December 18, 1983 – Keith Richards marries model and actress Patti Hansen in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Mick Jagger is Richards’ best man. December 18, 1988 – Mike Peters of The Alarm has his eyes burnt by spotlights during a show in Chester, England. He regains his sight two weeks later. December 18, 2000 – Bob Geldof is granted custody of … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 18 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 →

October 5, 2003 – Surviving Nugent, Ted Nugent’s reality show, set on Nugent’s 2000-acre Michigan ranch, premieres on VH1. Seven contestants compete in a series of challenges, like building an outhouse and skinning a boar, for a new pickup truck and $25,000. October 5, 2008 – Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night finally tie the knot after dating for 20 years. … Continue reading CDJ Today: October 5 in Classic Rock →

August 31, 2012 – Eddie Van Halen undergoes emergency surgery for “a severe bout of diverticulitis” causing Van Halen to reschedule a tour of Japan slated for November. August 31, 1976 – George Harrison is found guilty of “subconscious plagiarism” when Bright Tunes Music Corporation sues him, claiming that he plagiarized “He’s So Fine” by The Chiffons for his song “My Sweet Lord.” The case … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 31 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 →

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 →

January 15, 1977 – David Bowie releases Low. Co-produced with Tony Visconti, it’s the first of three albums produced with the help of Brian Eno. January 15, 2010 -Jimmy Page is awarded the first ever Pathways to Peace Award by the United Nations. “Although this award has my name on it, this is a tribute to the power of music and … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 15 in Classic Rock →

There we were, in mid-December 1984, and Christmas songs were in heavy rotation everywhere. Sleigh bells, reindeer, Santa, and chestnuts roasting. ’Twas the season, and the season was jolly — until good tidings were suddenly being interrupted by a new Christmas song with a decidedly unjolly message of “clanging chimes of doom,” “bitter sting of … Continue reading Classic Rock Landmarks: Do They Know It’s Christmas? →

Irish rockers The Boomtown Rats are back with their first new release in 36 years. The 10-track album, titled Citizens of Boomtown is due out March 13, 2020, via BMG. To coincide with the forthcoming release, the band’s current lineup of Bob Geldof on vocals, Pete Briquette on bass, Simon Crowe on drums, and Garry … Continue reading Boomtown Rats Announce First New Release in Nearly 4 Decades →

30 years after the original Band Aid came together to bring awareness and raise money to fight famine in Ethiopa, a new group of stars has come together to fight Ebola. Bob Geldof announced the news earlier this month and now the single, “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” is available on iTunes. The song was … Continue reading Bob Geldof and Band Aid 30 Release ‘Don’t They Know It’s Christmas?’ →

30 years ago, Sir Bob Geldof gathered a group of rock stars to record a charity single to raise money for those affected by famine in Ethiopia. The original Band Aid, which included Bono, Sting, George Michael and David Bowie, among others, raised $11 M (USD) for its cause. Now, The Boomtown Rats frontman and … Continue reading Bob Geldof Announces Band Aid Charity Single To Fight Ebola →

My old friend Bob Geldof called to say he was coming to New York to play with the reunited Boomtown Rats and asked if I could set up a radio interview. We did “Live At Five” on Q104.3 with good friend Ken Dashow. Bob had literally just flown in from England and went right to … Continue reading Bob Geldof Performs Live In Studio with CDJ’s Paul Rappaport →