December 24, 1971 – The New York Dolls make their live debut at a homeless shelter, the Endicott Hotel, in New York City. Classic Rock Birthdays December 24, 1945 – Lemmy (born Ian Fraser Kilmister), singer, bassist (Motörhead) (d. 2015)December 24, 1946 – Jan Akkerman, guitar (Focus)December 24, 1957 – Ian Burden, keyboards, bass (Human … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 24 in Classic Rock →

December 23, 1985 – Judas Priest fans Raymond Belknap, 18, and James Vance, 20, shoot themselves after listening to the Judas Priest album, Stained Class. Belknap dies, but Vance lives for more than three years before dying from the effects of the shooting.  The parents later file an infamous lawsuit against the band claiming their music was filled with subliminal messages. December 23, … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 23 in Classic Rock →

December 22, 1987 – Nikki Sixx from Motley Crue is pronounced “dead on arrival” in an ambulance when his heart stops beating for two minutes. Sixx is given two shots of adrenaline in his chest, which revives him. In his book, The Heroin Diaries, Sixx says, “I ripped out my tubes and staggered in just my leather pants … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 22 in Classic Rock →

December 21, 1970 – Elvis Presley meets with President Richard Nixon at The White House to volunteer his services in fighting the war on drugs. Elvis had written a letter to President Nixon asking to be made a “Federal Agent at Large” for the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. No such position actually existed, but Nixon, wanting desperately … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 21 in Classic Rock →

December 20, 1980 – Motörhead drummer Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor accidentally breaks his neck after being lifted above the head of a friend in a test of strength, only to be dropped upon his head. Taylor continued to play in Motörhead with the aid of a neck brace, as is visible in the music video for “Ace of … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 20 in Classic Rock →

Julien’s Auctions has announced the forthcoming auction “Celebrating Bob Dylan: The Aronowitz Archive, T Bone Burnett, & More” will be held at the Musician’s Hall of Fame & Museum in Nashville, TN on Saturday, January 18, 2025. The auction features 60 items, 50 of these from journalist Al Aronowitz’s personal archive including two pages containing … Continue reading Bob Dylan’s Original “Mr. Tambourine Man” Typewritten Draft Lyrics Set for Auction →

December 19, 1975 – Ronnie Wood officially leaves The Faces, leaving him free to join The Rolling Stones months later. Classic Rock Birthdays December 19, 1944 – Alvin Lee (born Graham Anthony Barnes), guitar, vocals (Ten Years After) (d. 2013)December 19, 1957 – Doug Johnson, keyboards (Loverboy)December 19, 1944 – Zal Yanovsky, guitar, vocals (The Lovin’ Spoonful) (d. 2002) Backstage Access:Alvin Lee, Finally Going Home Rock … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 19 in Classic Rock →

December 18, 1983 – Keith Richards marries model and actress Patti Hansen in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Mick Jagger is Richards’ best man. December 18, 1988 – Mike Peters of The Alarm has his eyes burnt by spotlights during a show in Chester, England. He regains his sight two weeks later. December 18, 2000 – Bob Geldof is granted custody of … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 18 in Classic Rock →

December 17, 1994 – Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi marries actress Heather Locklear in Paris. They divorce in 2006. December 17, 1969 – Singer Tiny Tim marries Miss Vicki Budinger on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson with 40 million people watching. The program receives the second largest ratings of any show up to that time.  Tiny Tim was known … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 17 in Classic Rock →

December 16, 1994 – Davy Jones, former lead singer of The Monkees, is charged with a DUI after being stopped on a rural Pennsylvania road near his home.  Jones is released on $5,000 bail. December 16, 1984 – Dusty Hill, bassist of ZZ Top, is accidentally shot in the abdomen by his own gun when his girlfriend pulls off his … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 16 in Classic Rock →

December 15, 2001 – Joe Walsh receives an honorary Doctorate of Music in recognition of his musical achievement and involvement in environmental and humanitarian causes from Kent State University. Walsh attended school there off and on for six years during the 60’s, without ever graduating.  He says, “I majored in English and minored in music. Unfortunately, I was at the Kent … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 15 in Classic Rock →

December 14, 1980 – There is a 10-minute silent vigil worldwide at 2PM EST in New York City to remember John Lennon.  Over 100,000 people gather in Central Park; 30,000 people observe silence in Liverpool. For those ten minutes, every radio station in New York City goes off the air. At least three Beatles fans commit suicide after the murder, leading Ono to make a public … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 14 in Classic Rock →