Today in Acoustic-Rock History

1961 – Brian Epstein, the manager of several record shops in Liverpool, pays a noontime visit to the Cavern Club to see the Beatles, whom he heard about from a teenage customer looking for their record “My Bonnie.” Impressed by the performance, he introduces himself to George Harrison and Paul McCartney. By the end of the month, Epstein persuades the group that he should be their manager and on January 24, 1962, a contract is signed. He will manage the Beatles until his death in August, 1967.

1965 – On the night of New York City’s famous blackout, Bob Dylan, the Band’s Robbie Robertson and Dylan’s friend Bob Neuwirth jam with Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones in his suite at the New York Hilton.

1966 – John Lennon meets Yoko Ono for the first time at the Indica Gallery in London’s West End, where she is giving an exhibition of her avant-garde art. She supposedly doesn’t know who Lennon is.

1967 – In a move which is later described by both sides as being conflicting egos, Roger McGuinn expels David Crosby from the Byrds. Crosby is replaced by Gene Clark, an original member of the group, returning after two years away. In December, 1968 Crosby hooks up with ex-Buffalo Springfield member Stephen Stills and ex-Hollie Graham Nash to form Crosby, Stills and Nash.

1967 – The first issue of Rolling Stone magazine, with John Lennon gracing the front page, is published.

1970 – The Moody Blues earn a gold LP, their fifth this year, with “In Search of the Lost Chord.”

1973 – Cat Stevens makes his national TV debut on ABC’s “In Concert.” The 90-minute special is taped live at the Hollywood Bowl and includes some of Stevens’ animated cartoons.

1973 – After years of struggling as a member of two New York-area bands, the Hassles and Attila, and as a bar piano player, Billy Joel releases what will ultimately become his breakthrough album, “Piano Man.”

1976 – In the wake of the reformed Fleetwood Mac’s great success with their latest, self-titled album, one of the band’s earlier albums “Mystery to Me” goes gold.

1997 – The Rolling Stones play the first of two nights at Dodger Stadium. The Stones play for over two hours on their “Bridges To Babylon” tour.

1998 – Pete Townshend plays a concert in the U.K. for the first time in 12 years.

BIRTHDAY:

Tom Fogerty (CCR) 1941