August 7, 2006 – Gene Simmons Family Jewels premieres on the A&E Network. The show runs for seven successful seasons and features Simmons, his longtime partner Shannon Tweed, and their two kids Nick and Sophie. August 7, 1981 – The movie Heavy Metal is released to lukewarm response, but goes on to become a cult classic (mainly because of its soundtrack) … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 7 in Classic Rock →

August 6, 1996 – The Ramones perform their 2,263rd and final concert at The Palace in Los Angeles with a star-studded guest list. Featuring appearances by former bassist Dee Dee Ramone along with Motörhead‘s Lemmy Kilmister, Pearl Jam‘s Eddie Vedder, Rancid’s Tim Armstrong and Soundgarden‘s Chris Cornell, the 32-song set wraps up with a cover of the Dave Clark … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 6 in Classic Rock →

August 5, 1975 – The first all-female hard-rock band is formed when producer Kim Fowley puts together The Runaways, featuring Joan Jett, future Bangle Michael Steele, and Lita Ford. August 5, 1994 – Billy Idol is rushed to St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, CA following a suspected overdose.  Earlier in the year, he had collapsed in convulsions outside the … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 5 in Classic Rock →

August 4, 1975 – Led Zeppelin‘s tour is postponed following Robert Plant’s serious auto accident on the small Greek island of Rhodos.  Plant has multiple fractures of  his ankle, bones supporting his foot, and elbow. Doctors initally tell Plant he may never walk again. His wife, Maureen, also in the car, suffers a lengthy period of concussions, and breaks her leg in several … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 4 in Classic Rock →

August 3, 1968 – The Newport Pop Festival begins in Costa Mesa, CA.  It is the first concert with more than 100,000 paid attendees.  Performers include The Grateful Dead, Alice Cooper, Canned Heat, Electric Flag, Iron Butterfly, Jefferson Airplane, The Byrds, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Sonny & Cher, Steppenwolf and Tiny Tim.  Admission was $5.50 per day for the … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 3 in Classic Rock →

July 13, 1984 – For the first and only time, Eddie Van Halen performs “Beat It” live in concert with Michael Jackson, at The Jacksons concert at Texas Stadium in Dallas. Jackson screams, “You got it, Eddie, Eddie, Eddie!” July 13, 1984 – The Live Aid concerts take place in London’s Wembley Stadium and Philadelphia’s JFK Stadium.  The concerts are … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 13 in Classic Rock →

July 12, 2007 – Rod Stewart is awarded the CBE Order of the British Empire by Prince Charles in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. July 12, 1979 – The MLB makes a fateful decision when they team up with Chicago disc jockey Steve Dahl for a “Disco Demolition Night” at Comiskey Park in Chicago, IL between … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 12 in Classic Rock →

July 11, 1982 – Pete Willis is fired from Def Leppard and replaced by Phil Collen, due to excessive alcohol consumption on the job.  “Things were going too fast for me.” says Willis. “I was still enjoying it, but I was using drink as a crutch. It wasn’t nice to go that way, but it was something that … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 11 in Classic Rock →

July 10, 2012 – Slash gets his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in front of the Hard Rock Cafe. Ex-bandmates Duff McKagan, Gilby Clark and Steven Adler are in attendance.  Charlie Sheen is the master of ceremonies and quips, “It seems quite fitting that Slash is getting a star on the very street Axl Rose … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 10 in Classic Rock →

July 9, 1995 – Jerry Garcia performs his last concert with the Grateful Dead at Chicago’s Soldier Field.  At the time, no one knew this would be Garcia’s last show, even Garcia himself.  Although he’d been clean for several years, Garcia had returned to using drugs to ease some physical ailments.  He died exactly one month later at … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 9 in Classic Rock →

July 8, 1967 – The Monkees start their tour with The Jimi Hendrix Experience as the opening act. Not surprisingly, Hendrix is dropped after six shows when he is told his act is not suitable for the young audience. July 8, 1958 – The first Gold record album certified by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is awarded to the soundtrack Oklahoma.  At the time, a Gold record … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 8 in Classic Rock →

Sir Roger Daltrey CBE has been granted Knighthood in King Charles’ Birthday Honours. In addition to Daltrey’s notable contribution to British music and culture for over 50 years, he has been responsible for raising tens of millions of pounds for Teenage Cancer Trust, among other causes. Roger said in a statement: “It is a wonderful honour … Continue reading Roger Daltrey of The Who Granted Knighthood →