November 14, 1983 –  Michael Jackson’s 14-minute film Thriller debuts to a private audience at the Metro Crest Theater in Los Angeles. Directed by John Landis, the short film will become the most popular video in MTV history when the network begins airing it in December. Many of Jackson’s famous friends show up at the premiere, … Continue reading CDJ Today: November 14 in Classic Rock →

October 25, 1968 – The New Yardbirds make their first performance under their new name Led Zeppelin at a gig at Surrey University in England. October 25, 2011 – Steven Tyler of Aerosmith falls in his hotel bathroom at The Bourbon Hotel in Asuncion, Paraguay. He receives stitches for cuts on his face and has emergency dental work after losing two of … Continue reading CDJ Today: October 25 in Classic Rock →

October 23, 1995 – Def Leppard earn a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for performing three concerts on three continents in one day. When midnight hits on October 23, Def Leppard is already on stage playing in Tangiers, Africa. They then fly to London, England where they perform a second show and then jump back … Continue reading CDJ Today: October 23 in Classic Rock →

October 22, 1969 – Led Zeppelin release their second studio album, Led Zeppelin II. Jimmy Page produces the album which goes on to sell over 12 million copies in the U.S. October 22, 1990 – Pearl Jam play their first ever concert at the Off Ramp club in Seattle. The band’s name at the time is Mookie Blaylock. October 22, 1976 – Bob … Continue reading CDJ Today: October 22 in Classic Rock →

October 20, 1977 – It’s one of the saddest days in rock history as Lynyrd Skynyrd loses three of their band members when their plane crashes in a swamp near Gillsburg, Mississippi.  Singer/songwriter Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist/vocalist Steve Gaines, his sister, vocalist Cassie Gaines, assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, pilot Walter McCreary and co-pilot William Gray … Continue reading CDJ Today: October 20 in Classic Rock →

September 25, 2006 – Steven Tyler guest stars on Two and a Half Men playing Charlie Sheen’s obnoxious next door neighbor. Playing to stereotype, Tyler is a rowdy rocker who plays loud music and causes problems for Sheen’s character. September 25, 1970 – The pilot episode of The Partridge Family debuts on TV featuring Shirley … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 25 in Classic Rock →

September 7, 1968 – Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and John Bonham make their live debut as Led Zeppelin (but are billed as The Yardbirds) at Gladsaxe Teen Club in a suburb on the outskirts of Copenhagen, Denmark. Around 1,200 people attend the show. The band is later billed as “The New Yardbirds,” before choosing the … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 7 in Classic Rock →

August 30, 1965 – Bob Dylan releases his sixth studio album, Highway 61 Revisited. It is Dylan’s first mostly electric album, and receives much critical acclaim and platinum status. August 30, 1969 – The second Isle Of Wight Festival takes place in front of 150,000 people over a 3-day period. Acts include Bob Dylan, The Band, Joe Cocker, Free, The Moody … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 30 in Classic Rock →

August 24, 1980 – Whitesnake, Def Leppard, Ozzy Osbourne, Budgie, Girl and Tygers of Pan Tang appear on the final day of the Reading Rock Festival in England. August 24, 1990 – Judas Priest are acquitted at their trial in Reno, NV, after having been accused of planting subliminal messages on their album Stained Class, which led two fans to attempt suicide. Rob Halford says, … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 24 in Classic Rock →

August 20, 1988 – Iron Maiden headline the Monsters of Rock Festival at Castle Donington with Kiss, David Lee Roth, Megadeth, Guns N’ Roses and Helloween.  Two fans die during Guns N’ Roses’ set when they slip in the mud and a crowd surge pushes them beneath others. Classic Rock Birthdays August 20, 1948 – Robert Plant, vocals (Led Zeppelin)August … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 20 in Classic Rock →

August 15, 1979 – Led Zeppelin release their eighth and final studio album In Through The Out Door. It is the last album from the band while John Bonham is still alive. It goes on to sell over 6 million copies in the U.S. August 15, 1969 – The Woodstock Festival begins outside of New York City in Bethel on Max Yasgur’s 600 acre … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 15 in Classic Rock →

August 12, 1991 – Metallica release their fifth album, commonly known as The Black Album. With songs like  “Enter Sandman”, “The Unforgiven”, “Nothing Else Matters”, “Wherever I May Roam”, and “Sad but True”, the album becomes their best-selling ever, racking up over 31 million copies worldwide. August 12, 1989 – The two-day Moscow Music Peace Festival begins with an … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 12 in Classic Rock →