June 20, 1978 – Foreigner releases their second album, Double Vision. It goes on to sell over 7 million copies. June 20, 1948 – Toast Of The Town, which would later be called The Ed Sullivan Show, premieres on CBS. The hosts of the first night’s program are Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.  The show goes on to run for 23 years, on the same network … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 20 in Classic Rock →

June 11, 1983 – Alex Van Halen marries Valerie Kendall with Alex’s brother Eddie as the best man. The couple divorce less than a year later. June 11, 2002 – Paul McCartney marries Heather Mills in Ireland. In attendance are Elton John, David Gilmour, Chrissie Hynde and Ringo Starr. After a nasty court battle, they divorce in 2008. June 11, 1971 – Dennis Wilson, drummer for … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 11 in Classic Rock →

Nothing says 4th of July like hosting friends and family, grilling on the deck or maybe chilling by the pool, some classic tunes coming through the outdoor speakers… But don’t just hit play on some generic playlist and call it a party – step up your Independence Day party with these 15 Patriotic Classic Rock … Continue reading 15 Patriotic Classic Rock Songs for Your Independence Day Playlist →

May 1, 1967 – Elvis Presley (32) marries Priscilla Beaulieu (21) at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas. This was the first marriage for them both and the only time Elvis was officially married.  The cake cost $3200, which at the time was more than the price of an average car.  The only celebrity guest was comedian Redd … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 1 in Classic Rock →

February 6, 2001 – Guitarist Don Felder is fired from The Eagles. He would later launch a $50 million lawsuit against drummer Don Henley and guitarist Glen Frey, alleging wrongful termination and breach of contract and fiduciary duty. Both parties settled out-of-court for an undisclosed amount.   Folder is a co-writer along with Frey and Henley … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 6 in Classic Rock →

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 →

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 →