August 23, 1967 – Keith Moon starts a new rock star trend – destroying hotels – when he drives a Lincoln Continental into a pool at the Holiday Inn in Flint, MI during his 21st birthday party.  The total damage runs $24,000 in 1967 dollars (about $132,000 today) and the record company buys the “damp” car from its irate … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 23 in Classic Rock →

August 9, 1986 – Queen perform their final concert with Freddie Mercury at the Knebworth Park Festival in England. An audience of 120,000 sees them close out the set with “We Will Rock You”/”We Are The Champions” and “God Save The Queen.” Mercury dies in 1991 of complications related to AIDS. August 9, 2005 – Marc Cohn is shot in … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 9 in Classic Rock →

June 13, 1983 – Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble release their debut album Texas Flood which was recorded in only three days at Jackson Browne’s personal studio. The album is later certified double platinum. June 13, 2003 – David Gilmour of Pink Floyd and Sting receive a CBE award (Commander of the British Empire) at the Queen’s Birthday Honours. Sting states, “I’m surprised and flattered to receive this honour…If … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 13 in Classic Rock →

March 23, 1969 – 30,000 people attend the “Rally For Decency” in Miami at the Orange Bowl after Jim Morrison was charged with indecent exposure in the city.  Countering the counter-culture, announcements publicizing the rally warn that “longhairs and weird dressers” won’t be let inside. Celebrities at the event included Kate Smith, Jackie Gleason, The Lettermen … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 23 in Classic Rock →

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 →

September 14, 1984 – MTV debuts its first ever video awards show, hosted by Dan Aykroyd and Bette Midler in New York at Radio City Music Hall. The Cars win Video of the Year for “You Might Think”. Among the Video of the Year nominees were Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and The Police “Every Breath You Take”. David Bowie wins … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 14 in Classic Rock →

If you’ve ever formed a band, you probably know that in those tumultuous first days, coming up with a great name that really fits – and actually sticks – might be the hardest part of the process. Luckily these classic rock bands really nailed it… eventually. Can you imagine today talking about the legendary career … Continue reading Original Names of Famous Classic Rock Bands – Part One (A-H) →

Pegi Young December 1, 1952 – January 1, 2019After marrying Neil Young in 1978, Pegi Young’s debut as a singer came in 1983 when she joined her husband’s Shocking Pinks tour as a backup singer. The Youngs performed together a number of times at their annual Bridge School Benefit and in 2007 she released her … Continue reading Remembering Rockers We Lost in 2019 →

With the passing of founder, singer, rhythm guitarist and songwriter Ric Ocasek and the previous death of bassist and singer Benjamin Orr (d. 2000), The Cars will sadly never be heard from on the live stage again.  Formed in Boston in 1976, The Cars carved out their own niche in Rock Music, combining pure pop … Continue reading 10 Best Songs from The Cars to Play in Your Car →

Ric Ocasek, lead singer of the new wave rock band The Cars, was found dead Sunday afternoon in his Manhattan apartment. The NYPD said they received a call around 4 p.m. reporting an unconscious male at a townhouse on East 19th Street. Ocasek’s identity was confirmed by law enforcement and he was pronounced dead at … Continue reading Ric Ocasek, Lead Singer of The Cars, Has Died →

“Never one to think of himself, he puts everyone else first,” wrote Neil Young in a touching tribute to his late manager, Elliot Roberts.  Roberts, who was best known for his five-decade association with Neil Young, passed away on Friday.  He was 76.  His company, Lookout Management, announced his death but has not shared the … Continue reading Elliot Roberts, Manager for Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Dies at 76 →

Bon Jovi, The Moody Blues, The Cars, Dire Straits and Nina Simone will all be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018 it was announced Wednesday. The inductees were chosen by the organizations international voting body that includes artists, historians and industry members. Nominees that didn’t make the cut include The … Continue reading Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Reveals 2018 Inductees →