From the Desk of CLASSICKONG
Welcome back, music lovers, to another edition of This Day in Music History, where we celebrate the artists, records, and unforgettable moments that helped create the soundtrack of our lives.
October 22 is packed with great music! We’ve got Led Zeppelin bringing the thunder, Bob Seger taking us back to our younger days, Elton John exploring the heartbreak of love, and Tom Petty delivering one of his coolest recordings.
And that’s just the beginning!
National Days – October 22
🍕 National Tavern-Style Pizza Day
Now THIS is a holiday I can get behind!
Thin, crispy crust, plenty of toppings, and those wonderful little square slices.
Chicago-style tavern pizza proves you don’t need a crust three inches thick to make a fantastic pizza!
Somebody fire up the oven!
🥜 National Nut Day
ROFLMAO!!!
I mentioned to Honey that October 22 is National Nut Day.
She looked at me and said, “Honey, that’s EVERY DAY with you!”
HAHAHAHA!!!
Forty-plus years together, folks, and that beautiful woman still knows exactly how to keep me humble!
🎃 Halloween Countdown – 9 Days to Go!
The clock is ticking, folks! Only 9 days until Halloween!
The pumpkins are glowing, the leaves are falling, and things are getting a little spooky around the CLASSICKONG household!
We’ve been enjoying some good old-fashioned horror entertainment lately, including a trip back to Camp Crystal Lake.
And speaking of scary things, I told Honey I wasn’t afraid of vampires.
She smiled and said, “That’s good, sweetheart. Now come a little closer!”
ROFLMAO!!!
Suddenly, I’m thinking a little garlic around the house might not be such a bad idea!
Stay spooky, everybody! Halloween is almost here!
1969 – Led Zeppelin Unleashes Led Zeppelin II
On October 22, 1969, Led Zeppelin released their second studio album, Led Zeppelin II, on Atlantic Records.
WOO-WEE JACK! NOW THAT’S ROCK AND ROLL!
Recorded during an incredibly busy period of touring, the album captured a band firing on all cylinders.
Jimmy Page’s guitar work was explosive, John Paul Jones provided that thunderous foundation, Robert Plant delivered those unmistakable vocals, and John Bonham established himself as one of rock’s most powerful drummers.
And the songs?
“Whole Lotta Love,” “Heartbreaker,” “Ramble On,” “What Is and What Should Never Be,” and “Moby Dick.”
Good heavens!
Bonham’s playing on this record is something special. His power was undeniable, but what made him extraordinary was his sense of rhythm and space.
He could make a simple groove sound absolutely enormous.
Led Zeppelin II reached No. 1 in both the United States and United Kingdom and remains one of the defining albums of hard rock.
More than half a century later, it still sounds like somebody plugged a thunderstorm into a Marshall amplifier!
1976 – Bob Seger Releases Night Moves
October 22, 1976, brought us one of the finest albums of Bob Seger’s career.
Released on Capitol Records, Night Moves became Seger’s commercial breakthrough and helped introduce him to a much wider audience.
The album features “Night Moves,” “Mainstreet,” “Rock and Roll Never Forgets,” and “The Fire Down Below.”
I’ve always felt there’s something about Bob Seger’s music that fits perfectly with autumn.
Maybe it’s that familiar voice. Maybe it’s the stories he tells. Or maybe it’s the way his music reminds us of people, places, and moments that seemed ordinary at the time but became precious memories as the years passed.
The title track is a perfect example.
“Night Moves” isn’t simply a song about young romance. It’s about looking back on a time when life seemed endless and realizing how quickly those years disappeared.
And when the band returns after that quiet, reflective passage, it’s pure musical magic.
This is prime Bob Seger, folks.
Fifty years later, Night Moves still feels like an old friend.
1976 – Elton John Releases Blue Moves
October 22, 1976, marked the UK release of Elton John’s double album Blue Moves, released through Rocket Records. The US release followed on October 28.
Among its most memorable songs is “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word.”
What a masterpiece.
I remember growing up listening to this record, and that particular song has always stayed with me.
There’s something haunting about its melody. Elton’s piano, Bernie Taupin’s lyrics, and the emotional weight of the performance create one of the most heartbreaking songs of the decade.
It’s about love, regret, and the desperate desire to repair a relationship that may already be slipping away.
Sometimes the most difficult question is the one whose answer we’re afraid to hear.
And that’s what makes this song so powerful.
Elton doesn’t need to overpower the listener. He lets the melody and the emotion do the work.
Blue Moves also includes “Tonight,” “Bite Your Lip (Get Up and Dance!),” and “Crazy Water.”
It’s an ambitious album that shows another side of Elton John’s extraordinary musical range.
“Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word” remains one of his most moving recordings.
1982 – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Bring Us “You Got Lucky”
On October 22, 1982, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers released “You Got Lucky,” from their album Long After Dark, on Backstreet Records.
Now THIS is one of my favorite Petty recordings!
The opening keyboards immediately establish a different atmosphere from many of the band’s earlier hits.
Benmont Tench’s synthesizer work, Mike Campbell’s guitar, and Stan Lynch’s perfectly controlled drumming combine to create one heck of a groove.
And that music video!
The post-apocalyptic setting, desert landscape, and science-fiction imagery made it feel like a miniature adventure movie.
Petty and the Heartbreakers understood that music videos could be more than musicians standing around pretending to play their instruments.
But the song itself is the real attraction.
It’s confident, catchy, and unmistakably Tom Petty.
Prime Heartbreakers, folks. Turn it up!
1966 – The Supremes Make Album Chart History
On October 22, 1966, The Supremes A’ Go-Go reached No. 1 on the Billboard album chart.
Released on Motown, it became the first album by an all-female group to top the American album chart.
Featuring Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, and Florence Ballard, the Supremes helped transform popular music with their extraordinary harmonies, style, and unforgettable recordings.
The album includes “You Can’t Hurry Love,” one of Motown’s great classics.
And speaking of that song, we’ll come back to it in a moment when we talk about Phil Collins!
1966 – The Beach Boys Bring Us “Good Vibrations”
October 22, 1966, marked the American chart debut of the Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations.”
Brian Wilson’s production was remarkable.
The unusual arrangement, shifting musical sections, layered harmonies, and inventive use of studio technology helped make it one of the most ambitious pop singles of its era.
And those harmonies!
The Beach Boys had a sound that was entirely their own.
“Good Vibrations” remains a wonderful example of what happens when imagination and musical craftsmanship come together.
1988 – Phil Collins Tops the Charts with “A Groovy Kind of Love”
On October 22, 1988, Phil Collins reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “A Groovy Kind of Love.”
Originally a hit for the Mindbenders in 1965, Phil recorded his version for the 1988 film Buster, in which he also starred.
What a beautiful love song.
Phil’s understated vocal delivery and gentle arrangement gave the song a warmth that still resonates today.
And let’s not forget another terrific recording from the Buster soundtrack: “Two Hearts.”
Co-written with Motown legend Lamont Dozier, “Two Hearts” has that familiar, irresistible Motown rhythm.
It reminds me of the energy behind Phil’s earlier cover of “You Can’t Hurry Love.”
Both recordings show his appreciation for the music that influenced him.
I’ve come to appreciate “Two Hearts” even more as the years have passed.
And “A Groovy Kind of Love”?
Sometimes a simple melody and an honest expression of affection are all a great song needs.
October 22 – Musical Birthdays
Leslie West (1945–2020)
Born October 22, 1945, Leslie West was the powerhouse guitarist and vocalist best known for his work with Mountain.
And buddy, WHAT A SOUND!
“Mississippi Queen,” “Nantucket Sleighride,” and “Never in My Life” are just a few examples of the music that made Mountain such a formidable band.
West’s guitar tone was thick, powerful, bluesy, and instantly recognizable.
And let’s give some credit to drummer Corky Laing, whose playing helped provide that tremendous rhythmic foundation.
Listen to “Mississippi Queen” and pay attention to those drums and the way the band locks into the groove.
That’s musicianship, folks.
West wasn’t interested in filling every available space with notes. He knew how to make a riff count.
He passed away in 2020 at age 75, leaving behind an extraordinary hard-rock legacy.
More Birthdays
- Eddie Brigati (1945) – Vocalist and songwriter with the Young Rascals, whose classics include “Groovin'” and “A Beautiful Morning.”
- Greg Hawkes (1952) – Keyboardist for the Cars, whose synthesizer work helped define the band’s distinctive sound.
- Bobby Blotzer (1958) – Drummer best known for his work with Ratt, including “Round and Round” and “Lay It Down.”
- Shelby Lynne (1968) – Acclaimed singer whose music blends country, soul, and Americana.
- Bobby Fuller (1942–1966) – Remembered for the Bobby Fuller Four’s unforgettable recording of “I Fought the Law.”
- Shaggy (1968) – Jamaican-American reggae performer known for hits including “Boombastic” and “It Wasn’t Me.”
Remembering the Artists – October 22
Pablo Casals (1876–1973)
One of the twentieth century’s greatest cellists, Casals helped establish the cello as an instrument of extraordinary expressive power. His performances and recordings of Bach’s cello suites remain especially influential.
Nadia Boulanger (1887–1979)
A remarkable French composer, conductor, and teacher, Boulanger influenced generations of musicians, including Aaron Copland and Quincy Jones.
Copland’s music has a special place in my own musical memories.
During my classical piano studies, my teacher Annette introduced me to his composition “The Cat and the Mouse.”
I performed that piece, and I still remember how fascinated people seemed to be by its unusual rhythms and playful musical character.
It’s a wonderful reminder of how music and teaching connect generations.
Elliott Smith (1969–2003)
A gifted singer-songwriter whose intimate performances and deeply personal compositions earned him a devoted following. His song “Miss Misery,” featured in Good Will Hunting, received an Academy Award nomination.
Jay Black (1938–2021)
Best remembered as the remarkable voice of Jay and the Americans, Black helped bring us unforgettable recordings including “Cara Mia,” “Come a Little Bit Closer,” and “This Magic Moment.”
Their music remains part of the great soundtrack of the 1960s.
Final Spin – There’s Nothing Wrong With Being Sentimental
Bob Seger’s Night Moves has a way of taking us back to another time.
And you know something? I like going back.
I love remembering the music, the people, the places, and those moments in life that meant something special.
Some folks will tell you that you’re too sentimental or that you spend too much time thinking about yesterday.
Well, who says there’s anything wrong with that?
Our memories are part of who we are. They remind us where we’ve been, who we’ve loved, and the experiences that helped shape our lives.
And sometimes, the past is simply a comfortable place to visit.
There’s nothing wrong with finding happiness in an old photograph, an old record, or a memory that still brings a smile to your face.
I don’t believe we ever have to apologize for being sentimental.
If a song takes you back forty or fifty years and makes your heart feel good, turn it up and enjoy the ride.
Because those memories belong to you.
And nobody gets to tell you how much they should mean.
Until next time, take care of yourself, help others when you can, and always keep the music playing.
We’ll see ya down the road!
Listen to Today’s Broadcast/Podcast
Follow our podcast on Spotify.
References
- Led Zeppelin – Official Website
- Bob Seger – Official Website
- Elton John – Official Website
- Tom Petty – Official Website
- Phil Collins – Official Website
- Billboard – Music Charts and History
- Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
- Library of Congress
- Discogs – Music Database
© 2026 WTSG-DB Digital Broadcasting. All rights reserved.
