'80s Metal History (January 27th)

January 27, 1986: Ozzy Osbourne released his fourth studio album "The Ultimate Sin" in North America (February '86 in the UK), featuring single "Shot In The Dark", co-written by bassist Phil Soussan. The LP was produced by Ron Nevison (Thin Lizzy, UFO, KISS), but Ozzy was less than pleased... "Being produced by him was like being produced by Darth Vader."

Ozzy Osbourne "The Ultimate Sin" release information source: [US] Cashbox Magazine - February 1, 1986; Unknown rock magazine ad; MTV interview - January 17, 1986; [UK] Debuted Official Album chart on February 22, 1986.

January 27, 1980: AC/DC played their last show with Bon Scott in Southampton, England. The band was finally breaking through with "Highway To Hell", but Bon had been unusually downbeat about his prospects of continuing much longer ☹️

January 27, 1987: Alice Cooper brought the "Nightmare Returns" Tour to Oakland with special guest Megadeth, who have said in an interview they ate chicken every night on the road with Alice and Italian food when touring with DIO 😁

January 1985: Whitesnake released the "American Re-mix" of semi power ballad "Love Ain't No Stranger" in the UK as the fourth and final single from the album "Slide It In". Release information source: Kerrang! ad - January 24, 1985.

January 27, 1984: Saxon released "Sailing To America" in the UK as the lead single from their forthcoming album "Crusader". The band launched a tour of the UK one week later at Queens Hall in Leeds. Release information source: Kerrang! ad - January 26, 1984.

Happy Birthday to Iron Maiden guitarist Janick Gers (January 27, 1957).

Happy Birthday to Black N' Blue singer Jaime St. James (January 27, 1960).

Happy Birthday to Keel guitarist Marc Ferrari (January 27, 1960).

Happy Birthday to The Rods co-founder and drummer, Carl Canedy (January 27, 1953). Before The Rods, Carl was the first drummer for Manowar. He also produced the first three Anthrax records.

Happy Birthday to Faith No More singer Mike Patton (January 27, 1968).

Happy Birthday to Thin Lizzy founding member and drummer Brian Downey (January 27, 1951), the only constant in the band aside from leader Phil Lynott until their break-up in 1983.

January 27, 1985: DIO concluded "The Last In Line" Tour in Bloomington, Minnesota. Striking while the Dragon was hot, the band would return to the studio shortly after and record the "Sacred Heart" album for release in August that year.

January 27, 1984: One month after starting the North American leg of the "Lick It Up" Tour, KISS played Long Beach Arena. Exactly one year later, they were in Corpus Christi, Texas on the "Animalize" Tour.

Peak Twisted Sister (Hit Parader Magazine - January 1985).