July 7, 1980 – Led Zeppelin play their last show with the four original members in  West Berlin. They close the set with a 17-minute version of “Whole Lotta Love.”  Unofficially, the band labeled it the “Cut The Waffle” tour. July 7, 1968 – The Yardbirds disband after a gig in Luton, England. Jimmy Page, with outstanding touring obligations for the Yardbirds, assembles … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 7 in Classic Rock →

June 30, 1977 – Kiss’ first full-color comic is released by Marvel Comics and has a vial of their blood mixed into the ink.  It’s the beginning of Kiss becoming a one billion dollar licensing brand. June 30, 1994 – Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam testify before a House of Representatives subcommittee claiming Ticketmaster has a monopoly. The federal investigation was … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 30 in Classic Rock →

June 23, 1974 – The first World Series of Rock concert sponsored by WMMS in Cleveland takes place at Cleveland Stadium.  The bill includes The Beach Boys, Joe Walsh & Barnstorm, Lynyrd Skynyrd and REO Speedwagon and attracts over 80,000 fans.  The stadium is demolished in 1996, but not before fifteen more festivals occur. June 23, 1975 – Alice Cooper plummets from the stage … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 23 in Classic Rock →

June 17, 1991 – Van Halen release their 9th album, For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, also known as F.U.C.K.  Sammy Hagar titles the album, allegedly wanting to push the issue of censorship.  The album goes on to sell over 3 million copies in the U.S. June 17, 1997 – Fans riot at an Ozzfest concert in Columbus, Ohio, after Ozzy Osbourne cancels his performance due to throat issues.  The … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 17 in Classic Rock →

June 3, 2000 – After destroying his living room, threatening his wife with a knife and sending police on a manhunt near his Osprey, Florida home, Allman Brothers Band guitarist Dickey Betts was discovered by police after a helicopter search. He is sent to a psychiatric unit. June 3, 1983 – Famous session drummer Jim Gordon murders his mother by hitting her in the head … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 3 in Classic Rock →

May 2, 1988 – Living Colour release their debut album Vivid. The album sells over 2 million copies,  and “Cult of Personality” wins a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance in 1990. They were also named Best New Artist at the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards. May 2, 1980 – Joy Division play what will be their last gig with singer Ian Curtis at Birmingham … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 2 in Classic Rock →

February 3, 1969 – The Beatles hire Allen Klein as their new manager, following the death of Brian Epstein. Klein got his start working for Sam Cooke and Bobby Darin, with whom he gained a reputation for being ruthless on behalf of artists whose royalties were being hidden through accounting tricks. This endeared him to the Rolling Stones, … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 3 in Classic Rock →

January 5, 2004 – Ray Davies of the Kinks is shot in the leg in New Orleans trying to recover his date’s stolen purse.  The shooter is immediately caught, but released three years later because Davies couldn’t make it back to Louisiana with only three days notice for the trial. January 5, 1973 – Bruce Springsteen releases his debut album Greetings from Asbury Park, … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 5 in Classic Rock →

“The Kinks are getting back together” was the news Tuesday after recently-knighted  frontman Ray Davies told the U.K.’s Channel 4 that the group was working on a new album. The Kinks, who had a string of hits in the 60s, haven’t performed together in more than 20 years. Davies told Channel 4 “I’ve got all these songs … Continue reading The Kinks Are Reuniting… or Are They? →

15 Slade – “Merry Xmas Everybody” “Merry Xmas Everybody” was Slade’s best-selling single, and their sixth and final #1 single in the UK. Earning the UK Christmas Number One slot in December 1973, “Merry Xmas Everybody” sold over a million copies upon its first release. 14 Billy Squier – “Christmas Is The Time To Say … Continue reading Top 15 Classic Rock Christmas Songs →