October 22, 1969 – Led Zeppelin release their second studio album, Led Zeppelin II. Jimmy Page produces the album which goes on to sell over 12 million copies in the U.S. October 22, 1990 – Pearl Jam play their first ever concert at the Off Ramp club in Seattle. The band’s name at the time is Mookie Blaylock. October 22, 1976 – Bob … Continue reading CDJ Today: October 22 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 →

September 26, 1969 – The Beatles release Abbey Road, their 11th studio album. The album sells over 12 million copies in the U.S., and although initially garnering mixed reviews, becomes perhaps one of the most beloved albums ever. The cover features the iconic image of the band crossing the street in a single file line … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 26 in Classic Rock →

September 24, 1991 – Nirvana release their second studio album, Nevermind. The album goes on to sell over 30 million copies worldwide.  Kurt Cobain and Dave Grohl conceive of the cover shot after watching a TV documentary on water babies.  Spencer Elden, the 3-month-old son of the photographer’s friend is the baby chosen.  Elden’s circumcised penis is visible in the image and Cobain … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 24 in Classic Rock →

September 20, 1976 – AC/DC release their third studio album Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap. The album is later certified 6x Platinum and in addition to the title track, includes the songs “Big Balls” and “Problem Child.” Death, the Devil and the CIA: Classic Rock Conspiracy Theories that Range from Completely Crazy to Entirely Conceivable … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 20 in Classic Rock →

August 17, 1991 – AC/DC headline the Monsters of Rock festival at Castle Donington in the U.K. with a strong bill – Metallica, Mötley Crüe, Queensrÿche and The Black Crowes. August 17, 1985 – ZZ Top headline the Monster of Rock festival at Castle Donington in the U.K. Their bill includes Marillion, Bon Jovi, Metallica, Ratt and Magnum. August 17, 2012 – The members of … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 17 in Classic Rock →

July 25, 1965 – Bob Dylan performs an electric set for the first time at The Newport Folk Festival in Newport, RI and is booed off the stage and accused of being a sellout by leading members of the folk movement. Classic Rock Landmarks:“Like a Rolling Stone” July 25, 1999 – Woodstock closes out its 3-day festival in Rome, NY with riots … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 25 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 →

June 6, 1992 – Guns N’ Roses release what is at the time the most expensive video ever made, “November Rain”.  Roughly half of the $1.5 million dollar budget is spent constructing a church in the New Mexico desert for Slash to use as a background for his guitar solo.  Currently, the video has almost 2 … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 6 in Classic Rock →

April 8, 1998 –  Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee is sentenced to at least six months in County Jail after pleading no contest to a felony charge of beating his wife, actress Pamela Anderson Lee. He was released after 90 days for good behavior. Concurrently, he completed a 30-day sentence for beating a security guard at a Crüe concert … Continue reading CDJ Today: April 8 in Classic Rock →

March 31, 2015 – Van Halen releases their first-ever live album to feature original singer David Lee Roth. Recorded on June 21, 2013 at the famed Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, TOKYO DOME LIVE IN CONCERT includes 23 songs, spanning all seven of the band’s albums with Roth. March 31, 1992 – Def Leppard releases Adrenalize, their first album after the death of … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 31 in Classic Rock →

March 17, 1998 – Van Halen release Van Halen III, their eleventh studio album.  It is the only album with former Extreme lead singer Gary Cherone, and the only album to not attain platinum status. March 17, 1985 – Serial killer Richard Ramirez kills a man and leaves an AC/DC hat behind at the crime scene. Ramirez becomes known as … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 17 in Classic Rock →