November 20, 1973 – Sometime during the Who‘s show, Keith Moon downs a pile of horse tranquilizers handed to him by an audience member, and chases them with a bottle of brandy. Evidently mumbling something to the effect of “I can take it, I’m Keith ‘F***ing’ Moon.” He ends up passing out and is in a near-coma when taken to … Continue reading CDJ Today: November 20 in Classic Rock →

October 6, 1990 – A Gathering of Tribes, a two-day concert said to be the inspiration behind Lollapalooza, is staged in Mountain View, CA and Costa Mesa, CA by The Cult’s Ian Astbury and promoter Bill Graham. Artists on the bill include Soundgarden, Ice-T, Indigo Girls, Queen Latifah, Joan Baez, Steve Jones, Michelle Shocked, Iggy … Continue reading CDJ Today: October 6 in Classic Rock →

September 29, 1989 – Bruce Springsteen and a few of his bodyguards stop for a beer at Matt’s Saloon in Prescott, AZ on a motorcycle ride.  The small town quickly figures out Springsteen is there and packs the saloon when he agrees to jam with the house band for an hour. He also makes a generous $100,000 donation to a barmaid … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 29 in Classic Rock →

September 24, 1991 – Nirvana release their second studio album, Nevermind. The album goes on to sell over 30 million copies worldwide.  Kurt Cobain and Dave Grohl conceive of the cover shot after watching a TV documentary on water babies.  Spencer Elden, the 3-month-old son of the photographer’s friend is the baby chosen.  Elden’s circumcised penis is visible in the image and Cobain … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 24 in Classic Rock →

J.D. Souther, the singer/songwriter best known for his hits for the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt that helped define the Southern California country-rock sound of the mid 1970’s has died. Some of Souther’s best-known songs included the Eagles’ “New Kid In Town” and “Heartache Tonight”, Ronstadt’s “Faithless Love” and his own “You’re Only Lonely”.

July 31, 1980 – The Eagles perform their last concert at the Long Beach Arena before splitting up. They reunite in 1994. The concert – a benefit gig, no less – is played out amid muttered onstage threats between Glen Frey and Don Felder, who spend the entire show describing to each other the beating each plans to administer backstage. “Only three … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 31 in Classic Rock →

July 22, 1989 – Courtney Love marries her first husband, James Moreland, who is the singer of the band Leaving Trains. The marriage ends with an annulment only three months later, after Love is allegedly forced to have an abortion due to her drug abuse. Love says that “Moreland was a transvestite and that their marriage was a joke,” and Moreland contends … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 22 in Classic Rock →

June 20, 1978 – Foreigner releases their second album, Double Vision. It goes on to sell over 7 million copies. June 20, 1948 – Toast Of The Town, which would later be called The Ed Sullivan Show, premieres on CBS. The hosts of the first night’s program are Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.  The show goes on to run for 23 years, on the same network … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 20 in Classic Rock →

April 6, 1993 – Peter Criss, former drummer for the rock group KISS, settles a libel lawsuit against Star magazine for portraying him as a homeless alcoholic.  ”At least now I can go on with a clearer head, now that this is over,” he said. “I could write a song about this whole thing. Maybe I will.” A Jan. … Continue reading CDJ Today: April 6 in Classic Rock →

March 22, 1994 – Pantera release their 7th studio album, Far Beyond Driven. It joins the elite group of million-selling hard rock albums, going platinum in the U.S., Australia and Canada.  It’s also the first album where Darrell Abbott is credited as “Dimebag Darrell,” having switched from the moniker “Diamond Darrell.” March 22, 1974 – The Eagles release … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 22 in Classic Rock →

March 8, 1969 – The Small Faces perform their final concert, on the Channel Islands. Steve Marriott announces he is leaving the band to focus on Humble Pie. Shortly afterwards, Kenney Jones, Ronnie Lane and Ian McLagan form The Faces with Rod Stewart and Ron Wood. March 8, 1968 – The Fillmore East opens in the East Village of … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 8 in Classic Rock →

February 6, 2001 – Guitarist Don Felder is fired from The Eagles. He would later launch a $50 million lawsuit against drummer Don Henley and guitarist Glen Frey, alleging wrongful termination and breach of contract and fiduciary duty. Both parties settled out-of-court for an undisclosed amount.   Folder is a co-writer along with Frey and Henley … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 6 in Classic Rock →