February 20, 1991 – Bob Dylan and John Lennon receive the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at the 33rd Grammy Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Aerosmith win their first Grammy for Best Rock Performance for “Janie’s Got A Gun” and perform “Come Together” as part of the tribute to Lennon. February 20, 1976 – All four members … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 20 in Classic Rock →

February 18, 1974 – Kiss release their self-titled debut album on Casablanca Records. Warner Bros. dissolved their deal with the record label after the band refused to remove their makeup.  The album initially sold only 75,000 copies, although now it is certified Gold. February 18, 1969 – Maurice Gibb of the Bee Gees marries pop star Lulu in Buckinghamshire, England. He … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 18 in Classic Rock →

February 7, 1964 – The Beatles are greeted by over 5,000 fans, mostly young girls, who are crowded onto the upper balcony of New York’s JFK airport, waving placards and banners to welcome the group. Paul McCartney remembers it like this, “There were millions of kids at the airport, which nobody had expected. We heard about it in mid-air. … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 7 in Classic Rock →

January 30, 1973 – Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss make their first appearance as Kiss at the Popcorn Club in Queens, New York.  They had recently changed their name from Wicked Lester.  The band was paid $50 for the show, and less than 10 people were in the audience. January 30, 1969 … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 30 in Classic Rock →

January 20, 1982 – Ozzy Osbourne bites the head off a live bat at a show in Des Moines, Iowa, thinking it was a rubber bat thrown on the stage.  In his memoir, he says, “Immediately, though, something felt wrong. Very wrong. For a start, my mouth was instantly full of this warm, gloopy liquid, with the … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 20 in Classic Rock →

December 20, 1980 – Motörhead drummer Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor accidentally breaks his neck after being lifted above the head of a friend in a test of strength, only to be dropped upon his head. Taylor continued to play in Motörhead with the aid of a neck brace, as is visible in the music video for “Ace of … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 20 in Classic Rock →

December 12, 2003 – Mick Jagger becomes a Sir after being knighted by Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace. Jagger’s 92-year-old father is at the Palace to see his son receive the award. “The thing about honors is that you should never ask for them, and you should never really expect them, but I think you should accept them if … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 12 in Classic Rock →

November 24, 1984 – Tommy Lee of Mötley Crüe marries for the first time, to model Elaine Starchuk (AKA Candice).  They divorce the following year. November 24, 1972 – The music TV show In Concert debuts with Alice Cooper, Bo Diddley and Seals and Crofts. November 24, 2007 – Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea loses his $4.8 million home in a wildfire that sweeps through Malibu.  He … Continue reading CDJ Today: November 24 in Classic Rock →

October 30, 1990 – Axl Rose is released on $5,000 bail after being arrested for allegedly hitting his neighbor, Gabriella Kantor, over the head with a bottle of wine. Kantor said, “He hit me over my head with a really good bottle of Chardonnay and a piece of chicken.  I continue to experience headaches as … Continue reading CDJ Today: October 30 in Classic Rock →

October 21, 1976 – Keith Moon plays his last show with The Who at the Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Canada.  It is the final date on the band’s 1976 tour.  Though Moon would perform with the Who in a couple of special performances filmed for use in the documentary, The Kids Are Alright, this would be his last … Continue reading CDJ Today: October 21 in Classic Rock →

October 15, 2006 – Patti Smith headlines the final night of the infamous club, CBGB in New York City, which closes due to $300,000 owed in unpaid back rent.  She says, “CBGB is both the scrappy symbol of rock’s promise and a temple that no one wanted to see go.”  With an open booking policy, … Continue reading CDJ Today: October 15 in Classic Rock →

October 14, 1988 – Def Leppard become the first act in chart history to sell seven million copies of two consecutive albums – Pyromania (10 million copies sold) and Hysteria (25 million copies sold). October 14, 1977 – KISS release their 2nd live album, Alive II.  It goes on to sell over 2 million copies. October 14, 1972 – Adelaide, Australia police arrest … Continue reading CDJ Today: October 14 in Classic Rock →