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. Classic Rock Birthdays March 4, 1963 – Jason Newsted, bass, vocals (Metallica, … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 4 in Classic Rock →

Paul McCartney will release an autobiography in two volumes coming this November. The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present spans Sir Paul’s entire life “through the prism of 154 songs from all stages of his career.” “More often than I can count, I’ve been asked if I would write an autobiography, but the time has never … Continue reading Paul McCartney Announces ‘The Lyrics’ Autobiography →

February 25, 1980 – Bob Seger releases his 11th studio album Against the Wind. The album sells five million copies in the U.S. and wins two Grammy Awards. February 25, 2003 – Gary Rossington of Lynyrd Skynyrd undergoes emergency heart surgery. The guitarist has a successful bypass operation in Atlanta after a routine screening finds him to be suffering from coronary artery disease. Rossington is … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 25 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 →

Love is perhaps the greatest source of inspiration when it comes to music, but keeping a relationship together when you’re both celebrity musicians can’t be easy… and nearly impossible when you’re members of the same band. There are plenty of rock and roll love stories worth noting, but here are 12 couples whose collaboration influenced … Continue reading 12 Rock & Roll Romances That Inspired the Music →

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 →