May 27, 1988 – The first U.S. Monsters of Rock tour kicks off with a 3-night stand at the Alpine Valley Music Theater in Wisconsin.  On the bill in this order are Kingdom Come, Metallica, Dokken, Scorpions and Van Halen as the headliners.  The tour lasts for two months. May 27, 1994 – After 14 years apart, The Eagles reunite for their “Hell Freezes Over” … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 27 in Classic Rock →

May 26, 2000 – Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee begins a five day jail sentence for violating his parole by drinking alcohol.  A Malibu judge extends Lee’s probation until May 26, 2003, reinstates random drug testing and orders him to enroll in Alcoholics Anonymous. May 26, 1994 – Michael Jackson marries Lisa Marie Presley in the Dominican Republic. The couple divorce in 1995. May 26, 1973 – Deep Purple release … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 26 in Classic Rock →

May 25, 1978 – Keith Moon of the Who, performs for the last time with the band at a secret concert for fan club members at London’s Shepperton Film Studios.  The show was a mini-concert for their career-spanning documentary The Kids Are Alright.  The band had been off the road for nearly two years, and gave a solid but stilted performance.  Keith … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 25 in Classic Rock →

May 24, 1994 – Bret Michaels of Poison loses control of his Ferrari and crashes into a telephone pole in Burbank, CA.  He breaks his thumb, nose and collarbone, loses four teeth, cracks his sternum, and receives a hairline fracture of his upper jawbone. According to police reports, he passed out behind the wheel while driving. May 24, 1974 – David Bowie releases his 8th studio album Diamond Dogs. … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 24 in Classic Rock →

May 23, 1969 – The Who release their fourth album Tommy, which is a double album and is the first album to be billed as a rock opera. It goes on to sell over two million copies in the U.S. May 23, 2010 – Bret Michaels of Poison is announced the winner of The Celebrity Apprentice, season 9.  He wins $250,000 for his charity, the American Diabetes Association. … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 23 in Classic Rock →

May 22, 2011 – Vinnie Vincent, ex-Kiss and Vinnie Vincent Invasion guitarist,  is arrested in Smyrna, Tennessee after his wife, Diane Cusano, charges that he slapped her face, grabbed her hair, dragged her through shattered glass, and, as she tried to escape from their property, repeatedly hurled her to the ground. A SWAT team is brought to his home … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 22 in Classic Rock →

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, 2008 – Steven Tyler of Aerosmith checks into a rehab clinic in Pasadena, CA to recover from surgeries that repaired damage to his feet. May 21, 1983 – Def Leppard make their only … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 21 in Classic Rock →

May 20, 2015 – Whitesnake release “The Purple Album,” a tribute to Deep Purple, featuring songs from singer David Coverdale’s two albums with the band. “It’s a tribute. A homage. It’s a huge thank you from me to Deep Purple for the opportunity I was given over 40 years ago,” states Coverdale. May 20, 1998 – Mötley Crüe‘s Tommy Lee is sentenced to 180 days in jail, … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 20 in Classic Rock →

May 19, 2000 – Dickey Betts of The Allman Brothers Band is essentially kicked out of the band for “creative differences,” which are allegedly related to drugs and/or alcohol use. May 19, 1979 – Eric Clapton and Patti Boyd throw a reception party two months after their wedding featuring a jam session with Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Ginger Baker, Mick Jagger … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 19 in Classic Rock →

May 18, 1980 – Peter Criss leaves Kiss for the first of three times.  He is replaced by drummer Eric Carr. May 18, 2004 –  New Jersey’s Country Cow Creamery gets permission from Ozzy and his wife Sharon to create flavors in their name.  Ozzy’s is called Carnivorous Carrot Cake – cinnamon spice ice cream with carrot cake dipped in hazelnut liqueur, and Sharon’s is Death … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 18 in Classic Rock →

May 17, 1963 – The first Monterey Folk Festival takes place over three days in Monterey, California. The festival features Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Peter Paul and Mary and Jerry Garcia.  It is the precursor to the infamous 1967 Monterey Pop Festival. May 17, 1987 – Tom Petty and his family barely escape a fire that engulfs their home in Encino, CA and destroys everything.  It is … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 17 in Classic Rock →

May 16, 1984 – Ozzy Osbourne is arrested in Memphis, Tennessee for being “staggering drunk,” according to police.  He was released from jail five hours later, and continued on with his tour in support of Bark at the Moon. May 16, 1965 – The Rolling Stones barely escape the parking lot after their show at Civic Hall in Long Beach, California, when their limo is besieged by … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 16 in Classic Rock →