October 9, 1985 – On what would have been John Lennon’s 45th birthday, Yoko Ono opens Strawberry Fields in New York City’s Central Park. The entrance to the memorial is located directly across from the Dakota Apartments where Lennon last lived and where he was murdered in 1980. Ono donated $1 million to open the … Continue reading CDJ Today: October 9 in Classic Rock →

August 28, 1964 – The Beatles meet Bob Dylan for the first time, after their concert at New York’s Forest Hills Tennis Stadium. He introduces them to marijuana. August 28, 1966 – The Beatles perform at Dodger Stadium in LA  before a crowd of 45,000. Bob Eubanks is the concert’s promoter, a radio DJ who had been staging 100 concerts a year and goes … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 28 in Classic Rock →

August 27, 1989 – Izzy Stradlin of Guns N’ Roses loses his “patience” on a US Airways flight from Indianapolis to Los Angeles and pees in the galley after being annoyed that the lavatory was occupied. His publicist explains that, “Relieving himself in the galley was just his way of expressing himself.” After being sentenced to a year of probation … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 27 in Classic Rock →

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 →

July 13, 1984 – For the first and only time, Eddie Van Halen performs “Beat It” live in concert with Michael Jackson, at The Jacksons concert at Texas Stadium in Dallas. Jackson screams, “You got it, Eddie, Eddie, Eddie!” July 13, 1984 – The Live Aid concerts take place in London’s Wembley Stadium and Philadelphia’s JFK Stadium.  The concerts are … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 13 in Classic Rock →

July 10, 2012 – Slash gets his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in front of the Hard Rock Cafe. Ex-bandmates Duff McKagan, Gilby Clark and Steven Adler are in attendance.  Charlie Sheen is the master of ceremonies and quips, “It seems quite fitting that Slash is getting a star on the very street Axl Rose … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 10 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 31, 1977 – Beatlemania opens on Broadway.  It runs for a total of 1,006 performances. May 31, 1976 – The Who enter the Guinness Book of World Records for performing the loudest concert in history (at the time) for their show at England’s Charlton Athletic Grounds with 76,000 watts at 120 decibels. Motörhead and Manowar go on to break the record decades later.  The … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 31 in Classic Rock →

May 14, 1988 – Led Zeppelin reunites with John Bonham’s son, Jason, playing drums at Atlantic Records’ 40th Anniversary concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Other featured artists include Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Yes, Foreigner, Genesis, Vanilla Fudge and Crosby, Stills & Nash. May 14, 1957 – Elvis Presley swallows his own porcelain tooth … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 14 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 →

April 24, 2007 – Sheryl Crow suggests a ban on using too much toilet paper. She says loo visitors should use “only one square per restroom visit, except, of course, on those pesky occasions where two to three could be required”. She also designs a clothing line with a “dining sleeve” that is detachable and can be replaced with another … Continue reading CDJ Today: April 24 in Classic Rock →

April 15, 1971 – The Beatles nab their only Oscar, winning Best Original Song Score for the movie Let It Be. April 15, 1982 – Anvil release their sophomore album, Metal on Metal, then proceed to fade into obscurity in the 1990s before being resurrected by the 2008 documentary Anvil! The Story of Anvil. Rock Artists Who Have Won an Academy Award … Continue reading CDJ Today: April 15 in Classic Rock →