January 10, 1964 – The Beatles release their first U.S. album Introducing… The Beatles on Vee-Jay records.  The release came only 10 days before Capitol’s Meet the Beatles! hits the shelves. Classic Rock Birthdays January 10, 1955 – Michael Schenker, guitar (Scorpions, UFO, Michael Schenker Group, McAuley Schenker Group, Michael Schenker’s Temple of Rock) January 10, 1953 – Pat Benatar (born Patricia Mae Andrzejewski), vocals … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 10 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 30, 1999 – George Harrison and his wife Olivia are attacked when an intruder breaks into their home in England. Olivia beats off the attacker with a lamp, but Harrison is stabbed repeatedly in the chest and admitted to the hospital with a collapsed lung and various minor stab wounds.  Police later arrest a fan from Liverpool who nursed an irrational … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 30 in Classic Rock →

December 26, 1968 – Led Zeppelin start their first North American tour, supporting Vanilla Fudge and Spirit at Denver Auditorium, in Colorado. Tickets for the Sunday night show cost $5. Backstage Access: SPIRIT – RANDY CALIFORNIA December 26, 1963 – Capitol Records releases the first Beatles single in the United States.  It’s “I Want To Hold Your Hand” backed with “I … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 26 in Classic Rock →

You know there’s bass, guitar and drums in almost every rock song. Throw in a tambourine, a keyboard and some other random percussion instruments and you’ve got a band! But, don’t forget about the lowly easy-to-pack harmonica – you too can buy a harp for under $50 and impress your friends! Here’s a list of … Continue reading Top 10 Rock Harmonica Solos →

December 11, 1968 – Filming begins on The Rolling Stones‘ Rock And Roll Circus movie. Conceived by Mick Jagger, the event was comprised of two concerts on a circus stage and included such acts as John Lennon and his fiancée Yoko Ono performing as part of a supergroup called The Dirty Mac, along with Eric … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 11 in Classic Rock →

December 8, 2003 – Ozzy Osbourne fractures his collarbone, eight ribs and a vertebrae in his neck after he crashes his ATV at his English estate. December 8, 2013 – Metallica become the first band ever to play on all seven continents when they play a concert inside a dome at British Antarctic Survey’s Rothera Research Station. It is only the second musical … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 8 in Classic Rock →

A psychedelic painting originally commissioned for the Beatles classic album Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band is up for sale at Sotheby’s through December 10th. The art for the 1967 album is now among the most famous and recognizable in music history – but it could have looked very different. When the band decided to release … Continue reading Psychedelic Painting Commissioned By The Beatles For ‘Sgt. Pepper’ Now Up For Auction →

Paul McCartney has added four stadium dates to the U.S. leg of his upcoming Freshen Up tour. The Beatles legend will be performing at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI on June 8th; Globe Life Park in Arlington, TX on June 14th; Petco Park in San Diego, CA on June 22nd and Dodgers Stadium in … Continue reading Paul McCartney Adds Four U.S. Shows to Freshen Up Tour →

Helios Console (Image: Bonhams Auctions) A significant piece of rock music history is going up for auction next month. Bonhams Auction House has revealed that they will be taking bids on a console which was used to record portions of Led Zeppelin’s IV including “Stairway To Heaven.” This unique console is actually an amalgamation of … Continue reading Studio Desk Used to Record Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” Going Up For Auction →