Today in Acoustic-Rock History

1963 – Due to pressure from folksingers boycotting television’s “Hootenanny” program, ABC invites Pete Seeger to appear on the show–only if he’ll sign an oath of loyalty to the U.S. He doesn’t, and ABC extends its ban on the outspoken leftist musician.

1968 – In an interview published in Rolling Stone, Pete Townshend says he plans to come up with a rock opera about a boy who is deaf, dumb and blind. Of course, he is referring to the album that will eventually be released as “Tommy.”

1969 – Genesis, consisting of Peter Gabriel, Mike Rutherford, Tony Banks, Anthony Phillips and John Mayhew, play their first paid gig at a cottage in Surrey, England, owned by Gabriel’s former Sunday school teacher.

1976 – Bob Dylan’s TV special, “Hard Rain” airs.

1978 – Grateful Dead begin three days’ worth of shows at the base of the Egyptian pyramids.

1981 – The Rolling Stones’ “Tattoo You” enters the LP chart, where it will stay for 30 weeks including nine weeks at #1.

1981 – Pink Floyd’s movie “The Wall” begins production.

1985 – John Mellencamp’s “Scarecrow” hits the LP chart. The multi-platinum album includes the hits “Lonely ‘ol Night,” “Small Town” and “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.”

1991 – Bob Seger’s LP “The Fire Inside” enters the chart.

1995 – Paul McCartney’s hand written lyrics for “Getting Better” sell for $249,000 at a Sotheby’s auction.

1999 – “Sheryl Crow and Friends” perform in New York’s Central Park. The free concert features guest appearances from Keith Richards, Stevie Nicks, Eric Clapton, Chrissie Hynde and Sarah McLachlan.

BIRTHDAY:

Steve Gaines (Lynyrd Skynyrd) 1949