January 31, 1959 – Robert Zimmerman, 17, (later known as Bob Dylan) sees Buddy Holly perform at the Duluth Armory in Minnesota. Dylan later said, “Buddy Holly’s songs were much more simplified [than Chuck Berry’s songs], but what I got out of Buddy was that you can take influences from anywhere. Like his ‘That’ll Be The Day.’ … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 31 in Classic Rock →

January 26, 1977 – Peter Green, former Fleetwood Mac guitarist, is committed to a mental hospital after threatening a delivery boy with an air rifle when he tried to deliver his royalty check to him.  Green became the ultimate acid casualty and spent years in mental hospitals and clinics undergoing electroconvulsive therapy. He gave away much of his money and … Continue reading CDJ Today: January 26 in Classic Rock →

One of Jeff Beck’s early band mates Ronnie Wood, once told a story about he and Jeff having a guitar talk. Beck, forever coming up with new ideas for the electric guitar, showed Woody a couple new finger-flinging lick combinations. “Hey, I just figured this out. Do you ever do this?” Wood, laughing out loud … Continue reading Jeff Beck: Innovator Guitar God →

December 16, 1994 – Davy Jones, former lead singer of The Monkees, is charged with a DUI after being stopped on a rural Pennsylvania road near his home.  Jones is released on $5,000 bail. December 16, 1984 – Dusty Hill, bassist of ZZ Top, is accidentally shot in the abdomen by his own gun when his girlfriend pulls off his … Continue reading CDJ Today: December 16 in Classic Rock →

A newly released live version of the Jimi Hendrix Experience performing “Purple Haze” is out now. The track is the first to be released from the forthcoming live set, Los Angeles Forum: April 26, 1969. You can listen to “Purple Haze” in the player below. The album, available now for pre-order, will be released November … Continue reading Hear “Purple Haze” from the Forthcoming Jimi Hendrix Experience Live Album →

September 30, 1988 – John Lennon is posthumously awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The star is located in front of Capitol Records, and his widow, Yoko Ono, attends the ceremony.  None of the other Beatles are present. September 30, 1998 – On the Drew Carey Show, Drew and his gang decide to form a band … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 30 in Classic Rock →

Willie Nelson once told me, “Paul, fame is funny thing. Some people really want it, but when it comes, they can’t handle it.” Echoing Willie, in an interview talking about Brian Jones, Mick Jagger said, “Fame doesn’t sit comfortably on anyone’s shoulders. But some people’s shoulders don’t seem to fit it on at all.” The … Continue reading The Downside of Fame for Mick Jagger, Bob Dylan, and More →

August 17, 1991 – AC/DC headline the Monsters of Rock festival at Castle Donington in the U.K. with a strong bill – Metallica, Mötley Crüe, Queensrÿche and The Black Crowes. August 17, 1985 – ZZ Top headline the Monster of Rock festival at Castle Donington in the U.K. Their bill includes Marillion, Bon Jovi, Metallica, Ratt and Magnum. August 17, 2012 – The members of … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 17 in Classic Rock →

I usually don’t write many opinion pieces and definitely try to shy away from being a critic. Someone once said, “Critics are the people who come down from the mountain after the war is over and shoot the wounded.” That pretty much sums it up for me. Not that there aren’t some critics of the … Continue reading Are We Modern Day Blues Players Losing the Plot? →

June 11, 1983 – Alex Van Halen marries Valerie Kendall with Alex’s brother Eddie as the best man. The couple divorce less than a year later. June 11, 2002 – Paul McCartney marries Heather Mills in Ireland. In attendance are Elton John, David Gilmour, Chrissie Hynde and Ringo Starr. After a nasty court battle, they divorce in 2008. June 11, 1971 – Dennis Wilson, drummer for … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 11 in Classic Rock →

May 19, 2000 – Dickey Betts of The Allman Brothers Band is essentially kicked out of the band for “creative differences,” which are allegedly related to drugs and/or alcohol use. May 19, 1979 – Eric Clapton and Patti Boyd throw a reception party two months after their wedding featuring a jam session with Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Ginger Baker, Mick Jagger … Continue reading CDJ Today: May 19 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 →