'80s Metal History (January 26th)

January 26, 1984: Ahead of their Rochester, New York concert, Ozzy Osbourne and Mötley Crüe made an in-store appearance at House Of Guitars. The line was long and "girls screaming coming through after meeting (Crüe)."

Remembering the legendary Eddie Van Halen on his birthday (January 26, 1955). EVH died in 2020. R.I.P.

Happy Birthday to former Cinderella frontman and guitarist Tom Keifer (January 26, 1961).

January 26, 1985: On the road in the US Midwest with DIO, Dokken paid their dues with shows nearly every night on the "Tooth And Nail" Tour in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Chicago and now Omaha, Nebraska.

January 26, 1983: "Metal To Melt Your Mind", Judas Priest's "World Vengeance" Tour happened near everywhere, including Muskego, Michigan (Pop: 37,000).

January 1985: Anthrax recruited former Bible Black singer Joey Belladonna, supposedly a "Power Metal version of Steve Perry (Journey)" -Kerrang!. The band soon began recording their new album "Spread It", later re-titled "Spreading The Disease".

January 1985: Helix released Crazy Elephant cover "Gimme Gimme Good Lovin'" as the second single from the album "Walkin' The Razor's Edge". Two versions of the music video were filmed... One for music video channels and the other an "adult" version featuring topless models (including future porn star Traci Lords who was 16 at the time), that aired in the US on the Playboy Channel.

January 1985: European influenced Los Angeles metal band Warrior released their debut album "Fighting For The Earth" in the US. The title track was a local L.A. hit a year earlier. When issued to American radio, it was promoted as "Rock and Roll with a message!" Release information source: FMQB radio trade publication - February 1, 1985.

Happy Birthday to original Crimson Glory drummer Dana Burnell (January 26, 1963).

January 26, 1983: Whitesnake with special guest Ozzy Osbourne played Messehalle in Sindelfingen near Stuttgart, Germany. Ozzy's first month on the road with new guitarist Jake E. Lee, the dates with Whitesnake would end on the 30th in Brussels.

January 1986: American rock magazines liked to pit our heroes against each other, but this was silly... We love 'em all! 🤘