July 9, 1995 – Jerry Garcia performs his last concert with the Grateful Dead at Chicago’s Soldier Field.  At the time, no one knew this would be Garcia’s last show, even Garcia himself.  Although he’d been clean for several years, Garcia had returned to using drugs to ease some physical ailments.  He died exactly one month later at … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 9 in Classic Rock →

May 21, 1983 – Def Leppard make their only appearance on American Bandstand, performing “Photograph” and “Rock of Ages.” May 21, 1966 – Bruce Springsteen and his band The Castiles perform at Freehold Regional High School in New Jersey.  All the band members are juniors at the school. May 21, 1992 – MTV airs the first episode of their new series The Real World.  It is one of … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 21 in Classic Rock →

May 7, 1998 – Steve Perry officially leaves Journey. He is replaced by Steve Augeri, after an agreement made with the rest of the band that if Perry decided not to tour, a new singer could be hired.  Augeri lasts 8 years but must retire after recurring vocal issues. May 7, 2003 – Pete Townshend is cleared of possessing child … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 7 in Classic Rock →

May 1, 1967 – Elvis Presley (32) marries Priscilla Beaulieu (21) at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas. This was the first marriage for them both and the only time Elvis was officially married.  The cake cost $3200, which at the time was more than the price of an average car.  The only celebrity guest was comedian Redd … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 1 in Classic Rock →

Tonight the GRAMMY’s will honor Sir Elton John with an all-star tribute concert featuring performances from some of music’s biggest stars, including a special performance by the Rocket Man himself. Tune in to CBS tonight – Tuesday, April 10th – at 9pm ET to catch Elton John: I’m Still Standing – A GRAMMY Salute. Musicians … Continue reading ‘Elton John: I’m Still Standing – A GRAMMY Salute’ Airs Tonight →

March 25, 1990 – Mötley Crüe‘s Tommy Lee is arrested for mooning the audience during a gig in Augusta, GA.  Lee is charged with “Indecent Exposure/Live Sexually Explicit Act” and fined $1,647.  The arresting officer tells the Augusta Chronicle that Lee, “…could not have been a nicer guy, and the entire group was extremely cordial and even thanked us … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 25 in Classic Rock →

February 24, 1975 – Led Zeppelin release their sixth album Physical Graffiti. It’s a double album featuring 8 new songs, and songs left over from their previous albums Led Zeppelin III, Led Zeppelin IV and Houses Of The Holy.  Featuring an intricate die-cut cover of a New York City brownstone, the album goes on to sell over 8 million copies in the … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 24 in Classic Rock →

February 10, 1978 – Van Halen release their self-titled debut album. The album goes on to sell over ten million copies in the U.S. and makes Van Halen one of only six rock bands to have two albums reach diamond status. February 10, 1998 – Axl Rose is arrested and charged with verbally abusing an employee of Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix. Rose, … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 10 in Classic Rock →

After five decades on the road Sir Elton John has announced that he will be calling it quits after his upcoming Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. The 70-year-old icon made the announcement at a press conference Wednesday but explained that the decision wasn’t made because of poor health. “I’ve been working constantly, I’ve been on … Continue reading Elton John Announces Farewell Tour and Retirement →

November 28, 1974 – John Lennon makes his last ever concert appearance when he joins Elton John on stage at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Lennon performs three songs: “Whatever Gets You Thru The Night,” “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds” and “I Saw Her Standing There.”  Lennon had lost a bet to Elton, who guaranteed … Continue reading CDJ Today: November 28 in Classic Rock →