'80s Metal History (January 23rd)

January 23, 1991: It was the best night of the 10 day "Rock In Rio II" Festival in Rio de Janeiro with headliners Guns N' Roses, preceded by Judas Priest, Queensrÿche and Megadeth.

January 23, 1990: Slaughter released their debut album "Stick It To Ya" in North America (February '90 in the UK) featuring singles "Up All Night", "Fly To The Angels" and "Spend My Life". It was nominated for "Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Album" at the 1991 American Music Awards.

Slaughter "Stick It To Ya" release information source: [US] Billboard Magazine review - January 27, 1990; [UK] Kerrang! review - February 10, 1990.

January 23, 1990: Experimenting with a more progressive sound, Savatage released their fifth studio album "Gutter Ballet" in North America (one day earlier in the UK), originally titled "Temptation Revelation".

Savatage "Gutter Ballet" release information source: [UK] Kerrang! - January 13, 1990; [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication - February 2, 1990.

January 23, 1984: Scorpions launched the "Love At First Sting" Tour in Birmingham, England. North American shows began in mid-March. Many of the dates were recorded and released as "World Wide Live" in 1985.

January 23, 1987: W.A.S.P. played the second of two shows at The Ritz in New York City with Saxon opening. Unfortunately, one of the biggest snowstorms of the season kept many fans away the first night. Reports of actual attendees varied from 200 to 600 but the second night was packed and included former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley in the audience checking out the show.

Elektra Records re-issued Metallica's "Whiplash" as a single in 1984 that also includes fake live performances of "Seek & Destroy" and "Phantom Lord", which are actually alternate studio recordings with overdubbed crowd noise 😏

Remembering Dio and Rainbow bassist Jimmy Bain, who died January 23, 2016 at age 68. R.I.P.

Happy Birthday to original Testament drummer [1983-92, 2005-06] Louie Clemente (January 23, 1965).

Remembering Helix drummer Greg "Fritz" Hinz who would have celebrated a birthday today (January 23, 1960). Fritz died in 2024. R.I.P.

Remembering former Metal Church drummer Kirk Arrington who would have celebrated a birthday today (January 23, 1962). He played on all three of the band's classic '80s records. Kirk died in 2023. R.I.P.

Seattle metal band Heir Apparent released their debut album "Graceful Inheritance" in 1986, but not in their home country. In fact, the album never saw a US release in the '80s. Release information source: [UK] Kerrang! ad - February 20, 1986.

January 23, 1989: Featuring frontwoman Jutta Weinhold, German power metal band Zed Yago released their second studio album "Pilgrimage" in the UK. Release date source: Kerrang! - January 21, 1989.

January 23, 1982: Three days after Ozzy Osbourne bit the head off a bat on-stage in Des Moines, Iowa, the rabies shots were working well enough to allow the "Madman" to continue touring with shows in Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin happening as scheduled.

January 23, 1986: The latest issue of Kerrang! revealed that Iron Maiden cleaned up the year end poll results for 1985, including Best Album for "Live After Death" and Best Band.