Today in Acoustic-Rock History

1964 – The Moody Blues are formed in Birmingham, England. Their second single, “Go Now,” will reach Number One in the U.K. and #10 in the U.S. early next year.

1970 – Four students at Kent State University are killed and eleven wounded by National Guard troops at a campus demonstration protesting the escalation of the Vietnam War. The incident inspires Neil Young to compose “Ohio,” which becomes a hit for CSNY.

1973 – Billed as the “biggest and most profitable rock & roll tour in the history of the United States,” Led Zeppelin open their 1973 U.S. tour. A group spokesman predicts Zeppelin will gross over $3 million.

1978 – Jefferson Starship receive a platinum record for what will be their last LP with Grace Slick and Marty Balin. Just a few weeks later, both are gone and the band has to be revamped.