Wax Museum Radio
Next broadcast July 11th Friday Night at midnight and Saturday night at 10pm on WRGG.
Hear Today In Rock and Roll History
Today In R&R History July 11th
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 11th
- July 11th Birthday, Uriah Heep and Lucifer’s Friend singer John Lawton, born in Halifax, England in 1946. He passed away on June 29th, 2021.
- July 11th Birthday, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band guitarist and singer Jeff Hanna, born in Detroit, Michigan in 1947.
- July 11th Birthday, The Pointer Sisters’ singer Bonnie Pointer, born in 1950 in Oakland, California. She died from cardiac arrest on June 8th, 2020, aged 69.
- July 11th Birthday, Bauhaus singer and solo artist Peter Murphy, born in Northampton, Northamptonshire, England in 1957.
- July 11th Birthday, Singer, songwriter Suzanne Vega, born in Santa Monica, California in 1959.
- July 11th Birthday, Bon Jovi guitarist Ritchie Sambora, born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey in 1959.
Today In Rock and Roll History
July 11th
- July 11th, 1962 The Everly Brothers record “Don’t Ask Me To Be Friends.” Warner Brothers released the song as a 45 on October 13th backed with “No One Can Make My Sunshine Smile.” Co-written by Gerry Goffin and Jack Keller, “Don’t Ask Me To Be Friends” peaked at No. 48 on November 24th.
- July 11th, 1964 Musicor Records release “It Hurts To Be In Love” by Gene Pitney on 45. Co-written by Howard Greenfield and Helen Miller, the song was originally intended for Greenfield’s long-time writing partner Neil Sedaka. Sedaka’s recording was rejected by his record label, RCA. His contract called for his records to be recorded at their studios, which it wasn’t. Sedaka rerecorded the track at RCA but wasn’t happy with the results. The song was offered to Gene Pitney, who used Sedaka’s recording, replacing the original lead vocal with his own. Everything about it was Sedaka’s original recording, the arrangement, backing vocals and piano playing. The record entered the charts on July 18thand went to No. 7 on October 3rd.
- July 11th, 1966 Capitol Records release “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” coupled with “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys on 45. In some countries, “God Only Knows” was the single A-side, charting at No. 2 in Britain. “God Only Knows” was recorded during a month of sessions through March and April at United Western Recorders and CBS Columbia Square, Hollywood with Brian Wilson producing. “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” was recorded at Gold Star Studios and CBS Columbia Square, Hollywood during sessions January through April. Hal Blaine plays drums, Carole Kaye played bass, Larry Knechtel played organ, along with other members of The Wrecking Crew. The record peaked at No. 8 on September 17th in the US.
- July 11th, 1968 Elektra Records release “Waiting For The Sun,” the third album by The Doors. The record was produced by Paul A. Rothchild and engineered by Bruce Botnick at Sunset Sound and TTG Studios in Los Angeles from January through May. Rothschild pushed the band through numerous takes of unrehearsed new material, which contributed to tensions that arose during the sessions. The LP featured the hit “Hello, I Love You.” The record peaked at No. 1 on September 7thand has sold over seven million copies since its’ original release. On the same night of the LP’s release, The Doors make their UK stage debut at London’s Roundhouse Club.
- July 11th, 1969 Jimi Hendrix appears onstage for the first time with Billy Cox and Buddy Miles as The Band Of Gypsies.
- July 11th, 1970 Rare Earth Records release “Ecology,” the third album by Rare Earth. Co-produced by Tom Baird and Norman Whitfield, initial plans for The Moody Blues producer Tony Clarke to produce the LP fell apart early in group writing sessions with Clarke, who’d put together backing tracks in May for the Four Tops. Featuring two hit singles, “(I Know) I’m Losing You” and “Born To Wander,” the LP peaked at No. 15 on August 15th.
- July 11th, 1970 “John Barleycorn Must Die,” the fourth album by Traffic enters the US charts following an early July release on United Artists Records. When sessions for the album began, the intention was for the results to form the post-Blind Faith solo debut album by Steve Winwood, called “Mad Shadows,” with producer Guy Stevens. When Winwood invited Traffic drummer Jim Capaldi and flutist Chris Wood, it became the second chapter of the group’s career. The record peaked at No. 5 on August 15th.
- July 11th, 1970 The Bee Gees “I.O.I.O.” enters the singles charts following a May release on Atco Records. Recorded during Robin Gibb’s hiatus from the group, the song was co-written by Barry and Maurice Gibb. The recording of the song began on June 12th, 1968 during sessions for the “Idea” LP, but was not completed. “I.O.I.O.” is notable for being the only Bee Gees A-side single to feature any vocal solos from Maurice Gibb, heard on the “I.O.” chant. The record peaked the week it entered the charts, at No. 94.
- July 11th, 1970 Three Dog Night’s “Mama Told Me Not To Come” hits No. 1 in the US.
- July 11th, 1970 MGM Records release Bobby Bloom’s “Montego Bay” on 45. Produced by Jeff Barry, the song was co-written by Barry and Bloom. Bloom wrote or co-wrote a number of hits, “Mony Mony,” “Sunshine” by The Archies and tunes by The Monkees. An international hit, “Montego Bay” reached the Top Ten in the US, Canada, Australia and Britain in the fall. On the master take of the song, Bloom breaks into the chorus of “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin” that was edited from the released single. The single entered the charts in September and peaked at No. 8 on November 28th.
- July 11th, 1970 Decca Records release “Summertime Blues” by The Who on 45. Taken from The Who’s “Live At Leeds” album, it was a cover of the Eddie Cochran song from 1958, co-written by Cochran and his manager Jerry Capehart. The single peaked at No. 38 in Britain, No. 27 in the US on August 15th.
- July 11th, 1973 Warner Brothers Records release “Billion Dollar Babies” by Alice Cooper on 45. The song was co-written by singer Alice Cooper, guitarist Michael Bruce and Reggie Vincent. Produced by Bob Ezrin, the song features guest vocals by Donovan Leitch. The record peaked at No. 57 on September 1st.
- July 11th, 1975 Warner Brothers Records release “Dream Weaver,” the third solo album by Gary Wright. Wright produced the record, sang and played keyboards with Jim Keltner and Andy Newmark on drums. Guitarist Ronnie Montrose played on one song. The LP peaked at No. 7 on April 4th, 1976.
- July 11th, 1975 Warner Brothers Records release the self-titled “Fleetwood Mac” album. During a search for studios to record the LP, Mick Fleetwood met Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks while they recorded songs for a second Buckingham Nicks LP and later asked them to join Fleetwood Mac after the departure of Bob Welch. The LP featured the hits “Over My Head” and “Rhiannon.” The album peaked at No. 1 on September 4th.
- July 11th, 1981 Mercury Records release “High And Dry,” the second album by Def Leppard. The album peaked at No. 38 on October 17th. The record was re-mixed and re-issued on May 31st, 1984 after the success of the band’s “Pyromania” LP.
- July 11th, 1983 Es Paranza Records release “The Principle Of Moments,” the second solo album by Robert Plant. Co-produced by Robert Plant, Benji Lefevre and Pat Moran at Rockfield Studios in Monmouth, Wales, Genesis drummer Phil Collins and Jethro Tull drummer Barrimore Barlow are both featured players on the LP. “The Principle Of Moments” peaked at No. 8 on October 8th.
- July 11th, 2000 The first album in twenty years to feature all the original members of Kansas, “Somewhere To Elsewhere” is released. All the songs on the album were written by guitarist and keyboard player Kerry Livgren.
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 July 5th
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 7/5 Jimmy Cliff
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
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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Wax Museum interview May 2024
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Jonas Reingold in The Wax Museum
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Carl Giammarese / The Buckinghams Interview
The Buckinghams Radio Show
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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
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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.
