April 12, 2000 – Metallica files suit against Napster, Yale University, The University of Southern California and Indiana University for copyright infringement. Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich says, “We take our craft — whether it be the music, the lyrics, or the photos and artwork — very seriously, as do most artists. It is therefore sickening to know … Continue reading CDJ Today: April 12 in Classic Rock →

April 11, 2007 – Richie Sambora and wife, actress Heather Locklear, divorce after 11 years of marriage. April 11, 2014 – Kiss, Nirvana, Linda Ronstadt, Cat Stevens and the E Street Band  are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  Kiss is inducted by former Rage Against the Machine guitarist and obsessive Kiss fan Tom Morello.  He closes his speech by saying, … Continue reading CDJ Today: April 11 in Classic Rock →

April 4, 2009 – Flea inducts Metallica into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with a moving tribute to the deceased Cliff Burton.  This is the first-ever induction ceremony open to the public.  Jeff Beck is also inducted by his former Yardbird colleague Jimmy Page. April 4, 2015 – Marilyn Manson is sucker-punched at a Denny’s in Alberta, … Continue reading CDJ Today: April 4 in Classic Rock →

March 14, 2003 – Robert Trujillo performs his last concert as Ozzy Osbourne’s bassist at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, as he is leaving the band to replace Jason Newsted in Metallica. Ozzy Osbourne throws a farewell party for him, but wife Sharon Osbourne collapses from heat exhaustion and is rushed to the hospital. March 14, 2005 – U2 and The Pretenders are inducted … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 14 in Classic Rock →

March 12, 2010 – Over 160 people are arrested and eight people are hospitalized when fans try to gain free entrance at a Metallica show in Colombia. 1,500 policeman and several tanks were brought in to manage the riot.  Inside the venue, the concert went on as planned. March 12, 2007 – Van Halen are inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 12 in Classic Rock →

March 3, 1986 – Metallica release Master of Puppets, their third album. It is the band’s final album with bassist Cliff Burton, who dies in a bus crash six months later. March 3, 1978 – Whitesnake (originally billed as David Coverdale’s Whitesnake) plays its first show in England.  The band is comprised of David Coverdale, guitarist Mick Moody, fellow guitarist … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 3 in Classic Rock →

February 22, 1989 – For the first time, a Heavy Metal category is introduced at the Grammy Awards. Metallica performs on stage, but the award goes to Jethro Tull.  Yes, the Grammy voters picked Jethro Tull’s Crest of a Knave over Metallica’s And Justice For All.  Tull’s record label tries to make light of the faux pas by placing a Billboard ad that reads, “The flute … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 22 in Classic Rock →

February 15, 2006 – KNAC, 105.5 FM, the legendary Los Angeles, California heavy metal radio station, goes off the air and is replaced by a Spanish station.  James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich from Metallica are there to play the last song, “Fade To Black,” which was one of the first songs played when the station signed on in 1986. … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 15 in Classic Rock →

End of an era? Black Sabbath has announced a reunion show with all four original members which will also serve as the final live performance from Ozzy Osbourne. The event will take place on July 5 at Aston Villa in the U.K. and will feature one of the greatest metal festivals ever. Osbourne will perform a … Continue reading Black Sabbath Announces Reunion Show with All Four Original Members →

February 10, 1978 – Van Halen release their self-titled debut album. The album goes on to sell over ten million copies in the U.S. and makes Van Halen one of only six rock bands to have two albums reach diamond status. February 10, 1998 – Axl Rose is arrested and charged with verbally abusing an employee of Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix. Rose, … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 10 in Classic Rock →

December 26, 1963 – Capitol Records releases the first Beatles single in the United States.  It’s “I Want To Hold Your Hand” backed with “I Saw Her Standing There.” December 26, 1968 – Led Zeppelin start their first North American tour, supporting Vanilla Fudge and Spirit at Denver Auditorium, in Colorado. Tickets for the Sunday night show cost $5. Top 15 … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 26 in Classic Rock →

December 8, 2003 – Ozzy Osbourne fractures his collarbone, eight ribs and a vertebrae in his neck after he crashes his ATV at his English estate. December 8, 2013 – Metallica become the first band ever to play on all seven continents when they play a concert inside a dome at British Antarctic Survey’s Rothera Research Station. It is only the second musical … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 8 in Classic Rock →