January 20, 1982 – Ozzy Osbourne bites the head off a live bat at a show in Des Moines, Iowa, thinking it was a rubber bat thrown on the stage.  In his memoir, he says, “Immediately, though, something felt wrong. Very wrong. For a start, my mouth was instantly full of this warm, gloopy liquid, with the … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 20 in Classic Rock →

If you’ve ever formed a band, you probably know that in those tumultuous first days, coming up with a great name that really fits – and actually sticks – might be the hardest part of the process. Luckily these classic rock bands really nailed it… eventually. Can you imagine today talking about the legendary career … Continue reading Original Names of Famous Classic Rock Bands – Part One (A-H) →

January 3, 1967 – Carl Wilson of The Beach Boys declares himself a conscientious objector and refuses to be sworn in after receiving an induction notice from the US Army, leading to his indictment and criminal prosecution for draft evasion. Finally, in September 1971, the judge agreed to a plan that allowed Wilson to perform community service by … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 3 in Classic Rock →

December 28, 1968 – The Miami Pop Festival takes place near Miami, FL and attracts over 100,000 people over its three-day run.  Featured acts include The Amboy Dukes, Canned Heat, the Grateful Dead, Iron Butterfly, Steppenwolf, Fleetwood Mac, Procol Harum, The Turtles, Joni Mitchell, Three Dog Night and the Grass Roots. December 28, 1998 – Ronnie Hammond of The Atlanta Rhythm … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 28 in Classic Rock →

December 21, 1970 – Elvis Presley meets with President Richard Nixon at The White House to volunteer his services in fighting the war on drugs. Elvis had written a letter to President Nixon asking to be made a “Federal Agent at Large” for the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. No such position actually existed, but Nixon, wanting desperately … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 21 in Classic Rock →

December 7, 2000 – The 31st annual Kennedy Center Honors salutes Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey of The Who.  Also feted are Morgan Freeman, George Jones, Barbra Streisand and Twyla Tharp.  Rob Thomas, Dave Grohl and Chris Cornell honor them with a live performance. December 7, 1984 – Foreigner release their fifth studio album Agent Provocateur. It goes on to sell three million copies in … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 7 in Classic Rock →

December 4, 2012 – Randy Blythe, the frontman of Lamb of God, is charged with the death of a 19-year-old fan at a concert in Prague in 2010 after he pushed him off the stage. The fan, Daniel Nosek, hits his head when he falls to the concrete floor and dies of his injuries 2 weeks later. Blythe is later acquitted, … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 4 in Classic Rock →

November 19, 2001 – Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots is arrested on one count of domestic battery after a fight with his wife at the Hard Rock Hotel.  Weiland argued with his wife over a prescription he was going to have filled. The couple’s 18-month-old son was also in the room. “He wanted to leave the room to … Continue reading CDJ Today: November 19 in Classic Rock →

November 16, 1988 – Stephen Love, The Beach Boys‘ former business manager, is convicted of embezzling $906,000 from the band and is sentenced to five years probation and ordered to make $86,000 in restitution. Love is the younger brother of Beach Boys lead singer Mike Love and a cousin of group members Brian Wilson and Carl Wilson. November 16, … Continue reading CDJ Today: November 16 in Classic Rock →

November 14, 1983 –  Michael Jackson’s 14-minute film Thriller debuts to a private audience at the Metro Crest Theater in Los Angeles. Directed by John Landis, the short film will become the most popular video in MTV history when the network begins airing it in December. Many of Jackson’s famous friends show up at the premiere, … Continue reading CDJ Today: November 14 in Classic Rock →