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 →

Since 1959, all the way back when Domenico Modugno swept the Record of the Year and Song of the Year categories with “Nel Blu Dipinto Blu (Volare)” (in Italian no less!), the Recording Academy has awarded more than 8,000 Grammy Awards to a wide variety of artists.  The Beatles were the first rock band to … Continue reading You Won’t Believe This List of Rock Artists Who Have Never Won a Grammy →

June 20, 2011 – Leslie West of Mountain has his right leg amputated below the knee at a Biloxi, Mississippi hospital the day after performing at the Hard Rock Cafe in the city. West later says, “When I play ‘Mississippi Queen’ now, I think about Jesus Christ.” June 20, 1978 – Foreigner releases their second album, Double Vision. It goes on to sell … 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 →

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 →

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 →