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Hear Today In Rock and Roll History
Today In R&R History October 2nd
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 2nd
- October 2nd Birthday, Wrecking Crew guitarist Howard Roberts, born in Phoenix, Arizona in 1929.
- October 2nd Birthday, Lolly Vegas from the band Redbone, born in 1939 in Coalinga, California.
- October 2nd Birthday, Bassist Ron Meagher from The Beau Brummels, born in Oakland, California in 1941.
- October 2nd Birthday, Singer, songwriter, guitarist Don McLean, born in 1945 in New Rochelle, New York.
- October 2nd Birthday, Singer, songwriter, bassist Richard Hell, born Richard Lester Meyers in Lexington, Kentucky in 1949.
- October 2nd Birthday, Genesis bassist and guitarist Mike Rutherford, born in 1950 in Chertsey, Surrey, England.
- October 2nd Birthday, The Police singer, songwriter, bassist and solo artist Sting, born Gordon Matthew Sumner in 1951 in Wallsend, Newcastle, England.
- October 2nd Birthday, Human League singer Philip Oakley, born in 1955 in Hinckley, Leicestershire, England.
Today In Rock and Roll History
October 2nd
- October 2nd, 1960 “Stay” by Maurice Williams And The Zodiacs enters the Pop Singles charts. The song was written by Williams when he was fifteen years old. Produced by Phil Gernhard for the Herald Records label, at just one minute and thirty-seven seconds long, it became the shortest US No. 1 record in Rock and Roll history when it topped the charts on November 21st.
- October 2nd, 1964 Pye Records in Britain release the self-titled debut album by The Kinks. Among the session musicians on the LP were Bobby Graham, Jon Lord and Jimmy Page. Produced by Shel Talmy at Pye and IBC Studios in London, the LP featured the hit “You Really Got Me” and peaked at No. 3 in England.
- October 2nd, 1965 The McCoys’ “Hang On Sloopy” is the No. 1 single in the US.
- October 2nd, 1965 The Hollies release “Look Through Any Window” on 45. Co-written by songwriters Graham Gouldman and Charles Silverman, in Britain it was the follow-up to their No. 1 single “I’m Alive” and reached No. 4. In America, after entering the charts in November “Look Through Any Window” became the band’s first Top Forty single in the US, hitting No. 2 on January 22nd, 1966.
- October 2nd, 1968 Colgems Records release “The Porpoise Song,” from The Monkees full-length feature film Head. Entering the singles charts ten days later, the song was co-written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King. The track was produced by Goffin on the 26thand 28th of February at California Recorders in Hollywood, California. The single version runs over a minute longer than the LP version. “The Porpoise Song” reached No. 62 on October 19th.
- October 2nd, 1969 Colossus Records release “Venus” by the Shocking Blue. Following a successful chart run in The Netherlands, “Venus” would sell over a million copies stateside and seven and a half million worldwide. “Venus” hit No. 1 on February 2nd, 1970, the first Dutch act to have a No. 1 in the United States.
- October 2nd, 1970 Harvest Records in Britain release the fifth album by Pink Floyd, “Atom Heart Mother.” The side long title track of the LP was a collaboration between the band and avant-garde artist Ron Geesin. The record was recorded at EMI Studios in London. Harvest Records in the US released the LP eight days later, October 10th. It was the first Pink Floyd album to reach No. 1 in England. Several European countries issued Quadrophonic versions of the album. In America, “Atom Heart Mother” peaked at No. 55 on December 26th.
- October 2nd, 1971 “Welcome To The Canteen” by Traffic enters the album charts following a September release on United Artists Records. The record was recorded live at Fairfield Halls in Croydon and the Oz Benefit Concert in the canteen of the Polytechnic of Central London. The album was not originally credited to Traffic but to the seven individual musicians. The LP reached No. 26 on October 30th.
- October 2nd, 1971 The Grass Roots release “Two Divided By Love” on 45. Co-written by Brian Potter, Dennis Lambert and Marty Kupps and produced by Steve Barri, the single went to No. 16 on the Pop Singles charts.
- October 2nd, 1971 Atlantic Records release “The Morning After” by the J Geils Band. Produced and engineered by Bill Szymczyk, the LP features the hit “Looking For A Love.” The record peaked at No. 64 on December 11th.
- October 2nd, 1971 The Isley Brothers cover version of the Eric Burdon and War song “Spill The Wine” enters the singles charts. The song was co-written by Charles Miller, Howard E. Scott, B.B. Dickerson, Lonnie Jordan, Harold Ray Brown, Thomas “Papa Dee” Allen, Lee Oskar and Eric Burdon. Co-produced by The Isleys with George Patterson, the record peaked at No. 49 on October 30th.
- October 2nd, 1971 The syndicated dance music show Soul Train premiers. The series was created by Don Cornelius, who served as its first host and executive producer. Special guests on the program’s debut were Gladys Knight and The Pips, Eddie Kendricks and Honey Cone.
- October 2nd, 1971 Melanie’s “Brand New Key” is released on Neighborhood Records. The song was written by Melanie Safka and produced by her husband Peter Schekeryk. “Brand New Key” was her most successful single, entering the charts on October 30th reaching No. 1 in the US on December 25th.
- October 2nd, 1972 Elektra Records release “Nuggets; Original Artyfacts,” a various artist compilation of garage band classics. The songs were assembled by writer Lenny Kaye, who later became the guitarist for The Patti Smith Group. The record set the template for future releases of similar content and influenced the punk movement of the late 1970’s.
- October 2nd, 1976 Chrysalis Records release “Calling Card,” the eighth solo album by Rory Gallagher. The album was produced by Deep Purple bassist Roger Glover at Musicland Studios in Munich, Germany. The record peaked at No. 163 in the album charts.
- October 2nd, 1976 Following a September release, Rod Stewart’s “Tonight’s The Night (Gonna Be Alright)” enters the Pop Singles charts. The song was recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Sheffield, Alabama, with the final vocal recorded at Caribou Ranch studios. The French spoken word vocal was recorded by Stewart’s girlfriend, actress Britt Ekland and the sax solo done by Jerry Jumonville. Five weeks later, November 13th, the single hit No. 1, stayed there for eight consecutive weeks and became the biggest selling single of 1976.
- October 2nd, 1976 Warner Brothers Records release “Chicken Skin Music,” the fifth album by Ry Cooder. Appearing on the album with Cooder were Hawaiian slack key guitarist Gabby Pahinui and Tex-Mex accordion player Flaco Jimenez. The record peaked at No. 177 on November 13th.
- October 2nd, 1976 Chrysalis Records release “Long Misty Days” by Robin Trower. The LP was recorded at AIR Studios in London, co-produced by Trower and Geoff Emerick. The record peaked at No. 24 on November 13th.
- October 2nd, 1976 RSO Records release “Hello Old Friend” by Eric Clapton on 45. The song was written by Eric Clapton, who co-produced the track with Rob Fraboni and Carl Radle. The single reached No. 24 on the Pop Singles charts.
- October 2nd, 1978 Chicago release “Hot Streets,” their first album following the accidental death of guitarist Terry Kath and the first released by the band not produced by James Guercio. The record featured the LP’s first single “Alive Again,” produced by Phil Ramone. Barry, Robin and Maurice Gigg sing backing vocals on the song “Little Miss Lovin’.” Fellow Bee Gees band member Blue Weaver plays an ARP String Ensemble on two songs as well. “Hot Streets” peaked at No. 12 on December 2nd.
- October 2nd, 1981 “Good Year For The Roses” by Elvis Costello and The Attractions enters the British singles charts. Written by Jerry Kennedy for George Jones, the Costello version came from his country music album “Almost Blue,” produced by Billy Sherrill. The single went to No. 6 on the UK charts.
- October 2nd, 1981 A&M Records release “Ghost In The Machine,” the fourth album by The Police. The record was recorded at AIR Studios in Montserrat and Le Studio in Morin-Heights, Canada. The LP features the hits “Invisible Sun,” and “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic.” Co-produced by the band and Hugh Padgham, the record peaked at No. 2 on December 5th.
- October 2nd, 1982 Columbia Records release “No More Lonely Nights” by Paul McCartney on 45. The song came from the “Give My Regards To Broad Street” album and McCartney film. The single was issued with two different B-sides. Some copies had a “Special Dance Mix” and others a “Playout Version” of “No More Lonely Nights.” The song featured the guitar of David Gilmour. The record peaked at No. 6 on December 8th.
- October 2nd, 1982 “Jack and Diane” by John Cougar hits No. 1 in the US.
- October 2nd, 1989 Reprise Records release “Freedom” by Neil Young. The first song was recorded live at Jones Beach in New York. The rest of the LP was taped at Neil’s Broken Arrow Studio in Woodside, California and at The Hit Factory in New York City in 1988 and 1989. Linda Ronstadt sang vocals on two songs on the record. The album features the hit “Rockin’ In The Free World.” The record peaked at No. 35 on November 25th.
- October 2nd, 1995 Alanis Morissette becomes the first Canadian female artist to top the US album chart when “Jagged Little Pill” reaches No. 1. The record would sell over nine million copies and a Grammy for Album of the Year.
- October 2nd, 1995 Oasis release their second album “(What’s The Story) Morning Glory.” The LP was recorded from March through June at Rockfield Studios in Rockfield, Wales with co-producers Owen Morris and guitarist Noel Gallagher. The album peaked at No. 4 on February 24th, 1995.
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 September 27th
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 9/27 The Isley Brothers
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
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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
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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.
