If there’s one artist who sums up American rock and roll, there’s a good argument to be made that this artist is Bruce Springsteen. Over the last five decades and change, The Boss has released 21 studio albums and several compilations; written an autobiography and performed a one-man show on Broadway; won 20 Grammy awards;  … Continue reading Bruce Springsteen: 25 Most Essential Songs →

September 2, 1989 – Ozzy Osbourne is charged with threatening to kill his wife Sharon. Sharon later said, “He went to bed. I was reading downstairs. He came down in his underpants, sat on the sofa right opposite me and said, ‘We’ve come to a decision.’ I was like, ‘Yeah’ — sort of sarcastic — … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 2 in Classic Rock →

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 →

July 27, 1973 – The self-titled debut by the New York Dolls, produced by Todd Rundgren, is released to critical acclaim and mediocre sales.  However, the album serves as an influential precursor to the developing punk rock scene with such songs as “Personality Crisis,” “Trash,” and “Jet Boy.” July 27, 2010 – Growing Up Twisted, starring Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider, … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 27 in Classic Rock →

July 20, 1986 – Van Halen manager Ed Leffler is beaten up at a Dallas hotel by an unknown assailant. July 20, 1975 – The Born To Run tour kicks off at The Palace Theatre in Providence, RI.  This is also the live debut of Steven Van Zandt (Little Steven) as a member of Bruce Springsteen‘s E Street Band. July 20, 1999 – The Ramones make their … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 20 in Classic Rock →

June 21, 1985 – Mötley Crüe release their third studio album Theatre of Pain which goes on to sell over four million copies in the U.S. and spawns the hits “Home Sweet Home” and the remake “Smokin’ In The Boys Room.” June 21, 1975 – Ritchie Blackmore leaves Deep Purple to form Rainbow. Blackmore says, “I wasn’t interested in the direction they were going. I thought … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 21 in Classic Rock →

June 12, 1982 – Remember “No Nukes”?  The rally began at the United Nations and ended on the Great Lawn in New York’s Central Park with performers Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, and Gary “U.S.” Bonds.  It became the largest political rally in the U.S. with an estimated 750,000 attendees. June 12, 2012 – Pearl Jam’s former chief financial officer Rickey … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 12 in Classic Rock →

June 8, 1969 – Brian Jones is asked to leave the Rolling Stones by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Charlie Watts, who visit him at his home to deliver the news personally.  He was fired due to his erratic behavior and his excessive drug use, which made him incapable of playing music. He released a statement saying, “I no longer … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 8 in Classic Rock →

June 4, 2001 – Spinal Tap tours the U.S. for its “Back From the Dead Tour” and appears at New York’s Carnegie Hall with a 20-song, 90-minute performance as part of the annual Toyota Comedy Festival. June 4, 1942 – Johnny Mercer, Glenn Wallichs and Buddy DeSylva form Capitol Records. On the same day, Wallichs gives the first free record to Los Angeles disc … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 4 in Classic Rock →

May 21, 1966 – Bruce Springsteen and his band The Castiles perform at Freehold Regional High School in New Jersey.  All the band members are juniors at the school. May 21, 2008 – Steven Tyler of Aerosmith checks into a rehab clinic in Pasadena, CA to recover from surgeries that repaired damage to his feet. May 21, 1983 – Def Leppard make their only … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 21 in Classic Rock →

May 15, 1987 – Mötley Crüe release their fourth album Girls, Girls, Girls.  It  becomes the band’s third straight album to go quadruple platinum. May 15, 1995 – Stone Temple Pilots lead singer Scott Weiland is arrested for heroin and cocaine possession in Pasadena by sheriff’s deputies who find cocaine in his car and heroin in his wallet. He is later sentenced to … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 15 in Classic Rock →

May 13, 1985 – Tipper Gore infamously creates the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) after hearing her daughter listening to the Prince song “Darling Nikki.”  The four member group of politically connected wives pressure the RIAA to put warning stickers on albums with offensive lyrics.  In testimony before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, Dee Snider, Frank Zappa and … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 13 in Classic Rock →