October 15, 2006 – Patti Smith headlines the final night of the infamous club, CBGB in New York City, which closes due to $300,000 owed in unpaid back rent.  She says, “CBGB is both the scrappy symbol of rock’s promise and a temple that no one wanted to see go.”  With an open booking policy, … Continue reading CDJ Today: October 15 in Classic Rock →

October 14, 1988 – Def Leppard become the first act in chart history to sell seven million copies of two consecutive albums – Pyromania (10 million copies sold) and Hysteria (25 million copies sold). October 14, 1977 – KISS release their 2nd live album, Alive II.  It goes on to sell over 2 million copies. October 14, 1972 – Adelaide, Australia police arrest … Continue reading CDJ Today: October 14 in Classic Rock →

October 13, 1998 – Eric Clapton opens the Crossroads Centre in Antigua for the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction. Crossroads Centre Antigua is still a nonprofit organization that offers medically managed detox, residential 12-step treatment programs and family therapy. October 13, 2016 – Bob Dylan is awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, “For having created … Continue reading CDJ Today: October 13 in Classic Rock →

October 12, 1987 – Dee Snider announces he is leaving Twisted Sister, two days after the Love Is for Suckers tour concludes. Snider reunites with the band ten years later. October 12, 1991 – The Day on the Green festival in Oakland, CA features headliners Metallica, Queensrÿche, Faith No More and Soundgarden. It is the final festival presented by Bill Graham prior to his death. October 12, 2005 … Continue reading CDJ Today: October 12 in Classic Rock →

October 11, 1999 – Tommy Lee of Mötley Crüe is released on $5000 bail after being arrested for inciting the crowd to attack a security guard at a North Carolina show. He is charged with “assault and inciting a riot with ethnic animosity” and later sentenced to 18 months probation after pleading “no contest” to the charges. October 11, 1983 … Continue reading CDJ Today: October 11 in Classic Rock →

October 10, 1975 – Deep Purple release Come Taste the Band, their only studio album to feature guitarist Tommy Bolin.  The album is also the final of three albums to feature Glenn Hughes on bass and a pre-Whitesnake David Coverdale on lead vocals. October 10, 1995 – Peter Frampton releases Frampton Comes Alive II, the long-awaited sequel to his record-setting live album released in 1976. October 10, 1969 … Continue reading CDJ Today: October 10 in Classic Rock →

October 9, 1985 – On what would have been John Lennon’s 45th birthday, Yoko Ono opens Strawberry Fields in New York City’s Central Park. The entrance to the memorial is located directly across from the Dakota Apartments where Lennon last lived and where he was murdered in 1980. Ono donated $1 million to open the … Continue reading CDJ Today: October 9 in Classic Rock →

It’s taken years, but the iconic British rock band Pink Floyd has finally agreed to sell their recorded music and name and likeness rights to Sony Music for approximately $400 million. The deal, one of the largest of many in recent years, concluded despite decades of ongoing infighting between the band members, notably chief songwriters … Continue reading Pink Floyd Sells Music Rights for $400 Million →

October 8, 1979 – Fleetwood Mac release their first double album, Tusk, which is the follow-up to Rumours.  Costing over $1 million to record, at the time it was the most expensive rock album ever made.  It sold 4 million copies worldwide, and featured the USC Trojan Marching Band on the title song “Tusk.” October 8, 2010 – Ozzy Osbourne blasts … Continue reading CDJ Today: October 8 in Classic Rock →

October 7, 1984 – Dee Snider is arrested after a concert in Amarillo, TX for using “profane and abusive” language.  According to Snider, a mom who had escorted her daughter to the show filed a complaint after Snider screamed, “Suck my mutha-f****n’ d**k!” at a concertgoer who was harassing him.  Snider would pay a whopping fine of $75. October … Continue reading CDJ Today: October 7 in Classic Rock →

October 6, 1990 – A Gathering of Tribes, a two-day concert said to be the inspiration behind Lollapalooza, is staged in Mountain View, CA and Costa Mesa, CA by The Cult’s Ian Astbury and promoter Bill Graham. Artists on the bill include Soundgarden, Ice-T, Indigo Girls, Queen Latifah, Joan Baez, Steve Jones, Michelle Shocked, Iggy … Continue reading CDJ Today: October 6 in Classic Rock →

October 5, 2003 – Surviving Nugent, Ted Nugent’s reality show, set on Nugent’s 2000-acre Michigan ranch, premieres on VH1. Seven contestants compete in a series of challenges, like building an outhouse and skinning a boar, for a new pickup truck and $25,000. October 5, 2008 – Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night finally tie the knot after dating for 20 years. … Continue reading CDJ Today: October 5 in Classic Rock →