'80s Metal History (January 3rd)

January 1989: Ozzy Osbourne released "Crazy Babies" in North America as the second single from the album "No Rest For The Wicked". One radio trade magazine ad promoted the song with the headline "There's A Surprise In Your Diaper!" 😁

January 1987: Nikki Sixx was on the cover of Hit Parader Magazine and Mötley Crüe was "Voted #1 Rock Act In America". Inside you got the goods on Maiden, Priest, RATT, Ozzy and more.

January 1989: Guns N' Roses released "Paradise City" in North America as the fourth single from the album "Appetite For Destruction" (March '89 in the UK), the only song on the LP to feature a synthesizer. Slash has stated it's his favorite GnR song. Release information source: [US] HITS radio trade publication ad - January 16, 1989.

Remembering Manowar co-founder and guitarist Ross "The Boss" Friedman who would have celebrated a birthday today (January 3, 1954). Ross died in 2026. R.I.P.

January 1983: Triumph released their sixth studio album "Never Surrender" in the US (Late '82 in Canada... The band's native country got it first) featuring singles "A World Of Fantasy", "All The Way" and the title track.

Triumph "Never Surrender" release information source: [US] R&R radio trade publication ad - January 14, 1983; Cashbox Magazine review - January 15, 1983.

January 1984: Whitesnake released "Give Me More Time" in the UK as the second single from their forthcoming album "Slide It In", the mix a little heavier than the more David Coverdale front and center US album version. Release information source: Debuted UK Official Singles chart on January 14, 1984.

January 1973: After answering a newspaper ad, guitarist Ace Frehley auditioned for Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Peter Criss. That same month the name Wicked Lester was dropped and the band became "KISS".

In 1979, Adam Bomb and future Queensrÿche frontman Geoff Tate started a cover band in Seattle called Tyrant. Bomb later joined the band TKO and they recorded the album "In Your Face" before he unsuccessfully auditioned for KISS. Bomb moved to Hollywood and shared an apartment with Jeffrey Isbell (better known as Izzy Stradlin), where Adam met neighbor Tommy Thayer, a guitarist for the band Movie Star (which later evolved into Black N' Blue), who came up with the original idea that Adam should call his act 'Adam Bomb'. Bomb's debut solo album "Fatal Attraction" was released in 1985.

Happy Birthday to former DIO and WWIII guitarist Tracy G (January 3, 1959), who played with DIO from 1993-99 and on WWIII's 1990 release with former DIO bassist Jimmy Bain and drummer Vinny Appice.

Happy Birthday to Virgin Steele guitarist Edward Pursino (January 3, 1963).

January 3, 1985: After a break for the holidays, Iron Maiden resumed the "World Slavery" Tour in Cincinnati with Twisted Sister in tow.

January 3, 1986: KISS played Freedom Hall Civic Center in Johnson City, Tennessee. Replacing Black N' Blue, W.A.S.P. returned to the opening slot, having toured with KISS during the final dates of the "Animalize" Tour a year earlier.

January 3, 1990: After Bon Jovi's second of three shows at London's Wembley Arena, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora went to the Hippodrome to cool down. Sebastian Bach was there and Lemmy from Motörhead... an impromptu jam followed 😯. "I was working in the restaurant and they all got drunk on free beers then went on stage for that gig. Lemmy was super, always up the top bar on a Wednesday night." -Anya Briscoe. "It was a fantastic impromptu jamming session after their Wembley gig earlier that evening. I also have some photos of them all on stage but they are quite dark. Fab memories." -Caroline Dobson.