January 21, 1987 – Twenty-two artists are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the 2nd annual awards show, held in New York City.  Keith Richards inducts Aretha Franklin, B.B. King is inducted by Sting, ZZ Top inducts Bo Diddley, Mick Jones of Foreigner inducts Eddie Cochran, Ricky Nelson is posthumously inducted by John Fogerty, and … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 21 in Classic Rock →

January 7, 2004 – Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes and wife Kate Hudson announce the birth of their first child Ryder Russell Robinson. January 7, 1997 – Two bronze busts worth $70,000 are stolen from George Harrison’s estate in Henley-on-Thames, England.  Thieves cut the figures of two monks from their stone plinths. Classic Rock Birthdays January 7, 1937 – Paul Revere … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 7 in Classic Rock →

December 30, 1999 – George Harrison and his wife Olivia are attacked when an intruder breaks into their home in England. Olivia beats off the attacker with a lamp, but Harrison is stabbed repeatedly in the chest and admitted to the hospital with a collapsed lung and various minor stab wounds.  Police later arrest a fan from Liverpool who nursed an irrational … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 30 in Classic Rock →

December 27, 1932 – Radio City Music Hall, the world’s largest indoor theater at the time, opens in New York City with a massive six-hour show. With 6,200 seats and a stage spanning 10,000 square feet, more than 300 million people have gone to Radio City to enjoy movies, stage shows, concerts, and special events. December … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 27 in Classic Rock →

December 23, 1985 – Judas Priest fans Raymond Belknap, 18, and James Vance, 20, shoot themselves after listening to the Judas Priest album, Stained Class. Belknap dies, but Vance lives for more than three years before dying from the effects of the shooting.  The parents later file an infamous lawsuit against the band claiming their music was filled with subliminal messages. December 23, … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 23 in Classic Rock →

November 29, 2007 – Former Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer Artimus Pyle (born Thomas Delmer Pyle), is arrested for failing to properly register as a sex offender at a new permanent address. For this charge, he was later acquitted by a jury in 2009. Pyle had pleaded guilty in 1993 to charges of attempted capital sexual battery by an adult … Continue reading CDJ Today: November 29 in Classic Rock →

November 27, 1967 – The Beatles release Magical Mystery Tour, which goes on to sell over 6 million copies in the U.S.  Released as a double EP in the UK and an LP in the U.S., the album included the soundtrack to the film of the same name and was nominated for a Grammy. November 27, 1991 – Freddie Mercury’s … Continue reading CDJ Today: November 27 in Classic Rock →

The 50th anniversary editions of George Harrison’s Living in the Material World, the highly praised second solo album of original music following The Beatles’ 1970 dissolution, are out today via Dark Horse Records/BMG. To celebrate the release, fans can enjoy the never-before-heard recording of “Sunshine Life For Me (Sail Away Raymond),” featuring Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, … Continue reading Watch the Official Video for George Harrison’s “Sunshine Life For Me (Sail Away Raymond)” →

November 1, 1994 – Nirvana releases MTV Unplugged in New York, the first Nirvana album following the death of Kurt Cobain.  The album debuts at number one on the Billboard 200, and is certified 5x platinum in the United States by 1997. It also wins the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album in 1996. November 1, 1968 – George Harrison releases Wonderwall Music, … Continue reading CDJ Today: November 1 in Classic Rock →

October 18, 1974 – The Rolling Stones release It’s Only Rock N’ Roll, their 14th studio album. The album goes platinum, and features guest stars Kenney Jones, David Bowie, Billy Preston and Ian Stewart. October 18, 1974 – Al Green’s ex-girlfriend bursts into his bathroom and pours a pot of boiling grits in the tub, burning him badly, before going to the … Continue reading CDJ Today: October 18 in Classic Rock →

August 31, 2012 – Eddie Van Halen undergoes emergency surgery for “a severe bout of diverticulitis” causing Van Halen to reschedule a tour of Japan slated for November. August 31, 1976 – George Harrison is found guilty of “subconscious plagiarism” when Bright Tunes Music Corporation sues him, claiming that he plagiarized “He’s So Fine” by The Chiffons for his song “My Sweet Lord.” The case … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 31 in Classic Rock →

August 1, 1981 – MTV begins airing music videos with the legendary opening, “Ladies and Gentlemen, Rock & Roll.”  That’s followed by the now familiar power-chord-fueled guitar riff theme. The first ten videos are: The Buggles “Video Killed The Radio Star”, Pat Benatar “You Better Run”, Rod Stewart “She Won’t Dance With Me”, The Who “You Better You Bet”, … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 1 in Classic rock →