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 →

June 13, 1983 – Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble release their debut album Texas Flood which was recorded in only three days at Jackson Browne’s personal studio. The album is later certified double platinum. June 13, 2003 – David Gilmour of Pink Floyd and Sting receive a CBE award (Commander of the British Empire) at the Queen’s Birthday Honours. Sting states, “I’m surprised and flattered to receive this honour…If … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 13 in Classic Rock →

June 9, 1978 – The Rolling Stones release Some Girls, the first studio album recorded with Ronnie Wood.  The album goes on to sell over 6 million in the U.S. June 9, 1979 – The 2nd annual Texxas Jam takes place at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. The bill includes bands in this order:  TKO, Sammy Hagar, Nazareth, Van Halen, Boston, Heart and … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 9 in Classic Rock →

June 8, 1969 – Brian Jones is asked to leave the Rolling Stones by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Charlie Watts, who visit him at his home to deliver the news personally.  He was fired due to his erratic behavior and his excessive drug use, which made him incapable of playing music. He released a statement saying, “I no longer … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 8 in Classic Rock →

June 5, 2003 – Singer Scott Weiland is picked to be the singer for a new project featuring ex-Guns N’ Roses members Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum which later becomes Velvet Revolver. June 5, 1964 – The Swing Auditorium in San Bernardino, CA is the first U.S. venue to host the Rolling Stones. The Stones were supporting their first … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 5 in Classic Rock →

June 3, 1964 – The Rolling Stones make their first U.S. TV appearance on the variety show Hollywood Palace playing Buddy Holly’s “Not Fade Away.” The show was guest-hosted by a very condescending Dean Martin, who as Bill Wyman says “almost got popped by Keith Richards with his guitar.” June 3, 2000 – After destroying his living room, threatening his wife with a knife … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 3 in Classic Rock →

June 2, 1978 – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers make their American television debut on The Midnight Special. June 2, 1989 – Bill Wyman (52) of the Rolling Stones secretly marries Mandy Smith (19). They had been dating since she was 13 and he was 47.  Just prior to the couple being divorced in 1993, things got even stranger when Wyman’s oldest … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 2 in Classic Rock →

June 1, 1975 – Ronnie Wood performs his first official gig as a Rolling Stones guitarist on his 28th birthday. June 1, 2008 – A massive fire at the 22,320-square-foot warehouse on the lot of Universal Studios Hollywood destroys thousands of master tapes including recordings by Aerosmith, Don Henley, the Eagles, Eric Clapton Joni Mitchell, Elton John, … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 1 in Classic Rock →

If you get to talking with the great songwriters, you’ll notice a common thread, a connecting theme, and you’ll hear it over and over. They generally have no idea where their songs come from. In 1965, a 21-year-old guitarist in a London band supersized that notion when he wrote a guitar lick for the ages. … Continue reading Classic Rock Landmarks: (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction →

May 16, 1984 – Ozzy Osbourne is arrested in Memphis, Tennessee for being “staggering drunk,” according to police.  He was released from jail five hours later, and continued on with his tour in support of Bark at the Moon. May 16, 1965 – The Rolling Stones barely escape the parking lot after their show at Civic Hall in Long Beach, California, when their limo is besieged by … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 16 in Classic Rock →

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 →

May 5, 1963 – At George Harrison‘s urging, the Head of A&R for Decca Records checks out the Rolling Stones at the Crawdaddy Club in London. Within one week, the Stones are signed to Decca. May 5, 2003 – Lewis & Floorwax, two morning DJs from Denver’s KRFX, ask Ted Nugent to leave the studio after he uses derogatory racial terms for … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 5 in Classic Rock →