'80s Metal History (March 3rd)

March 3, 1986: Metallica released their third studio album "Master Of Puppets" in North America (March 7th in the UK). Recorded in Denmark, it took longer than "Ride The Lightning" to finish because the band had developed a sense of perfectionism and had higher ambitions. It's a thrashterpiece 🤘

Metallica "Master of Puppets" release date source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication - February 14, 1986; [UK] Kerrang! ad - March 6, 1986.

March 3, 1983: Michael Schenker Group released their third studio album "Assault Attack" in North America (October 1982 in the UK), produced by Martin Birch, who had just finished Iron Maiden's "The Number Of The Beast". It was MSG's only LP with former Rainbow vocalist Graham Bonnet. Release date source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication - February 18, 1986.

March 1985: Robbin Crosby and Nikki Sixx were on the cover of Hit Parader Magazine. Metal and hard rock bands from the "West Coast" like RATT and Mötley Crüe were exploding in popularity.

March 1984: Tommy Aldridge returned to play drums for Ozzy Osbourne on the "Bark At The Moon" Tour. He had played on the album, but left the band before the tour and was replaced by Carmine Appice, who was fired in February '84. Photo: Mark Weiss Photography

March 3, 1984: Manowar began the "Spectacle Of Might" Tour, their first of the UK with special guest Mercyful Fate, who were supposed to play more dates, but dropped out after the first night. Read More

March 1992: Citing "creative differences", Anthrax singer Joey Belladonna was out of the band just as they "confirmed a multi-million dollar recording contract with Elektra." Several vocalists auditioned for the job, including Mark Osegueda of Death Angel. However, Armored Saint's John Bush was the standout favorite and had in fact been floated as a potential replacement for Belladonna a few years earlier. -Kerrang!

March 3, 1978: Opening for Montrose and Journey, Van Halen began their first world tour in Chicago. They were only given 30 minutes. Not enough VH, but enough time to play every track from their debut album that had come out just three weeks earlier.

March 3, 1978: Former Deep Purple singer David Coverdale and his new band Whitesnake (originally billed as David Coverdale’s Whitesnake) performed their first concert in Lincoln, England. The band was comprised of Coverdale, guitarist Mick Moody, guitarist Bernie Marsden, bassist Neil Murray, keyboardist Pete Solley and drummer David "Duck" Dowle.

Six years later (March 3, 1984), Whitesnake played London's Wembley Arena for the first time with support from Great White.

March 3, 1981: Originally scheduled for February 23rd, AC/DC performed the last concert of the "Back In Black" World Tour at Brisbane Festival Hall in Australia.

Happy Birthday to original BulletBoys bassist Lonnie Vencent (March 3, 1964). Lonnie and bandmate Mick Sweda were arrested on opening night of their 1989 tour with Cinderella and Winger for trashing their hotel room.

Happy Birthday to former Thin Lizzy guitarist Terence "Snowy" White (March 3, 1948).

Remembering Montrose and Gamma founder and guitarist Ronnie Montrose, who died March 3, 2012 at age 64. R.I.P.

40 years ago...