'80s Metal History (March 25th)

March 25, 1982: Scheduled weeks before, but happening just six days after losing Randy Rhoads, Ozzy Osbourne chose to keep an appearance on Late Night with David Letterman in the US. "All I can say is that in the last week I’ve lost two of the greatest people in my life."

Happy Birthday to Ron Keel [Keel, Steeler] (March 25, 1961).

March 25, 2002: Iron Maiden released the live album "Rock In Rio" in the UK (one day later in North America) recorded a year earlier at the "Rock In Rio" Festival in Brazil on the last night of the "Brave New World" Tour. The home video was issued in June that year. Release information source: [UK] Music Week - March 23, 2002; [US] CMJ New Music Report - April 1, 2002.

March 25, 1985: Recorded at Nippon Seinenkan Stadium, "Queensrÿche: Live In Tokyo" was issued in the UK on VHS and Betamax. Release date source: Kerrang! - March 21, 1985.

Dokken released "Alone Again" as the third single from the album "Tooth And Nail" in 1985. Written by Don Dokken in the mid '70s, it was forgotten about until a power ballad was needed for the LP. The song was reworked with bassist Jeff Pilson.

March 25, 1990: Mötley Crüe’s Tommy Lee was arrested (it was staged) for mooning the audience during a show in Augusta, Georgia. Charged with indecent exposure and performing a sexually explicit act, the fine: $1,647. the publicity: priceless.

March 25, 1986: Swiss extreme metal band Celtic Frost released their debut album "To Mega Therion" in North America (December '85 in the UK) featuring the track "Circle Of The Tyrants". The LP was a major influence on the death and black metal genres. Release information source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication - March 14, 1986; [UK] Kerrang! January 9, 1986.

March 25, 1986: Texas metal band Helstar released their second studio album "Remnants Of War" in North America, a gradual progression from the traditional metal of their debut album to power-thrash. The band toured with Anthrax a month later. Release date source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication - March 14, 1986.

March 25, 2016: Metal Church released their 11th studio album "XI", their first LP in 23 years to feature singer Mike Howe, who had been on a hiatus from the music industry following the band's first breakup in 1996. Release date source: Blabbermouth.net - January 5, 2016.

March 25, 2011: Whitesnake released their 11th studio album "Forevermore" in Europe (March 29th in North America). David Coverdale has stated he believes this album embraces all the elements that drew fans "to Whitesnake in the first place." Release date source: Blabbermouth.net - February 14, 2011.

March 25, 1979: Two days after the release of their second album, Van Halen embarked on their first headlining tour, the "World Vacation" Tour in Fresno, California. Two weeks later they co-headlined with Aerosmith. Read: Van Halen Aerosmith Prank

March 25, 1985: Irish hard rockers Mama's Boys released their fourth studio album "Power And Passion" in the UK (April 19th in North America) featuring "Needle In The Groove" and "Straight Forward, No Looking Back". Release date source: [UK] Music Week ad - March 22, 1985; [US] FMQB radio trade publication - March 29, 1985.

March 25, 1988: AC/DC released "That's The Way I Wanna Rock 'n' Roll" in the UK as the second single from the album "Blow Up Your Video". The video was filmed at their show at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, England and included fans carrying red cardboard Gibson SG guitars. Release information source: Debuted UK Official singles chart on April 2, 1988.

March 25, 1990: The original team of Guitarist Fast Eddie Clark and singer Dave King were now Clark and ex-Ya Ya vocalist Lea Hart as Fastway released their sixth studio album "Bad Bad Girls". Release date source: Kerrang! - March 3, 1990.

Happy Birthday to former King Diamond guitarist [1988-90] Pete Blakk (March 25th). He played on the albums "Them", "Conspiracy" and "The Eye".

March 25, 1997: Queensrÿche released their sixth studio album "Hear In The Now Frontier" featuring a stripped down musical style. During the tour, founding member and guitarist Chris DeGarmo announced he was leaving the band. Release information: Debuted Billboard 200 on April 12, 1997.

March 1989: Metalshop Magazine had Ozzy Osbourne on the cover asking "Has He Gone Too Far This Time?" and Lars Ulrich lays it on the line: "Does Metallica Incite To Riot?" Inquiring metal minds needed to know.