'80s Metal History (April 19th)

April 19, 1982: "Just When You Thought It Was Safe To Go Back To A Concert..." had a whole different meaning back then with Ozzy Osbourne making a stop in Erie, Pennsylvania on the "Diary Of A Madman" Tour. "Parental Guidance Advised". Sure, bring your folks 😁

April 19, 1985: The month long "Combat Tour" attacked Los Angeles with the "The Masters of Black Metal from England" Venom headlining a show at the Hollywood Palladium, preceded by Slayer and Exodus. Decibel Magazine later hailed it as The Greatest Metal Tour of All Time. 🤘

April 19, 1990: '80s Metal came thrashing into the new decade with Testament playing Houston on the "Practice What You Preach" Tour along with special guests Dead Horse, Savatage and Nuclear Assault.

April 19, 1983: Twisted Sister played the Lyceum Theatre in London and were joined by a special guest, Lemmy from Motörhead. The band's new album and major label debut "You Can't Stop Rock 'N' Roll" was due for release in the UK by Atlantic in late April, but the workhorse band wasn't waiting around and already on the road in England and Scotland since March 5th that year.

Released in North America on March 24, 1986, "Turbo", the latest album from Judas Priest, was just issued in the UK, debuting on the UK album chart on April 19th. Kerrang! ad April 17, 1986

April 19, 1985: Three weeks after the conclusion of the tour, KISS released "Animalized Live Uncensored" on VHS. Filmed in Detroit in December 1984 for an MTV special, it was also the first show for guitarist Bruce Kulick as an official member of the band.

April 19, 1985: Irish rockers Mama's Boys released their fourth studio album "Power And Passion" in North America featuring "Needle In The Groove" and "Straight Forward, No Looking Back". Release date source: FMQB radio trade publication - March 29, 1985.

Boston hard rockers Mass released their debut album "New Birth" in North America in 1985. This should have been their second LP, but their first album recorded three years earlier for A&M was not released until its reissue by Retroactive Records in 2010 under the name "Fighter".

April 19, 1989: SoCal Christian hard rockers Barren Cross released their third studio album "State Of Control" in North America (June 12th in the UK) featuring the track "Cryin' Over You". The white metallurgists have been compared to, not Stryper, but Iron Maiden, because singer Mike Lee sounds a little like Bruce Dickinson. In 1989, the band appeared on "The Morton Downey Show" alongside members of KISS and Anthrax. Release date source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication - April 7, 1989; [UK] Kerrang! - June 10, 1989.

April 19, 1985: Released in North America in late January, Keel's second studio album "The Right To Rock" was now availabe in the UK. It was produced by KISS' Gene Simmons and Steve Riley plays drums on the entire album, but subsequently left to join W.A.S.P. Release date source: Kerrang! - April 18, 1985.

Happy Birthday to former Black Sabbath singer [1987-91] Tony Martin (April 19, 1954).

Happy Birthday to producer Bob Rock [Mötley Crüe, Metallica, The Cult, many more] (April 19, 1954).

Happy Birthday to singer Pamela Moore (aka Sister Mary from Queensrÿche's Operation: Mindcrime) (April 19th).

Remembering original Iron Maiden lead singer [1975-76] Paul Day who would have celebrated a birthday today (April 19, 1956). Paul died in 2025. R.I.P.

Happy Birthday to Warrior guitarist and co-founder Joe Floyd (April 19th). He is also a notable engineer and producer who has worked with Bruce Dickinson, Halford, Jake E. Lee, RATT, Riot, Malice, Helstar, and more.

Happy Birthday to former Slayer and Testament drummer Jon Dette (April 19, 1970).

Happy Birthday to Winger drummer Rod Morgenstein (April 19, 1953).

Remembering Krokus co-founder and rhythm guitarist [1974-81] Tommy Kiefer, who would have celebrated a birthday today (April 19, 1952). Tommy died in 1986 at age 34. R.I.P.

April 19, 1987: Helloween brought the "Keeper Of The Seven Keys, Part I" tour with opener Overkill to La Locomotive in Paris.

April 19, 1989: Dark Angel played the Pine Street Theatre in Portland, Oregon. R.I.P. Jim Durkin.

April 19, 2014: After 30 years, co-founder and frontman Stephen Pearcy left RATT - Read More. He returned two years later.