July 8, 1958 – The first Gold record album certified by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is awarded to the soundtrack Oklahoma.  At the time, a Gold record represented one million records sold.  It now represents sales of 500,000 copies. July 8, 2000 – Janick Gers of Iron Maiden falls headfirst off the stage during their encore at a … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 8 in Classic Rock →

June 3, 2000 – After destroying his living room, threatening his wife with a knife and sending police on a manhunt near his Osprey, Florida home, Allman Brothers Band guitarist Dickey Betts was discovered by police after a helicopter search. He is sent to a psychiatric unit. June 3, 1983 – Famous session drummer Jim Gordon murders his mother by hitting her in the head … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 3 in Classic Rock →

May 19, 2000 – Dickey Betts of The Allman Brothers Band is essentially kicked out of the band for “creative differences,” which are allegedly related to drugs and/or alcohol use. May 19, 1979 – Eric Clapton and Patti Boyd throw a reception party two months after their wedding featuring a jam session with Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Ginger Baker, Mick Jagger … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 19 in Classic Rock →

April 30, 1976 – Keith Moon from the Who pays nine cab drivers to blockade both ends of the street where he is staying in a NYC hotel.  He proceeds to throw the contents of his hotel room out the window.  Now that’s metal! April 30, 2008 – At the Coachella music festival, a giant inflatable pig floats away during Roger Waters‘ set. … Continue reading CDJ Today: April 30 in Classic Rock →

April 6, 1993 – Peter Criss, former drummer for the rock group KISS, settles a libel lawsuit against Star magazine for portraying him as a homeless alcoholic.  ”At least now I can go on with a clearer head, now that this is over,” he said. “I could write a song about this whole thing. Maybe I will.” A Jan. … Continue reading CDJ Today: April 6 in Classic Rock →

April 4, 2009 – Flea inducts Metallica into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with a moving tribute to the deceased Cliff Burton.  This is the first-ever induction ceremony open to the public.  Jeff Beck is also inducted by his former Yardbird colleague Jimmy Page. April 4, 2000 – A Swedish couple runs into trouble with authorities after trying … Continue reading CDJ Today: April 4 in Classic Rock →

March 24, 2001 – A stretch of road on Highway 19 in Macon, Georgia, is named Duane Allman Boulevard, near where the Allman Brothers guitarist died at age 24 in a motorcycle crash on October 29, 1971. March 24, 1962 – Mick Jagger and Keith Richards perform their first paid gig when they appear as Little Boy Blue & … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 24 in Classic Rock →

March 22, 1974 – The Eagles release On the Border, their third studio album. It’s the first Eagles album to feature guitarist Don Felder. March 22, 1971 – The Allman Brothers Band is arrested on charges of heroin and marijuana possession in Jackson, AL.   It was their first bust all together, though a roadie had recently been shot off … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 22 in Classic Rock →

January 24, 1981 – Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler runs into a tree on his motorcycle, tearing open his heel.  The accident leaves him hospitalized for two months, and recovering for almost a year. January 24, 1995 – Van Halen release their tenth studio album Balance, which is their final album with Sammy Hagar. The album reaches #1 on the Billboard 200 … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 24 in Classic Rock →

January 23, 2004 – David Palmer, former keyboardist for Jethro Tull, announces he has had a sex change and is now known as “Dee.”  Palmer was born with genital ambiguity, assigned male at birth, and said her desire to change sex had been an “open secret” in the music business for many years. She did not have her sex change operation until the … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 23 in Classic Rock →