September 17, 1991 – Guns N’ Roses release both Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II on the same day because they think one double album of 30 tracks would be too expensive for fans.  Record stores open at midnight to frenzied purchasing and when the dust settles, each album sells more than 7 million … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 17 in Classic Rock →

September 15, 2014 – Apple release a tool to remove U2’s new album, Songs of Innocence, from iTunes accounts after giving away the music for free. Songs of Innocence is considered the biggest album launch in history because about half a billion iTunes users owned it on the day of its release. Apple reportedly gave U2 a large blanket … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 15 in Classic Rock →

August 4, 1975 – Led Zeppelin‘s tour is postponed following Robert Plant’s serious auto accident on the small Greek island of Rhodos.  Plant has multiple fractures of  his ankle, bones supporting his foot, and elbow. Doctors initally tell Plant he may never walk again. His wife, Maureen, also in the car, suffers a lengthy period of concussions, and breaks her leg in several … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 4 in Classic Rock →

May 20, 2015 – Whitesnake release “The Purple Album,” a tribute to Deep Purple, featuring songs from singer David Coverdale’s two albums with the band. “It’s a tribute. A homage. It’s a huge thank you from me to Deep Purple for the opportunity I was given over 40 years ago,” states Coverdale. May 20, 1998 – Mötley Crüe‘s Tommy Lee is sentenced to 180 days in jail, … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 20 in Classic Rock →

April 10, 1956 – Leo Fender patents his Stratocaster guitar, which is the follow-up to the popular Telecaster. April 10, 1970 – Doors singer Jim Morrison attempts to flash his junk at a show in Boston.  He is dragged off stage by keyboardist Ray Manzarek as Morrison is already facing charges for a similar event … Continue reading CDJ Today: April 10 in Classic Rock →

March 1, 1969 – Jim Morrison of The Doors receives a felony charge of lewd and lascivious behavior and five misdemeanors; two counts of indecent exposure, two of public profanity and one of public drunkenness after allegedly showing his penis to a Miami audience.  Although it has never been confirmed that he actually exposed himself, he did say, “You want to … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 1 in Classic Rock →

February 12, 1997 – David Bowie receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His star is located outside of the Hollywood Galaxy Theater. Classic Rock Birthdays February 12, 1939 – Ray Manzarek, keyboards (The Doors) (d. 2013) February 12, 1950 – Steve Hackett, guitar (Genesis) February 12, 1952 – Michael McDonald, vocals, keyboards (The Doobie Brothers) February 12, 1946 – Joe Schermie (born Joseph Edward Schermetzler), bass (Three … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 12 in Classic Rock →

January 8, 1994 – Nirvana perform their final concert in the U.S. at the Seattle Center Arena. They tour for about two more months in Europe prior to Kurt Cobain’s suicide. January 8, 1979 – The Canadian Government name Rush the country’s official Ambassadors of Music. The honor comes with a plaque that reads, “We wish to recognize the international aspect … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 8 in Classic Rock →

January 5, 2004 – Ray Davies of the Kinks is shot in the leg in New Orleans trying to recover his date’s stolen purse.  The shooter is immediately caught, but released three years later because Davies couldn’t make it back to Louisiana with only three days notice for the trial. January 5, 1973 – Bruce Springsteen releases his debut album Greetings from Asbury Park, … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 5 in Classic Rock →

January 4, 1970 – Keith Moon’s chauffeur and bodyguard is accidentally killed when Moon runs over him trying to escape a band of skinheads at a local pub. Boland was in front of the car fighting off the unruly bar patrons when Moon got behind the wheel of the Bentley, not knowing the crowd had pushed Boland underneath … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 4 in Classic Rock →