1968: March

12:54 PM GMT 21/02/2008

1 – Elton John, formerly Reginald Dwight, releases his first single on DJM Records. I've Been Loving You, written by the bespectacled piano player and old friend Bernie Taupin, fails to chart.

2 – Promoter Bill Graham opens the Fillmore East in an abandoned movie theatre on 2nd Avenue and 6th Street in New York City. Tim Buckley, Big Brother & The Holding Company and Albert King top the bill on the first night.

11 – Otis Redding’s posthumous hit, (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay, goes gold.

16 – US Senator Robert Kennedy ends months of speculation by announcing that he will enter the 1968 Presidential race. Meanwhile, in South Vietnam, Charlie Company enters the village of My Lai and slaughters over 300 unarmed civilians. The public will not discover the truth about the massacre for another 18 months.

“We’re napalming kids in Vietnam, the cops are smashing people’s heads all over the fucking country, the fascists are taking over the world, and he wants to hold his breath. He’s got responsibilities!” Country Joe MacDonald on Bob Dylan's political silence.

17 – 20,000 people march into London’s Trafalgar Square to protest against US foreign policy in Vietnam. Activist Tariq Ali and actress Vanessa Redgrave become the prominent faces of the day. As the masses move towards the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square, a shockwave spreads through the crowd – Mick Jagger is rumoured to have joined the march. As protesters begin to clash with police, photographer Michael Cooper captures the only known image of the Stones man on the periphery of the fray. A week later Jagger will pen the lyrics to 1968’s most incendiary anthem – Street Fighting Man.

Mick Farren, MOJO contributor, author and member of The Social Deviants was there. His memories of the day can be heard HERE.

17 – The Bee Gees make their US Television debut on The Ed Sullivan Show.

20 – Eric Clapton and three members of Buffalo Springfield (Neil Young, Richie Furay and Jim Messina) are busted at Stephen Stills’ L.A. home for “being in a place where it is suspected marijuana was being used”. Stills escapes the authorities by jumping out of a window.

20 - The Beatles' Apple Records begins advertising in the music press.

25 – The 58th and final episode of The Monkees’ television show is broadcast in the US.

27 – The Bee Gees open their first headline UK tour at London’s Royal Albert Hall. A 67-piece orchestra, 50-strong Air Force Band and a choir join in the fun.

27 – The Beatles hit No.1 in the UK with Lady Madonna (b/w The Inner Light).

31 – Lyndon Johnson announces he will not seek the Democratic nomination for President in 1968.

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Posted by Ross_Bennett at 12:54 PM GMT 21/02/2008

Related MOJO content:
Bill Graham , Buffalo Springfield , Elton John , Otis Redding , The Beatles , The Bee Gees , The Rolling Stones

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