Today in Acoustic-Rock History

1972 – “For the Roses,” Joni Mitchell’s first album for David Geffen’s new Asylum label, is released. It reaches #11 and “You Turn Me On, I’m a Radio” becomes a minor hit single.

1974 – David Crosby and Graham Nash perform together in San Francisco at a benefit concert for the United Farm Workers and Project Jonah, a whale protection media project.

1974 – “Miles of Aisles,” a live double album documenting Joni Mitchell’s tour in the wake of “Court and Spark’s” commercial breakthrough, is released. She recorded the album during a four-night stand in August, backed by Tom Scott and the L.A. Express.

1980 – At Yoko Ono’s request, at 2 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, John Lennon fans around the world mourn him with ten minutes of silent prayer. In New York over 100,000 people converge in Central Park in tribute and in Liverpool, a crowd of 30,000 gathers outside of St. George’s Hall on Lime Street.

1985 – Peter Gabriel participates in Artists Against Apartheid.

1986 – Elton John records a live version of “Candle In The Wind” in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. The song is released as a single and hits #6 on the chart.

1994 – MTV premieres “MTV Unplugged” with Bob Dylan.

1999 – Paul McCartney, along with Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour and Deep Purple’s Ian Paice, performs at the Cavern Club for the first time since his days with the Beatles. The concert is broadcast live over the Internet and attracts 50 million hits.