November 14, 1983 –  Michael Jackson’s 14-minute film Thriller debuts to a private audience at the Metro Crest Theater in Los Angeles. Directed by John Landis, the short film will become the most popular video in MTV history when the network begins airing it in December. Many of Jackson’s famous friends show up at the premiere, … Continue reading CDJ Today: November 14 in Classic Rock →

October 7, 1984 – Dee Snider is arrested after a concert in Amarillo, TX for using “profane and abusive” language.  According to Snider, a mom who had escorted her daughter to the show filed a complaint after Snider screamed, “Suck my mutha-f****n’ d**k!” at a concertgoer who was harassing him.  Snider would pay a whopping fine of $75. October … Continue reading CDJ Today: October 7 in Classic Rock →

September 5, 1976 – Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Gary Rossington is injured in a car crash in Jacksonville, FL after he falls asleep at the wheel while under the influence of alcohol and drugs. The accident inspires Ronnie Van Zant to write “That Smell” with the lyrics, “Whiskey bottles and brand new cars, oak tree you’re in my … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 5 in Classic Rock →

You’re going to want to read this, because while remembering my dear friend and colleague with whom I worked closely at Columbia Records for many years, you will also read about what could be the wildest and greatest promotion move ever in the history of rock radio promotion.  And because of this outrageous event, you … Continue reading Jim “Rocky” Del Balzo (September 30th 1955 – September 04, 2018) – A Best Friend, And One Of The Greatest Record Men Ever! →

John Mellencamp has announced a 26-date North American tour in support of his highly anticipated new album Other People’s Stuff, which is set for release November 16th on Republic Records. The 2019 tour, dubbed ‘The John Mellencamp Show’, will launch February 7th in his home state of Indiana at South Bend’s Morris Performing Arts Center. It wraps … Continue reading John Mellencamp Announces 2019 Tour →

Nothing says 4th of July like hosting friends and family, grilling on the deck or maybe chilling by the pool, some classic tunes coming through the outdoor speakers… But don’t just hit play on some generic playlist and call it a party – step up your Independence Day party with these 15 Patriotic Classic Rock … Continue reading 15 Patriotic Classic Rock Songs for Your Independence Day Playlist →

“Try to keep it as plain spoken as possible…” these are some of the first words the viewer hears from John Mellencamp in Plain Spoken: From The Chicago Theatre. Due out on May 11th from Eagle Rock Entertainment on DVD+CD, Blu-ray+CD and digital formats, this new concert film gives fans a deeper look at the … Continue reading John Mellencamp Announces Intimate New Concert Film ‘Plain Spoken: From The Chicago Theatre’ →

John Mellencamp has announced that his 23rd album, titled Sad Clowns & Hillbillies, is due out April 21st. The first single, title “Easy Target”, was released on the same day that President Donald Trump was inaugurated, and while it doesn’t directly reference Trump, it is certainly a statement about the current state of the country. … Continue reading John Mellencamp Announces New Album, Tour →

John Mellencamp made an appearance at Wednesday night’s Country Music Association Awards in Nashville, performing his hit “Pink Houses” along with country superstar and CMA Award winner Keith Urban. The match-up isn’t entirely random; Urban’s latest single, which he launched into right after the “Pink Houses” duet, is titled “John Cougar John Deere John 3:16.” … Continue reading See John Mellencamp’s Duet with Keith Urban →

A new show for American Public Television is a music-themed talk show with a twist; the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, GRAMMY winners and rock stars who are the subject of the show get to choose their own interviewers. “The beauty of the Speakeasy format is that it afford these artists a level of … Continue reading New ‘Speakeasy’ Show Lets Musicians Choose Their Own Interviewers →