August 10, 2012 – During their joint concert in Denver, Kiss and Mötley Crüe announce their donation of $100,000 to a relief fund set up to help the victims of the “Dark Knight” movie shooting that occurred on July 20 in nearby Aurora, Colorado.  Nikki Sixs says, “Following the heartbreaking news of the senseless shootings in Colorado we wanted to do something to … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 10 in Classic Rock →

July 23, 1994 – Frank Zappa fan John Scialli is rewarded after embarking on a quest to get Zappa recognized in space when a Czech astronomer at The International Astronomical Union names an asteroid in Mars’ orbit after Zappa, who had passed away from cancer the year before. The asteroid (actually a minor planet) is named Zappafrank.  The official release says: Discovered … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 23 in Classic Rock →

It’s true – the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Many of your favorite rock stars have produced children that have gone into the family business, with varying degrees of success. Below are some of the “kids” that have succeeded in major ways. 01 The Beatles’ offspring Ranking this list was extremely difficult, so … Continue reading The Most Musically Gifted Children of Rock Stars →

June 6, 1981 – The first issue of heavy metal magazine Kerrang is published as a special pull-out by UK weekly music paper Sounds.  AC/DC is on the front cover and there are features on Motörhead, Girlschool and Saxon. June 6, 2004 – Metallica play a rare gig at the Download Festival in England’s Donington Park without drummer Lars Ulrich, who is … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 6 in Classic Rock →

I recently read in our good ol’ CDJ about the retirement plans of Paul Simon, Neil Diamond, Elton John, and Ozzy Osbourne.  The strangest feeling came over me—it just didn’t sound right. I actually am finding it hard to cope with the thought.  Although I am getting older myself and in semi-retirement mode for the … Continue reading Iconic Artists “Retiring” – Doesn’t Sound Right + Funny Paul Simon and Frank Zappa Stories →

January 6, 1976 – Peter Frampton releases one of the biggest double live albums in history, Frampton Comes Alive! The album goes on to sell over 11 million copies in the U.S. January 6, 2001 – Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour wins the right to his “dot com” name. David took legal action in his battle to reclaim davidgilmour.com from a man who had … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 6 in Classic Rock →

December 21, 1970 – Elvis Presley meets with President Richard Nixon at The White House to volunteer his services in fighting the war on drugs. Elvis had written a letter to President Nixon asking to be made a “Federal Agent at Large” for the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. No such position actually existed, but Nixon, wanting desperately … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 21 in Classic Rock →

December 10, 2007 – Led Zeppelin reunite after 19 years at London’s O2 Arena.  Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones are joined on stage by John Bonham’s son, Jason, at the Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert. More than one million people register for fewer than 20,000 available tickets.  With proceeds going to Ertegun’s charity, the cost … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 10 in Classic Rock →

December 4, 2012 – Randy Blythe, the frontman of Lamb of God, is charged with the death of a 19-year-old fan at a concert in Prague in 2010 after he pushed him off the stage. The fan, Daniel Nosek, hits his head when he falls to the concrete floor and dies of his injuries 2 weeks later. Blythe is later acquitted, … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 4 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 →