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 →

July 12, 2007 – Rod Stewart is awarded the CBE Order of the British Empire by Prince Charles in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. July 12, 1963 – The Rolling Stones play their first ever gig outside London when they appeared at The Alcove Club in Yorkshire supporting The Hollies. Classic Rock Birthdays July 12, 1950 – Eric Carr (born Paul … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 12 in Classic Rock →

July 4, 1982 – Ozzy Osbourne marries Sharon Arden, the daughter of music business manager Don Arden. July 4, 1973 – Slade drummer Don Powell is badly injured in a car crash in which his fiancé is killed. He breaks both of his ankles and five of his ribs and is unconscious for six days after surgeons drill into his skull to … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 4 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 28, 1984 – Bruce Springsteen shoots his “Dancing In The Dark” video in front of 200 extras at the St. Paul Civic center. Courtney Cox, later of “Friends” fame,  plays the front row fan who gets to dance on stage with Bruce. The single (propelled by massive MTV airplay) sells over 1 million copies and also garners Springsteen … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 28 in Classic Rock →

June 24, 1999 – Eric Clapton auctions off 100 of his guitars with proceeds going toward his Crossroads Centre at Antigua, an alcohol and drug-dependency treatment center in the West Indies. The auction generates over $5 million, with his guitar “Brownie,” a 1956 sunburst Fender used to record “Layla”, going for almost $500,000. June 24, 2000 – Kiss begin a 2-day auction of costumes, instruments and … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 24 in Classic Rock →

May 29, 1983 – Kiss play their last concert in their traditional makeup, but 13 years later they slap it on again when they reunite. May 29, 2009 – Ozzy Osbourne files a lawsuit against Tony Iommi, his Black Sabbath bandmate. Osbourne claims that Iommi illegally took sole ownership of the Black Sabbath name, and … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 29 in Classic Rock →

May 26, 2000 – Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee begins a five day jail sentence for violating his parole by drinking alcohol.  A Malibu judge extends Lee’s probation until May 26, 2003, reinstates random drug testing and orders him to enroll in Alcoholics Anonymous. May 26, 1994 – Michael Jackson marries Lisa Marie Presley in the Dominican Republic. The couple divorce in 1995. May 26, 1973 – Deep Purple release … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 26 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 →

May 18, 1980 – Peter Criss leaves Kiss for the first of three times.  He is replaced by drummer Eric Carr. May 18, 2004 –  New Jersey’s Country Cow Creamery gets permission from Ozzy and his wife Sharon to create flavors in their name.  Ozzy’s is called Carnivorous Carrot Cake – cinnamon spice ice cream with carrot cake dipped in hazelnut liqueur, and Sharon’s is Death … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 18 in Classic Rock →