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Hear Today In Rock and Roll History
Today In R&R History July 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
July 2nd
- July 2nd Birthday, Jethro Tull keyboardist and arranger Dee Palmer, born in Hendon, London, England in 1937.
- July 2nd Birthday, An original member of The Temptations, singer Paul Williams, born in 1939 in Birmingham, Alabama. He died on August 17th, 1973, aged 34.
- July 2nd Birthday, E Street Band keyboardist Roy Bittan, born in Queens, New York City in 1949.
- July 2nd Birthday, Ambrosia bassist Joe Puerta, born in Lomita, California in 1951.
- July 2nd Birthday, Singer, songwriter Michelle Branch, born in Sedona, Arizona in 1983.
Today In Rock and Roll History
July 2nd
- July 2nd, 1956 Elvis Presley’s first sessions to use The Jordanaires on back-up vocals produced “Hound Dog” and “Don’t Be Cruel.” Elvis, along with Scotty Moore, Bill Black, D.J. Fontana and The Jordanaires ran through “Don’t Be Cruel” twenty-eight times before the final take was recorded.
- July 2nd, 1963 Liverpool band Gerry and The Pacemakers record the show tune “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” originally from the Rogers and Hammerstein musical Carousel in 1945. George Martin produced the session. When it was released that October it went to No. 1 in Britain for four weeks and became the football anthem of Liverpool F.C., which adopted “You’ll Never Walk Alone” as its official motto on its coat of arms. The 45 entered the US charts a year and a half later, June 5th, 1965 and peaked at No. 48.
- July 2nd, 1963 The Beatles record a BBC Radio session at Maida Vale Studios, Studio Five, on Delaware Road in London, England for their Light Programme series Pop Goes The Beatles with producer Terry Henebery and new host Rodney Burke. Recorded from 6:30–9:30pm along with the show’s musical guests, Duffy Power and the Graham Bond Quartet, the session, show number five in the “Pop Goes The Beatles” series, was broadcast on July 16th. Recorded for the show were “That’s All Right (Mama)” written by Arthur Crudup, “There’s A Place” co-written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, “Carol” written by Chuck Berry, “Soldier Of Love (Lay Down Your Arms)” co-written by Buzz Carson and Tony Moon, “Lend Me Your Comb” co-written by Kathleen Twomey, Benjamin Weisman and Fred Wise, “Clarabella” written by Frank J. Pingatore, “Three Cool Cats” co-written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, “Sweet Little Sixteen” written by Chuck Berry, “Ask Me Why” co-written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, “Three Cool Cats,” Sweet Little Sixteen” and “Ask Me Why” were recorded but were edited from the program broadcast.
- July 2nd, 1964 Cilla Black records the John Lennon and Paul McCartney song, written for her, “It’s For You” with producer George Martin at EMI in London with both John Lennon and Paul McCartney in the studio. “It’s For You” went Top Ten in the UK and peaked at No. 79 on September 19th.
- July 2nd, 1965 Pye Records in the UK release Liverpool band The Searchers “He’s Got No Love” on 45. Produced by Tony Hatch, the single peaked at No. 10 in Britain. Co-written by lead vocalist Mike Pender and drummer, vocalist Chris Curtis, the song would get a US release on Kapp Records, entering the American singles charts on July 31st ,peaking at No. 79 on August 14th.
- July 2nd, 1966 The self-titled album by The Fugs, the group’s second, enters the charts following a June release on Folkways Records. Poet Allen Ginsburg wrote the liner notes for the LP. Co-produced by Richard Alderson and The Fugs’ Ed Sanders, the record peaked at No. 95 on August 20th.
- July 2nd, 1966 London Records release The Rolling Stones’ “Mother’s Little Helper” on 45 in the US. Included on the British version of The Stones’ “Aftermath” LP, the song was recorded in December 1965 at RCA Recorders in Hollywood, California with producer Andrew Loog Oldham. The sitar sounding guitar riff was played as a dual-slide riff on two electric twelve-string guitars by Brian Jones and Keith Richards. “Mothers Little Helper” entered the singles charts a week later and peaked at No. 8 on August 13th. The record’s B-side “Lady Jane” had its own chart run, peaking at No. 24 on August 13th.
- July 2nd, 1966 Amy Records release “Working In A Coal Mine” by New Orleans’ singer Lee Dorsey on 45. The song was written and arranged by Allen Toussaint, who co-produced the track with Marshall Sehorn at Cosimo Matassa’s Governor Nichols Street studio in New Orleans. The session featured guitarist Roy Montrell, drummer Albert “June” Gardner and bassist Walter Payton. Toussaint’s brother hit a mic stand with a drum stick to mimic the sound of a pickaxe clinking, as if the musicians themselves were working in the mines. The single peaked at No. 8 on September 3rd.
- July 2nd, 1966 “Dirty Water” by The Standells enters the album charts on Tower Records. The record was recorded at Universal Recorders in Hollywood with producer Ed Cobb. The LP featured the album’s title track hit single and peaked at No. 52 on September 24th.
- July 2nd, 1966 MGM Records release “This Door Swings Both Ways” by Herman’s Hermits on 45. Co-written by Estelle Levitt and Don Thomas, the track was recorded with producer Mickie Most at De Lane Lea Studios in London on May 27th. The record entered the singles charts a week later and peaked at No. 12 on August 13th.
- July 2nd, 1969 Felix Pappalardi is asked to produce sessions for a New York band called The Vagrants. He didn’t much like the band, but instead hired the guitar player Leslie West and formed Mountain.
- July 2nd, 1969 The Beatles begin recording “Golden Slumbers” and “Carry That Weight” as a single track with further sessions for the song throughout July and August with producer George Martin. Both songs were played by Paul McCartney on piano during the January Get Back sessions. Orchestral overdubs were added on August 5th. On the same day, Paul McCartney records three takes of “Her Majesty” for inclusion in the side two “Abbey Road” medley between “Mean Mr. Mustard” and “Polythene Pam.” Changing his mind about its placement, McCartney asks studio engineer John Kurlander to take it out of the medley. Kurlander added the discarded recording to the end of the side two master reel, where it unintentionally remained as the last song on the LP. When the thought to be discarded song fragment played back during a listening of the album master mixes, its surprise appearance was kept on the finished album.
- July 2nd, 1969 Blind Faith began their first and only US Tour at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
- July 2nd, 1971 “Get It On” by T Rex is released in Britain. Written by front man Marc Bolan, “Get It On” was the second No. 1 for T. Rex in England. Recorded at Trident Studios with producer Tony Visconti. Rick Wakeman played piano on the track, saxophones were played by Ian McDonald of King Crimson and Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan from The Turtles provided backing vocals. Issued months later in the US, the single entered the charts in January retitled “Bang a Gong (Get It On)” to avoid confusion with a song of the same name by the group Chase. The record peaked in America at No. 10 on March 4th.
- July 2nd, 1975 America release “Daisy Jane” on 45. The song was written and sung by the groups’ Gerry Beckley and produced by George Martin at The Record Plant in Sausalito, California. The single entered the charts two weeks later and reached No. 20 in the United States on September 27th, the group’s final Top Twenty hit.
- July 2nd, 1975 David Bowie received his fourth Gold Record for his LP “Young Americans.”
- July 2nd, 1975 London Records release “Tush” by ZZ Top on 45, written collectively by the three members of ZZ Top, Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard. The recording session was produced by the band’s manager Bill Ham and recorded and mixed by Terry Manning. The record went to No. 20 on September 6th.
- July 2nd, 1976 “Strawberry Letter 23” by the Brothers Johnson enters the singles charts following a June release on A&M Records. The Brothers were George Johnson on guitar and vocals and Louis Johnson on bass and vocals. Written and first recorded by Shuggie Otis in 1971, the Brothers Johnson version was produced by Quincy Jones. The record charted for nineteen weeks and peaked at No. 5 on September 24th.
- July 2nd, 1977 Arista Records release “Hurry Sundown” by the Outlaws on 45. Written by Hughie Thomasson and produced by Bill Szymczyk, the single reached No. 60 on August 20th.
- July 2nd, 1977 Arista Records release “I Robot,” the second album by the Alan Parsons Project. Produced and engineered by Parsons, who co-wrote most of the songs on the LP with Eric Woolfson. The lyrics are conceptually based on Isaac Asimov’s robot series of science fiction stories about the rise of artificial intelligence. Recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London from December 1976 through March 1977, the album peaked at No. 9 on October 15th.
- July 2nd, 1977 “Sheena Is A Punk Rocker” by The Ramones enters the singles charts following a June release on Sire Records. Written by front man and lead vocalist Joey Ramone, the track appears on the band’s third studio album “Rocket to Russia.” Co-produced by Tony Bonjovi and guitarist Tommy Ramone, the record peaked at No. 81 on September 17th.
- July 2nd, 1980 Queen scored their third UK No. 1 album with “The Game.” The album had two No. 1 singles in the US and the LP went on to sell over four million copies.
- July 2nd, 1981 Atlantic Records release “Foreigner 4.” Junior Walker and Thomas Dolby both did session work on the LP. The album, recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York City with Robert John “Mutt” Lange and guitarist Mick Jones, featured the hits “Urgent,” “Waiting for a Girl Like You,” and “Juke Box Hero” and peaked at No. 1 on August 22nd.
- July 2nd, 1983 Warner Brothers Records release Legal Tender” by The B-52’s on 45. Ther song was written collectively by the band with Robert Waldrop. Produced by Steven Stanley, the record peaked at No. 81 on July 30th.
- July 2nd, 1984 Rolling Stones Records release “Rewind (1971-1984), a hits compilation by The Rolling Stones. The LP peaked at No. 86 on August 18th.
- July 2nd, 1991 MCA Records release “Into The Great Wide Open” by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. Co-produced by Petty, Mike Campbell and Jeff Lynne, the LP was recorded at Rumbo Studio C in Canoga Park, California and M.C. Studios. Lynne, Roger McGuinn and ELO keyboardist Richard Tandy all played sessions for the album. The record featured the hit single “Learning To Fly.” “Into The Great Wide Open” peaked at No. 13 on July 27th.
- July 2nd, 1991 The Allman Brothers release “Shades Of Two Worlds,” the band’s tenth studio album. The LP was recorded at Ardent Recording in Memphis, Tennessee in April with Tom Dowd and the band producing. The record peaked at No. 85 on August 10th.
- July 2nd, 1991 Capitol Records release “Woodface,” the third studio album by Crowded House. The LP featured five singles “Chocolate Cake,” “Fall at Your Feet,” “Weather with You,” “Four Seasons in One Day,” and “It’s Only Natural.” Co-produced by Mitchell Froom and Neil Finn, “Woodface” peaked at No. 6 in Britain, No. 83 in the US, on July 20th.
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 June 28th
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 6/28 It's A Beautiful Day
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.
