September 15, 2014 – Apple release a tool to remove U2’s new album, Songs of Innocence, from iTunes accounts after giving away the music for free. Songs of Innocence is considered the biggest album launch in history because about half a billion iTunes users owned it on the day of its release. Apple reportedly gave U2 a large blanket … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 15 in Classic Rock →

September 1, 1998 – Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan is charged with assault and battery for allegedly hitting a security guard in the head with a microphone during a concert at Pine Knob in Michigan. “I’ve seen everything at Pine Knob, but I’ve never seen it where the lead singer bends over and hits someone,” says the local sheriff. September 1, … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 1 in Classic Rock →

Often the most overlooked member of the band, a bassist is the glue that holds the whole musical foundation together.  These deserving players have changed music forever and have elevated the bass player to a place deserving honor and recognition. 20 Gene Simmons (KISS) Maybe this is a sympathy vote, but Simmons revolutionized rock and … Continue reading Top 20 Rock Bassists →

August 8, 1992 – A riot breaks out at sold-out Guns N’ Roses and Metallica concert in Montreal after Axl Rose leaves the stage only 55 minutes into the show, complaining of voice problems. Earlier in the concert, Metallica had cut short its performance after James Hetfield suffered second-degree burns to his face, arms and hands when a stage … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 8 in Classic Rock →

August 6, 1996 – The Ramones perform their 2,263rd and final concert at The Palace in Los Angeles with a star-studded guest list. Featuring appearances by former bassist Dee Dee Ramone along with Motörhead’s Lemmy Kilmister, Pearl Jam‘s Eddie Vedder, Rancid’s Tim Armstrong and  Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell, the 32-song set wraps up with a cover of the Dave Clark … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 6 in Classic Rock →

June 22, 2005 – Ted Nugent is ordered to pay $3,500 per month in child support to Karen Gutowski of Dover, NH.  While married to his current wife, Shemane, with whom he has 4 children, Nugent fathered a son with Gutowski in 1994. June 22, 1981 – Mark David Chapman says that “God has told me to plead guilty” to the charge of murdering John … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 22 in Classic Rock →

May 10, 2006 – Great White tour manager Daniel Biechele is sentenced to four years in jail after pleading guilty to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter after The Station nightclub fire in February 2003. Biechele, 29, could have gotten as much as 10 years behind bars. He also received an 11-year suspended sentence and three years of probation. … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 10 in Classic Rock →

Who says rockers don’t read? Whether it’s horror, poetry, fantasy or 19th century classic literature, musicians throughout time have taken their cue from those crumpled up paperbacks they’ve toted with them to gigs around the world. See some of the most famous examples of literature that’s turned into music below. 10 “Shadows And Tall Trees” … Continue reading Top 10 Rock Songs Inspired By Literature →

March 17, 1998 – Van Halen release Van Halen III, their eleventh studio album.  It is the only album with former Extreme lead singer Gary Cherone, and the only album to not attain platinum status. March 17, 1985 – Serial killer Richard Ramirez kills a man and leaves an AC/DC hat behind at the crime scene. Ramirez becomes known as … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 17 in Classic Rock →

March 14, 2003 – Robert Trujillo performs his last concert as Ozzy Osbourne’s bassist at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, as he is leaving the band to replace Jason Newsted in Metallica. Ozzy Osbourne throws a farewell party for him, but wife Sharon Osbourne collapses from heat exhaustion and is rushed to the hospital. March 14, 2005 – U2 and The Pretenders are inducted … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 14 in Classic Rock →