July 8, 1967 – The Monkees start their tour with The Jimi Hendrix Experience as the opening act. Not surprisingly, Hendrix is dropped after six shows when he is told his act is not suitable for the young audience. July 8, 1958 – The first Gold record album certified by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is awarded to the soundtrack Oklahoma.  At the time, a Gold record … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 8 in Classic Rock →

July 7, 1980 – Led Zeppelin play their last show with the four original members in  West Berlin. They close the set with a 17-minute version of “Whole Lotta Love.”  Unofficially, the band labeled it the “Cut The Waffle” tour. July 7, 1968 – The Yardbirds disband after a gig in Luton, England. Jimmy Page, with outstanding touring obligations for the Yardbirds, assembles … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 7 in Classic Rock →

July 6, 1957 – John Lennon and Paul McCartney meet for the first time at The Woolton Church Parish Fete where The Quarry Men (featuring Lennon) were appearing.  McCartney impresses Lennon by playing Eddie Cochran’s “Twenty Flight Rock” and “Be-Bop-A-Lula” from Gene Vincent.  He also shows Lennon how to tune his guitar, something he’d been paying someone else to … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 6 in Classic Rock →

July 3, 1988 – The final Texxas Jam takes place at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas – it is now called the “Monsters of Rock.” The headliners are Van Halen, the Scorpions, Dokken, Metallica and Kingdom Come.  During Van Halen’s set, Sammy Hagar loses his voice and promises the crowd Van Halen will play a free concert in Dallas … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 3 in Classic Rock →

David Gilmour has announced his first US live shows in eight years in Los Angeles, CA and New York, NY in support of his new album Luck and Strange, to be released on September 6 on Sony Music.  The live shows in New York and Los Angeles will be Gilmour’s only concert appearances in North … Continue reading David Gilmour Announces First US Shows in 8 Years →

May 12, 1967 – Pink Floyd perform what may have been the first concert in quadraphonic sound when they place loudspeakers at the back of the concert hall at “Games for May,” a swanky affair at London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall. Adding to the otherworldly experience,  Roger Waters throws potatoes at a gong, Nick Mason mic’s up a saw to cut through … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 12 in Classic Rock →

April 6, 1993 – Peter Criss, former drummer for the rock group KISS, settles a libel lawsuit against Star magazine for portraying him as a homeless alcoholic.  ”At least now I can go on with a clearer head, now that this is over,” he said. “I could write a song about this whole thing. Maybe I will.” A Jan. … Continue reading CDJ Today: April 6 in Classic Rock →

April 1, 1985 – David Lee Roth officially leaves Van Halen to start a solo career. Roth later reconsiders and joins Van Halen briefly in 1996 and in 2000, before re-joining permanently in 2006. April 1, 2008 – Scott Weiland officially leaves Velvet Revolver. April 1, 1970  – The Woodstock movie premieres in Hollywood; it eventually grosses $50 million in the United States. April 1, 1976 – Pink Floyd guitarist David … Continue reading CDJ Today: April 1 in Classic Rock →

March 21, 1994 – Bruce Springsteen wins an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Streets of Philadelphia.” The song goes on to win four Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year, Best Rock Song, Best Rock Vocal Performance, Solo, and Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or Television. March 21, 1952 – Famed DJ Alan Freed (“Moondog”) presents the Moondog Coronation Ball at the Cleveland … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 21 in Classic Rock →

March 10, 2003 – AC/DC are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Aerosmith‘s Steven Tyler. The band went on to play “Highway To Hell” and then performed “You Shook Me All Night Long” with Tyler. March 10, 1984 – Ian Gillan leaves Black Sabbath after a year with the band. He later says, “I was … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 10 in Classic Rock →

March 6, 2000 – Eric Clapton is inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, making him the first person to be inducted three times. He was also inducted as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Potentially, Eric could be inducted four more times based on his membership in John Mayall’s Blues Breakers, Blind Faith, Delaney & … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 6 in Classic Rock →

February 16, 2005 – Kid Rock is arrested for allegedly punching a DJ at a strip club in Nashville, Tennessee.  He was released after posting a $3,000 bond on a charge of simple assault, a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail. Classic Rock Birthdays February 16, 1965 – Dave Lombardo, drums (Slayer)February 16, 1935 – Sonny Bono (born Salvatore Phillip Bono), vocals (Sonny & Cher) … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 16 in Classic Rock →