October 9, 1985 – On what would have been John Lennon’s 45th birthday, Yoko Ono opens Strawberry Fields in New York City’s Central Park. The entrance to the memorial is located directly across from the Dakota Apartments where Lennon last lived and where he was murdered in 1980. Ono donated $1 million to open the … Continue reading CDJ Today: October 9 in Classic Rock →

June 4, 2001 – Spinal Tap tours the U.S. for its “Back From the Dead Tour” and appears at New York’s Carnegie Hall with a 20-song, 90-minute performance as part of the annual Toyota Comedy Festival. June 4, 1942 – Johnny Mercer, Glenn Wallichs and Buddy DeSylva form Capitol Records. On the same day, Wallichs gives the first free record to Los Angeles disc … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 4 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 →

May 28, 1983 – Slash is in the audience at the legendary Gazzarri’s on the Sunset Strip in LA. for the band Rapidfire’s show, where he first sees Axl Rose perform live. May 28, 1957 – The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) is established. They launch the Grammy Awards in 1958. May 28, 1976 – Gregg Allman‘s testimony against his … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 28 in Classic Rock →

December 3, 1979 – Eleven fans are trampled to death at a Who concert at the Riverfront Coliseum in Cincinnati.  Another 26 fans are injured.  At 7:05, after the Who had finished their sound check, a paltry 5 of the Coliseum’s 134 doors were opened, because only nine ticket takers had been hired.  The Coliseum said enlisting ushers would be … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 3 in Classic Rock →

A new trailer for the forthcoming Ronnie Wood documentary Somebody Up There Likes Me has been released to promote the film’s U.K. opening next month. You can watch the preview in the player below. Somebody Up There Likes Me explores the life and career of the veteran guitarist from his childhood in post-war England through … Continue reading Watch the Trailer for the New Ronnie Wood Documentary ‘Somebody Up There Likes Me’ →

Ronnie Wood underwent surgery to remove part of his lung after a cancer diagnosis in May, a recent interview with Event magazine reveals. The Rolling Stones guitarist, notorious for his hard partying alongside Keith Richards, says he was prepared for the worst when he received the news. “There was a week when everything hung in … Continue reading Ronnie Wood Reveals Cancer Diagnosis, Surgery →

Rod Stewart revealed his most rock n’ roll moments to Late Late Show host James Corden this week in the show’s easily most-likeable segment, Carpool Karaoke. The British crooner also let it slip that the Faces were banned from Holiday Inns back in their heyday and would instead check in as Fleetwood Mac. Watch the … Continue reading Rod Stewart Reveals His Most ‘Rock N’ Roll’ Moments and Why the Faces Checked In to Hotels as Fleetwood Mac →

Two Rolling Stones’ sidemen have passed away this week within a day of one another.  And, they were two of the greatest rock and roll sidemen ever. Before there was Clarence Clemons, there was Bobby Keys.  I know that there are other great rock saxophone players, but these two—well, they are a force of nature.  … Continue reading Two of Rock’s Greatest Sidemen Pass Away →