After recently reading about David Bowie’s estate selling his song catalog to Warner Chappell Music for approximately $250 million, I thought it was high time I cover the subject of why so many classic rock artists are rushing to sell their publishing. The music world, and the world in general, was shocked not too long … Continue reading Iconic Artists Are Selling Their Catalogs, and It’s a Slippery Slope →

December 10, 2007 – Led Zeppelin reunite after 19 years at London’s O2 Arena.  Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones are joined on stage by John Bonham’s son, Jason, at the Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert. More than one million people register for fewer than 20,000 available tickets.  With proceeds going to Ertegun’s charity, the cost … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 10 in Classic Rock →

December 2, 2012 – Led Zeppelin‘s three surviving members, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page, receive the Kennedy Center Honors from President Barack Obama. Their tribute is performed by the Foo Fighters, Kid Rock, Lenny Kravitz, Jason Bonham, and Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart. December 2, 2003 – Alice Cooper receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Cooper’s … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 2 in Classic Rock →

November 25, 1976 – The Band film their final performance on Thanksgiving Day at Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco.  Director Martin Scorsese makes it a documentary called The Last Waltz.  The show also features guest stars  Bob Dylan, Paul Butterfield, Neil Young, Emmylou Harris, Ringo Starr, Ronnie Hawkins, Dr. John, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Muddy Waters, Ronnie Wood, Neil Diamond, Bobby Charles, The Staple Singers, and Eric Clapton. It is generally hailed as one … Continue reading CDJ Today: November 25 in Classic Rock →

November 2, 2007 – Ozzy Osbourne blasts police in Fargo, North Dakota, for staging a sting operation using his name before his concert Monday night at the Fargodome. The sting lured unsuspecting fans to an invite-only party where they were promised a meet and greet and tickets to the show. Invites went out to more than 40 people who’d allegedly … Continue reading CDJ Today: November 2 in Classic Rock →

October 18, 1974 – The Rolling Stones release It’s Only Rock N’ Roll, their 14th studio album. The album goes platinum, and features guest stars Kenney Jones, David Bowie, Billy Preston and Ian Stewart. October 18, 1974 – Al Green’s ex-girlfriend bursts into his bathroom and pours a pot of boiling grits in the tub, burning him badly, before going to the … Continue reading CDJ Today: October 18 in Classic Rock →

I thoroughly enjoyed Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President.  I learned a lot from watching it, and I highly recommend the film which you can view on Amazon. This documentary brought back memories of more innocent times and gave a fresh look at the Carter presidency which I think is needed.  So much of what … Continue reading Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President – Plus Personal Insights on Gregg Allman & Bob Dylan →

September 19, 1985 – Dee Snider, Frank Zappa and John Denver testify before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee against the Parents Music Resource Center’s plans on demanding warning labels on albums. Frank Zappa says that, “The PMRC proposal is an ill-conceived piece of nonsense which fails to deliver any real benefits to children, … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 19 in Classic Rock →

August 30, 1965 – Bob Dylan releases his sixth studio album, Highway 61 Revisited. It is Dylan’s first mostly electric album, and receives much critical acclaim and platinum status. August 30, 1969 – The second Isle Of Wight Festival takes place in front of 150,000 people over a 3-day period. Acts include Bob Dylan, The Band, Joe Cocker, Free, The Moody … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 30 in Classic Rock →

August 28, 1964 – The Beatles meet Bob Dylan for the first time, after their concert at New York’s Forest Hills Tennis Stadium. He introduces them to marijuana. August 28, 1966 – The Beatles perform at Dodger Stadium in LA  before a crowd of 45,000. Bob Eubanks is the concert’s promoter, a radio DJ who had been staging 100 concerts a year and goes … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 28 in Classic Rock →

August 2, 1973 – Robert Zimmerman legally changes his name to Bob Dylan. His biographer Mark Epstein says, “He was a great fan of Matt Dillon, the sheriff of the television series Gunsmoke. In 1958, he confided to his high school sweetheart that he planned to devote his life to music, adding that ‘I know what I’m going … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 2 in Classic Rock →

August 1, 1981 – MTV begins airing music videos with the legendary opening, “Ladies and Gentlemen, Rock & Roll.”  That’s followed by the now familiar power-chord-fueled guitar riff theme. The first ten videos are: The Buggles “Video Killed The Radio Star”, Pat Benatar “You Better Run”, Rod Stewart “She Won’t Dance With Me”, The Who “You Better You Bet”, … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 1 in Classic rock →