'80s Metal History (April 16th)

April 16, 1987: Releasing it on the five year anniversary of Randy Rhoads death would have been ideal, but Ozzy Osbourne's "Tribute" actually arrived nearly a month later in North America (May '87 in the UK). Most of the double live record was recorded in May 1981.

Ozzy Osbourne "Tribute" release information source: [US] Billboard Magazine - April 4, 1987; [UK] Debuted Official Album Chart on May 23, 1987.

April 16, 1984: Whitesnake released their sixth studio album "Slide It In" in North America (January '84 in the UK). Featuring singles "Slow An' Easy" and "Love Ain't No Stranger", the US LP was remixed with guitarist John Sykes and bassist Neil Murray playing on the album. Release date source: [US] CMJ New Music Report - April 9, 1984; R&R radio trade publication ad - April 13, 1984.

April 16, 1983: Two weeks after getting the call to get on a plane to New York to audition for the band and one week after the audition, guitarist Kirk Hammett played his first show with Metallica in Dover, New Jersey.

April 14, 1984: This ad congratulated Iron Maiden, but also introduced W.A.S.P., noting their debut album "Winged Assassins" was due in June. This title was an early pressing in Europe of the LP known as "W.A.S.P." and a rare find. Billboard Magazine

April 16, 1988: Scorpions launched a pioneering tour of the former Soviet Union with 10 dates where they would play for 150,000 people. After 78 shows in the US, Scorpions brought the "Savage Amusement" Tour to Europe in November 1989.

April 16, 2016: With singer Brian Johnson sidelined due to hearing loss, AC/DC announced they "will resume their 'Rock Or Bust World Tour' with Axl Rose joining on vocals."

April 1984: Recorded January 28th in Japan with the band's original lineup, Alcatrazz released "Live Sentence" in North America. Guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen was not pleased with the sonic qualities of the recording and tried to prevent the album's release. Release information source: Billboard Magazine ad - April 14, 1984.

April 1982: Rainbow released their sixth studio album "Straight Between the Eyes" featuring No. 1 US rock hit "Stone Cold". The stageset for the tour had a giant pair of moving mechanical eyes with spotlights shining from the pupils. Release information source: [US] Billboard Magazine ad - April 24, 1982; [UK] Kerrang! ad - April 22, 1982.

Happy Birthday to drummer Mark Zonder [Warlord, Fates Warning] (April 16, 1958).

Remembering drummer Lee Kerslake [Ozzy Osbourne, Uriah Heep], who would have turned 76 today (April 16, 1947). He wasn't credited, but he played drums on Ozzy's first two albums. Lee died in 2020. R.I.P.

April 16, 1984: Whitesnake released "Standing In The Shadow" in the UK as the third single from the album "Slide It In". Release date source: Record Mirror - April 14, 1984.

April 16, 1996: KISS held a press conference aboard the USS Intrepid in New York City to announce the reunion of all four original members, and the "Alive/Worldwide Reunion Tour". With Gene, Paul, Ace and Peter, the tour went on to gross over $140 million dollars.

April 1990: An interview with Axl Rose was featured in Kerrang! where he revealed that Steven Adler was back in the band and Guns N' Roses were adding a keyboardist, "he's a guy named Dizzy". Axl also talked about the band's feud with Mötley Crüe... "I don't have time to worry about going after Vince Neil. If Vince wants to come after me, I'll clean the floor with that motherf**ker. As for Nikki... He's a survivor, and I respect that. But I'm not gonna play games..."