'80s Metal History (April 22nd)

April 22, 1983: Founded by guitarist "Fast" Eddie Clarke who had just left Motörhead the previous year, and UFO bassist Pete Way, Fastway released their self-titled debut album. Pete didn't play on the record as he left before the recording to form Waysted.

Fastway debut release information source: [UK] Kerrang! ad + review - April 21, 1983; Debuted Official album chart on April 30, 1983; [US] Billboard Magazine Top Picks May 14, 1983.

April 22, 1981: Ozzy Osbourne launched the North American leg of the "Blizzard Of Ozz" Tour in Towson, Maryland (misspelled as Towsend in the second ad). Motörhead opened and it was the first show for bassist Rudy Sarzo and drummer Tommy Aldridge.

April 23, 1977: With the release of their new album and major label debut "Sin After Sin" imminent, Judas Priest launched a tour of the UK with a show at the Corn Exchange in Cambridge. By June, the band would be touring the US for the first time.

April 22, 1989: Released in North America in late March, the fourth studio album from W.A.S.P., "The Headless Children", debuted on the US Billboard Top Pop Albums chart. It would peak at No. 48 a week later, but reach the Top 10 in the UK.

April 22, 1987: The new Whitesnake album was now available in Japan, but instead of "Whitesnake" the title is "Serpens Albus" in reference to the illustrated text on the album's artwork, which means "white serpent or white snake" in Latin.

April 22, 1983: "The Heaviest Night of Your Life... The Blitz Is On!", Venom with special guest Metallica and their new guitarist Kirk Hammett, played the first of two nights at the Paramount Theatre in Staten Island, New York.

April 22, 1987: Slayer played their final UK show on the "Reign In Pain" Tour at London's Hammersmith Odeon. They opened with "Raining Blood" from the album N.M.E. magazine called "Speed Metals Finest".

April 22, 1987: Iron Maiden were flying across Canada and "Somewhere On Tour" found them at Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta with special guest Waysted.

April 22, 1985: "Heavenly Metal" for the West coast USA as Stryper began a run of dates at the Pioneer Theatre in Reno, Nevada.

April 22, 1988: Riding high with their fourth album "Triumph And Agony" featuring single and music video "All We Are", Warlock played New York City... "I fell in love with New York right away when I went there for the 1st time in 1987. Still love this city sooooo much!!!" -Doro (posted on social media in 2020).

April 1985: Anvil released the compilation album "Backwaxed" featuring five unreleased tracks on side one that were recorded during sessions for their previous LPs and five previously released tracks on side two including "Metal On Metal". Release information source: Kerrang! - March 21, 1985.

Happy Birthday to Anvil drummer Robb Reiner (April 22, 1958).

Happy Birthday to Venom co-founder and former guitarist Jeff "Mantas" Dunn (April 22, 1961).

Remembering Vicious Rumors lead singer [1986-95] Carl Spencer Albert, who died April 22, 1995 at age 32. R.I.P.

April 22, 2014: Sebastian Bach released his third solo album "Give 'Em Hell" in North America (March 26th in Japan, April 18th in Europe). Guns N' Roses' Duff McKagan played bass, along with guest guitarists John 5 and Steve Stevens. US release date source: Blabbermouth.net - April 18, 2014.

April 1984: We learned about the time RATT guitarist Robbin Crosby popped out into the audience during a gig in Boise, Idaho and puffed on a fan's joint before being arrested by a cop standing nearby. Robbin was eventually bailed out of jail by Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Jake E. Lee.

Happy Earth Day!