July 29, 1974 – Neil Peart officially joins Rush, replacing John Rutsey, who leaves the band due to health problems and creative differences.  Peart has to learn the band’s entire live repertoire in only two weeks, as their American debut is on August 11 in Pittsburgh, opening for Manfred Mann and Uriah Heep. July 29, 2015 – The Eagles play their … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 29 in Classic Rock →

July 26, 2003 – Nicko McBrain of Iron Maiden is arrested after hitting a parking attendant with his car at the Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, N.Y., where the band is performing that night. McBrain was asked for his backstage credentials by the parking attendant, and when the attendant couldn’t see them clearly he asked to view them again.  Instead, … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 26 in Classic Rock →

July 24, 1977 – Led Zeppelin perform their final concert in the U.S. in Oakland, CA. Rick Derringer and fellow Birmingham, England friends Judas Priest are the opening acts. July 24, 1967 – Encouraged by Pattie Harrison, The Beatles and their partners – minus Ringo and Maureen Starkey, whose second child Jason had been born … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 24 in Classic Rock →

July 23, 1994 – Frank Zappa fan John Scialli is rewarded after embarking on a quest to get Zappa recognized in space when a Czech astronomer at The International Astronomical Union names an asteroid in Mars’ orbit after Zappa, who had passed away from cancer the year before. The asteroid (actually a minor planet) is named Zappafrank. The official release says: Discovered … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 23 in Classic Rock →

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 27, 1994 – Aerosmith become the first major band to release a song, “Head First” (an unused cut from the Get A Grip Sessions), as a free download on the internet.  Download speeds at the time were so slow it took between 60 and 90 minutes to download the track, but ten thousand CompuServe subscribers still … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 27 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 →

May 11, 1974 – Led Zeppelin attend an Elvis Presley concert in LA and spend over two hours backstage after the show with Elvis.  Too bad no one recorded that meeting! May 11, 1972 – John Lennon claims he is under FBI surveillance on an appearance on the Dick Cavett Show.  Lennon’s visa had been revoked in March and deportation … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 11 in Classic Rock →

March 29, 1975 – Led Zeppelin becomes the first band in history to have six albums on the Billboard chart at once: Physical Graffiti (#1), Led Zeppelin IV, House of the Holy, Led Zeppelin II, Led Zeppelin and Led Zeppelin III. March 29, 1979 – Supertramp release their sixth album Breakfast in America, which goes on to sell six million copies … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 29 in Classic Rock →

March 28, 1973 – Led Zeppelin release Houses Of The Holy, their 5th studio album.  The album goes on to sell over 11 million copies, and features some of their most famous songs including “The Song Remains The Same,” “D’yer Maker” and “Dancing Days.” March 28, 1992 – Ozzy Osbourne invites the first two rows of the audience on stage … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 28 in Classic Rock →

March 16, 1992 – A Metallica show at the Orlando Arena goes horribly wrong when fans dangle an usher by his ankles from the balcony.  Luckily, he was pulled to safety. The band paid $38,000 to repair and clean damaged seats after the rowdy concert. But, everyone ended up happy (well, maybe not the dangling usher) when it was revealed … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 16 in Classic Rock →

March 10, 2003 – AC/DC are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Aerosmith‘s Steven Tyler. The band went on to play “Highway To Hell” and then performed “You Shook Me All Night Long” with Tyler. March 10, 1984 – Ian Gillan leaves Black Sabbath after a year with the band. He later says, “I was … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 10 in Classic Rock →