September 19, 1985 – Dee Snider, Frank Zappa and John Denver testify before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee against the Parents Music Resource Center’s plans on demanding warning labels on albums. Frank Zappa says that, “The PMRC proposal is an ill-conceived piece of nonsense which fails to deliver any real benefits to children, … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 19 in Classic Rock →

J.D. Souther, the singer/songwriter best known for his hits for the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt that helped define the Southern California country-rock sound of the mid 1970’s has died. Some of Souther’s best-known songs included the Eagles’ “New Kid In Town” and “Heartache Tonight”, Ronstadt’s “Faithless Love” and his own “You’re Only Lonely”.

September 18, 1983 – Kiss appear without their makeup for the first time during an MTV interview while promoting the release of their new album Lick It Up. Only two of the group’s original members were unveiled as founding drummer Peter Criss and guitarist Ace Frehley had left the band. Eric Carr and Vinnie Vincent … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 18 in Classic Rock →

September 16, 1970 – Jimi Hendrix goes to see his good friend Eric Burdon’s new band War, and is invited on stage to play guest guitar. This is his last time on stage as he dies less than 72 hours later. September 16, 2005 – Mötley Crüe’s Vince Neil tears his calf when he leans over to sing along with … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 16 in Classic Rock →

September 15, 2014 – Apple release a tool to remove U2‘s new album, Songs of Innocence, from iTunes accounts after giving away the music for free. Songs of Innocence is considered the biggest album launch in history because about half a billion iTunes users owned it on the day of its release. Apple reportedly gave U2 a large blanket … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 15 in Classic Rock →

Queen guitarist Brian May suffered a health scare that might have ended his career. Sharing the news of suffering a minor stroke, May wrote on Instagram: “I’m here to bring you some good news — the good news is that I can play guitar after the events of the last few days. I say this … Continue reading Queen Guitarist Brian May Suffers Health Scare That Might Have Ended his Career →

September 9, 1971 – John Lennon releases his second solo album Imagine. The title track becomes his signature song and the album goes on to sell over 2 million copies in the U.S. September 9, 1992 – The 9th annual MTV Video Music Awards do not disappoint.  Van Halen wins Video of the Year for “Right Now,” Howard Stern appears as … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 9 in Classic Rock →

September 8, 1994 – Aerosmith win Video of the Year for “Cryin’” at the MTV Video Music Awards in New York City.  This marks the first appearance of Alicia Silverstone in a band video, and she goes on to appear in two other Aerosmith videos.  This is also the year when Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley open … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 8 in Classic Rock →

September 7, 1968 – Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and John Bonham make their live debut as Led Zeppelin (but are billed as The Yardbirds) at Gladsaxe Teen Club in a suburb on the outskirts of Copenhagen, Denmark. Around 1,200 people attend the show. The band is later billed as “The New Yardbirds,” before choosing the … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 7 in Classic Rock →

September 6, 1989 – Mötley Crüe lead singer Vince Neil decks Izzy Stradlin of Guns N’ Roses with a knockout punch at the MTV Video Music Awards. Neil was seething mad because Stradlin at allegedly assaulted Neil’s wife at the Cathouse club in Hollywood several weeks prior to the event. September 6, 1970 – Jimi … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 6 in Classic Rock →

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 →