January 25, 2006 – Mötley Crüe receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “We’re across the street from the Erotica Museum and Frederick’s of Hollywood. This is a perfect place for us to be,” bassist Nikki Sixx told an estimated 600 screaming fans. January 25, 2003 – Billy Joel crashes his Mercedes in Long Island, New York.  He … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 25 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. 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 →

January 22, 2004 – The Bottom Line nightclub in New York City is forced to close its doors after failed negotiations with its landlord, New York University.  Bruce Springsteen offers to pay their back rent if they can work out a new lease, but the deal does not come to fruition. January 22, 1990 – Guns N’ … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 22 in Classic Rock →

January 21, 1987 – Twenty-two artists are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the 2nd annual awards show, held in New York City.  Keith Richards inducts Aretha Franklin, B.B. King is inducted by Sting, ZZ Top inducts Bo Diddley, Mick Jones of Foreigner inducts Eddie Cochran, Ricky Nelson is posthumously inducted by John Fogerty, and … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 21 in Classic Rock →

January 20, 1982 – Ozzy Osbourne bites the head off a live bat at a show in Des Moines, Iowa, thinking it was a rubber bat thrown on the stage.  In his memoir, he says, “Immediately, though, something felt wrong. Very wrong. For a start, my mouth was instantly full of this warm, gloopy liquid, with the … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 20 in Classic Rock →

January 19, 1994 – The Ninth Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies are held in New York City. Inductees include The Animals, The Band, Duane Eddy, The Grateful Dead, Elton John, John Lennon, Bob Marley, and Rod Stewart.  Stewart can’t make it there due to the massive earthquake that hit LA that week, and … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 19 in Classic Rock →

January 18, 1989 – Stevie Wonder becomes the youngest living person to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the age of 38.  Later, in 2012, Josh Klinghoffer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers becomes the youngest Rock and Roll Hall of Famer ever inducted at the age of 32. January 18, 1991 … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 18 in Classic Rock →

January 16, 1978 – Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols falls through a glass door at a San Francisco hotel while overdosing , and is rushed to a hospital.  Days later, the group disbands. January 16, 1985 – It’s day #6 of the first Rock in Rio festival held in Rio de Janeiro. The ten-day festival featured artists … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 16 in Classic Rock →

January 14, 1965 –  David Bowie releases his first single in the U.S., “Can’t Help Thinking About Me.”  This was the first single released after he changed his name from David (also Davie) Jones to David Bowie. January 14, 1967 – The first “Human Be-In” takes place at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park with more than 25,000 people in attendance. It is the prelude to … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 14 in Classic Rock →

January 13, 2003 – Pete Townshend of The Who is arrested on suspicion of downloading child porn. Police officers impound seven computers, but after a four-month investigation, he is cleared of all charges. He claimed he was doing research while writing his autobiography and says he was sexually abused as a child himself. January 13, 1968 – Johnny Cash plays two … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 13 in Classic Rock →

January 12, 1969 – Led Zeppelin release their self-titled debut album. The album was completely funded by Jimmy Page (who was also the producer) and took only 36 hours to record and mix.  Page also picked out the image of the burning Hindenburg (the “lead zeppelin”) on the cover. Rolling Stone wrote that “The cover of Led Zeppelin … shows the Hindenburg airship, in all its phallic glory, … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 12 in Classic Rock →