November 14, 1983 –  Michael Jackson’s 14-minute film Thriller debuts to a private audience at the Metro Crest Theater in Los Angeles. Directed by John Landis, the short film will become the most popular video in MTV history when the network begins airing it in December. Many of Jackson’s famous friends show up at the premiere, … Continue reading CDJ Today: November 14 in Classic Rock →

September 20, 1976 – AC/DC release their third studio album Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap. The album is later certified 6x Platinum and in addition to the title track, includes the songs “Big Balls” and “Problem Child.” Classic Rock Birthdays September 20, 1966 – Nuno Bettencourt, guitar (Extreme, Rihanna) September 20, 1967 – Matthew Nelson … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 20 in Classic Rock →

September 11, 2001 – Radio doesn’t play much music today as almost every station airs news feeds regarding the 9/11 tragedy.  The country collectively mourns our dead and injured, and also the loss of our American innocence. September 11, 2003 – Tommy Chong, one-half of the comedy team of Cheech and Chong, is sentenced to nine months in federal … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 11 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 →

July 16, 1966 – The world’s first “supergroup” is forged when Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker form Cream.  Though they last only two years, Cream sells 15 million records. July 16, 1900 – The logo of the Victor Recording Company and later RCA Victor, is registered with the U.S. Patent Office. The logo features Nipper the dog looking into … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 16 in Classic Rock →

Dennis DeYoung isn’t mincing words in his new single “With All Due Respect”. The former Styx frontman has released a music video for the song, which can be seen in the player below. “In 1979, I wrote the following lyric in a Styx song called ‘Borrowed Time’,” explains DeYoung. “‘I’m so confused by the things I read, I … Continue reading Former Styx Frontman Dennis DeYoung Releases New Video ‘With All Due Respect’ →

June 18, 1948 – Columbia Records unveils the new 33 rpm record, a replacement for the 78.  Nathan Milstein, performing the Mendelssohn violin concerto, was the first 12″ album produced. June 18, 1983 – The Cotton Bowl in Dallas hosts The Texxas Jam, with Uriah Heep, Ted Nugent, Triumph, Sammy Hagar and Styx performing in that order. June 18, 1967 – The Monterey International Pop Festival concludes it’s 3-day … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 18 in Classic Rock →

Sometimes a band will throw around hundreds of name ideas before they finally find the right one that all members can agree on. And in some cases, like with U2 or Styx, it might just be the idea they hate the least. Previously we revealed the original names of 18 famous classic rock bands from … Continue reading Original Names of Famous Classic Rock Bands – Part Two (J-Z) →

February 18, 1974 – Kiss release their self-titled debut album on Casablanca Records. Warner Bros. dissolved their deal with the record label after the band refused to remove their makeup.  The album initially sold only 75,000 copies, although now it is certified Gold. February 18, 1969 – Maurice Gibb of the Bee Gees marries pop star Lulu in Buckinghamshire, England. He … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 18 in Classic Rock →

Former Styx frontman Dennis DeYoung has announced the release of a new album titled 26 East: Volume 1, due out in spring 2020. The forthcoming LP is the first of two companion albums from the singer. Though he had previously said that the next album would be his last, DeYoung realized that he simply had too … Continue reading Dennis DeYoung to Drop New Album ’26 East: Volume 1′ in Spring 2020 →