July 29, 1974 – Neil Peart officially joins Rush, replacing John Rutsey, who leaves the band due to health problems and creative differences.  Peart has to learn the band’s entire live repertoire in only two weeks, as their American debut is on August 11 in Pittsburgh, opening for Manfred Mann and Uriah Heep. July 29, 2015 – The Eagles play their … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 29 in Classic Rock →

July 25, 1965 – Bob Dylan performs an electric set for the first time at The Newport Folk Festival in Newport, RI and is booed off the stage and accused of being a sellout by leading members of the folk movement. Classic Rock Landmarks:“Like a Rolling Stone” July 25, 1999 – Woodstock closes out its 3-day festival in Rome, NY with riots … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 25 in Classic Rock →

June 23, 1974 – The first World Series of Rock concert sponsored by WMMS in Cleveland takes place at Cleveland Stadium.  The bill includes The Beach Boys, Joe Walsh & Barnstorm, Lynyrd Skynyrd and REO Speedwagon and attracts over 80,000 fans.  The stadium is demolished in 1996, but not before fifteen more festivals occur. June 23, 1975 – Alice Cooper plummets from the stage … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 23 in Classic Rock →

June 9, 1978 – The Rolling Stones release Some Girls, the first studio album recorded with Ronnie Wood.  The album goes on to sell over 6 million in the U.S. June 9, 1979 – The 2nd annual Texxas Jam takes place at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. The bill includes bands in this order:  TKO, Sammy Hagar, Nazareth, Van Halen, Boston, Heart and … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 9 in Classic Rock →

May 24, 1994 – Bret Michaels of Poison loses control of his Ferrari and crashes into a telephone pole in Burbank, CA.  He breaks his thumb, nose and collarbone, loses four teeth, cracks his sternum, and receives a hairline fracture of his upper jawbone. According to police reports, he passed out behind the wheel while driving. May 24, 1974 – David Bowie releases his 8th studio album Diamond Dogs. … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 24 in Classic Rock →

May 17, 1963 – The first Monterey Folk Festival takes place over three days in Monterey, California. The festival features Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Peter Paul and Mary and Jerry Garcia.  It is the precursor to the infamous 1967 Monterey Pop Festival. May 17, 1987 – Tom Petty and his family barely escape a fire that engulfs their home in Encino, CA and destroys everything.  It is … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 17 in Classic Rock →

May 8, 1965 – Bob Dylan shoots a film clip for his song “Subterranean Homesick Blues” which becomes the forerunner to what we now know as music videos.  The famous “flashcard” clip theme is then duplicated many times in music videos and movies. May 8, 1996 – Tommy Lee and wife Pamela Anderson lose their suit against … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 8 in Classic Rock →

April 24, 2007 – Sheryl Crow suggests a ban on using too much toilet paper. She says loo visitors should use “only one square per restroom visit, except, of course, on those pesky occasions where two to three could be required”. She also designs a clothing line with a “dining sleeve” that is detachable and can be replaced with another … Continue reading CDJ Today: April 24 in Classic Rock →

April 7, 1990 – Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee suffers a mild concussion after falling 20 feet from the scaffolding above his elevated drum kit. Tommy was descending as usual on a bungee rope but panicked when he thought his roadie wouldn’t pull the brake in time.  He was turned upside down and smashed heads with a person … Continue reading CDJ Today: April 7 in Classic Rock →

February 20, 1991 – Bob Dylan and John Lennon receive the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at the 33rd Grammy Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Aerosmith win their first Grammy for Best Rock Performance for “Janie’s Got A Gun” and perform “Come Together” as part of the tribute to Lennon. February 20, 1976 – All four members … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 20 in Classic Rock →

January 31, 1959 – Robert Zimmerman, 17, (later known as Bob Dylan) sees Buddy Holly perform at the Duluth Armory in Minnesota. Dylan later said, “Buddy Holly’s songs were much more simplified [than Chuck Berry’s songs], but what I got out of Buddy was that you can take influences from anywhere. Like his ‘That’ll Be The Day.’ … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 31 in Classic Rock →

January 28, 1985 – The charity single “We Are The World” is recorded in Los Angeles to benefit African famine relief. The single is the brainchild of activist Harry Belafonte and was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie. The song features Paul Simon, Tina Turner, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Steve Perry, Huey Lewis, Bob … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 28 in Classic Rock →