A fascinating new rock documentary debuted at the 2018 LA Film Festival last week. Echo in the Canyon examines the birth of the Laurel Canyon music scene and the iconic music and artists – such as The Byrds,The Beach Boys, Buffalo Springfield and The Mamas and the Papas – that developed there.  Incidentally this was … Continue reading Rock Doc ‘Echo In the Canyon’ Premieres at L.A. Film Festival →

“We had left Sgt. Pepper’s band to play in his sunny Elysian Fields and were now striding out in new directions without a map,” says Paul McCartney in his written introduction for the new ‘White Album’ releases. This November marks the 50th Anniversary of The Beatles double-LP The BEATLES – better known now as The … Continue reading 50th Anniversary Remix of The Beatles ‘White Album’ Set for November Release →

August 18, 1987 – Aerosmith release their “comeback” album Permanent Vacation. It goes on to sell five million copies in the U.S. and spawn the hits “Rag Doll,” “Dude (Looks Like a Lady),” and “Angel.” August 18, 1990 – The Monsters of Rock festival at Castle Donington in the U.K. features Whitesnake, Aerosmith, Poison, Quireboys and Thunder.  During Aerosmith’s set Jimmy Page joins them onstage … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 18 in Classic Rock →

July 23, 1994 – Frank Zappa fan John Scialli is rewarded after embarking on a quest to get Zappa recognized in space when a Czech astronomer at The International Astronomical Union names an asteroid in Mars’ orbit after Zappa, who had passed away from cancer the year before. The asteroid (actually a minor planet) is named Zappafrank.  The official release says: Discovered … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 23 in Classic Rock →

Respected studio musician and founding member of TOTO Steve Lukather (aka “Luke”) is set to release his first ever memoir this September. The Gospel According To Luke promises a no-holds barred, uncensored look at Lukather’s 40+ years of making records with TOTO as well as the countless studio sessions he’s been a part of. Written … Continue reading TOTO’s Steve Lukather To Release Memoir “The Gospel According to Luke” →

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 →

June 29, 2000 – Vandals break into tombs containing the remains of Lynyrd Skynyrd singer Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Steve Gaines. Van Zant’s casket had been removed from its tomb but did not appear to have been opened. A plastic bag containing Gaines’ ashes had been removed from a metal urn and had been torn, but only a tiny fraction was spilled. … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 29 in Classic Rock →

April 27, 1979 – Ozzy Osbourne is fired from Black Sabbath and replaced by  Ronnie James Dio.  Osbourne first reunites with the band at Live Aid in 1985 and then many times after. April 27, 2006 – Keith Richards falls out of a palm tree in Fiji, suffering a brain hemorrhage. Richards later undergoes cranial surgery in New Zealand. April 27, 2009 – Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam … Continue reading CDJ Today: April 27 in Classic Rock →

April 18, 1993 – David Lee Roth is arrested in New York City for buying a $10 bag of marijuana. Roth’s offense had a maximum penalty of 15 days in jail and a $250 fine but was ultimately “adjourned pending dismissal,” meaning the charges would be wiped out if Roth stayed out of trouble for a year. April 18, 2015 – Lou Reed, Ringo … Continue reading CDJ Today: April 18 in Classic Rock →

Get ready Beatles fans, The Yellow Submarine is heading back to movie theaters. The Beatles’ trippy, pop art film, Yellow Submarine will be returning to the big screen on July 8th in celebration of the 50th anniversary of its original release. Based (loosely) on the song written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, the animated … Continue reading The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine Is Heading Back To Theaters For 50th Anniversary →