February 24, 1975 – Led Zeppelin release their sixth album Physical Graffiti. It’s a double album featuring 8 new songs, and songs left over from their previous albums Led Zeppelin III, Led Zeppelin IV and Houses Of The Holy.  Featuring an intricate die-cut cover of a New York City brownstone, the album goes on to sell over 8 million copies in the … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 24 in Classic Rock →

February 13, 1970 – Black Sabbath’s self-titled debut album is released in the U.K., although it doesn’t come out in the U.S. until June.  The album was recorded in just 12 hours, and has since been credited as one of the most influential albums of all time in heavy metal music. February 13, 2005 – Led Zeppelin are … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 13 in Classic Rock →

February 11, 1992 – Vince Neil is fired from Mötley Crüe. The band release a statement saying he’s leaving because his longtime hobby, car racing, has “become a priority” in his life. Neil counters by saying the split was prompted by the band’s desire to go in a bluesier direction. “We had been rehearsing for a few months but … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 11 in Classic Rock →

Led Zeppelin announce their first authorized documentary in honor of the band’s 50th Anniversary. The film will feature new interviews with Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones — marking their first time participating in such a project. According to the press release, the film will explore the individual paths of the four bandmates prior … Continue reading Led Zeppelin Announce First Authorized Documentary →

May 31, 1977 – Beatlemania opens on Broadway.  It runs for a total of 1,006 performances. May 31, 1976 – The Who enter the Guinness Book of World Records for performing the loudest concert in history (at the time) for their show at England’s Charlton Athletic Grounds with 76,000 watts at 120 decibels. Motörhead and Manowar go on to break the record decades later.  The … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 31 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 14, 1988 – Led Zeppelin reunites with John Bonham’s son, Jason, playing drums at Atlantic Records’ 40th Anniversary concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Other featured artists include Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Yes, Foreigner, Genesis, Vanilla Fudge and Crosby, Stills & Nash. May 14, 1957 – Elvis Presley swallows his own porcelain tooth … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 14 in Classic Rock →

May 6, 1937 – The Hindenburg airship crashes in New Jersey, killing 36 people. A photograph from this accident is later used as the cover art for Led Zeppelin’s debut album. May 6, 1965 – Keith Richards suffers insomnia in his hotel room in Florida because of a guitar riff running through his head.  He records the hook, falls asleep and wakes … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 6 in Classic Rock →

May 4, 1973 – Led Zeppelin begin their North American tour in Atlanta, GA.  The tour is billed as the “biggest and most profitable rock and roll tour in the history of the United States,” grossing over $4,000,000.  The three sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden are filmed for The Song Remains The Same, although the release date is … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 4 in Classic Rock →

April 14, 1975 – Former Faces guitarist Ronnie Wood gets a coveted Rolling Stones gig, replacing Mick Taylor.  Other rumored replacements for the position are Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Steve Marriott and Chris Spedding. April 14, 2009 – George Harrison is honored posthumously with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, in front of the Capitol Records building.  In attendance … Continue reading CDJ Today: April 14 in Classic Rock →

As anyone knows, the supergroup is a risky proposition in rock and roll. Since the ‘60s, there have been quite a few supergroups — bands made up exclusively (or at least primarily) of musicians who have already achieved success with other bands. Sometimes even ideas that sound good on paper don’t necessarily gel on vinyl. … Continue reading Top 10 Rock Supergroups →

Stairway to Heaven. Is this Led Zeppelin classic the greatest rock & roll song ever? Possibly. Who’s to say? It turns out that plenty of people have had something to say about it. To wit, “Stairway” was the most requested song on FM radio stations in 1970s America, despite never having been released as a … Continue reading Classic Rock Landmarks: Stairway to Heaven →