1970-02-06

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1970 Friday 6th February

        • A Side – ‘Instant Karma!’

        • B Side – ‘You Can’t Hear The Wind’

Instant Release: John Lennon’s Solo Leap on February 6, 1970

Friday, February 6, 1970, marked a significant milestone in the evolving narrative of The Beatles’ dissolution and individual pursuits. On this day, John Lennon released his third solo single, “Instant Karma! (We All Shine On),” credited to John Lennon with the Plastic Ono Band. Produced by Phil Spector in a whirlwind session just ten days earlier on January 27, the track featured George Harrison on guitar, Billy Preston on keyboards, and Klaus Voormann on bass, among others. The A-side’s urgent, anthemic message of immediate accountability and positivity resonated amid the band’s internal strife, while the B-side, Yoko Ono’s “Who Has Seen the Wind?,” offered a haunting folk contrast.

Simultaneously, Lennon and Ono appeared in an interview for the BBC Radio program “Scene and Heard,” hosted by David Wigg. During the conversation, Lennon discussed his peace activism, the single’s rapid production, and hinted at future projects, including potential collaborations with Spector and Ono. He also touched on Paul McCartney’s upcoming solo album, revealing underlying tensions within The Beatles. This release and interview came at a time when the group was fracturing—Lennon had privately quit in September 1969, though the public breakup would come in April. “Instant Karma!” climbed to number 5 in the UK and number 3 in the US, underscoring Lennon’s viability as a solo artist and foreshadowing the post-Beatles era.

Top 10 Songs in the UK Charts on February 6, 1970

The UK singles chart for the week ending February 7 (reflecting sales up to February 6) highlighted a mix of British acts and international hits, with Edison Lighthouse’s catchy pop tune leading the pack:

  1. Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) by Edison Lighthouse
  2. Leavin’ on a Jet Plane by Peter, Paul & Mary
  3. Two Little Boys by Rolf Harris
  4. Reflections of My Life by Marmalade
  5. The Witch’s Promise / Teacher by Jethro Tull
  6. Come and Get It by Badfinger
  7. Let’s Work Together by Canned Heat
  8. I’m a Man by Chicago
  9. Temma Harbour by Mary Hopkin
  10. Ruby Don’t Take Your Love to Town by Kenny Rogers & The First Edition

Badfinger’s “Come and Get It,” written by Paul McCartney, served as a subtle nod to The Beatles’ influence, even as Lennon’s new single began its ascent.

Top 10 Songs in the USA Charts on February 6, 1970

The Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending February 7 featured a diverse array of genres, with Dutch band Shocking Blue’s infectious rock track at the summit:

  1. Venus by Shocking Blue
  2. I Want You Back by The Jackson 5
  3. Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head by B.J. Thomas
  4. Whole Lotta Love by Led Zeppelin
  5. Don’t Cry Daddy by Elvis Presley
  6. Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) by Sly & The Family Stone
  7. Someday We’ll Be Together by Diana Ross & The Supremes
  8. Down on the Corner / Fortunate Son by Creedence Clearwater Revival
  9. Without Love (There Is Nothing) by Tom Jones
  10. Jingle Jangle by The Archies

These charts captured a moment of musical transition, much like The Beatles’ own shift from collective to individual artistry.

Beyond the melodies, February 6, 1970, was shaped by global events that reflected ongoing Cold War anxieties, technological advancements, and human tragedies.

Top News Headlines in the UK and the World on February 6, 1970

In the UK, attention turned to domestic and international affairs, including discussions on economic policies and the ongoing troubles in Northern Ireland, though no singular crisis dominated the day. Globally, a devastating Aeroflot Flight U-45 crash in Uzbekistan claimed 84 lives when the Ilyushin Il-18 struck a mountain during approach to Samarkand. In Greenland, the village of Angmagsalik (now Tasiilaq) was battered by a record piteraq windstorm, with gusts up to 200 mph destroying buildings but causing no fatalities due to preparedness. The NBA announced expansion to 18 teams, adding franchises in Buffalo, Cleveland, Houston, and Portland. In sports, South African cricketer Graeme Pollock scored a remarkable 274 against Australia in Durban. The U.S. conducted a nuclear test at the Nevada Test Site, underscoring persistent arms race tensions.

These headlines painted a world of progress and peril, mirroring the bittersweet evolution of The Beatles’ legacy.

Notable Births on February 6, 1970

  • Jeff Rouse, American swimmer (Olympic gold 4x100m medley 1992, 96; 100m backstroke 1996), known for his world records and contributions to U.S. relay dominance.
  • Per Frandsen, Danish footballer and manager, a midfielder who played for clubs like Bolton Wanderers and represented Denmark internationally.
  • Tim Herron, American golfer, a four-time PGA Tour winner nicknamed “Lumpy” for his laid-back style.

Born amid a year of cultural shifts, these individuals would carve paths in sports, echoing the era’s spirit of achievement.

Notable Deaths on February 6, 1970

  • Roscoe Karns, American actor (Captain Shafer in Hennesey), aged 78; a prolific character actor in films like It Happened One Night, leaving a legacy in classic Hollywood comedy.

Karns’ passing marked the fading of an earlier entertainment generation, contrasting the innovative paths of artists like Lennon.

Cultural Events Shaping Global Culture on February 6, 1970

While no blockbuster films premiered exactly on February 6, the cultural landscape buzzed with anticipation. The release of “Instant Karma!” itself was a pivotal event, blending rock with philosophical urgency and influencing the solo artist trend. In cricket, Graeme Pollock’s double century in Durban captivated sports fans, symbolizing resilience in apartheid-era South Africa. The NBA’s expansion announcement heralded basketball’s growing global appeal. Earlier in the week, the film “Zabriskie Point” by Michelangelo Antonioni had its U.S. premiere (February 9, but buzz building), a countercultural drama exploring alienation through a young couple’s desert odyssey, starring Mark Frechette and Daria Halprin. Its psychedelic visuals and Pink Floyd soundtrack captured the era’s unrest, shaping discussions on youth rebellion and environmentalism.

February 6, 1970, encapsulated The Beatles’ twilight—Lennon’s “Instant Karma!” a beacon of his independent voice amid the group’s quiet unraveling. Set against charts brimming with fresh sounds, news of triumphs and tragedies, and cultural undercurrents of change, it was a day that hinted at the 1970s’ transformative promise.

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