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 →

Ginger Baker, the iconic drummer and co-founder of rock band Cream, has been hospitalized and is critically ill.  The news was posted in a statement on Baker’s official Twitter account. “The Baker family are sad to announce that Ginger is critically ill in hospital,” the statement reads. “Please keep in your prayers tonight.” Baker formed … Continue reading Cream’s Ginger Baker Hospitalized, Critically Ill →

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 →

July 29, 1973 – Led Zeppelin play the last of three nights at Madison Square Garden in New York City.  Although their 33-date North American tour grosses over 4 million, about $203,000 in cash is stolen that night from the safe at The Drake Hotel in New York where the band is staying. Tour manager Richard Cole is arrested as a suspect … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 29 in Classic Rock →

July 16, 1966 – The world’s first “supergroup” is forged when Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker form Cream.  Though they last only two years, Cream sells 15 million records. July 16, 1900 – The logo of the Victor Recording Company and later RCA Victor, is registered with the U.S. Patent Office. The logo features Nipper the dog looking into … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 16 in Classic Rock →

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 →