Classics Du Jour

March 3, 1986 – Metallica release Master of Puppets, their third album. It is the band’s final album with bassist Cliff Burton, who dies in a bus crash six months later. March 3, 1978 – Whitesnake (originally billed as David Coverdale’s Whitesnake) plays its first show in England.  The band is comprised of David Coverdale, guitarist Mick Moody, fellow guitarist … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 3 in Classic Rock →

March 2, 1988 – U2 win their first Grammy Awards for Album of the Year and Best Performance by a Rock Duo or Group with Vocal for the album The Joshua Tree.  Currently, they have 22 Grammy Awards. March 2, 1984 – This Is Spinal Tap is released in theaters, forever changing the perception of hard rock and heavy metal bands. … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 2 in Classic Rock →

March 1, 1969 – Jim Morrison of The Doors receives a felony charge of lewd and lascivious behavior and five misdemeanors; two counts of indecent exposure, two of public profanity and one of public drunkenness after allegedly showing his penis to a Miami audience.  Although it has never been confirmed that he actually exposed himself, he did say, “You want to … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 1 in Classic Rock →

February 28, 1987 –  Eddie Van Halen makes an appearance on Saturday Night Live, which is being hosted by his then-wife Valerie Bertinelli. He plays alongside G.E. Smith and the SNL house band for an instrumental number called “Stompin’ 8H.” Bluesman Robert Cray is the musical guest. February 28, 1972 – George Harrison and his wife Pattie Boyd Harrison are injured in … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 28 in Classic Rock →

February 27, 1970 – Jefferson Airplane is fined $1,000 for for singing profanity while on stage in Oklahoma City. The ordinance prohibiting obscene language was drawn up a year earlier when Jim Morrison of The Doors allegedly exposed himself at a concert. February 27, 1977 – Keith Richards is arrested and charged with “possession of … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 27 in Classic Rock →

February 26, 1985 – Bruce Springsteen wins his first Grammy for Best Male Vocal Performance for “Dancing In The Dark.”  To date, Springsteen has won 20 Grammys. February 26, 1997 – Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart of Rush receive the Order of Canada, the highest civilian award from the Canadian government, for significant achievement in important fields of human endeavor.  They are … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 26 in Classic Rock →

February 25, 1980 – Bob Seger releases his 11th studio album Against the Wind. The album sells five million copies in the U.S. and wins two Grammy Awards. February 25, 2003 – Gary Rossington of Lynyrd Skynyrd undergoes emergency heart surgery. The guitarist has a successful bypass operation in Atlanta after a routine screening finds him to be suffering from coronary artery disease. Rossington is … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 25 in Classic Rock →

February 24, 1975 – Led Zeppelin release their sixth album Physical Graffiti. It’s a double album featuring 8 new songs, and songs left over from their previous albums Led Zeppelin III, Led Zeppelin IV and Houses Of The Holy.  Featuring an intricate die-cut cover of a New York City brownstone, the album goes on to sell over 8 million copies in the … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 24 in Classic Rock →

February 23, 2000 – Carlos Santana ties Michael Jackson‘s 1983 record for the most Grammys won in a single year, including Album of the Year for his album Supernatural, and Record of the Year and Song of the Year for “Smooth,” his collaboration with Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20.  Supernatural sells 30 million records worldwide. Classic Rock Birthdays February 23, 1952 – Brad … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 23 in Classic Rock →

February 22, 1989 – For the first time, a Heavy Metal category is introduced at the Grammy Awards. Metallica performs on stage, but the award goes to Jethro Tull.  Yes, the Grammy voters picked Jethro Tull’s Crest of a Knave over Metallica’s And Justice For All.  Tull’s record label tries to make light of the faux pas by placing a Billboard ad that reads, “The flute … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 22 in Classic Rock →

February 21, 1990 – Paul McCartney is honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 32nd annual Grammy Awards.  This award is for his solo work; he later receives the same award in 2014 for his work with the Beatles. February 21, 2016 – A four-inch lock of John Lennon‘s hair sells for $35,000 at an … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 21 in Classic Rock →

February 20, 1991 – Bob Dylan and John Lennon receive the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at the 33rd Grammy Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Aerosmith win their first Grammy for Best Rock Performance for “Janie’s Got A Gun” and perform “Come Together” as part of the tribute to Lennon. February 20, 1976 – All four members … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 20 in Classic Rock →