June 29, 1995 – The first TV commercial of Ringo Starr‘s career airs for Pizza Hut, as does a similar spot by the newly-reformed Monkees. June 29, 2000 – Vandals break into tombs containing the remains of Lynyrd Skynyrd singer Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Steve Gaines. Van Zant’s casket had been removed from its tomb but did not appear to have been opened. A plastic bag … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 29 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 →

June 3, 1964 – The Rolling Stones make their first U.S. TV appearance on the variety show Hollywood Palace playing Buddy Holly’s “Not Fade Away.” The show was guest-hosted by a very condescending Dean Martin, who as Bill Wyman says “almost got popped by Keith Richards with his guitar.” June 3, 2000 – After destroying his living room, threatening his wife with a knife … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 3 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 →

March 13, 2006 – Black Sabbath, Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Sex Pistols are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Sex Pistols refuse to attend the ceremony, calling the institution “urine in wine” and add, “We’re not your monkeys, we’re not coming. You’re not paying attention”.  Metallica inducts Sabbath and performs “Hole in the … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 13 in Classic Rock →

February 27, 1970 – Jefferson Airplane is fined $1,000 for for singing profanity while on stage in Oklahoma City. The ordinance prohibiting obscene language was drawn up a year earlier when Jim Morrison of The Doors allegedly exposed himself at a concert. February 27, 1977 – Keith Richards is arrested and charged with “possession of … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 27 in Classic Rock →

February 25, 1980 – Bob Seger releases his 11th studio album Against the Wind. The album sells five million copies in the U.S. and wins two Grammy Awards. February 25, 2003 – Gary Rossington of Lynyrd Skynyrd undergoes emergency heart surgery. The guitarist has a successful bypass operation in Atlanta after a routine screening finds him to be suffering from coronary artery disease. Rossington is … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 25 in Classic Rock →

February 17, 1975 – AC/DC release their debut album High Voltage. The album, released only in Australia, was re-released internationally with a new cover and track listing. February 17, 1989 – David Coverdale marries actress Tawny Kitaen, star of 5 Whitesnake videos including “Here I Go Again,” “Is This Love” and “Still of the Night.”  The couple divorce in 1991. … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 17 in Classic Rock →

January 29, 1986 – Allen Collins, guitarist from Lynyrd Skynyrd, crashes his car, paralyzing him from the waist down and killing his girlfriend Debra Jean Watts. Collins, who was drunk at the time, addressed fans at every Skynyrd concert as part of his plea bargain.  He gave an explanation of why he could not perform, citing the … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 29 in Classic Rock →

January 28, 1985 – The charity single “We Are The World” is recorded in Los Angeles to benefit African famine relief. The single is the brainchild of activist Harry Belafonte and was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie. The song features Paul Simon, Tina Turner, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Steve Perry, Huey Lewis, Bob … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 28 in Classic Rock →

January 23, 2004 – David Palmer, former keyboardist for Jethro Tull, announces he has had a sex change and is now known as Dee Palmer. Palmer was born with genital ambiguity, assigned male at birth, and said her desire to change sex had been an “open secret” in the music business for many years. She did not have her sex change operation until the … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 23 in Classic Rock →

January 15, 1977 – David Bowie releases Low. Co-produced with Tony Visconti, it’s the first of three albums produced with the help of Brian Eno. January 15, 2010 -Jimmy Page is awarded the first ever Pathways to Peace Award by the United Nations. “Although this award has my name on it, this is a tribute to the power of music and … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 15 in Classic Rock →