July 17, 1982 – Judas Priest release Screaming For Vengeance, their eighth studio album. It goes on to sell over 5 million copies worldwide. July 17, 1979 – Gary Moore leaves Thin Lizzy for the final time to support his solo career, with the blessing of Phil Lynott.  He is replaced by Midge Ure. July 17, 1994 – Gene Simmons … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 17 in Classic Rock →

June 18, 1948 – Columbia Records unveils the new 33 rpm record, a replacement for the 78.  Nathan Milstein, performing the Mendelssohn violin concerto, was the first 12″ album produced. June 18, 1983 – The Cotton Bowl in Dallas hosts The Texxas Jam, with Uriah Heep, Ted Nugent, Triumph, Sammy Hagar and Styx performing in that order. June 18, 1967 – The Monterey International Pop Festival concludes it’s 3-day … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 18 in Classic Rock →

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 →

April 20, 1971 – Five friends at San Rafael High School in California coin the term “4:20” as a euphemism for smoking pot so they could talk about their “activity” in front of their parents. April 20th becomes a popular day to spark one up, as does 4:20 pm… every day. April 20, 2011 – K.K. Downing, guitarist … Continue reading CDJ Today: April 20 in Classic Rock →

Judas Priest will celebrate their 50th anniversary with a U.S. tour this fall. The 50 Heavy Metal Years Tour will kick off September 9th in Oxon Hill, MD and wraps up October 17th in Las Vegas. In between the band will make stops in major cities including Philadelphia, Newark, Charlotte, Orlando, Detroit, Chicago, Milwaukee, Dallas, … Continue reading Judas Priest Announce 50th Anniversary Tour →

This year, there has been more than the usual amount of consternation regarding the list of nominees who were granted access into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  For the first time since the Fan Vote started in 2012, the top vote-getter (The Dave Matthews Band) did not get inducted, even though they garnered … Continue reading 15 Most Overlooked Artists by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame →

Alice Cooper brought together a stellar lineup for his 18th annual Christmas Pudding fundraiser. Known as one of Phoenix’s signature holiday events, the proceeds from the show directly benefit the free music, dance, arts, and vocational programs for teens at Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Center. This year’s fundraiser brought together original Alice Cooper band members … Continue reading Watch: Rob Halford, Joe Bonamassa, Johnny Depp, Nita Strauss, and more Join Alice Cooper at 18th Annual ‘Christmas Pudding’ Fundraiser →

I was perusing CDJ, when I spied a great interview with Rob Halford by my old friend Jim Villanueva.  New music by iconic veterans is most always something to shout about.  The idea of always “becoming” keeps an artist fresh and vibrant.  A metal Christmas album is perfect, and Celestial delivers on all fronts.  The … Continue reading Rob Halford and the Secret Lives of Metal Gods →

When Ozzy Osbourne returns to the road in 2020 he will be joined by special guest Marilyn Manson for the North American run of shows. Manson replaces Megadeath who were scheduled to tour with Osbourne when the original tour dates were announced. “Marilyn is killer live,” said Ozzy. “He’s so fucking out there, and if … Continue reading Ozzy Announces Special Guest for North American Shows →

Ozzy Osbourne has announced the rescheduled dates for the European leg of his No More Tours 2. Earlier this year Ozzy was forced to postpone all of his 2019 tour dates after a fall, sustained while sick with pneumonia, aggravated a years-old injury and sent him in for surgery. The European tour was rescheduled for … Continue reading Ozzy Osbourne Announces Rescheduled 2020 European Tour Dates →