June 27, 1994 – Aerosmith become the first major band to release a song, “Head First” (an unused cut from the Get A Grip Sessions), as a free download on the internet.  Download speeds at the time were so slow it took between 60 and 90 minutes to download the track, but ten thousand CompuServe subscribers still … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 27 in Classic Rock →

June 24, 1999 – Eric Clapton auctions off 100 of his guitars with proceeds going toward his Crossroads Centre at Antigua, an alcohol and drug-dependency treatment center in the West Indies. The auction generates over $5 million, with his guitar “Brownie,” a 1956 sunburst Fender used to record “Layla”, going for almost $500,000. June 24, 2000 – Kiss begin a 2-day auction of costumes, instruments and … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 24 in Classic Rock →

Former lead singer of Yes and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Jon Anderson has released a new single and video. “WDMCF” (“Where Does Music Come From”) is the third single from Anderson’s forthcoming album, 1000 Hands. Watch the video for “WDMCF” in the player below. 1000 Hands has been thirty years in the … Continue reading Watch Jon Anderson’s New Video ‘Where Does Music Come From’ →

“All my music has hidden meanings to me that I don’t tell anybody – and I’m not about to start now (laughs)! But basically, in the songs – and in the messages in those songs – there are defining moments.” Defining moments have certainly defined the long and extraordinarily illustrious career of guitarist Steve Howe. … Continue reading (No) Words & Music: Yes Guitarist Steve Howe Shares Solo Set ‘Love Is’ →

May 18, 1980 – Peter Criss leaves Kiss for the first of three times.  He is replaced by drummer Eric Carr. May 18, 2004 –  New Jersey’s Country Cow Creamery gets permission from Ozzy and his wife Sharon to create flavors in their name.  Ozzy’s is called Carnivorous Carrot Cake – cinnamon spice ice cream with carrot cake dipped in hazelnut liqueur, and Sharon’s is Death … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 18 in Classic Rock →

There are tons of lists of the best rock drummers ever, but ours ranks the best drummers that are still playing. You may not be able to see them with their original bands, and it’s possible they may never play again live, but at least there is the potential to still witness their greatness.  It wasn’t … Continue reading Top 20 Classic Rock Drummers Still Drumming →

March 7, 1975 – David Bowie releases his ninth studio album, Young Americans.  The album is certified Gold in the U.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO: March 7, 1946 – Peter Wolf (born Peter W. Blankfield), vocals (The J. Geils Band)March 7, 1945 – Arthur Lee (born Arthur Taylor) vocals, guitar (Love) (d. 2006)March 7, 1943 – Chris White, vocals, bass (The Zombies, Argent)March 7, 1946 – Matthew Fisher, keyboards, vocals (Procol Harum)March … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 7 in Classic Rock →

March 4, 1966 – John Lennon makes a statement that The Beatles are “more popular than Jesus Christ” in The London Evening Standard. The remark initially makes no impact in England, but months later Southern Christian groups in the U.S. become outraged, organizing protests and burning Beatles records. Lennon later apologizes. Classic Rock Birthdays March 4, 1963 – Jason Newsted, bass, vocals (Metallica, … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 4 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) →

January 13, 2003 – Pete Townshend of The Who is arrested on suspicion of downloading child porn. Police officers impound seven computers, but after a four-month investigation, he is cleared of all charges. He claimed he was doing research while writing his autobiography and says he was sexually abused as a child himself. Classic Rock Birthdays January 13, 1959 – James LoMenzo, bass (Megadeth, … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 13 in Classic Rock →