'80s Metal History (March 12th)

Happy Birthday to Iron Maiden founder and bassist Steve Harris (March 12, 1956).

Happy Birthday to original and current Loudness lead singer Minoru Niihara (March 12, 1960).

Remembering former Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr, who died March 12, 2013, four days after his 56th birthday, due to complications related to multiple sclerosis. He was a member of Maiden from 1979 to 1982. R.I.P.

Remembering founding Y&T rhythm guitarist Joey Alves, who died March 12, 2017 at age 63. R.I.P.

Remembering original Riot singer [1975-81] Guy Speranza, who would have celebrated a birthday today (March 12, 1956). Scott Ian offered him lead singer for Anthrax in 1982, but he declined. Guy died in 2003 at age 47. R.I.P.

March 1985: With the worldwide success of their debut album "Out Of The Cellar" and ahead of the release of the follow up "Invasion Of Your Privacy", Metal Hammer Magazine in Germany featured a free Flexi-Disc of RATT's "U Got It" from their debut EP. Just tear it out of the rock mag and throw it on your turntable 🤘

March 12, 1996: KISS released "Unplugged" in North America from their August '95 performance on "MTV Unplugged" that featured original KISS members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss reuniting with Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley for four songs. Release information source: [US] Billboard Magazine front page ad - March 16, 1995.

March 12, 1983: A week after Thin Lizzy released their 12th and final studio album "Thunder And Lightning" in the UK, the band played the last of four shows at London's Hammersmith Odeon.

American power metal band Liege Lord released their debut album "Freedom's Rise" in 1985. Originally a Judas Priest cover band called Deceiver, lead singer Joe Comeau went on to front Overkill in the '90s and later Annihilator.

March 12, 1990: Riot released their seventh studio album "The Privilege Of Power" in North America. The song "Killer" is about convicted killer Jeffrey R. MacDonald and features a guest vocal appearance by Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Yngwie Malmsteen). Release date source: [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication - March 2, 1990; The Hard Report 'Most Added' - March 16, 1990.

March 12, 1988: With Dokken opening, AC/DC brought the "Blow Up Your Video" World Tour to London for the second of three shows at Wembley Arena. -Kerrang!

March 12, 2007: Van Halen were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. The only bandmembers to attend the ceremony were former members Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony. Velvet Revolver played "Ain’t Talkin' 'Bout Love" and Hagar and Anthony performed "Why Can’t This Be Love" with David Letterman bandleader Paul Shaffer.

The first time Mötley Crüe appeared in a rock magazine was in the March 1982 issue of the UK's Kerrang!