'80s Metal History (February 28th/29th)

February 28, 1983: The start of the hair metal era, Quiet Riot released their third studio album "Metal Health" in North America (Late March '83 in the UK) featuring the title track and US Top 5 smash "Cum On Feel The Noize". The song "Thunderbird" is dedicated to founding member Randy Rhoads.

Quiet Riot "Metal Health" release information source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication - February 18, 1983; [UK] Kerrang! Album Chart debut + review - April 7, 1983.

February 28, 1985: King Kobra released their debut album "Ready To Strike" in North America featuring single "Hunger" (MTV added the music video on February 15th), written by members of the Canadian band Kick-Axe and recorded by them for "The Transformers: The Movie" soundtrack under the alias Spectre General. After playing with Ozzy for two years, drummer Carmine Appice formed King Kobra with relatively unknown musicians.

King Kobra "Ready To Strike" release date source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication - February 22, 1985.

February 29, 1988: Kingdom Come released their debut album in North America (March 14th in the UK). After the breakup of his previous band, Stone Fury, German vocalist Lenny Wolf formed Kingdom Come. They were an instant success, but Led Zeppelin comparisons created some backlash.

Kingdom Come debut release date source: [US] R&R radio trade publication ad - February 26, 1988; [UK] Kerrang! - March 12, 1988.

February 1982: After sacking singer Paul Di'Anno and replacing him with Bruce Dickinson, the pressure was on Iron Maiden to deliver with their third album. The band's public profile at home had "lowered to the point of collapse." -Kerrang! 😯

February 1987: Released two months earlier, Tesla's "Mechanical Resonance" was a smash hit in the US, becoming the fastest selling debut album in Geffen Records history. The label marked the occasion with this strange radio industry ad, but cheers to the band! R&R US radio trade publication - February 20, 1987

Lizzy Borden released EP "Terror Rising" in 1987 with two originals and two covers. One of those covers is "Don’t Touch Me There", a duet with Betsy from Bitch. The EP was the last recording with guitarist Alex Nelson who was replaced by Joe Holmes later that year prior to recording the "Visual Lies" album.

Remembering Armored Saint co-founder and lead guitarist Dave Prichard who died February 28, 1990 at age 26. R.I.P.

Remembering Black Sabbath keyboardist [1980-2004] Geoff Nicholls, who would have celebrated a birthday on leap day (February 29, 1944). Geoff died in 2017. R.I.P.

February 29, 1988: Their debut album "Screams in the Night" issued a year earlier, Hellion released EP "Postcards From The Asylum" in the UK featuring a cover of Judas Priest's "Exciter". Release date source: Kerrang! - February 6, 1988.

American power metal band Liege Lord released their second studio album "Burn To My Touch" in 1987. Originally a Judas Priest cover band called Deceiver, lead singer Andy Michaud was replaced for the next album "Master Of Control" by Joe Comeau, who later went on to front Overkill in the '90s and then Annihilator.

Swedish metal band 220 Volt released their second studio album "Power Games" featuring single "Firefall" in 1984.

February 1987: The first artist signed to Metal Blade Records, Bitch released their second studio album "The Bitch Is Back", four years after their debut (management problems). Thanks to the PMRC, this was their best-selling record. Release information source: [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication - March 27, 1987; [UK] Kerrang! review - April 30, 1987.

February 1975: After the Alice Cooper band broke up, Alice Cooper released his debut solo album "Welcome To My Nightmare". Played in sequence, the songs form a journey through the nightmares of a child named Steven. Actor Vincent Price provided a monologue in the song "The Black Widow". Release information source: [US] Cashbox Magazine ad - March 8, 1975.

February 28, 2000: AC/DC released their 14th studio album "Stiff Upper Lip" in Europe and Australia (the following day in North America). The band had planned on recording the LP with Bruce Fairbairn, who had produced the enormously successful "The Razors Edge" and "AC/DC Live", but Fairbairn died in May '99. Angus and Malcolm Young then turned to their older brother George, who had produced 1988's "Blow Up Your Video" as well as the band's early albums.

February 1988: The Circus Magazine "1987 Reader's Poll" revealed Mötley Crüe's Tommy Lee voted "Best Drummer" for a fourth straight year... "We just got long hair and we play loud rock & roll. I don't think we do anything that out of the ordinary."

February 28, 1989: Two days after being involved in a major fight with nearly everyone associated with Bon Jovi, including Jon Bon Jovi himself - Read More - Skid Row's Sebastian Bach was arrested before the band's encore in Hampton, Virginia and charged with "using abusive and violent language." He spent the night in jail and told "never to return" to Hampton.

February 1986: Making its way around the world, "The Ultimate Sin" was now available in Japan and Ozzy Osbourne got the cover of Burrn! Magazine.