January 1, 1986: "A Happy Metal New Year!!", Iron Maiden's Steve Harris was on the cover of Japan's Burrn! Magazine. After the marathon "World Slavery" Tour, the band was on an extended break, but "Live After Death" kept our attention until the next LP.
January 1, 1988: Skid Row's classic lineup played their first show in a now-defunct Toronto club called Rock N' Roll Heaven. Shortly after, they signed with Atlantic Records and released their debut album the following year.
Happy Birthday to Judas Priest guitarist Richie Faulkner (January 1, 1980). He was born about four months before "British Steel" was released.
Remembering original Metal Church singer David Wayne, who would have celebrated a birthday today (January 1, 1958). David died in 2005. R.I.P.
Racer X released their debut album "Street Lethal" in 1986, featuring the title track and instrumental "Y.R.O." (Yngwie Rip-Off), that sounds similar to Yngwie Malmsteen's "Black Star", including an almost identical bassline.
Known as Carrion until 1987 and influenced by Helloween and Judas Priest, German power metal band Heavens Gate released their debut album "In Control" in 1989.
January 1, 1990: Windy City rockers Tattoo released their second album "Live Out Loud", recorded live at the Thirsty Whale (suburban Chicago's main venue for metal at the time), featuring single "Under The Spell" with music video that received some airplay on MTV Headbangers Ball in the US. Formally known as Scraps, Tattoo sold 25,000 copies of their debut album "Blood Red" for Metal Blade in 1988.
Kansas City melodic power metal band Banshee released their debut EP "Cry In The Night" in 1986, featuring the song "We Want You" which Metal Blade also included on the compilation record, "Metal Massacre No. 9".
January 1, 1988: The North American leg of the "Dream Evil" Tour began three nights earlier in Providence and now DIO were in Portland, Maine with Megadeth. Savatage was scheduled to open the whole thing, but missed their flight. 🙃
Shopping for rock t-shirts and posters pre-Internet.
Circus Magazine ad - 1982
If you need a new calendar for the new year, this one featuring Ratt from 1985 will not work, but save it, because it can be reused in 2030 😁
Cheers! 🍻 The Kick Ass '80s Metal Continues in the New Year! Thanks For Listening To METAL SHOP 🤘
