'80s Metal History (February 12th)

February 12, 1982: Iron Maiden released "Run To The Hills" in the UK as the lead single from their forthcoming album "The Number Of The Beast". Bruce Dickinson was a co-writer, but not credited because of a contractual agreement with his former band Samson. Release information source: Record Mirror review - February 13, 1982; Record Mirror ad - February 20, 1982.

February 12, 1982: Krokus released their sixth studio album "One Vice At A Time" in the UK (March 1982 in North America). At the time, the British press called them AC/DC copycats. Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson provided backing vocals on "I'm On The Run". Release information source: Kerrang! ad - February 11, 1982.

February 12, 1984: Metallica concluded their first major European tour "Seven Dates Of Hell" in Poperinge, Belgium, supporting Raven, Venom and Twisted Sister.

February 1991: With "Hangar 18" just released as the second single from their latest album "Rust In Peace" in the US, Megadeth performed on The Arsenio Hall Show... "Some groups bust a move... This group busts your brain." 🤘 The band returned to the show two years later, performing "Symphony Of Destruction".

February 1987: It was way past midnight and still no pumpkin for Cinderella, who released "Somebody Save Me" as the third single from their debut album "Night Songs". Release information source: [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication spotlight - February 20, 1987.

Featuring guitarist David Chastain and singer Leather Leone, Chastain released their debut album "Mystery Of Illusion" in 1985. Drummer Fred Coury, who later joined Cinderella, played on the LP.

Happy Birthday to former Motörhead and Thin Lizzy guitarist Brian "Robbo" Robertson (February 12, 1956).

February 12, 1986: After shows in Belfast and Dublin with RATT opening, Ozzy Osbourne brought "The Ultimate Sin" Tour to Newcastle, England. One fan posted on social media in 2023... "I saw this tour at Manchester Apollo (one night later). Ozzy during his Joan Collins phase…" 😁

February 12, 1983: The official start of the "Pyromania" Tour, Def Leppard played Ulster Hall in Belfast. In 2020, one fan posted on social media... "Joe did a star jump off the drum riser and hurt his back. He got through the gig using Courvoisier brandy painkiller." 😂 "Fair play though they came back at the end of the tour with the in-the-round stage in the Kings Hall to make up for that. Never missed them since then."

February 12, 1982: Mötley Crüe played the first of three nights at West Hollywood's Whisky A Go-Go. Promoting their self-released "Too Fast For Love" on their own label, Leathür Records, Crüe were getting close to a major label deal, signing with Elektra several months later.

February 12, 2018: Judas Priest guitarist Glenn Tipton revealed he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease 10 years earlier. Glenn has been unable to tour with the band, but has made guest appearances.

Twisted Sister were red hot with the "Stay Hungry" album in early 1985 and they looked weird, so they made a convenient target for Sun Magazine in the UK. Newsflash: Most parents hate their kids music.