 1st, 1956 Sun Records release “Crazy Arms,” the first single by Jerry Lee Lewis And His Pumping Piano. The song was co-written by Chuck Seals and Ralph Mooney. Lewis recorded his version at Sun Studios in Memphis following the Ray Price version that went to No. 1 on the Country And Western Charts.
- December 1st, 1956 One of the first Rock and Roll movies The Girl Can’t Help It opens in America. Featuring performances by Little Richard, Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent, The Platters and Fats Domino, the film starred Jayne Mansfield as an aspiring singer.
- December 1st, 1957 It’s a big night on The Ed Sullivan Show when Buddy Holly and the Crickets perform “That’ll Be The Day,” Sam Cooke does “You Send Me” and The Rays sing “Silhouettes,” all performing for the first time on national TV.
- December 1st, 1958 Chess Records release “Merry Christmas Baby” backed with “Run Rudolph Run” by Chuck Berry on 45. “Merry Christmas Baby” is an R&B Christmas standard credited to Lou Baxter and Johnny Moore in 1947. “Run Rudolph Run” was co-written by Johnny Marks and Marvin Brodie, who recorded it first. Later releases of the song give Berry credit as well. The single reached No. 71 on December 27th.
- December 1st, 1958 The Phil Spector written “To Know Him Is To Love Him” was the No. 1 song in the US by The Teddy Bears. The trio consisted of Spector along with two friends, Marshall Leib and Annette Kleinbard.
- December 1st, 1964 Recording sessions with Buck Owens and producer Ken Nelson take place in Hollywood, California for the Owens/Harlan Howard song “I’ve Got A Tiger By The Tail.” The record entered the charts on January 23rd, 1965 and peaked at No. 25 on February 27th.
- December 1st, 1964 Herman’s Hermits record two songs that both became hit singles at De Lane Lea Studios, London, with producer Mickie Most. “Mrs. Brown You’ve Got A Lovely Daughter” was written by British actor, screenwriter and songwriter Trevor Peacock. It was originally sung by actor Tom Courtenay in The Lads, a British TV play in 1963 and released as a single on the UK Decca label. The Herman’s Hermits version entered the singles charts in April on MGM Records and went to No. 1 on May 1st. “Can’t You Feel My Heartbeat” was issued on 45 on MGM Records on January 11th, 1965. Co-written by English songwriters John Carter and Ken Lewis, “Can’t You Feel My Heartbeat” spent fifteen weeks on the charts and peaked at No. 2 on March 27th.
- December 1st, 1966 The Mamas & The Papas earn their fourth Gold Record for their album, “Cass, John, Michelle and Denny”.
- December 1st, 1966 Cat Stevens records his second single for Deram Records at Decca Studios in London with his manager Mike Hurst producing and financing the session. Players on the recording include Nicky Hopkins on piano, John Paul Jones on bass andy White on drums and Big Jim Sullivan on guitar. Released December 30th, 1966, “Matthew And Sons” became his highest ever charting 45 in his home country, reaching No. 2 in Britain and No. 3 in Ireland.
- December 1st, 1967 Track Records in Britain release “Axis Bold As Love,” the second LP by The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Issued seven months after their debut LP, “Are You Experienced,” the LP was produced by Chas Chandler and engineered by Eddie Kramer, George Chkiantz, Andy Johns and Terry Brown at Olympic Studios in London from May through June. Walker Brother Gary Leeds, The Move’s Trevor Burton and Roy Wood and Graham Nash did sessions for the record. Issued in America in January the album reached No. 3 in the US on March 9th, No. 5 in Britain.
- December 1st, 1967 CBS Records in Britain release “Silver Tree Top School For Boys” by Scottish band The Beatstalkers on 45. The song was written by David Bowie. Mike Smith produced the single.
- December 1st, 1968 Colgems Records release the sixth Monkees album “Head.” Serving as the soundtrack to their full-length motion picture of the same name, the album was co-produced by The Monkees and Gerry Goffin. Jack Nicholson, who wrote the screenplay of the film with Bob Rafelson, compiled the soundtrack album, which included large portions of the film’s dialogue. The record peaked at No. 45 on February 8th, 1969.
- December 1st, 1969 The Bee Gees Barry Gibb announces that he is quitting the group. His brother Robin had made the same decision earlier in the year and all three brothers ended up releasing solo material before they would reform in late 1970.
- December 1st, 1971 In Britain, Harvest Records release the self-titled first album by The Electric Light Orchestra. In America, the record came out as “No Answer” in March 1972. The album features the core trio of Roy Wood, Jeff Lynne and Bev Bevan who were the remaining members of The Move, releasing records under both names until Wood later left for a solo career. The LP was co-produced by Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne at Philips Studios in London from July 1970 through June 1971. The Move’s “Message From The Country” LP was recorded simultaneously with the first ELO album.
- December 1st, 1971 A&M Records release “I Wrote A Simple Song” backed with “Outa-Space” by Billy Preston on 45. The sides were later flipped and the instrumental “Outa-Space” became a hit. “I Wrote A Simple Song” peaked at No. 77 on February 12th, “Outa-Space” entered the charts in April charted for seventeen weeks and peaked at No. 2 on July 8th.
- December 1st, 1972 Apple Records release Paul McCartney and Wings’ “Hi Hi Hi” on 45 in Britain, out three days later in America. Recorded the previous month at Abbey Road Studios in London with McCartney producing, the single peaked at No. 1 in Spain, No. 5 in the United Kingdom and No. 10 in the United States on February 3rd.
- December 1st, 1972 Vertigo Records in Britain and Columbia Records in the US release “Octopus,” the fourth album by Gentle Giant. It was the first group album to feature drummer John Weathers and the last to include founding member Phil Shulman, who left the band after the LP’s release. Self-produced by Gentle Giant at Advision Studios in London from July through August, the record peaked at No. 170 on May 12th, 1973.
- December 1st, 1972 UK Records in Britain release the second single by 10cc, “Johnny Don’t Do It” on 45. The song was co-written by Lol Creme, Kevin Godley and Graham Gouldman and produced by Eric Stewart.
- December 1st, 1972 Asylum Records release “Peaceful Easy Feeling” by The Eagles. Written by Jack Tempchin, “Peaceful Easy Feeling” was the third single from the band’s Glyn Johns produced 1972 debut album. The record entered the charts in December and went to No. 22 on March 10th, 1973.
- December 1st, 1973 Asylum Records release “Raised On Robbery” by Joni Mitchell. Self-written and self-produced, the song was released as the lead single from her “Court and Spark” LP. Backing vocals on the song were sung by David Crosby and Graham Nash. The record entered the charts in December and peaked at No. 65 on February 2nd, 1974.
- December 1st, 1973 Lifesong Records release Jim Croce’s fourth solo album, “I Got a Name.” Recorded at The Hit Factory Studios in New York City with producers Terry Cashman and Tommy West, the album featured three hit singles, “I’ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song,” “I Got A Name” and “Workin’ At The Car Wash Blues.” Croce died on September 20th, nine weeks before the album’s release. The record peaked at No. 2 on January 26th, 1974.
- December 1st, 1973 The Carpenters “Top Of The World” is the No. 1 record in the US.
- December 1st, 1973 Bachman Turner Overdrive “Blue Collar” enters the singles charts. The song was written by bassist C. F. Turner. The studio track was produced by guitarist Randy Bachman during sessions at RCA Studios in Toronto for the first BTO LP. The record peaked at No. 68 on December 29th.
- December 1st, 1973 B. W. Stevenson “River Of Love” enters the singles charts. The song was written by Daniel Moore and the studio track, produced by David Kershenbaum with an arrangement by Larry Carlton. The record peaked at No. 53 on January 5th, 1974.
- December 1st, 1973 Linda Ronstadt’s “Love Has No Pride” enters the singles charts on Asylum Records. The song was co-written by Eric Kaz and Libby Titus. The studio session was produced by John Boylan. The record peaked at No. 51 on January 12th, 1974.
- December 1st, 1975 “All By Myself” by former Raspberries lead singer Eric Carmen is released. The single was his first and biggest solo hit. The verse is based on a piece of classical music by composer Sergei Rachmaninoff. The chorus was recycled from the song “Let’s Pretend,” which Carmen wrote and recorded with the Raspberries in 1972. The record entered the charts in December and peaked at No. 2 on March 6th, 1976. By April the single was certified gold for a million copies sold.
- December 1st, 1974 The First day of recording sessions that ended on December 14th at Apple Studios in London with producers Kenny Kerner and Richie Wise for what would have been Badfinger’s third album for Warner Brothers, the “Head First” LP. Recorded with Bob Jackson replacing Joey Molland on guitar, Warner Brothers’ publishing division discovered that one hundred thousand dollars was missing from the band’s joint account and launched a lawsuit against their manager Stan Polley and Badfinger, although the group were not made aware of the situation until early 1975. Warner Brothers shelved the album as a result until its’ eventual release twenty-six years later, on November 14th, 2000. The events caused the band to be cut off from salary and royalty payments and led directly to guitarist Pete Ham’s suicide on April 24th, 1975.
- December 1st, 1976 The Sex Pistols, who have just released their first single, “Anarchy in the UK,” appear on British TV’s Today Show as a last-minute replacement for Queen. After interviewer Bill Grundy asks them about their “nasty reputation,” the band swear several times, causing a national uproar, --- and consequently, sold millions of records.
- December 1st, 1978 Warner Brothers Records release “Minute By Minute,” the eighth studio album by The Doobie Brothers. Sessions for the album were recorded at Warner Brothers Recording Studios in North Hollywood, California and Sunset Sound in Los Angeles with producer Ted Templeman. Singer Nicolette Larson sang on two songs and Billy Payne from Little Feat played keyboards, among a number of session players on the record. The album featured three hit singles and marked the emergence of Michael McDonald as the band’s front man. The record peaked at No. 1 on April 7th, 1979.
- December 1st, 1978 Pages “I Do Believe In You” enters the singles charts on Epic Records. The song was co-written by Jerry Manfredi, John Lang, Richard Page and Steve George. The record was produced by former Blood, Sweat And Tears drummer Bobby Columby. The record peaked at No. 84 on December 15th.
- December 1st, 1979 An eccentric cover of the Barrett Strong song “Money” by The Flying Lizards enters the singles charts. The group were formed and led by record producer David Cunningham. The song hit the British Top Forty and was featured in several films and TV shows. “Money” peaked at No. 50 in the US on January 19th, 1980.
Miscellaneous December
- December 1951 RPM Records release “3 O’Clock Blues” backed with “That Ain’t The Way To Do It,” the first single by B. B. King. Both songs were written by B.B. King. Johnny Ace played piano on the track.
- December 1953 Specialty Records release “The Things I Used To Do” backed with “Well, I Done Got Over It” by Guitar Slim and His Band on 45. The tracks were recorded at Cosimo Matassa’s J&M Studio in New Orleans with John Vincent producing. The songs were arranged by Ray Charles, who plays piano on the sessions. Both tracks were written by Guitar Slim, credited to his real name, Eddie Jones. Slim was seriously injured in an automobile accident at the time “The Things I Used To Do” was the No. 1 R&B single in the country.
- December 1959 Checker Records release the Bo Diddley album “Have Guitar Will Travel.”
- December 1963 Daytone Records release “Hurricane” backed with “Sweet Love” by Conrad and The Hurricanes on 45. The tracks were taped at PAL Studios in Cucamonga, California. Both songs were written by Ed Sigarlaki and produced by Frank Zappa and Dave Aerni using the aliases Curry, Ivan. The single was reissued on Era Records in June 1964 with the A&B sides reversed.
- December 1964 Fantasy Records release “Don’t Tell Me No Lies” backed with “Little Girl (Does Your Mama Know?),” the first record 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.
- December 1965 Sue Records release “The New Breed (pts. 1&2)” by Ike Turner and His Kings Of Rhythm on 45. The instrumental was written by Ike Turner and co-produced by he and Tinas Turner.
- December 1968 Verve Forecast Records release “Reason To Believe” by Tim Hardin on 45. The song was a No. 62 hit for Rod Stewart when it was released as the first single from Stewarts “Every Picture Tells A Story” LP in 1971.
- December 1968 Island Records in Britain release “What We Did On Our Holidays,” the second album by Fairport Convention, their first to feature singer and songwriter Sandy Denny. Produced by Joe Boyd, the record was released in America with a different cover and a self-titled name.
- December 1969 Mercury Records release “Earth” backed with “Step On Me” by Smile at 45. The A-side was written by singer and bassist Tim Staffell. “Step On Me” was co-written by Staffell and guitarist Brian May. Drummer Roger Taylor and May changed the name of the band to Queen when Staffell quit the group and they hired singer Freddie Mercury.
- December 1969 Island Records in Britain release the Joe Boyd produced “Liege And Lief” album by Fairport Convention. The record was issued in America on A&M Records the following July. A No. 17 hit in England, it was Fairport’s third album of 1969 and their first following the road accident that killed drummer Martin Lamble.
- December 1970 The Famous Charisma Label in Britain release “H To He Who Am The Only One,” the third album by Van der Graaf Generator. The LP was recorded at Trident Studios in London with John Anthony producing. Dunhill Records in the US issued the album in February 1971. Robert Fripp of King Crimson played guitar on the track “The Emperor And His War Room.”
- December 1972 Epic records release “R.E.O. T.W.O.,” the second studio LP by REO Speedwagon. Initial sessions for the LP were recorded in Nashville, then moved to The Record Plant in Los Angeles. The album was co-produced by Paul Leka and Billy Rose II.
- December 1972 United Artists Records release The Move compilation “Splits Ends.” The tracks drew mostly from the band’s previous album “Message From The Country” as well as earlier group singles.
- December 1974 Atlantic Records release “Can’t Stop The Music (He Played It Much Too Long)” by Hall and Oates on 45. Written by John Oates, the record was produced by Todd Rundgren at Secret Sound Studios in New York City.
- December 1987 Barking Pumpkin Records release Frank Zappa “Old Masters Box Three.” The set completed a trio of archival reissues of the original albums Zappa recorded with The Mothers Of Invention. The release featured the albums “Waka/Jawaka,” “The Grand Wazoo,” “Over-Nite Sensation,” “Apostrophe (‘),” “Roxy And Elsewhere,” “One Size Fits All,” “Bongo Fury” and “Zoot Allures”.
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
This Week In Rock and Roll History
This Week In Rock and Roll History week of November 30th
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.
Jonas Reingold Interview
Jonas Reingold in The Wax Museum
Click image to hear Chris Palladino's Wax Museum Interview with Jonas Reingold
Carl Giammarese interview with Chris Palladino
The Buckinghams Radio Show
Click image to hear Chris Palladino's interviews on WRGG with Carl Giammarese from The Buckinghams in 2022 and 2024
The Cool Song Of The Week
Cool Song Of The Week November 30th Manfred Mann
Cool songs from the Rock and Roll Era, Closet Classics and more.
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 with Chris Palladino
- 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 Chris Palladino's Radio Oz program, now available for purchase in the Firesign Theatre's "Fighting Clowns" of Hollywood" collection!
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.
