Today in Acoustic-Rock History

1971 – After years of singing in other bands, Rod Stewart establishes himself as a star in his own right. On this date, both the single “Maggie May” and his “Every Picture Tells a Story” LP hit #1.

1971 – John Lennon’s “Imagine” LP enters the chart.

1976 – John Belushi comes out during the second verse of Joe Cocker’s rendition of “Feeling Alright” on Saturday Night Live and performs an exaggerated imitation of Cocker.

1982 – Bruce Springsteen’s “Nebraska” enters the rock albums chart at #24. Though the record, which consists mainly of solo acoustic songs, will receive virtually no radio play, it remains on the charts for several months.

1982 – At a WOMAD benefit concert in England, former Genesis members Peter Gabriel and guitarist Steve Hackett join current members Mike Rutherford, Tony Banks and Phil Collins for a set.

1982 – John Cougar Mellencamp’s “Jack & Diane” hits #1 on the singles chart.

1985 – Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.” tour ends at the L.A. Coliseum.

1993 – Rod Stewart’s “unplugged” version of “Reason To Believe” hits #19 on the singles chart.

1994 – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers perform at Neil Young’s annual Bridge School benefit concert.

2001 – Elton John releases “Songs from the West Coast.” It is his 40th U.S. album, including compilations and soundtracks.

2007 – Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band release “Magic,” their first album together since 2002’s “The Rising.”

2007 – “Bruce Springsteen Day” is celebrated in the state of Connecticut.

2017 – Just one week after wrapping up the 40th Anniversary Tour, Tom Petty died after suffering cardiac arrest in Los Angeles, California

BIRTHDAYS:

Don McLean 1945

Mike Rutherford (Genesis) 1950

Sting 1951