May 27, 1988 – The first U.S. Monsters of Rock tour kicks off with a 3-night stand at the Alpine Valley Music Theater in Wisconsin.  On the bill in this order are Kingdom Come, Metallica, Dokken, Scorpions and Van Halen as the headliners.  The tour lasts for two months. May 27, 1994 – After 14 years apart, The Eagles reunite for their “Hell Freezes Over” … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 27 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 →

February 1, 2007 – Wayne Fontana, frontman for Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders, is arrested after pouring gasoline on a bailiff’s car and setting it on fire – while the bailiff was in the car.  The police had been dispatched to collect a debt Fontana owed.  He later shows up at his court hearing dressed as … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 1 in Classic Rock →

January 18, 1989 – Stevie Wonder becomes the youngest living person to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the age of 38.  Later, in 2012, Josh Klinghoffer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers becomes the youngest Rock and Roll Hall of Famer ever inducted at the age of 32. January 18, 1991 … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 18 in Classic Rock →

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 →

Two all-time greats passed away last week. Jerry Lee Lewis and Steven Clean. The first you know of. If you’re not from Boston or Los Angeles you’ve probably never heard of the latter, otherwise known as “The Obscene” Steven Clean. I have great stories regarding both. The media coverage for Lewis’s passing has been omnipresent … Continue reading Two Legends Pass Away: “The Killer” Jerry Lee Lewis and “The Obscene” Steven Clean →

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 →