'80s Metal History (January 18th)

January 18, 1984: Metallica's Boston show was canceled after the band's gear was stolen, including James Hetfield's prized Marshall amplifier. He found the whole thing a little depressing and it inspired him to write "Fade To Black". For their next gig two nights later in Middletown, New York, Metallica performed using Anthrax's gear.

January 18, 1984: Van Halen launched the "1984" Tour in Jacksonville, Florida. With 18 trucks hauling the stage and equipment, Eddie Van Halen said the tour was so over the top, the band didn't make any money from it.

January 18, 1983: With a month of dates left on the "World Vengeance" Tour, Judas Priest rolled into Erie, Pennsylvania with special guest Heaven.

Motörhead were surprise nominees for the 1992 US Grammy Awards for their "1916" album (Best Metal Performance with Vocals). Lemmy called it "absolutely fucking hilarious! I mean, Saddam Hussein stood more chance of being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, didn't he? Still, it should be good for a few laughs!" 😁

January 1987: Guns N' Roses began recording their debut album "Appetite For Destruction". Axl Rose insisted on recording his vocals one line at a time in a perfectionism that drove the rest of the band away from the studio as he worked.

January 18, 1989: Voted the most popular Western artist in a USSR newspaper poll, Yngwie Malmsteen launched a 20-show tour of the Soviet Union, where fans were allowed to stand throughout shows for the first time. -Kerrang! 🙃 Yngwie's first live album "Trial By Fire: Live In Leningrad" was released in October 1989.

January 1988: Produced by Dave Mustaine, Seattle thrash/power metal band Sanctuary released their debut album "Refuge Denied" in North America (May 3, 1988 in the UK) featuring tracks "Battle Angels", "Die For My Sins" and Jefferson Airplane cover "White Rabbit".

Sanctuary "Refuge Denied" release information source: [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication 'Hard Hitters' No. 13 - February 19, 1988; [UK] Kerrang! - May 7, 1988.

January 1988: "Triple Axe Attack" Leatherwolf released "Cry Out" as the second single from their second studio album "Leatherwolf". Release information source: [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication ad - February 19, 1988.

Remembering former Rough Cutt guitarist [1983-87] Chris Hager who would have celebrated a birthday today (January 18, 1958). With Stephen Pearcy in 1977, he also co-founded and played guitar in Mickey Ratt. Chris died in 2025. R.I.P.

January 18, 1991: AC/DC brought the "Razors Edge" World Tour to Salt Lake City, but the show was stopped after 20 minutes as three teens were crushed to death when the crowd pushed toward the stage. Kerrang! - February 2, 1991

January 18, 1986: Look at these young and hungry kids playing The Roxy on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood on the same night... Guns N' Roses, preceded by L.A. Guns and Plain Jane, the latter featuring future Warrant members Jani Lane and Steven Sweet.

January 18, 1986: On the road promoting their new album "Come Out And Play", Twisted Sister played The Spectrum in Philadelphia with support from Dokken, who also had a new record out with "Under Lock And Key". A review in The Philadelphia Inquirer that ran a few days later made fun of Dee Snider's teeth 😏