August 16, 1962 – Pete Best is fired as the drummer for The Beatles, by manager Brian Epstein. Best claims he is fired because he is the best looking one in the band, but producer George Martin says that Best cannot keep time. August 16, 1980 – Bill Ward quits Black Sabbath for the first time, most … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 16 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 →

November 18, 1993 – Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam is arrested in the New Orleans French Quarter outside the Blue Crystal, a punk rock bar, for public drunkenness and disturbing the peace.  Apparently, there was a bar fight with a waiter and Vedder’s friend, Chicago White Sox pitcher and Cy Young award winner, Jack McDowell, was knocked unconscious and taken to the hospital. … Continue reading CDJ Today: November 18 in Classic Rock →

Peter Gabriel has released a brand new single. The new track is titled “Panopticom” and is the first to be released from Gabriel’s forthcoming record, i/o. You can hear the track in the player below. “The first song is based on an idea I have been working on to initiate the creation of an infinitely … Continue reading Listen: Peter Gabriel Releases New Single “Panopticom” →

British photographer Terry O’Neil, known for his iconic photographs of Elton John, The Beatles, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, and many others, passed away on Saturday, November 16, 2019, at the age of 81. The acclaimed photographer died at his home in London following a long battle with cancer, announced Iconic Images, the agency that … Continue reading Iconic Beatles, Bowie and Stones Photographer Terry O’Neill has Died →

Often the most overlooked member of the band, a bassist is the glue that holds the whole musical foundation together.  These deserving players have changed music forever and have elevated the bass player to a place deserving honor and recognition. 20 Gene Simmons (KISS) Maybe this is a sympathy vote, but Simmons revolutionized rock and … Continue reading Top 20 Rock Bassists →

Rock artists have always been socially conscious, and their fans have generally been supportive of their causes. But sometimes, the fans get it all wrong and misconstrue the meaning of the song, as evidenced by the protest song that came in at #1. 10 Peter Gabriel – “Biko” (1980) Apartheid This tribute to Steve Biko, … Continue reading Top 10 Best Protest Songs →

The title of this blog is absolutely true.  If you are a collector of rock albums, believe it or not, Storm Thorgerson probably designed about 80% of the album covers in your collection!  Mostly known for his brilliant work with Pink Floyd and creating the most famous album cover of all time, The Dark Side … Continue reading Taken By Storm: This Man Designed Half Your Record Collection →

The last time Peter Gabriel released new, original music, it was the theme song for the movie WALL-E, and the song “Down To Earth” was nominated for an Academy Award. Now, over half a decade later, the Genesis frontman has premiered a new song, while performing in Turino, Italy. Check out the fan-shot footage of … Continue reading Peter Gabriel Debuts New Music →

Guitarist Dick Wagner died Wednesday of respiratory failure at Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Medical Center. He was 71. Wagner had been in ICU at the Arizona medical center for the last several weeks. He had been living in Arizona since 2004. The guitarist was best known for writing, playing and recording with Alice Cooper as well … Continue reading Guitarist Dick Wagner Dies at 71 →

On April 10th, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY – the first time in history the ceremony has been held at an arena. The 10,000 seats available to the public sold out in minutes this weekend when tickets went on sale. Prices ranged … Continue reading Rock and Roll Hall of Ceremony Tickets Sell Out in Minutes →

Paul Stanley is letting his feeling known about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and they aren’t exactly complimentary. In an interview with Classic Rock Magazine, the Kiss singer calls the Hall’s nomination process “tainted, corrupted and distorted.” When asked by the magazine if he was honored to be inducted, Stanley responded, “It was … Continue reading Kiss Singer Paul Stanley Slams Rock and Roll Hall of Fame →