Of course the blues have influenced rock ’n’ roll, well,… ever since there’s been rock ’n’ roll! But, you may not know that many of the songs you know and love were actually initially recorded back in the 1930’s. In fact, some songs on the list may date back hundreds of years!  Here’s a good starter list … Continue reading 11 Classic Rock Hits That Are Actually Blues Songs →

One of the coolest things that happened working closely with so many great musicians while I was at Columbia Records was talking music with them and especially talking guitar with all the great players I met. The most fascinating thing was the discovery that at the end of the day, after all the fame, all … Continue reading Play It Loud: Instruments of Rock & Roll – Now At The Met in New York! WOW!! →

December 9, 1974 – John Lennon stops by the Monday Night Football announcer’s booth at San Francisco’s Candlestick Park to meet Howard Cosell. The other celebrity guest that night was California governor Ronald Reagan, who explained the rules of football to Lennon. December 9, 1992 – Bill Wyman, bassist for the Rolling Stones, quits the group over frustrations stemming from their … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 9 in Classic Rock →

November 26, 1968 – Cream play their farewell concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London with openers Yes and Taste featuring Rory Gallagher. The concert is filmed and released as Cream’s Farewell Concert which was later criticized for both its mediocre sound and visual effects.  The band reunites for the first time in May 2005 at the same venue. … Continue reading CDJ Today: November 26 in Classic Rock →

November 5, 1999 – Gary Cherone is fired from Van Halen after recording just one album, 1998’s Van Halen III. November 5, 2014 – Jack Bruce’s funeral is held in London, attended by Eric Clapton, Cream drummer Ginger Baker, band lyricist Pete Brown, Roxy Music’s Phil Manzanera, Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid and Procol Harum’s Gary Brooker.  The superstars … Continue reading CDJ Today: November 5 in Classic Rock →

October 25, 1968 – The New Yardbirds make their first performance under their new name Led Zeppelin at a gig at Surrey University in England. October 25, 2011 – Steven Tyler of Aerosmith falls in his hotel bathroom at The Bourbon Hotel in Asuncion, Paraguay. He receives stitches for cuts on his face and has emergency dental work after losing two of … Continue reading CDJ Today: October 25 in Classic Rock →

September 19, 1985 – Dee Snider, Frank Zappa and John Denver testify before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee against the Parents Music Resource Center’s plans on demanding warning labels on albums. Frank Zappa says that, “The PMRC proposal is an ill-conceived piece of nonsense which fails to deliver any real benefits to children, … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 19 in Classic Rock →

The original artwork for Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon is considered to be the single most valuable piece of art in rock history. This iconic image, valued at an unspecified multi-million-dollar figure, will be exhibited and available for purchase at the San Francisco Art Exchange (SFAE) gallery from September 15 to October 20, … Continue reading Iconic ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ Original Artwork on Display in Most Valuable Rock Art Collection Ever Assembled →

Ann Wilson’s poignant new album Immortal was released Friday after months of anticipation. Fittingly titled, the album features 10 musically diverse tracks that pay homage to some of the singer’s favorite artists, all of whom have passed away in recent years but whose musical legacy lives on (the full track listing is below). “I didn’t … Continue reading Ann Wilson’s New Album ‘Immortal’ Out Now →

Often the most overlooked member of the band, a bassist is the glue that holds the whole musical foundation together.  These deserving players have changed music forever and have elevated the bass player to a place deserving honor and recognition. 20 Gene Simmons (KISS) Maybe this is a sympathy vote, but Simmons revolutionized rock and … Continue reading Top 20 Rock Bassists →