November 9, 1967 – The first issue of Rolling Stone Magazine is published in San Francisco in newspaper format. It sells for 35¢, which is about $2.48 today. The cover features a photo of John Lennon and the lead article is on the Monterey Pop Festival. The first issue also conveniently includes a free roach clip. The name of the magazine … Continue reading CDJ Today: November 9 in Classic Rock →

October 18, 1974 – The Rolling Stones release It’s Only Rock N’ Roll, their 14th studio album. The album goes platinum, and features guest stars Kenney Jones, David Bowie, Billy Preston and Ian Stewart. October 18, 1974 – Al Green’s ex-girlfriend bursts into his bathroom and pours a pot of boiling grits in the tub, burning him badly, before going to the … Continue reading CDJ Today: October 18 in Classic Rock →

October 6, 1990 – A Gathering of Tribes, a two-day concert said to be the inspiration behind Lollapalooza, is staged in Mountain View, CA and Costa Mesa, CA by The Cult’s Ian Astbury and promoter Bill Graham. Artists on the bill include Soundgarden, Ice-T, Indigo Girls, Queen Latifah, Joan Baez, Steve Jones, Michelle Shocked, Iggy … Continue reading CDJ Today: October 6 in Classic Rock →

August 8, 1969 – The photo session for the cover of The Beatles Abbey Road album takes place on the crossing outside the Abbey Road studios. Photographer Iain McMillan, balanced on a step-ladder in the middle of the road, takes only six shots of John, Ringo, Paul, and George walking across the zebra crossing while a policeman … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 8 in Classic Rock →

August 1, 1981 – MTV begins airing music videos with the legendary opening, “Ladies and Gentlemen, Rock & Roll.”  That’s followed by the now familiar power-chord-fueled guitar riff theme. The first ten videos are: The Buggles “Video Killed The Radio Star”, Pat Benatar “You Better Run”, Rod Stewart “She Won’t Dance With Me”, The Who “You Better You Bet”, … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 1 in Classic rock →

January 5, 2004 – Ray Davies of the Kinks is shot in the leg in New Orleans trying to recover his date’s stolen purse.  The shooter is immediately caught, but released three years later because Davies couldn’t make it back to Louisiana with only three days notice for the trial. January 5, 1973 – Bruce Springsteen releases his debut album Greetings from Asbury Park, … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 5 in Classic Rock →

September 13, 1991 – Geffen, Nirvana’s record label, throws them a party to celebrate the release of their forthcoming album, Nevermind, and the single “Smells Like Teen Spirit” at Re-bar in Seattle.  The band proceeds to tear down all of the Nevermind posters and then starts a food fight.  A bouncer ends up kicking the band out of their own party, but they hop in … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 13 in Classic Rock →

July 18, 1981 – The Texxas Jam is held at the Astrodome in Houston. The lineup includes headliner REO Speedwagon, Heart, Foghat, Blue Oyster Cult and The Rockets. July 18, 1978 – Def Leppard make their live debut at Westfield School, Sheffield, England in front of about 150 students. They are paid 5 pounds (about $6) by a teacher.  They also have a … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 18 in Classic Rock →

May 3, 2004 – The U.S. Supreme Court rejects an appeal by bassist Robert Daisley and drummer Lee Kerslake who claim they are owed royalties from Ozzy Osbourne. They believe they are entitled to money from the albums Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman. “Their music is literally everywhere,” their lawyer tells justices in a filing. May 3, 1968 – Jimi … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 3 in Classic Rock →

Styx and REO Speedwagon will head out on a co-headlining summer tour in 2022 along with special guest Loverboy. The Live & Unzoomed tour kicks off May 31st in Grand Rapids, MI and continues through August 21st in Wantagh, NY.  In a trailer for the tour, Styx’ Tommy Shaw, REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin and Loverboy’s … Continue reading REO Speedwagon and Styx Announce Co-headlining Tour with Special Guest Loverboy →

At 12:01 AM on August 1, 1981, a truly groundbreaking change happened in the music industry when the fledgling cable network dubbed MTV signed onto the airwaves for the first time. Although the channel is now mostly devoid of actual music videos, MTV ushered in the dawn of the music video age, and created overnight … Continue reading 25 Interesting Facts About the Launch of MTV →

Whether it’s an epic power ballad or a little more understated, the classic rock genre created some of the greatest love songs of all time. Here’s our list of the top 10 most romantic classic rock love songs. 10 “Crazy on You” by Heart This debut single from Heart starts off acoustically slow and then … Continue reading 10 Most Romantic Classic Rock Love Songs →