'80s Metal History (February 9th)

"Guitars scream, nerves shatter, drums crash with a vengeance... Metal Maniacs your album's arrived!" (from TV commercial), K-Tel released "White Hot Masters Of Metal" in 1984 featuring Scorpions, DIO, Y&T, Judas Priest, Krokus, Black Sabbath, Twisted Sister and Quiet Riot. You could purchase the LP or listen in your car on a chrome cassette tape 👍

February 9, 1985: Reminiscing about the W.A.S.P., Metallica and Armored Saint Midwest tour that brought them to Chicago for a windstorm at the Aragon Ballroom. Of course, call 666-6667 for tickets 🤘

February 1986: After nearly a year of litigation, Motörhead were freed from Bronze records. 1983's "Another Perfect Day" was the band's most recent release at the time ..."We're back--and any fucker who thought we were dead had better head for Tibet 'cause that's just about the only place which is gonna be safe from this band during '86!" -Lemmy Kilmister

Happy Birthday to Raven guitarist Mark Gallagher (February 9, 1960).

Happy Birthday to Skid Row co-founder, bassist and main songwriter, Rachel Bolan (February 9, 1966).

February 9, 1983: After leaving the band Girl, guitarist Phil Collen played his first show with Def Leppard at the Marquee Club in London, a warm up for the "Pyromania" Tour that began two days later in Dublin.

February 9, 1987: "We got lots of stations Around the nation And the stuff they're playing It just ain't worth my sayin'," Manowar released "Blow Your Speakers" in North America as the lead single from their forthcoming album "Fighting The World". Release date source: [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication - January 30, 1987.

February 1988: Power metal band Vicious Rumors released their second studio album "Digital Dictator" featuring single "Don't Wait For Me". The LP was especially well-received in Europe with RockHard magazine calling it the year's number one album. Release information source: Kerrang! review - February 20, 1988; Kerrang! ad - March 19, 1988.

Happy Birthday to original Vicious Rumors bassist Dave Starr (February 9th).

Happy Birthday to Death Angel singer Mark Osegueda (February 9, 1969).

February 1987: Two months after being available in North America, UK rockers were able to get their hands on Tesla's debut album "Mechanical Resonance" featuring singles "Modern Day Cowboy", "Little Suzi" and "Gettin' Better". Release information source: Kerrang! ad - February 5, 1987.

Scorpions released their debut album "Lonesome Crow" in 1972 ('73 in North America) as the soundtrack to a German anti-drug movie and their only LP with guitarist Michael Schenker (just 16 at the time) as a full-time member.

February 1986: Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx was on the cover of Kerrang! Magazine and the poster inside was an Özzy Nüde Centrespread! 😯😁