'80s Metal History (March 24th)

March 24, 1986: With a more commercial glam metal sound, Judas Priest released their 10th studio album "Turbo" in North America (April '86 in the UK). Like Iron Maiden that year, Priest used synth guitars for the first time on this LP.

Judas Priest "Turbo" release information source: [US] Billboard Magazine - March 8, 1986; [UK] Kerrang! ad - April 17, 1986.

March 1986: Loudness released their sixth studio album "Shadows Of War" in Japan featuring single "Let It Go". In North America, the record was issued in May that year with different cover art and title "Lightning Strikes".

Late March 1988: Five years after their last LP and with guitarist Mark Reale the only remaining member, Riot released their sixth studio album "Thundersteel". The title track was originally written for a short-lived Reale project called 'Narita'. Release information source: [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication spotlight - April 1, 1988; [UK] Kerrang! review - May 7, 1988.

March 24, 1984: With their debut album "Out Of The Cellar" released in North America a month earlier, RATT made their debut on the US Billboard Top LPs & Tapes chart at No. 188. It spent 56 weeks on the chart, peaking in early August that year at No. 7.

March 24, 1985: If only we could go back, so many shows I would try a little harder to get to. Seattle metal fans got a treat with local band Metal Church and Wild Dogs up from Portland opening for Raven who were on the "Stay Hard" Tour.

March 24, 1984: I was getting psyched for my first really big rock concert, Ozzy Osbourne and Mötley Crüe at Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Oregon. Tickets $12.50 and I somehow still have a free local program in my stash of '80s Metal stuff 🤘

Released on March 9, 1979 in the UK, Motörhead's second studio album "Overkill" debuted on the Official Album Chart on March 24th and the tour was under way with the second show at St. Albans Civic Hall.

March 24, 1978: In the UK, Rainbow released the title track as the lead single from their forthcoming album "Long Live Rock 'n' Roll". The LP would be the last to feature original vocalist Ronnie James Dio. Release information source: Sounds Magazine ad - March 18, 1978.

Happy Birthday to former Exodus singer Steve ‘Zetro’ Souza (March 24, 1964).

March 24, 1986: Twisted Sister played London's Hammersmith Odeon, the city "where it all kicked off, caberet an' all... And this is what they find. They find British audiences not quite so fickle, it would seem, as their US counterparts; they find themselves in the position of 'returning conquering heroes' despite a two year absence." -Kerrang!

March 24, 1986: Keel released their third studio album, and second to be produced by KISS bassist Gene Simmons, "The Final Frontier" in North America. Music videos were made for singles "Tears Of Fire" and Patti Smith Group cover "Because The Night". Release date source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication - March 14, 1986.

March 24, 2015: Van Halen announced a summer and fall tour, plus they would be performing on television for the first time, appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! It would be the very last VH tour with the final show October 4th in Los Angeles.

March 1984: Advised not to put it out in the states because of the lyrical content, "Animal (F**k Like A Beast)", the debut single from W.A.S.P., would only "be issued in the UK and parts of Europe" in April '84. -Kerrang!