September 18, 1983 – Kiss appear without their makeup for the first time during an MTV interview while promoting the release of their new album Lick It Up. Only two of the group’s original members were unveiled as founding drummer Peter Criss and guitarist Ace Frehley had left the band. Eric Carr and Vinnie Vincent … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 18 in Classic Rock →

September 16, 1970 – Jimi Hendrix goes to see his good friend Eric Burdon’s new band War, and is invited on stage to play guest guitar. This is his last time on stage as he dies less than 72 hours later. September 16, 2005 – Mötley Crüe’s Vince Neil tears his calf when he leans over to sing along with … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 16 in Classic Rock →

A feature-length documentary about the Jimi Hendrix Experience’s storied visit to Maui in 1970 is due out November 20th via Legacy Recordings. Music, Money Madness… Jimi Hendrix in Maui chronicles the group’s historic performances on the island and tells the story how they became ensnared with the ill-fated Rainbow Bridge movie produced by their controversial manager Michael … Continue reading Jimi Hendrix in Maui Documentary Due Out in November →

Unbelievably, 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of the death of guitar virtuoso Jimi Hendrix.  On September 18, 1970, Hendrix died of asphyxia while intoxicated with the barbiturate Vesparax.  Allegedly, he mistakenly took 9 pills – 18 times the recommended dose of half a pill. A member of the “27 Club” with Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, … Continue reading 10 Things You Might Not Know About Jimi Hendrix →

September 6, 1970 – Jimi Hendrix makes his final live appearance with his band at the Isle Of Fehmarn in Germany.  He did join his friend Eric Burdon of War for a couple of songs at a club in London on September 16,  but was dead two days later.  His final band setlist was: “Killing Floor,” “Spanish Castle Magic,” “All Along the Watchtower,” “Hey … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 6 in Classic Rock →

August 26, 1990 – Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble perform their last show at Alpine Valley in East Troy, WI. During their encore, Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy and Jimmy Vaughan join them onstage.  A few hours later, Stevie Ray Vaughan dies in a helicopter crash. August 26, 1970 – The five-day Isle of Wight festival begins in … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 26 in Classic Rock →

August 18, 1969 – Jimi Hendrix closes out the Woodstock festival with a morning set that concludes with “Hey Joe,” one of the few times in his career that he played an encore. Surprisingly,  Hendrix was not supposed to be the final act. Woodstock organizer Michael Lang wanted Roy Rogers to come on after Hendrix and play “Happy Trails” but the … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 18 in Classic Rock →

July 26, 2003 – Nicko McBrain of Iron Maiden is arrested after hitting a parking attendant with his car at the Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, N.Y., where the band is performing that night. McBrain was asked for his backstage credentials by the parking attendant, and when the attendant couldn’t see them clearly he asked to view them again.  Instead, … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 26 in Classic Rock →

June 29, 1995 – The first TV commercial of Ringo Starr‘s career airs for Pizza Hut, as does a similar spot by the newly-reformed Monkees. June 29, 2000 – Vandals break into tombs containing the remains of Lynyrd Skynyrd singer Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Steve Gaines. Van Zant’s casket had been removed from its tomb but did not appear to have been opened. A plastic bag … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 29 in Classic Rock →

May 22, 2011 – Vinnie Vincent, ex-Kiss and Vinnie Vincent Invasion guitarist,  is arrested in Smyrna, Tennessee after his wife, Diane Cusano, charges that he slapped her face, grabbed her hair, dragged her through shattered glass, and, as she tried to escape from their property, repeatedly hurled her to the ground. A SWAT team is brought to his home … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 22 in Classic Rock →