Aretha Franklin debuts with her first soul hit for her new label, Atlantic Records, as "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You") premiers at #81.
And, speaking of Petula Clark, she performs before England's Princess Margaret at The London Palladium tonight.
The Jeff Beck Group, featuring bass player Ron Wood, drummer Aynsley Dunbar and former Long John Baldry vocalist Rod Stewart, make their performance debut in London. Virtuoso Guitarist Jeff Beck, a former Yardbird, would go on to have a stellar career as both a solo artist as well as performing with a who's who of rock superstars over the years. Rod Stewart and Ron Wood would (Wood-would … now that's kinda cool!) go on to join Faces a couple of years later.
While still working with Faces, Rod Stewart would launch a HUGE solo career in 1971 with his #1 hit (the first of four) "Maggie May. In 1976 Ron Wood would join The Rolling Stones. Aynsley Dunbar (who reported lost his spot with The Jimi Hendrix Experience to Mitch Mitchell on a coin toss) would also go on to great success with Frank Zappa's Mothers Of Invention, in addition to playing and / or recording with John Mayall, David Bowie, Lou Reed, Nils Lofgren, Journey, Jefferson Starship, Whitesnake, UFO, Sammy Hagar, Ronnie Montrose, Herbie Mann and several others.
The Young Rascals are back on "Where The Action Is" performing "I've Been Lonely Too Long" and "Mickey's Monkey". Mrs. Miller is also on hand. (Weren't her 15 minutes of fame up a couple of years ago?!?!?)
The Monkees are in the studio today working on tracks for their upcoming "Headquarters" LP. Mike Nesmith's "You Told Me" and the group effort "Zilch" are the focus of their attention this evening. Meanwhile, a pre-Monkees Micky Dolenz solo single, "Don't Do It", is released in the UK. It will premier on Billboard's Hot 100 Pop Singles chart the following day, eventually peaking at #75.
