well, among many things, today is allegedly the 50th anniversary of the release of "The Man Who Sold the World." Or is it, really? What, exactly, are we commemorating? Yes, reportedly on 4 Nov 1970, this LP was released by Mercury, and only in the US. (UK rel. date is April '71).

There's no mention of it, or of DB, in any Billboard from Oct-Dec 1970. No mention in Cash Box in the same period. There are, as far as I can tell, no mentions of it in US newspapers until Feb '71. Have been digging to see if someone--an underground or college paper noted it.

the PR push Mercury does in Feb 71 (soon to be commemorated in Stardust!) finally gets it some press. Rolling Stone in Feb. 71 This review in the Cincinnati Enquirer, 13 Feb.

But in Nov 1970, what exactly is it? A poor unloved, unpromoted LP, sitting in a few US stores. Who bought it then? Am curious: there must have been a few. But this was a cult record beyond cult records then. Today is the 50th anniversary of a ghost.