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Hear Today In Rock and Roll History
Today In R&R History September 23rd
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
September 23rd
- September 23rd Birthday, sighted as a major rock music influence, saxophonist John Coltrane, one of the most important, innovative and controversial figures of jazz, born in 1926 in Hamlet, North Carolina. Coltrane died on July 17th, 1967 at the age of 40.
- September 23rd Birthday, Singer, songwriter, pianist and band leader Ray Charles, born Ray Charles Robinson in 1930 in Albany, Georgia. Charles passed away on June 10th, 2004 at the age of 73.
- September 23rd Birthday, Blues rock guitarist Roy Buchanan, born in 1939 in Ozark, Alabama. He passed away on August 14th, 1988 at the age of 48.
- September 23rd Birthday, The Lovin’ Spoonful bassist Steve Boone, born in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina in 1943.
- September 23rd Birthday, Sugarloaf singer, songwriter, keyboardist Jerry Corbetta, born in 1947 in Denver, Colorado. Corbetta passed away on September 16th, 2016 from Pick’s disease at the age of 68.
- September 23rd Birthday, Alice Cooper Band drummer Neal Smith born in Akron, Ohio in 1947.
- September 23rd Birthday, Dickie Betts and Great Southern and later, a guitarist with the Allman Brothers, Frankie Toler, born David Toler in Connersville, Indiana in 1948, Toler passed away on February 25th, 2013 at the age of 64.
- September 23rd Birthday, Singer, songwriter, guitarist and social activist Bruce Springsteen, born in 1949 in Long Branch, New Jersey.
- September 23rd Birthday, Solo artist Ani DeFranco, born in 1970 in Buffalo, New York.
Today In Rock and Roll History
September 23rd
- September 23rd, 1957 Phillips International Records, a subsidiary of Sam Phillips’ Sun Records label, release the instrumental “Raunchy” by Bill Justis on 45. Justis co-wrote the song with Sidney Manker. Produced by Sam Phillips, it was one of the first rock and roll records to feature the “twangy” guitar effect later popularized by Duane Eddy. George Harrison played a version of the song as an audition for the pre-Beatles band The Quarrymen. “Raunchy” went to No. 5 on January 5th, 1958.
- September 23rd, 1963 Liberty Records release “Bad To Me” backed with “Little Children” by Billy J. Kramer and The Dakotas on 45. The A-side was co-written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. The single was reissued the following January during the first surge of The Beatles popularity in America, then again on Imperial Records in April. The record’s B-side “Little Children” entered the charts on April 18th, 1964. Co-written by John McFarland and Mort Shuman, the record was produced by George Martin with Norman Smith engineering. “Bad To Me” peaked at No. 9 on June 27th, 1964, while “Little Children” went to No. 7 on June 13th.
- September 23rd, 1964 The Kinks record “All Day And All Of The Night” at Pye Studios (No. 2) in London with producer Shel Talmy. Written by Ray Davies, the track was released as a single in Britain by Pye Records on October 23rd. The 45 reached No. 2 in Britain. Released December 9th in America, the record hit No. 7 on February 6th.
- September 23rd, 1965 The Beach Boys record “Barbara Ann” at United Western Recorders in Hollywood with Dean Torrence of Jan and Dean on lead vocals along with Brian Wilson. The song was a cover version of The Regents’ 1958 hit, written by Fred Fassert. Torrence is not credited on the album, but Carl Wilson is heard saying “Thanks, Dean” at the end of the song. Released December 20th, the record would enter the charts in January 1966 and peak at No. 2 on January 29th.
- September 23rd, 1967 The Doors’ “People Are Strange” enters the Pop Singles charts, released earlier that month. Although credited to the four members of The Doors, the song was co-written by singer Jim Morrison and guitarist Robbie Kreiger and produced by Paul A. Rothchild. Session bassist Doug Lubahn played on the studio track. The single reached No. 12 on October 28th.
- September 23rd, 1967 The self-titled debut album by Procol Harum, enters the album charts. Not issued in Britain until December the LP was produced by Denny Cordell and peaked at No. 47 in America on December 2nd.
- September 23rd, 1967 Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention made their UK concert debut at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
- September 23rd, 1967 Sixteen-year-old Alex Chilton led The Box Tops to the top of the US singles charts with “The Letter.” The record would sell over four million copies and receive two Grammy nominations.
- September 23rd, 1967 The Staple Singers’ “For What It’s Worth” enters the singles charts, following an August release on Epic Records. Produced by Larry Williams, the track was a cover of the Stephen Stills song. The 45 peaked at No. 66 on October 7th. Epic re-released the single on May 27th, 1971 when The Staples’ experienced renewed success on the Stax Records label.
- September 23rd, 1967 Atco Records release “Holiday” by the Bee Gees on 45. Co-written by Robin and Barry Gibb and produced by Robert Stigwood, the song was recorded in April during the same sessions that produced “To Love Somebody.” The record peaked at No. 16 on November 11th.
- September 23rd, 1968 The first of three consecutive days sessions for The Beatles’ “Happiness Is A Warm Gun” with Chris Thomas producing on EMI London’s new eight track recorder. The song’s title came from that of an article in the May 7th, 1969 issue of American Rifleman magazine, itself a take on the Peanuts cartoon saying “Happiness Is A Warm Puppy.” Taped as three different parts, final overdubs were added to edits of take fifty-three and take sixty-five.
- September 23rd, 1970 Capricorn Records release “Idlewild South” the second album by the Allman Brothers Band. Most of the LP was produced by Tom Dowd at Capricorn Studios in Macon, Georgia, Criteria in Miami and Regent Sound in New York City. The band road tested the material as they wrote it and played mostly live during the studio sessions. The LP featured the hit “Revival” and the original version of the Gregg Allman song “Midnight Rider.” The record peaked at No. 38 on December 12th.
- September 23rd, 1970 Columbia Records release. The studio sessions for the LP spanned from April through May at Wally Heifer Studios in San Francisco and Pacific Recorders in San Mateo with Carlos Santana and Fred Catero co-producing. The record charted for eighty-eight weeks and peaked at No. 1 on October 24th.
- September 23rd, 1972 “I’d Love You To Want Me” by Lobo enters the Pop Singles charts on Big Tree Records. Written by Lobo and produced by Phil Gernhard, the record peaked at No. 2 on November 18th, earning a Gold Record award.
- September 23rd, 1972 Warner Brothers Records release “Highway Star” by Deep Purple on 45. Co-written and produced by the five members of the band, the single was issued from the “Machine Head” album. The disc presented the track as short and long versions on either side of the disc.
- September 23rd, 1974 The US release of “Laughter In The Rain” by Neil Sedaka on 45. The tune was co-written by Neil Sedaka and lyricist Phil Cody. The opening chords were inspired by Elton John’s “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” whose Rocket Records Label released the 45. Co-produced by Sedaka and Robbert Appere, the record entered the charts in October andd peaked at No. 1 on February 1st, 1975.
- September 23rd, 1977 Polydor Records release the Phil Manzanera / 801 LP “Listen Now”.” Manzanera’s main collaborator on the record was his Quiet Sun band mate Bill MacCormick. Also appearing on the sessions were Simon Phillips, Francis Monkman, Kevin Godley, Lol Crème, and Tim Finn and Eddie Raynor from Split Enz. “Listen Now” was recorded over sessions that spanned a year and a half, from December 1975 through July 1976 at Basing Street Studios in London and The Manor in Shipton-on-Cherwell with Phil Manzanera producing.
- September 23rd, 1977 ABC Records release “Aja,” the sixth album by Steely Dan. Sessions for the LP started late in 1976 and ended in July 1977 at six different studios in Hollywood, Los Angeles, Burbank and New York City with producer Gary Katz. Over forty session musicians contributed to the LP including Timothy B. Schmit, Michael McDonald, Steve Khan, Larry Carlton and Lee Ritenour. The album featured the hits “Peg,” “Black Cow” and “Deacon Blue.” “Aja” charted for over a year and peaked at No. 3 on October 22nd.
- September 23rd, 1977 Warner Brothers Records release “Little Criminals,” the fifth studio album by Randy Newman. Glenn Frey, J.D. Souther, Timothy B. Schmit, Klause Voormsn, Jim Keltner, Waddy Wachtell, Willie Weeks, Andy Newmark, Joe WalshRick Marotta, Ry Cooder and Don Henly guested on the sessions. Recorded from July through September at Warner Brothers in North Hollywood and The Burbank Studios with Larry Woronker and Russ Titleman co-producing, the LP peaked at No. 9 on February 18th, 1978.
- September 23rd, 1977 RCA Records in Britain release “Heroes” by David Bowie on 45. The single came out in America the same month. Co-written by Bowie and Brian Eno, the track was recorded in Berlin with David Bowie and Tony Visconti co-producing at Hansa Studios. Released in edited form from the album version, Robert Fripp plays lead guitar on the song and was issued in the German and French languages as well.
- September 23rd, 1978 Columbia Records release the self-titled debut album Toto. The album featured the hits “Hold The Line” and “I’ll Supply The Love.” Self-produced by the band at Sunset Sound and Studio 55 in Los Angeles and Davlen Sound in North Hollywood from October 1977 through June 1978. The record peaked at No. 9 on February 17th, 1979.
- September 23rd, 1978 Arista Records release “Time Passages,” the eighth studio album by Al Stewart. The LP was produced by Alan Parsons at Davlen Studios in North Hollywood, California in June. Musicians who played sessions on the LP included Peter White, Pete Solley, Peter Wood, Tim Renwick, Stuart Elliot, Jeff Porcaro with David Pack and Joe Puerto from Ambrosia on backing vocals. “Time Passages” peaked at No. 10 on December 16th.
- September 23rd, 1978 10cc had their third UK No. 1 single with “Dreadlock Holiday.” Co-written by Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman, it was the lead single from the band’s 1978 album, “Bloody Tourists.” The song was a major international hit, reaching No. 1 in the UK, Belgium, New Zealand and The Netherlands, No. 2 in Ireland and Australia and No. 44 in the US on November 18th.
- September 23rd, 1981 Sire Records release the self-titled debut album by the Tom Tom Club. Recorded at Compass Point Studios in Nassau, Bahamas from November 1980 through April 1981, the record was co-produced by Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and Steven Stanley. Adrian Belew is a featured session player on the LP on guitar. Anchored by Frantz and Weymouth of Talking Heads, the album was a surprise hit, featuring the hit single “Genius Of Love.” The LP peaked at No. 23 on April 3rd, 1982.
- September 23rd, 1983 Capitol Records release the Tubes’ cover version of Curtis Mayfield’s “Monkey Time.” on 45. The song was originally recorded twenty years earlier by R&B singer Major Lance and later covered by The Miracles, Archie Bell and The Drells, Laura Nyro, Al Kooper and Johnny Rivers, among others. Produced by David Foster, the Tubes’ single peaked at No. 52 on August 20th. The record’s B-side “Sports Fans” had been issued as a stand-alone single A-side on February 6th, 1982, produced by former Blood, Sweat and Tears trumpet player Bobby Colomby.
- September 23rd, 1986 MCA Records release “Third Stage” by Boston. The band recorded the record over six years, 1980 through 1986 at Tom Scholz’s Hideaway Studio. The LP featured the hit “Amanda.” By the time of its’ release, singer Brad Delp and Scholz were the only original members of the band to remain in the lineup. The record peaked at No. 1 on November 1st.
- September 23rd, 1986 Sire Records release “Don’t Get Me Wrong” by The Pretenders on 45. Written by Chrissie Hynde and co-produced by Jimmy Iovine and Bob Clearmountain, the record peaked at No. 10 on December 27th, becoming the band’s second Top Ten single.
Miscellaneous September
- September 1965 Muriel Records release “Lookie There” backed with “Wail Baby Wail” by Tommy Louis with Marshall and The Versatiles on 45. Ike Turner plays guitar on the tracks.
- September 1967 CBS Records in Britain release “Love Chronicles,” the second album by Al Stewart. “Love Chronicles” was issued in the US in September. The album was issued in America in January 1969 on Epic Records. The LP was co-produced by Roy Guest, John Wood and Al Stewart. Session musicians included Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and four members of Fairport Convention, Simon Nicol, Richard Thompson, Martin Lamble and Ashley Hutchings. Songs on the record were orchestrated by Alexander Faris.
- September 1970 Liberty Records release “Love Is A Game” backed with “Takin’ Back My Name” by a solo Ike Turner on 45. “Love Is A Game” was written by Tina Turner’s sister Ailllene Bullock. “Takin’ Back My Name” was credited to Leah Graham, an alias for Ike Turner, who produced and arranged the tracks as well.
- September 1973, RCA Records in Britain release “The Tra La La Days Are Over” by Neil Sedaka. Recorded at Strawberry Studios in the Spring with Eric Stewart producing and 10cc as the backing band, the LP produced “Love Will Keep Us Together.” The song, co-written by Sedaka with Howard Greenfield, would become a huge hit for The Captain And Tennille in 1976.
- September 1975 A&M Records release “White Punks On Dope” by the Tubes on 45. The song was co-written by Bill Spooner, Roger Steen and Michael Evans and produced by Al Kooper from the band’s eponymous first album. The single was edited to omit the curse word in the lyrics.
- September 1977 DEVO release their second single on their own Booji Boy label. “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” was a cover version of The Rolling Stones song. “(I Saw My Baby Getting) Sloppy” was co-written by DEVO. The 45 was produced by the group. “Satisfaction” was rerecorded by DEVO and released as their major label debut for Warner Brothers Records a year later.
- September 1979 Reprise Records release “Rust Never Sleeps (Hey Hey, My My [Out Of The Blue])” by Neil Young on 45. The A-side was the acoustic version of the song. The flip side was the full band version, recorded with the band Crazy Horse and both from the “Rust Never Sleeps” LP.
- September 1979 CBS Records in Ireland issue the seven-inch EP “Out Of Control” backed with “Stories For Boys” & “Boy/Girl,” the first release by U2. All three songs were written collectively by the band and co-produced by U2 and Chas De Whalley.
- September 1981 David Bowie records the five songs written for Bertolt Brecht’s Baal. Bowie appeared in the BBC television production of Baal. The play was transmitted in Britain on March 2nd, 1982. The tracks were co-produced by David Bowie and Tony Visconti, who also played bass on the recordings. The EP was released in September 1982, reaching No. 29 in Britain.
- September 1981 Island Records in Britain release “Gloria” by U2 on 45. The second single released from the group’s second album “October,” the song was written collectively by U2. “Gloria” was recorded during July and August sessions with producer Steve Lillywhite at Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin, Ireland. The record peaked at No. 55 in Britain.
- September 1986 Warner Brothers Records release “Summer Of Love” by The B-52’s on 45. The song was co-written Keith Strickland, Rocky Wilson, Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson, produced by Tony Mansfield from the LP “Bouncing Off The Satellites.” The single had a unique remix with additional production by Shep Pettibone.
This Week In Rock and Roll History
This Week In Rock and Roll History week of September 20th
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 9/20 Staples Singers
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"
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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
- 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.
