January 9, 1984 – Van Halen release their sixth studio album 1984.  With the songs “Jump,” “Panama,” “Hot For Teacher” and “I’ll Wait,” the album goes on to sell over 10 million copies. January 9, 2005 – Mötley Crüe’s Vince Neil marries his girlfriend Lia Gerardini in Las Vegas. It’s Neil’s fourth marriage, and buddy MC Hammer performs the ceremony. The … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 9 in Classic Rock →

From the pandemic to the election to the lockdowns and so much more, what a helluva year 2020 has been – and not in a good way! Sadly, this year has also taken away too many of our shining rock n’ roll stars. Here is a look back at some of the people who shaped … Continue reading Remembering Rockers We Lost in 2020 →

December 14, 1980 – There is a 10-minute silent vigil worldwide at 2PM EST in New York City to remember John Lennon.  Over 100,000 people gather in Central Park; 30,000 people observe silence in Liverpool. For those ten minutes, every radio station in New York City goes off the air. At least three Beatles fans commit suicide after the murder, leading Ono to make a public … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 14 in Classic Rock →

December 11, 1968 – Filming begins on The Rolling Stones‘ Rock And Roll Circus movie. Conceived by Mick Jagger, the event was comprised of two concerts on a circus stage and included such acts as John Lennon and his fiancée Yoko Ono performing as part of a supergroup called The Dirty Mac, along with Eric … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 11 in Classic Rock →

Wolfgang Van Halen is paying tribute to his later father Eddie with his new song “Distance”. The track marks the musician’s first single as a solo artist and was released along with a heartwarming video featuring home video footage from Wolfgang’s childhood. Watch and hear “Distance” now in the player below. Wolfgang, who had a … Continue reading Wolfgang Van Halen Pays Tribute To His Father With New Single and Video →

November 5, 1999 – Gary Cherone is fired from Van Halen after recording just one album, 1998’s Van Halen III. November 5, 2014 – Jack Bruce’s funeral is held in London, attended by Eric Clapton, Cream drummer Ginger Baker, band lyricist Pete Brown, Roxy Music’s Phil Manzanera, Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid and Procol Harum’s Gary Brooker.  The superstars … Continue reading CDJ Today: November 5 in Classic Rock →

David Lee Roth has unveiled a brand new track, dedicating the previously unreleased song to his late, former bandmate Eddie Van Halen.  Audio for the tune was posted on Roth’s YouTube channel accompanied by an illustration that features the words “Hey Ed, I’m gonna miss ya’ See you on the other side..” You can hear … Continue reading David Lee Roth Dedicates New Song to Eddie Van Halen →

October 10, 1975 – Deep Purple release Come Taste the Band, their only studio album to feature guitarist Tommy Bolin.  The album is also the final of three albums to feature Glenn Hughes on bass and a pre-Whitesnake David Coverdale on lead vocals. October 10, 1995 – Peter Frampton releases Frampton Comes Alive II, the long-awaited sequel to his record-setting live album released in 1976. October 10, 1969 … Continue reading CDJ Today: October 10 in Classic Rock →

I didn’t know Eddie Van Halen personally.  Only to say hello backstage when our Columbia Records’ band Alice In Chains opened for Van Halen on one of their big tours.  So, unlike my usual fare, I have no personal stories to tell.  Yet, I find it hard to sit back and not write about this … Continue reading Like Picasso or Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen Was a True Original →

Legendary guitarist Eddie Van Halen has died at the age of 65 following a long battle with cancer. The news was confirmed by Van Halen’s son Wolfgang in a Tweet on Tuesday afternoon. “I can’t believe I’m having to write this, but my father, Edward Lodewijk Van Halen, has lost his long and arduous battle … Continue reading Eddie Van Halen Dies at 65 →