December 17, 1994 – Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi marries actress Heather Locklear in Paris. They divorce in 2006. December 17, 1969 – Singer Tiny Tim marries Miss Vicki Budinger on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson with 40 million people watching. The program receives the second largest ratings of any show up to that time.  Tiny Tim was known … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 17 in Classic Rock →

November 27, 1967 – The Beatles release Magical Mystery Tour, which goes on to sell over 6 million copies in the U.S.  Released as a double EP in the UK and an LP in the U.S., the album included the soundtrack to the film of the same name and was nominated for a Grammy. November 27, 1991 – Freddie Mercury’s … Continue reading CDJ Today: November 27 in Classic Rock →

November 24, 1984 – Tommy Lee of Mötley Crüe marries for the first time, to model Elaine Starchuk (AKA Candice).  They divorce the following year. November 24, 1972 – The music TV show In Concert debuts with Alice Cooper, Bo Diddley and Seals and Crofts. November 24, 2007 – Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea loses his $4.8 million home in a wildfire that sweeps through Malibu.  He … Continue reading CDJ Today: November 24 in Classic Rock →

November 23, 1981 – AC/DC release their eighth studio album For Those About to Rock which goes on to sell four million copies in the U.S. November 23, 1991 – Freddie Mercury of Queen issues a press release confirming that he has AIDS, which he has previously denied.  He dies the next day. November 23, 2008 – Guns N’ Roses … Continue reading CDJ Today: November 23 in Classic Rock →

A classic rock themed Halloween costume is… well, a classic. But a boring, off-the-shelf, out-of-the-box costume is no way to impress. Dig through your closets or make a quick stop at a thrift store and I bet you can pull together any of these classic rock costume ideas with just a few bucks and not … Continue reading 10 Best Classic Rock Halloween Costumes and How to Pull Them Off →

Queen guitarist Brian May suffered a health scare that might have ended his career. Sharing the news of suffering a minor stroke, May wrote on Instagram: “I’m here to bring you some good news — the good news is that I can play guitar after the events of the last few days. I say this … Continue reading Queen Guitarist Brian May Suffers Health Scare That Might Have Ended his Career →

September 5, 1976 – Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Gary Rossington is injured in a car crash in Jacksonville, FL after he falls asleep at the wheel while under the influence of alcohol and drugs. The accident inspires Ronnie Van Zant to write “That Smell” with the lyrics, “Whiskey bottles and brand new cars, oak tree you’re in my … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 5 in Classic Rock →

August 19, 1972 – The Midnight Special TV show debuts on NBC.  The first airing is a 90-minute special encouraging young people to vote in the upcoming presidential election with War performing “Slippin’ Into Darkness.”  The next year it launches as a regular show with announcer Wolfman Jack. August 19, 2005 – A bronze statue of the late Thin Lizzy frontman Phil Lynott … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 19 in Classic Rock →

August 9, 1986 – Queen perform their final concert with Freddie Mercury at the Knebworth Park Festival in England. An audience of 120,000 sees them close out the set with “We Will Rock You”/”We Are The Champions” and “God Save The Queen.” Mercury dies in 1991 of complications related to AIDS. August 9, 2005 – Marc Cohn is shot in … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 9 in Classic Rock →

August 3, 1968 – The Newport Pop Festival begins in Costa Mesa, CA.  It is the first concert with more than 100,000 paid attendees.  Performers include The Grateful Dead, Alice Cooper, Canned Heat, Electric Flag, Iron Butterfly, Jefferson Airplane, The Byrds, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Sonny & Cher, Steppenwolf and Tiny Tim.  Admission was $5.50 per day for the … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 3 in Classic Rock →

July 26, 2003 – Nicko McBrain of Iron Maiden is arrested after hitting a parking attendant with his car at the Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, N.Y., where the band is performing that night. McBrain was asked for his backstage credentials by the parking attendant, and when the attendant couldn’t see them clearly he asked to view them again.  Instead, … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 26 in Classic Rock →

July 2, 2005 – Live 8 is a string of concerts in 10 cities taking place in the G8 states and in South Africa.  The concerts also coincide with the 20th anniversary of Live Aid.  A TV audience of several hundred million watches the shows which include Pink Floyd, The Who, Deep Purple, Mötley Crüe, U2, Coldplay, Sting, Elton John, Paul … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 2 in Classic Rock →