Wax Museum Radio
Next broadcast April 11th Friday Night at midnight and Saturday night at 10pm on WRGG.
Hear Today In Rock and Roll History
Today In R&R History April 5th
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
April 5th
- April 5th Birthday, Vocalist Tommy Williams born in Elizabeth, New Jersey in 1928. Williams was the lead singer of The Platters before pursuing a solo career in the 1960’s.
- April 5th Birthday, Eccentric record producer and songwriter Joe Meek, born Robert George Meek in 1929 in Newent, Gloucestershire, England. He died on February 3rd, 1967 at the age of 37. Meek’s production of The Tornadoes “Telstar” became the first British record to top the US singles charts.
- April 5th Birthday, Led Zeppelin, The Yardbirds and Bad Company business manager Peter Grant, born in South Norwood, London, England. He died on November 21st, 1995 at the age of 60.
- April 5th Birthday, The Miracles’ vocalist Ronnie White, born in Detroit, Michigan in 1939. He passed away on August 26th, 1995 at the age of 56.
- April 5th Birthday, Fairport Convention violinist Dave Swarbrick, born in 1941 in New Malden, Surrey, England. Swarbrick died on June 3rd, 2016 at the age of 75.
- April 5th Birthday, The Hollies lead singer Allan Clarke, born Harold Allan Clarke in Salford, Lancashire, England in 1942.
- April 5th Birthday, Judas Priest drummer Les Binks, born in 1951 in Portadown, Northern Ireland.
- April 5th Birthday, Singer, songwriter Crispian St. Peters born Robin Peter Smith in 1939 in Swanley, Kent, England. He died on June 8th, 2010 at the age of 71.
- April 5th Birthday, Agnetha “Anna” Faltskog-Ulvaeus, singer with Abba, born in Stockholm, Sweden in 1950.
- April 5th Birthday, Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready, born in Pensacola, Florida in 1966.
Today In Rock and Roll History
April 5th
- April 5th, 1964 Irish band Them record “Gloria” at Decca Studio Three in West Hempstead, London with producer Dick Rowe. “Gloria” was one of the seven songs recorded that day. Besides Morrison, present were Billy Harrison on guitar, Alan Henderson on bass guitar, Ronnie Millings on drums and Patrick John McCauley on keyboards. Written by Them vocalist Van Morrison, the song was released as the B-side of the Them single “Baby Please Don’t Go” by Decca Records on December 2nd. In America, the record entered the charts for one week, May 22nd, 1965 at No. 93.
- Them “Gloria”
- April 5th, 1965 Thirty-year-old Sonny Bono and his eighteen-year-old wife Cher are signed to Atco Records by Ahmet Ertegun. The duo had earlier made a handful of unsuccessful singles as Caesar and Cleo, but over the next seven years they would have eleven US Top Forty hits.
- April 5th, 1966 Arctic Records release “I Need Love” by Barbara Mason on 45. The song was co-written by Mason and Arctic label founder Jimmy Bishop. The record entered the singles charts on June 11th and peaked at week later at No. 98.
- April 5th, 1967 The Who record “Pictures Of Lily” at London’s IBC Studios with producer Kit Lambert. Songwriter Pete Townshend claimed the song was written loosely about Lillie Langtry, the music hall star and mistress of British monarch Edward VII, who died in 1929 as mentioned in the song’s lyrics. Released the 22ndof April in the UK and June 24th in the US, the single went top five in Britain, entering the US charts in July and peaked at No. 51 on August 5th.
- April 5th, 1968 CBS Records in Britain release “Life Goes By” backed with “Nobody's Got Any Money In The Summer” on 45 by Roy Harper, produced by Shel Talmy.
- April 5th, 1968 Marmalade Records release “This Wheel’s On Fire” by Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger And The Trinity on 45 in Britain. The song was written by Bob Dylan and Rick Danko of The Band during the 1967 Basement Tapes sessions. The Driscoll/Auger version was produced by Giorgio Gomelsky and featured prominent organ and mellotron parts in its’ arrangement. Atco Records in the US issued the 45 on June 29th. The single peaked at No. 5 in Britain, No. 13 in Canada.
- April 5th, 1969 ABC Dunhill Records release “The River Is Wide” by The Grass Roots on 45. The song was co-written by Billy Admire and Harold Paul Tempkin under the name B. Knight and produced by Steve Barri. The song was first recorded by The Forum in 1967. The 45 version does not include the thunder effects that are present on the album version and is slowed down, presenting the track in a lower key. The string and horn chart was arranged by Jimmy Haskell. The record entered the charts a week later and peaked at No. 31 on May 31st.
- April 5th, 1971 Chicago became the first American Rock group to perform at Carnegie Hall. They played six sold out shows and recorded the concerts for the four-record album, “Chicago at Carnegie Hall,” becoming their third Top Five album in the US. The record peaked at No. 3 on January 15th, 1972.
- April 5th, 1972 Atlantic Records release the self-titled album by Graham Nash and David Crosby. Co-produced by the duo with Bill Halverson, the album reached No. 4 on May 20thand featured the hit single “Immigration Man.”
- April 5th, 1974 Island Records in Britain release “This Town Ain’t Big Enough For The Two Of Us” by Sparks on 45. The song was written by Ron Mael and the record was produced by Muff Winwood. The single went to No. 4 in Britain. Island released the single in America in July.
- April 5th, 1975 “Only Women” by Alice Cooper enters the singles charts following a March release on Atlantic Records. Co-written by Alice Cooper and guitarist Dick Wagner, the session for the track was produced by Bob Ezrin. The single, from Cooper’s first solo album, “Welcome To My Nightmare,” reached No. 1 in Canada and No. 12 in the US on June 21st.
- April 5th, 1975 RSO Records release “There’s One In Every Crowd,” the third solo album by Eric Clapton. The record was produced at Dynamic Sound Studios in Kingston, Jamaica and Criteria Studios in Miami by Tom Dowd. Dick Sims, Albhy Galuten, George Terry, Carl Radle, Jamie Oldaker, Yvonne Elliman and Marcy Levy play on the record. The LP peaked at No. 21 on May 24th.
- April 5th, 1975 “I’ll Play For You” by Seals and Croft enters the singles charts following a March release on Warner Bothers Records. Co-written by Jim Seals and Dash Crofts, “I’ll Play For You” served as the title track of the duo’s seventh studio album. The record peaked at No. 18 on June 28th.
- April 5th, 1975 “Growin’” by Loggins and Messina enters the singles charts following a March release on Columbia Records. Co-written by Kenny Loggins and Richard Wilkens, the record peaked at No. 52 on May 17th.
- April 5th, 1980 “Smallcreep’s Day,” the first solo album by Genesis bassist Mike Rutherford enters the charts on Passport Records. The album was recorded in 1979 in Stockholm, Sweden at Polar Studios with David Hentcshel producing. Rutherford plays guitar, bass and keyboards on the LP, with Anthony Phillips on keyboards, Simon Phillips on drums, Morris Pert on percussion and Noel McCalla on vocals. The LP peaked at No. 163 on May 17th, 1980.
- April 5th, 1980 A&M Records release “Argybargy,” the third full-length album by Squeeze. Co-produced by the band and John Wood at Olympic Studios in London from August 1979 through January 1980, the LP reached No. 32 in Britain and was the first Squeeze album to enter the American charts. Chris Difford wrote all the lyrics and Glen Tilbrook wrote melodies for them. It became the last group album with original keyboardist Jools Holland until he rejoined the band in 1985. ‘Argybargy” at No. 71 in the US on July 5th.
- April 5th, 1986 “Holding Back The Years” by Simply Red enters the singles charts following a February release on Elektra Records. A November 1985 release in England, the song was co-written by singer Mick Hucknall and Neil Moss. The record was produced by Stewart Levine. “Holding Back The Years” peaked at No. 1 on July 12th, 1986.
- April 5th, 1993 Arista Records release “Black Tie White Noise,” the eighteenth studio album by David Bowie. The project followed the two albums Bowie recorded with Tin Machine, recorded at Mountain Studios in Switzerland, 38 Fresh in Los Angeles and The Power Plant in New York City. The R&B influenced record was co-produced by Bowie and Nile Rodgers. Bowie’s Spiders From Mars guitarist Mick Ronson plays guitar on a cover of Cream’s “I Feel Free.” Other guests include Dave Garson, Reeves Gabrel and many others. The LP peaked at No. 39 on April 24th.
Miscellaneous April
- April 1953 Specialty Records release “Don’t Take It Out On Me” backed with “Lucy Mae Blues,” the third single by Texas electric blues guitarist Frankie Lee Sims. Both songs were written by Frankie Lee Sims, a cousin to musician Lightnin’ Hopkins. “Lucy Mae Blues” became a regional hit in Texas.
- April 1954 Specialty Records release “The Story Of My Life” backed with “A Letter To My Girl Friend,” the third single by electric blues pioneer Guitar Slim and His Band. Both songs were written by Slim, credited to his given name Eddie Jones.
- April 1963 Ron Romans record “Tell Me” and “Love Of My Life.” Daani Records released them as the A and B-side of a single. The A-side was written by Frank Zappa associate Kenny Williams, while “Love Of My Life” was a Zappa/Dave Aerni co-write. The song was recorded at PAL Recording Studio in Cucamonga, California with Zappa playing guitar and drums. Zappa rerecorded “Love Of My Life” with The Mothers Of Invention on the 1968 LP “Cruising With Ruben and The Jets.
- April 1964 Chess records release the “Folk Singer” album, the fourth by Muddy Waters. The album features Waters on acoustic guitar, Willie Dixon on string bass, Clifton James on drums and Buddy Guy on acoustic guitar.
- April 1965 Fantasy Records release “Where You Been” backed with “You Came Walking,” the second single 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.
- April 1966 Are You Kidding Me? Records issue “The Ballad Of The Yellow Beret” backed with “Florida Time” by The Beach Bums, actually Bob Seger’s first released record. Done as an answer record to Sgt. Barry Sandler’s “The Ballad Of The Green Beret,” “The Ballad Of The Yellow Beret” is executed in a humorous manner but the lyrics are a sharp criticism of men who dodged the draft in the US. The song is credited to D. Dodger. “Florida Time” is closer to the style of The Beach Boys, written by long-time Seger producer “Punch,” with both sides produced and arranged by The Omens.
- April 1966 Paradise Records out of Texas release “Splash Day” backed with “Life’s A Misery” by The Warlocks on 45. The band featured brothers Rocky and Dusty Hill. The band would change their name to American Blues when drummer Frank Beard joined. Beard and Dusty Hill would later join Billy Gibbons in ZZ Top.
- April 1969 Liberty Records in Britain release “Folkjoke Opus,” the third album by Roy Harper. Produced by Shel Talmy, the LP sessions included Nicky Hopkins on piano and Clem Cattini on drums. Ron Geesin scored the arrangements on the record.
- April 1970 CBS Records in Britain release “Zero She Flies,” the third album by Al Stewart. The LP was produced by Roy Guest at Sound Technics Studios in London. Gerry Conway and Trevor Lucas from Fairport Convention played sessions on the record.
- April 1971 Harvest Records release “Stormcock,” the fifth studio album by Roy Harper. Produced by Peter Jenner at EMI Studios in London, David Bedford played keyboards and did the arrangements and Jimmy Page played guitar on “The Same Old Rock,” credited as S. Favius Mercurius.
- April 1973 Chrysalis Record in England release “Parcel Of Rogues,” the fifth studio album by Steeleye Span. The LP was co-produced by Steeleye Span and Jerry Boys at Sound Techniques Studios in Chelsea, London. The band toured the album in the US opening for Jethro Tull.
- April 1975 Asylum Records release “Fountain Of Sorrow” by Jackson Browne on 45. Written by Browne, it was the second single issued from his “Late For The Sky” LP. The 45 version was two minutes shorter than the nearly seven-minute-long album version.
- April 1975 Bob Seger releases “Beautiful Loser,” his first single for Capitol Records. The 45 peaked at No. 103 on the Pop Singles charts.
- April 1978 DB Records in Georgia release “Rock Lobster” backed with “52 Girls,” the debut single by The B-52’s. The A-side was co-written by Fred Schneider and Ricky Wilson. “52 Girls” was co-written by Jeremy Ayers and Ricky Wilson.
- April 1978 Virgin Records release “This Is Pop” backed with “Heatwave,” the third single by XTC. “This Is Pop” was written by Andy Partridge and “Heatwave” was written by Colin Moulding. Both songs were produced by Robert John “Mutt” Lange. The A-side was an album track, re-recorded for its’ single release.
- April 1979 Asylum Records release “Alison,” Linda Ronstadt’s cover version of the Elvis Costello song on 45, produced by Peter Asher.
- April 1980 Harvest Records release “The Unknown Soldier,” the tenth studio album by Roy Harper. Co-produced by Harper and Peter Jenner at Abbey Road Studios in London, David Gilmour Andy Roberts, Andy Newmark, Kate Bush, B.J. Cole, Pete Wingfield and others play on the record. David Bedford did the orchestral arrangements.
- April 1981 RCA Records release the soundtrack to the movie Christiane F., Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo. The record was a collection of previously released songs by David Bowie that spanned the years 1976-1978. Bowie appears in an in-concert sequence of the movie during the Isolar Tour of 1976.
- April 1982 Warner Brothers Records release “Deep Sleep” by The B-52’s on 45. The track came from the David Byne produced “Mesopotamia” EP, recorded at Blank Tape Studios in New York City. The song was co-written by Keith Strickland, Kate Pierson and Robert Waldrop.
- April 1982 Woody Records in Britain release “O.T.T.” backed with “Mystery Song” by Roy Wood on 45. Both songs were written and produced by Roy Wood.
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
This Week In Rock and Roll History
This Week In Rock and Roll History week of March 29th
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 / 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
The Cool Song Of The Week
Cool Song Of The Week 3/29 R Dean Taylor
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
- 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.
