March 12, 2010 – Over 160 people are arrested and eight people are hospitalized when fans try to gain free entrance at a Metallica show in Colombia. 1,500 policeman and several tanks were brought in to manage the riot.  Inside the venue, the concert went on as planned. March 12, 2007 – Van Halen are inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 12 in Classic Rock →

March 8, 1969 – The Small Faces perform their final concert, on the Channel Islands. Steve Marriott announces he is leaving the band to focus on Humble Pie. Shortly afterwards, Kenney Jones, Ronnie Lane and Ian McLagan form The Faces with Rod Stewart and Ron Wood. March 8, 1968 – The Fillmore East opens in the East Village of … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 8 in Classic Rock →

March 4, 1966 – John Lennon makes a statement that The Beatles are “more popular than Jesus Christ” in The London Evening Standard. The remark initially makes no impact in England, but months later Southern Christian groups in the U.S. become outraged, organizing protests and burning Beatles records. Lennon later apologizes. 10 Easiest Rock Love Songs to Learn on Guitar Classic … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 4 in Classic Rock →

February 21, 1990 – Paul McCartney is honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 32nd annual Grammy Awards.  This award is for his solo work; he later receives the same award in 2014 for his work with the Beatles. February 21, 2016 – A four-inch lock of John Lennon‘s hair sells for $35,000 at an … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 21 in Classic Rock →

February 11, 1992 – Vince Neil is fired from Mötley Crüe. The band release a statement saying he’s leaving because his longtime hobby, car racing, has “become a priority” in his life. Neil counters by saying the split was prompted by the band’s desire to go in a bluesier direction. “We had been rehearsing for a few months but … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 11 in Classic Rock →

February 7, 1964 – The Beatles are greeted by over 5,000 fans, mostly young girls, who are crowded onto the upper balcony of New York’s JFK airport, waving placards and banners to welcome the group. Paul McCartney remembers it like this, “There were millions of kids at the airport, which nobody had expected. We heard about it in mid-air. … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 7 in Classic Rock →

February 3, 1969 – The Beatles hire Allen Klein as their new manager, following the death of Brian Epstein. Klein got his start working for Sam Cooke and Bobby Darin, with whom he gained a reputation for being ruthless on behalf of artists whose royalties were being hidden through accounting tricks. This endeared him to the Rolling Stones, … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 3 in Classic Rock →

January 30, 1973 – Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss make their first appearance as Kiss at the Popcorn Club in Queens, New York.  They had recently changed their name from Wicked Lester.  The band was paid $50 for the show, and less than 10 people were in the audience. January 30, 1969 … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 30 in Classic Rock →

January 21, 1987 – Twenty-two artists are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the 2nd annual awards show, held in New York City.  Keith Richards inducts Aretha Franklin, B.B. King is inducted by Sting, ZZ Top inducts Bo Diddley, Mick Jones of Foreigner inducts Eddie Cochran, Ricky Nelson is posthumously inducted by John Fogerty, and … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 21 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 19, 1994 – The Ninth Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies are held in New York City. Inductees include The Animals, The Band, Duane Eddy, The Grateful Dead, Elton John, John Lennon, Bob Marley, and Rod Stewart.  Stewart can’t make it there due to the massive earthquake that hit LA that week, and … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 19 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 →