December 5, 1969 – The Rolling Stones release their album Let It Bleed which goes on to sell over 2 million copies in the U.S.  In addition to the title track, the album contains the songs “Gimme Shelter,” “Midnight Rambler” and “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.” December 5, 1973 – Paul McCartney and Wings release their … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 5 in Classic Rock →

October 1, 1982 – Sony introduces the first digital compact-disc player in Tokyo, which sells for about $730. October 1, 2011 – Gene Simmons of KISS, finally marries Shannon Tweed, his partner of 28 years at the Beverly Hills Hotel in front of 400 guests. Tweed, who met Simmons at the Playboy mansion and was Hugh Hefner’s partner … Continue reading CDJ Today: October 1 in Classic Rock →

September 30, 1988 – John Lennon is posthumously awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The star is located in front of Capitol Records, and his widow, Yoko Ono, attends the ceremony.  None of the other Beatles are present. September 30, 1998 – On the Drew Carey Show, Drew and his gang decide to form a band … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 30 in Classic Rock →

May 9, 1992 – Bruce Springsteen makes his North American network television debut on Saturday Night Live with host Tom Hanks. He performs three songs to promote his two recently-released albums, Lucky Town and Human Touch. May 9, 1974 – Bruce Springsteen opens a show for headliner Bonnie Raitt, who insists on him playing his full 2-hour set, rare for an opener. … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 9 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 3, 1967 – Carl Wilson of The Beach Boys declares himself a conscientious objector and refuses to be sworn in after receiving an induction notice from the US Army, leading to his indictment and criminal prosecution for draft evasion. Finally, in September 1971, the judge agreed to a plan that allowed Wilson to perform community service by … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 3 in Classic Rock →

April 11, 2007 – Richie Sambora and wife, actress Heather Locklear, divorce after 11 years of marriage. April 11, 2014 – Kiss, Nirvana, Linda Ronstadt, Cat Stevens and the E Street Band  are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  Kiss is inducted by former Rage Against the Machine guitarist and obsessive Kiss fan Tom Morello.  He closes his speech by saying, … Continue reading CDJ Today: April 11 in Classic Rock →

Stevie Nicks has released her signature take on Buffalo Springfield’s timeless protest song “For What It’s Worth”. The track is available now on all digital platforms. You can also hear it in the player below. “For What It’s Worth” was written by Stephen Stills and released by Buffalo Springfield that same year. ” It meant something … Continue reading Hear Stevie Nicks’ Take on This Buffalo Springfield Hit →

Rusty Young – singer, guitarist and co-founder of Americana and country rock band Poco – died Wednesday, April 14th at his home in Missouri of a heart attack . He was 75 years old. Norman Russell Young was born on February 23, 1946 in Long Beach, CA. He was raised in Denver, CO where he … Continue reading Rusty Young of Poco Dies at 75 →

Any time my wife Sharon and I can see Jim Messina or Kenny Loggins on tour we try and go to the show.  Not only do we enjoy their music but they are also old friends. Jim Messina built his reputation from being in the bands Poco and Buffalo Springfield and also acting as producer … Continue reading Catching Up With My Old Friend Jim Messina →

A fascinating new rock documentary debuted at the 2018 LA Film Festival last week. Echo in the Canyon examines the birth of the Laurel Canyon music scene and the iconic music and artists – such as The Byrds,The Beach Boys, Buffalo Springfield and The Mamas and the Papas – that developed there.  Incidentally this was … Continue reading Rock Doc ‘Echo In the Canyon’ Premieres at L.A. Film Festival →

Rock artists have always been socially conscious, and their fans have generally been supportive of their causes. But sometimes, the fans get it all wrong and misconstrue the meaning of the song, as evidenced by the protest song that came in at #1. 10 Peter Gabriel – “Biko” (1980) Apartheid This tribute to Steve Biko, … Continue reading Top 10 Best Protest Songs →