August 2, 1973 – Robert Zimmerman legally changes his name to Bob Dylan. His biographer Mark Epstein says, “He was a great fan of Matt Dillon, the sheriff of the television series Gunsmoke. In 1958, he confided to his high school sweetheart that he planned to devote his life to music, adding that ‘I know what I’m going … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 2 in Classic Rock →

July 12, 2007 – Rod Stewart is awarded the CBE Order of the British Empire by Prince Charles in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. July 12, 1979 – The MLB makes a fateful decision when they team up with Chicago disc jockey Steve Dahl for a “Disco Demolition Night” at Comiskey Park in Chicago, IL between … Continue reading CDJ Today: July 12 in Classic Rock →

May 10, 2006 – Great White tour manager Daniel Biechele is sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter after The Station nightclub fire in Rhode Island in February 2003.  Biechele, 29, could have gotten as much as 10 years behind bars, but served less than half of his four-year sentence.  Many … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 10 in Classic Rock →

April 3, 1967 –  Steve Winwood leaves The Spencer Davis Group to form Traffic. April 3, 2007 – When interviewed by NME in the UK, Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones speaks about snorting the ashes of his dead father. He said, “He was cremated and I couldn’t resist grinding him up with a little bit of … Continue reading CDJ Today: April 3 in Classic Rock →

March 15, 1976 – Kiss release their fourth studio album, Destroyer.  The album goes on to be certified double platinum and contains the songs “Detroit Rock City,” “Shout It Out Loud” and “Beth.” March 15, 2004 – Jackson Browne, George Harrison, Bob Seger, Traffic, and ZZ Top are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Bruce Springsteen inducts Browne, fellow Traveling … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 15 in Classic Rock →

January 28, 1985 – The charity single “We Are The World” is recorded in Los Angeles to benefit African famine relief. The single is the brainchild of activist Harry Belafonte and was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie. The song features Paul Simon, Tina Turner, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Steve Perry, Huey Lewis, Bob … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 28 in Classic Rock →

December 29, 1967 – Traffic guitarist Dave Mason announces he is leaving Traffic due to musical differences, prior to the release of their first album.  He returns to the band less than one year later, delivering his hit song “Feelin’ Alright?”. Top 10 Rock Supergroups Classic Rock Birthdays December 29, 1947 – Cozy Powell (born Colin Trevor Powell), drums (Jeff Beck, Rainbow, … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 29 in Classic Rock →

December 8, 2003 – Ozzy Osbourne fractures his collarbone, eight ribs and a vertebrae in his neck after he crashes his ATV at his English estate. December 8, 2013 – Metallica become the first band ever to play on all seven continents when they play a concert inside a dome at British Antarctic Survey’s Rothera Research Station. It is only the second musical … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 8 in Classic Rock →

January 12, 1969 – Led Zeppelin release their self-titled debut album. The album was completely funded by Jimmy Page (who was also the producer) and took only 36 hours to record and mix.  Page also picked out the image of the burning Hindenburg (the “lead zeppelin”) on the cover. Rolling Stone wrote that “The cover of Led Zeppelin … shows the Hindenburg airship, in all its phallic glory, … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 12 in Classic Rock →

In Steve Winwood Greatest Hits Live: All Access, Steve Winwood tells the stories behind the greatest hits from his career as a solo artist, with Traffic, Blind Faith and the Spencer Davis Group. Due out September 1st, Winwood Greatest Hits Live is a 2CD/4LP collection sourced from Steve Winwood’s personal archives of live performances. With … Continue reading Listen: Steve Winwood Greatest Hits Live All Access →

Steve Winwood is so talented, and gifted I might add, that in May of 2012 when he posted an incredible sounding video of himself singing “Can’t Find My Way Home” solo acoustic, sitting by a fireplace, a huge controversy arose in the industry and amongst fans if indeed Steve was singing live or if he … Continue reading Steve Winwood — Talent, Talent, and… More Talent! →

On September 1st, Steve Winwood will release his first ever live album as a solo artist, a 2CD/4LP collection sourced from Winwood’s personal archives of live performances. The 23-song tracklist, hand picked by Winwood, includes the 1986 “Back in the High Life Again,” the official video for which can be seen below. “I wrote this … Continue reading Watch Steve Winwood’s New Live Video for “Back In The High Life Again” →