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, 1981 – The movie Heavy Metal is released to lukewarm response, but goes on to become a cult classic (mainly because of its soundtrack) … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 7 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 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 →

April 27, 1979 – Ozzy Osbourne is fired from Black Sabbath and replaced by  Ronnie James Dio. Osbourne first reunites with the band at Live Aid in 1985 and then many times after. April 27, 2006 – Keith Richards falls out of a palm tree in Fiji, suffering a brain hemorrhage. Richards later undergoes cranial surgery in New Zealand. April 27, 2009 – Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam … Continue reading CDJ Today: April 27 in Classic Rock →

April 25, 1980 – Black Sabbath release their ninth studio album, Heaven and Hell. It’s the first Sabbath album to feature Ronnie James Dio as lead singer, who replaced Ozzy Osbourne.  The album goes on to reach platinum status in the U.S. April 25, 1988 – Doc McGhee, manager of Bon Jovi and Mötley Crüe, pleads guilty to importing more than 40,000 lbs of … Continue reading CDJ Today: April 25 in Classic Rock →

April 6, 1993 – Peter Criss, former drummer for the rock group KISS, settles a libel lawsuit against Star magazine for portraying him as a homeless alcoholic.  ”At least now I can go on with a clearer head, now that this is over,” he said. “I could write a song about this whole thing. Maybe I will.” A Jan. … Continue reading CDJ Today: April 6 in Classic Rock →

March 9, 1970 – Having recently changed their name from Earth to Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward make their concert debut at The Roundhouse in London. March 9, 1981 – Robert Plant performs his first solo concert since the breakup of Led Zeppelin in Stourbridge, U.K. March 9, 1976 … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 9 in Classic Rock →

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 and Paul Stanley of Kiss raid a Kiss convention in Michigan to reclaim their Kiss costumes that were stolen more than a decade ago. July 17, … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 17 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 →