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 →

April 16, 1974 – Queen make their U.S. live debut at Regis College in Denver, opening for Mott the Hoople. April 16, 1996 – Kiss hold a press conference aboard the USS Intrepid in New York City to announce the reunion of all four original members, and the Alive/Worldwide reunion tour. With Ace, Gene, Paul and Peter, … Continue reading CDJ Today: April 16 in Classic Rock →

January 17, 1990 – The Fifth Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies are held in New York City.  Inductees include The Kinks (inducted by Graham Nash), Simon & Garfunkel (inducted by James Taylor), and The Who (inducted by U2). January 17, 1996 – The 11th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies are held in New York City.  Inductees include David Bowie (inducted … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 17 in Classic Rock →

Looking back at some of the people who shaped our musical life that are no longer with us. Here are the rockers we lost in 2021. Mick Bolton Died January 1, 2021Keyboardist for Mott the Hoople Gerry Marsden September 24, 1942 – January 3, 2021Leader of Gerry and the Pacemakers Michael Fonfara August 11, 1946 … Continue reading Remembering Rockers We Lost in 2021 →

October 24, 2005 – Poison guitarist C.C. DeVille is sentenced to 80 days in jail for his “no contest” plea to driving under the influence of alcohol. DeVille, born Bruce Johannesson, was ticketed in August after hitting a parked car while backing out of his girlfriend’s driveway. His girlfriend received minor injuries in the crash.  He also receives five years probation and … Continue reading CDJ Today: October 24 in Classic Rock →

Let us start by saying that we 100% applaud the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for its 2021 list of nominees, which marked the most diverse lineup to date. And we absolutely celebrate this year’s Class of Inductees as the most female-heavy in history, including the 2nd and 3rd females ever to be inducted … Continue reading 15 Most Overlooked Artists by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame →

To our generation the music meant everything.  We didn’t have computers, smartphones, and tons of cable TV shows to entertain us.  The music took center stage and the messages from that music helped shape our lives.  It is a generation of music lovers who not only knew the hits but who were also familiar with … Continue reading Remembering Leslie West →

Down ‘n’ Outz, a side project headed up by Def Leppard’s Joe Elliot, has revealed the lyric video for their single, “This Is How We Roll”. The song is the title track from their third studio album, released last week. This Is How We Roll is the follow up to 2014’s The Further Adventures Of…. … Continue reading Watch: Joe Elliot’s Down ‘N’ Outz Release New Lyric Video →

Down ‘n’ Outz, the project headed up by Def Leppard frontman and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Joe Elliott, are set to release their third studio album, This Is How We Roll, on October 11. Today the band released the first single and title track. Hear it now in the player below. Unlike the band’s previous album, This Is How We … Continue reading Listen: Joe Elliot’s Down ’n’ Outz Announce New Studio Album, Release New Single →

Mott the Hoople will tour the U.S. this April, the band’s first trip stateside since 1974. The tour celebrates the 45th anniversaries of their 1974 albums, The Hoople and Live. The 2019 lineup is billed as “Mott The Hoople ’74” and consists of frontman Ian Hunter, guitarist Ariel Bender and keyboard player Morgan Fisher. Bender joined the … Continue reading Mott the Hoople Announces First U.S. Tour Since 1974 →

The early 70’s in the music business seemed like one long party. It’s not that we didn’t do our jobs, it’s just that everything seemed very loose and carefree while we were doing them. We worked hard for sure, but then there would be an afternoon game of bowling in the hallway — stuff like … Continue reading Early 70’s Music Biz Hiring — Pretty Amusing! →

The sudden passing of David Bowie and Glenn Frey overshadowed a lesser-known name in rock who passed away shortly after Bowie.  That person is Dale Griffin, nicknamed “Buffin” by his pal Mott The Hoople bass player Overend Watts. I was a big fan of Mott and worked closely with them during their early years on … Continue reading The Passing Of Mott The Hoople Drummer Dale “Buffin” Griffin—Too Many Leaving Us Too Fast →