Today in Acoustic-Rock History

1970 – New Musical Express reports the Beatles’ “Let it Be” has set a new record for initial U.S. sales, with 3.7 million advance orders. The album goes gold within days of its release.

1970 – Grateful Dead play their first British concert at the Hollywood Rock Festival. The Dead’s four hour set is preceded by a performance by Mungo Jerry, playing its big hit “In the Summertime.”

1974 – George Harrison announces the launch of his own record label, Dark Horse.

1978 – Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band kick off their first major arena tour in Buffalo, New York. It ends seven months and 109 cities later in Cleveland on January 1, 1979.

1987 – “You Can Call Me Al” by Paul Simon, peaks at #23. The single, from his album “Graceland,” is his last Top 40 hit to date.