Happy birthday Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits.  That band’s first U.S. single was “Sultans of Swing,” which was released with a non-album song on the flipside of the single. What was that rarity’s name?

Answer: Eastbound Train

Here’s the rest of today’s Rock N’ Roll Diary!

• Celebrating a birthday today is Dire Straits guitarist and singer Mark Knopfler!
• 1967: Fleetwood Mac made its live debut at the Windsor Jazz and Blues Festival in England. They shared the stage that day with Cream, Donovan & Pink Floyd.
• 1989: Just outside of New York City, the marquee above Toad’s Place in New Haven, Connecticut read “Rock Dance Party with the Cruiser”. But inside, the Rolling Stones were giving 700 people a taste of their upcoming Steel Wheels album and tour. Admission for the show was 3 bucks!
• 1994: As many as a quarter million people showed up in Saugerties, New York for day #1 of the Woodstock ’94 concert. The 3-day event opened with Joe Cocker and included performances by Aerosmith, the Band, CSN, Santana and many more.

Checking the WZLX ticket stash…

• 1970: Janis Joplin played Harvard Stadium.
• 1975: Cheech and Chong were at Paul’s Mall.
• 1977: The Garden said Yes.
• 1978: It was Foreigner at the Cape Cod Coliseum.