Today in Acoustic-Rock History

1962 – “Love Me Do”, backed with “P.S. I Love You,” the Beatles’ first single, is released in the U.K. It’s out on the Parlophone label and gets its first radio play that evening on the EMI-owned Radio Luxembourg. The single peaks at #17 on the British chart in December.

1969 – The Who perform on The Ed Sullivan Show.

1970 – Led Zeppelin III is released.

1974 – Randy Newman performs at the Atlanta Symphony Hall, accompanied by an 87-piece symphony orchestra. Conducting the orchestra is Randy’s uncle Emil Newman.

1975 – Harry Chapin’s “Cats in the Cradle” is released.

1979 – The soundtrack to The Who’s “The Kids Are Alright,” a loving history of the band, goes platinum.

1993 – The Beatles’ “1962-1966” (The Red Album) and “1967-1970” (The Blue Album) are released on CD.

1999 – Paul McCartney releases his first album since the death of his wife Linda in April 1998. Entitled “Run Devil Run,” the CD is a collection of rare rock oldies with new McCartney songs.

2000 – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ “Greatest Hits” album receives its ninth platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America, signifying sales of nine million copies.

BIRTHDAY:

Steve Miller 1943

Bob Geldof 1954