'80s Metal History (January 19th)

January 19, 1988: Megadeth released their third studio album "So Far, So Good... So What!" in North America (March '88 in the UK) featuring the Cliff Burton inspired "In My Darkest Hour" and the first song Dave Mustaine wrote after being fired by Metallica, "Set The World Afire".

Megadeth "So Far, So Good... So What!" release information source: [US] Billboard Magazine - January 16, 1988; Kerrang! - January 30, 1988; [UK] Debuted Official Album chart on March 26, 1988.

January 19, 1985: Metallica played Toronto and in the audience was Rush bassist Geddy Lee. When Metallica bassist Cliff Burton found out after, "He started pacing, he started smoking pot, and he was, like, 'Oh my God! Geddy! Geddy Lee!'" -Kirk Hammett

Happy Birthday to former Dokken and DIO bassist Jeff Pilson (January 19, 1959).

January 19, 1979: UFO released their second live album "Strangers In The Night" in the UK, with guitarist Michael Schenker, who left the band during the tour and refused to record any overdubs for the album.

UFO "Strangers In The Night" release information source: [UK] Record Mirror - December 29, 1978, Music Week - January 20, 1979; [US] Billboard Magazine - January 27, 1979.

January 19, 1985: AC/DC played the second of two nights at the very first "Rock In Rio" in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

January 19, 1985: On the road in the US promoting "The Blitz" album, Krokus joined KISS on the"Animalize" World Tour for 17 shows that included this one in Nashville.

Danish heavy metal band Witch Cross released their debut album “Fit For Fight” in 1984, recorded at the same studio as the first two records of fellow Danes, Mercyful Fate.

Happy Birthday to Jag Panzer co-founder and guitarist Mark Briody (January 19, 1963). Mark was the sole guitarist of the group in its first incarnation.

January 19, 1992: Megadeth launched the "Countdown To Extinction" Tour in Cleveland. It lasted almost two years, including dates in Europe opening for Iron Maiden and Metallica.

January 19, 1988: "Matthew John Trippe filed a complaint for 'civil theft and other relief' against" Mötley Crüe management (McGhee Entertainments Inc) alleging he was "for a period of time, between 1983 and 1985, 'Nikki Sixx' - a member of Mötley Crüe." This was a weird story and Kerrang! did their best to explain it all in the March 12, 1988 issue.