September 25, 2006 – Steven Tyler guest stars on Two and a Half Men playing Charlie Sheen’s obnoxious next door neighbor. Playing to stereotype, Tyler is a rowdy rocker who plays loud music and causes problems for Sheen’s character. September 25, 1970 – The pilot episode of The Partridge Family debuts on TV featuring Shirley … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 25 in Classic Rock →

September 18, 1983 – Kiss appear without their makeup for the first time during an MTV interview while promoting the release of their new album Lick It Up. Only two of the group’s original members were unveiled as founding drummer Peter Criss and guitarist Ace Frehley had left the band. Eric Carr and Vinnie Vincent … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 18 in Classic Rock →

August 25, 2005 – Slash and Duff McKagan file a federal lawsuit in Los Angeles against Axl Rose, accusing the Guns N’ Roses singer of changing the publisher of the group’s copyrighted songs without their consent and pocketing the royalties.  “Rose’s actions were malicious, fraudulent and oppressive, and undertaken in conscious disregard of [Slash and Duff’s] property rights,” the … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 25 in Classic Rock →

August 21, 1983  – Ramones guitarist Johnny Ramone suffers a fractured skull during a fight with Seth Macklin of the band Sub Zero Construction. He endures a four-hour brain surgery operation after being found unconscious in front of his East Village apartment in New York City. August 21, 1972 – Jefferson Airplane‘s Grace Slick is maced and Paul Kantner is injured when … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 21 in Classic Rock →

August 16, 1962 – Pete Best is fired as the drummer for The Beatles, by manager Brian Epstein.  Best claims he is fired because he is the best looking one in the band, but producer George Martin says that Best cannot keep time. August 16, 1980 – Bill Ward quits Black Sabbath for the first time, most … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 16 in Classic Rock →

August 7, 2006 – Gene Simmons Family Jewels premieres on the A&E Network. The show runs for seven successful seasons and features Simmons, his longtime partner Shannon Tweed, and their two kids Nick and Sophie. August 7, 1974 – J. Geils Band singer Peter Wolf marries movie star Faye Dunaway in Beverly Hills, CA.  The couple divorce in 1979. August 7, 1981 – Motörhead drummer Phil … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 7 in Classic Rock →

July 17, 1982 – Judas Priest release Screaming For Vengeance, their eighth studio album. It goes on to sell over 5 million copies worldwide. July 17, 1979 – Gary Moore leaves Thin Lizzy for the final time to support his solo career, with the blessing of Phil Lynott.  He is replaced by Midge Ure. July 17, 1994 – Gene Simmons … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 17 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 →

May 29, 1983 – Kiss play their last concert in their traditional makeup, but 13 years later they slap it on again when they reunite. May 29, 2009 – Ozzy Osbourne files a lawsuit against Tony Iommi, his Black Sabbath bandmate. Osbourne claims that Iommi illegally took sole ownership of the Black Sabbath name, and … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 29 in Classic Rock →

May 20, 2015 – Whitesnake release “The Purple Album,” a tribute to Deep Purple, featuring songs from singer David Coverdale’s two albums with the band. “It’s a tribute. A homage. It’s a huge thank you from me to Deep Purple for the opportunity I was given over 40 years ago,” states Coverdale. May 20, 1998 – Mötley Crüe‘s Tommy Lee is sentenced to 180 days in jail, … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 20 in Classic Rock →