'80s Metal History (March 17th)

March 17, 1984: St. Patrick's Day fell on a Saturday and the thrashing party was on at Ruthies Inn in Berkeley, California with the return of Slayer. If you missed that one, you could catch the band two nights later in Palo Alto. What a time to be alive! 🤘

March 17, 1984: With their new album "Love At First Sting" released in North America in late February, Scorpions made their debut on the US Billboard Top LPs & Tapes chart at No. 75. It spent 63 weeks on the chart, peaking in June that year at No. 6.

March 17, 1982: Motörhead launched the "Iron Fist" UK Tour in Aberdeen, the last for guitarist "Fast" Eddie Clarke, who left at the start of the North American Leg and was replaced by former Thin Lizzy guitarist Brian Robertson.

March 17, 1989: With new singer Mike Howe, Metal Church brought the "Blessing In Disguise" Tour to The Omni in Oakland, California. "Howe expertly handled such vintage material as 'Metal Church', 'Watch The Children Pray', Battalions' and 'Method To Your Madness', and whipped the crowd into such a frenzy during 'Start The Fire' that to say that the blond-haired frontman is the perfect addition to the outfit might be an understatement." -Kerrang!

March 17, 1984: KISS played their final concert with guitarist Vinnie Vincent as they wrapped up the "Lick It Up" Tour in Evansville, Indiana. Vincent had actually been fired after the European tour, but there wasn't enough time to find a replacement.

"Big Hits And Nasty Cuts: The Best Of Twisted Sister" was issued on CD in 1992 with only songs from their first three albums. All tracks from "Come Out And Play" and "Love Is For Suckers" were omitted, except outside of the US.

Remembering guitarist Bernie Tormé, who died one day short of his 67th birthday today in 2019. Bernie played with Gillan in the early '80s before replacing the recently deceased Randy Rhoads in Ozzy Osbourne's band for a handful of shows. R.I.P.

Happy Birthday to one of the "twin lead guitarists" for Thin Lizzy, Scott Gorham (March 17, 1951).

Happy Birthday to singer Jizzy Pearl [Love/Hate, L.A. Guns, RATT, Quiet Riot] (March 17, 1958).

Happy Birthday to original L.A. Guns singer and drummer Paul Mars Black (March 17, 1958). Paul was with the band from 1985-87 and co-wrote much of their debut album.

March 17, 1984: Van Halen's "1984" peaked at No. 2 on the US Billboard Top LPs & Tapes chart. At any other time in music history it would have most likely reached No. 1, but that year it was held out by the best-selling album of all time, Michael Jackson's "Thriller".

March 1992: That time Ozzy Osbourne was planning to retire at age 43. -Kerrang!

March 17, 1983: "Early Days" Tour for W.A.S.P. included a St. Patrick's Day rager at Chuck Landis' Country Club in Reseda, California with special guests Overkill and Pandemonium.

Did you know? In 1990, Capitol Records messed up and printed 400 copies of the "Rust In Peace" album cover as green instead of blue (it's true, don't look it up) 😁 -Reddit Meme

"Are there any girls out there with a bit of Irish in them? Are there any girls out there, who'd like a bit more Irish in them?" --Thin Lizzy frontman Phil Lynott bringing the heavy rock humour back in the day. That wouldn't get any attention today 😏

Happy St. Patrick's Day and thanks for listening to METAL SHOP... Cheers! 🍻🤘