September 5, 1976 – Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Gary Rossington is injured in a car crash in Jacksonville, FL after he falls asleep at the wheel while under the influence of alcohol and drugs. The accident inspires Ronnie Van Zant to write “That Smell” with the lyrics, “Whiskey bottles and brand new cars, oak tree you’re in my … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 5 in Classic Rock →

September 4, 2000 – Greg Allman is arrested in back-to-back incidents in Florida. In the first incident, police clock Allman’s Trans Am at 85 mph in a 45-mph zone.  He is given a ticket for speeding and one for his expired license.  He is then arrested about 4 hours later when his car is seen weaving across the highway. Police say … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 4 in Classic Rock →

September 3, 1982 – The first US Festival commences in San Bernardino, California and features Tom Petty, Fleetwood Mac, The Police, The Cars, the Talking Heads, The Kinks, the Ramones, B52’s, The English Beat, Gang Of Four, The Grateful Dead, Pat Benatar and Jackson Browne. Apple Computers co-founder Steven Wozniak bankrolls the festival and loses about $12 … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 3 in Classic Rock →

September 2, 1989 – Ozzy Osbourne is charged with threatening to kill his wife Sharon. Sharon later said, “He went to bed. I was reading downstairs. He came down in his underpants, sat on the sofa right opposite me and said, ‘We’ve come to a decision.’ I was like, ‘Yeah’ — sort of sarcastic — … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 2 in Classic Rock →

September 1, 1998 – Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan is charged with assault and battery for allegedly hitting a security guard in the head with a microphone during a concert at Pine Knob in Michigan. “I’ve seen everything at Pine Knob, but I’ve never seen it where the lead singer bends over and hits someone,” says the local sheriff. September 1, … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 1 in Classic Rock →

August 31, 2012 – Eddie Van Halen undergoes emergency surgery for “a severe bout of diverticulitis” causing Van Halen to reschedule a tour of Japan slated for November. August 31, 1976 – George Harrison is found guilty of “subconscious plagiarism” when Bright Tunes Music Corporation sues him, claiming that he plagiarized “He’s So Fine” by The Chiffons for his song “My Sweet Lord.” The case … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 31 in Classic Rock →

August 30, 1965 – Bob Dylan releases his sixth studio album, Highway 61 Revisited. It is Dylan’s first mostly electric album, and receives much critical acclaim and platinum status. August 30, 1969 – The second Isle Of Wight Festival takes place in front of 150,000 people over a 3-day period. Acts include Bob Dylan, The Band, Joe Cocker, Free, The Moody … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 30 in Classic Rock →

August 29, 1980 – Eddie Van Halen meets his future wife Valerie Bertinelli for the first time at a Van Halen concert in Shreveport, LA. Her brother had dragged her to the show, even though she didn’t want to go. They would marry eight months later. August 29, 1977 – Three men are arrested and charged with trying to steal Elvis Presley’s body … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 29 in Classic Rock →

British pop icons Oasis are reforming for the first time since 2009, with feuding brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher calling a truce to get the band back together. Oasis will headline a series of live concerts in the UK and Ireland next year, including four shows at London’s Wembley Stadium. As well as being one … Continue reading British Pop Icons Oasis Are Back →

August 28, 1964 – The Beatles meet Bob Dylan for the first time, after their concert at New York’s Forest Hills Tennis Stadium. He introduces them to marijuana. August 28, 1966 – The Beatles perform at Dodger Stadium in LA  before a crowd of 45,000. Bob Eubanks is the concert’s promoter, a radio DJ who had been staging 100 concerts a year and goes … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 28 in Classic Rock →

August 27, 1989 – Izzy Stradlin of Guns N’ Roses loses his “patience” on a US Airways flight from Indianapolis to Los Angeles and pees in the galley after being annoyed that the lavatory was occupied. His publicist explains that, “Relieving himself in the galley was just his way of expressing himself.” After being sentenced to a year of probation … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 27 in Classic Rock →

August 26, 1990 – Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble perform their last show at Alpine Valley in East Troy, WI. During their encore, Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy and Jimmy Vaughan join them onstage.  A few hours later, Stevie Ray Vaughan dies in a helicopter crash. August 26, 1970 – The five-day Isle of Wight festival begins in … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 26 in Classic Rock →