March 18, 1978 – An estimated 350,000 rock fans attend the largest festival of the 70’s, California Jam II in Ontario, California. Performers include Aerosmith, Ted Nugent, Foreigner, Santana, Heart, Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush and Rubicon, featuring a young Jack Blades. March 18, 2002 – The Ramones and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are among those inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 18 in Classic Rock →

February 23, 2000 – Carlos Santana ties Michael Jackson‘s 1983 record for the most Grammys won in a single year, including Album of the Year for his album Supernatural, and Record of the Year and Song of the Year for “Smooth,” his collaboration with Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20.  Supernatural sells 30 million records worldwide. Classic Rock Birthdays February 23, 1952 – Brad … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 23 in Classic Rock →

February 1, 2009 – Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band perform at the halftime show during Super Bowl XLIII between the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers in Tampa, Florida.  Songs include “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out,” “Born to Run,” “Working on a Dream” and “Glory Days.” February 1, 1985 – Glenn Frey of the Eagles makes his acting debut in an episode … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 1 in Classic Rock →

You know there’s bass, guitar and drums in almost every rock song. Throw in a tambourine, a keyboard and some other random percussion instruments and you’ve got a band! But, don’t forget about the lowly easy-to-pack harmonica – you too can buy a harp for under $50 and impress your friends! Here’s a list of … Continue reading Top 10 Rock Harmonica Solos →

December 13, 2000 – After former Democratic presidential hopeful Al Gore delivers his concession speech to George W. Bush in Washington, D.C., he holds a party in his home with a performance by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.  It features guest appearances by Jon Bon Jovi and Stevie Wonder and others. Petty performs “I Won’t Back Down” with  Jon … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 13 in Classic Rock →

The holidays are just around the corner and many of you are going to try to channel your inner rock star and ask Santa for an acoustic guitar.  I mean – how hard can it be, right?  Well, here’s a quick guide of songs to try first – maybe you’ll even stick with it! 10 … Continue reading Top 10 Easiest Rock Songs to Learn on Guitar →

 November 10, 2002 – On the Simpsons episode “How I Spent My Strummer Vacation,” Homer spends a week at a Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp run by big name recording artists including Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Tom Petty, Elvis Costello, Lenny Kravitz, and Brian Setzer.  The first rule of the camp: There are no rules! Second rule: No … Continue reading CDJ Today: November 10 in Classic Rock →

With her cover of Tom Petty’s “Luna” set as the newest single to be released from her recent solo album Immortal, Ann Wilson of Heart will serve as a guest DJ on SiriusXM’s Tom Petty Radio channel. Wilson will play her track alongside some of her favorite Petty songs such as “Room at the Top” … Continue reading Ann Wilson to Guest DJ on SiriusXM’s Tom Petty Radio →

October 20, 1977 – It’s one of the saddest days in rock history as Lynyrd Skynyrd loses three of their band members when their plane crashes in a swamp near Gillsburg, Mississippi.  Singer/songwriter Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist/vocalist Steve Gaines, his sister, vocalist Cassie Gaines, assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, pilot Walter McCreary and co-pilot William Gray … Continue reading CDJ Today: October 20 in Classic Rock →

October 19, 1979 – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers release their breakthrough album Damn the Torpedoes.  It goes on to sell two million copies in the U.S. Backstage Access: Crowd Spontaneously Pays Tribute to Tom Petty at College Football Game October 19, 1977 – Lynyrd Skynyrd play their last show together in Greenville, South Carolina, prior to the plane crash that would … Continue reading CDJ Today: October 19 in Classic Rock →