August 18, 1969 – Jimi Hendrix closes out the Woodstock festival with a morning set that concludes with “Hey Joe,” one of the few times in his career that he played an encore. Surprisingly,  Hendrix was not supposed to be the final act. Woodstock organizer Michael Lang wanted Roy Rogers to come on after Hendrix and play “Happy Trails” but the … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 18 in Classic Rock →

On August 8, 1969 at approximately 11:35am Scottish photographer Iain Macmillan stopped traffic on Abbey Road in London to capture what has arguably become the most iconic Beatles photograph ever taken. The picture shows the Fab Four striding over the black and white stripes of the pedestrian crossing just outside of the EMI Recording Studios … Continue reading The Beatles Announce ‘Abbey Road’ 50th Anniversary Release →

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 →

Paul McCartney ended the first leg of his Freshen Up tour on an epic note at Dodger Stadium Saturday night, welcoming fellow Beatle Ringo Starr on stage for two Fab Four classics. “We’ve got a surprise for us, a surprise for you, a surprise for everyone. Ladies and gentlemen, the one and only Ringo Starr!” … Continue reading Watch Ringo Starr Join Paul McCartney On Stage at Dodger Stadium →

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, 1995 – The first TV commercial of Ringo Starr‘s career airs for Pizza Hut, as does a similar spot by the newly-reformed Monkees. 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 … 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 →

February 9, 2010 – Ringo Starr is awarded the 2,401st star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame during a ceremony that marked the 50th anniversary of the attraction. The Beatles were given a star in 1998.  Those by Starr’s side for the unveiling included his wife, the actress Barbara Bach; musicians Joe Walsh and Ben Harper; music producer … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 9 in Classic Rock →

A pair of letters that foretold the breakup of the Beatles are up for sale for a combined $550,000. The letters were sent to John and Lee Eastman in January and April of 1969 with the intent to hire, and subsequently fire, the two attorneys. John and Lee were also the father and brother of … Continue reading Pre-Breakup Letters Signed by The Beatles Up for Sale →