'80s Metal History (January 30th)

January 30, 1984: Whitesnake released their sixth studio album "Slide It In" in the UK (April '84 in North America) featuring singles "Guilty Of Love", "Give Me More Time", "Standing In The Shadow" and "Love Ain't No Stranger". Guitarist Micky Moody played on the LP but then left and was replaced by John Sykes. Release date source: [UK] Kerrang! ad - December 29, 1983.

January 30, 1984: Saxon released their sixth studio album "Crusader" in the UK (March '84 in North America). "We didn't have any connotations of what it meant as far as history goes, we just liked the name so we wrote the lyrics to fit the title, really." -bassist Steve Dawson. Release date source: [UK] Record Mirror - January 14, 1984.

January 30, 1989: As the band was filming the video for lead single "The Toxic Waltz", the third studio album from Exodus titled "Fabulous Disaster" was now available in the UK (January 13, 1989 in North America). The tour would start in England on February 7th at The University of Sheffield. Release date source: [UK] Kerrang! - January 28, 1989; [US] Kerrang! - December 17, 1988.

January 30, 1984: The "Bark At The Moon" Tour with Ozzy Osbourne and opening act Mötley Crüe brought the hard rock hits and wild antics to New York City's Madison Square Garden. The Big Apple battiness continued at the afterparty held at The Limelight, where Mötley Crüe were presented with Gold Record Awards for the "Shout At The Devil" album, which was certified Gold in the US by the RIAA on January 12th. The success of the tour with Ozzy would propel the LP to Platinum less than a month later.

January 1989: After completing the "Keeper Of The Seven Keys: Part II" Tour, Helloween parted company with guitarist Kai Hansen because of the "ever-increasing stress" of being on the road. He was replaced by Roland Grapow.

January 1989: Loudness parted ways with long time singer Minoru Niihara. The band had completed work on their next album "Soldier Of Fortune" except the vocals. American singer Mike Vescera replaced Niihara.

January 30, 1973: After recently changing their name from Wicked Lester, KISS played their first ever show at the Popcorn Club in Queens, New York. They were paid a total of $50 and there were less than 10 people in the audience.

Happy Birthday to Firehouse founder and guitarist Bill Leverty (January 30, 1967).

Remembering Rising Force co-founder and bassist Marcel Jacob, who would have celebrated a birthday today (January 30, 1964). In 1978, he formed Rising Force together with guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen. Marcel died in 2009. R.I.P.

Happy Birthday to former Krokus drummer Steve Pace (January 30, 1950). He was the first "Non-Swiss" band member, playing on the "Headhunter" album and tour.

Happy Birthday to Riot/Riot V bassist [1986-1990, 2008-present... played on Thundersteel '88] Don Van Stavern (January 30, 1963).

January 30, 1986: Supporting Twisted Sister on the "Come Out And Play" Tour, Dokken performed at The Fox Theatre in Detroit, opening with "Unchain The Night" and "The Hunter", the first two songs from their latest album "Under Lock And Key". The band closed with "Just Got Lucky" from the "Tooth And Nail" LP.

January 30, 1986: KISS and W.A.S.P. were scheduled to play The Forum in Los Angeles, but the show was postponed until February 11th because Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley fell ill. Phoenix was also postponed that week and Albuquerque canceled.

January 1988: Y&T were featured in Rock Scene Magazine... "After years of hard work and little recognition," the band "gets refueled for a brand new start" with their latest album "Contagious". "Forget yesterday... Today is here!"