June 2, 1978 – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers make their American television debut on The Midnight Special. June 2, 1989 – Bill Wyman (52) of the Rolling Stones secretly marries Mandy Smith (19). They had been dating since she was 13 and he was 47.  Just prior to the couple being divorced in 1993, things got even stranger when Wyman’s oldest … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 2 in Classic Rock →

May 30, 1992 – Paul Simon marries Edie Brickell in a private civil ceremony at their home in Montauk, NY. May 30, 1971 – Over 30 fans are hospitalized suffering from intense hallucinations after a Grateful Dead concert at the Winterland Auditorium in San Francisco, CA. The band had encouraged the crowd to drink apple juice that was allegedly spiked with … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 30 in Classic Rock →

April 21, 1990 –Van Halen christen the opening night of their Cabo Wabo Cantina in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico with a live performance.  Sammy Hagar would eventually buy out the rest of the band due to the club’s early financial failure.  In later years, Cabo Wabo becomes a huge success. April 21, 2005 – Alex Lifeson of Rush pleads no contest to a … Continue reading CDJ Today: April 21 in Classic Rock →

April 15, 1971 – The Beatles nab their only Oscar, winning Best Original Song Score for the movie Let It Be. April 15, 1982 – Anvil release their sophomore album, Metal on Metal, then proceed to fade into obscurity in the 1990s before being resurrected by the 2008 documentary Anvil! The Story of Anvil. Rock Artists Who Have Won an Academy Award … Continue reading CDJ Today: April 15 in Classic Rock →

April 10, 1956 – Leo Fender patents his Stratocaster guitar, which is the follow-up to the popular Telecaster. April 10, 1970 – Doors singer Jim Morrison attempts to flash his junk at a show in Boston.  He is dragged off stage by keyboardist Ray Manzarek as Morrison is already facing charges for a similar event … Continue reading CDJ Today: April 10 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 →

January 19, 1994 – The Ninth Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies are held in New York City. Inductees include The Animals, The Band, Duane Eddy, The Grateful Dead, Elton John, John Lennon, Bob Marley, and Rod Stewart.  Stewart can’t make it there due to the massive earthquake that hit LA that week, and … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 19 in Classic Rock →

January 14, 1965 –  David Bowie releases his first single in the U.S., “Can’t Help Thinking About Me.”  This was the first single released after he changed his name from David (also Davie) Jones to David Bowie. January 14, 1967 – The first “Human Be-In” takes place at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park with more than 25,000 people in attendance. It is the prelude to … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 14 in Classic Rock →

December 28, 1998 – Ronnie Hammond of The Atlanta Rhythm Section is shot by Macon police after he attacks an officer with a hammer and a broken guitar handle. Hammond was threatening to commit suicide. December 28, 1968 – The Miami Pop Festival takes place near Miami, FL and attracts over 100,000 people over its three-day run.  Featured acts include The Amboy Dukes, Canned … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 28 in Classic Rock →

December 6, 1968 – The Rolling Stones release their ninth American studio album Beggars Banquet.  It includes the tracks “Street Fighting Man” and “Sympathy For The Devil.” December 6, 1969 – The Rolling Stones play a free festival at Altamont in California, along with Jefferson Airplane, Santana, The Flying Burrito Brothers and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 6 in Classic Rock →

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 16, 2010 – Auburn University researcher Justin Havird names a new species of fish “Lepidocephalichthys zeppelini” because the pectoral fin reminds him of the double-neck guitar used by Jimmy Page. “I’m a big Led Zeppelin fan, and I was listening to them while I was working on the fish,” Havird says. “The structure that makes this species … Continue reading CDJ Today: October 16 in Classic Rock →