May 12, 1967 – Pink Floyd perform what may have been the first concert in quadraphonic sound when they place loudspeakers at the back of the concert hall at “Games for May,” a swanky affair at London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall. Adding to the otherworldly experience,  Roger Waters throws potatoes at a gong, Nick Mason mic’s up a saw to cut through … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 12 in Classic Rock →

April 16, 1974 – Queen make their U.S. live debut at Regis College in Denver, opening for Mott the Hoople. April 16, 1996 – Kiss hold a press conference aboard the USS Intrepid in New York City to announce the reunion of all four original members, and the Alive/Worldwide reunion tour. With Ace, Gene, Paul and Peter, … Continue reading CDJ Today: April 16 in Classic Rock →

April 6, 1993 – Peter Criss, former drummer for the rock group KISS, settles a libel lawsuit against Star magazine for portraying him as a homeless alcoholic.  ”At least now I can go on with a clearer head, now that this is over,” he said. “I could write a song about this whole thing. Maybe I will.” A Jan. … Continue reading CDJ Today: April 6 in Classic Rock →

April 5, 1980 – R.E.M. play their first-ever gig when they appear at St Mary’s Episcopal Church in Athens, Georgia.  They perform as Twisted Kites, and three weeks later change their name to R.E.M. April 5, 1985 – Thousands of radio stations play “We Are The World” simultaneously at 10:50 a.m. EST on Good Friday, aimed at helping African famine relief … Continue reading CDJ Today: April 5 in Classic Rock →

March 15, 1976 – Kiss release their fourth studio album, Destroyer.  The album goes on to be certified double platinum and contains the songs “Detroit Rock City,” “Shout It Out Loud” and “Beth.” March 15, 2004 – Jackson Browne, George Harrison, Bob Seger, Traffic, and ZZ Top are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Bruce Springsteen inducts Browne, fellow Traveling … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 15 in Classic Rock →

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 →

September 10, 1975 – Kiss release their first live album Alive!, a double-disc set culled from songs on their first three studio albums. There is debate as to how much over-dubbing was used.  The album is certified Gold. September 10, 2006 – Metallica guest star on the season premiere of The Simpsons’ 18th season on an episode called “The Mook, the Chef, the Wife … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 10 in Classic Rock →

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 and Paul Stanley of Kiss raid a Kiss convention in Michigan to reclaim their Kiss costumes that were stolen more than a decade ago. July 17, … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 17 in Classic Rock →