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 →

April 28, 2014 – Scorpions drummer James Kottak is sentenced to one month in a Dubai jail for being intoxicated and drinking without a license, flipping off passengers on his flight from Russia, and allegedly exposing himself.  He is also convicted of insulting Islam. Kottak spent time in prison, forcing the Scorpions to find a fill-in … Continue reading CDJ Today: April 28 in Classic Rock →

March 25, 1990 – Mötley Crüe‘s Tommy Lee is arrested for mooning the audience during a gig in Augusta, GA.  Lee is charged with “Indecent Exposure/Live Sexually Explicit Act” and fined $1,647.  The arresting officer tells the Augusta Chronicle that Lee, “…could not have been a nicer guy, and the entire group was extremely cordial and even thanked us … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 25 in Classic Rock →

March 2, 1988 – U2 win their first Grammy Awards for Album of the Year and Best Performance by a Rock Duo or Group with Vocal for the album The Joshua Tree.  Currently, they have 22 Grammy Awards. March 2, 1984 – This Is Spinal Tap is released in theaters, forever changing the perception of hard rock and heavy metal bands. … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 2 in Classic Rock →

February 7, 1964 – The Beatles are greeted by over 5,000 fans, mostly young girls, who are crowded onto the upper balcony of New York’s JFK airport, waving placards and banners to welcome the group. Paul McCartney remembers it like this, “There were millions of kids at the airport, which nobody had expected. We heard about it in mid-air. … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 7 in Classic Rock →

December 17, 1994 – Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi marries actress Heather Locklear in Paris. They divorce in 2006. December 17, 1969 – Singer Tiny Tim marries Miss Vicki Budinger on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson with 40 million people watching. The program receives the second largest ratings of any show up to that time.  Tiny Tim was known … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 17 in Classic Rock →

December 13, 2000 – After former Democratic presidential hopeful Al Gore delivers his concession speech to George W. Bush in Washington, D.C., he holds a party in his home with a performance by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.  It features guest appearances by Jon Bon Jovi and Stevie Wonder and others. Petty performs “I Won’t Back Down” with Jon … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 13 in Classic Rock →

November 14, 1983 –  Michael Jackson’s 14-minute film Thriller debuts to a private audience at the Metro Crest Theater in Los Angeles. Directed by John Landis, the short film will become the most popular video in MTV history when the network begins airing it in December. Many of Jackson’s famous friends show up at the premiere, … Continue reading CDJ Today: November 14 in Classic Rock →

November 3, 1997 – University of Iowa student Todd Miller comes to an out of court settlement with Metallica after suing them for losing his sense of smell at a concert. Miller said he was unwillingly picked up and passed along over the top of the crowd at a 1993 concert as a body surfer and was eventually dropped on his … Continue reading CDJ Today: November 3 in Classic Rock →

September 22, 1985 – The first Farm Aid benefit concert is held at the Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois to help American farmers.  Organized by Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Neil Young, the event draws over 80,000 people, raises over $9 million and features The Beach Boys, Bon Jovi, Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, Charlie Daniels, Bob Dylan, John Fogerty, Foreigner, Don … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 22 in Classic Rock →

August 22, 1987 – Bon Jovi headlines the eighth annual Monsters of Rock festival at Castle Donington in the U.K. Other acts include Dio, Metallica, Anthrax, W.A.S.P. and Cinderella. For the encores, Paul Stanley of Kiss, Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden and Dee Snider of Twisted Sister join them onstage for CCR’s “Travelin’ Band” and Grand Funk’s “We’re An American … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 22 in Classic Rock →

August 18, 1969 – Jimi Hendrix closes out the Woodstock festival with a morning set that concludes with “Hey Joe,” one of the few times in his career that he played an encore. Surprisingly,  Hendrix was not supposed to be the final act. Woodstock organizer Michael Lang wanted Roy Rogers to come on after Hendrix and play “Happy Trails” but the … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 18 in Classic Rock →