80s Metal History (May 13th)

May 13, 1983: "The Masters Of Disaster", three very hungry metal bands played Perkins Place in Pasadena, California... Armored Saint, Ratt and W.A.S.P. with a special appearance by Nikki Sixx of Mötley Crüe.

In Germany, Scorpions released the "Lovedrive" album in February 1979 and in May issued "Another Piece Of Meat" as the fourth single. The UK got the LP in late March '79 with the first single "Is There Anybody There?" released in May that year (B-side "Another Piece Of Meat") 👍

May 13, 1983: Featuring new guitarist Brian "Robbo" Robertson (Thin Lizzy) who replaced "Fast" Eddie Clarke during their second US tour, Motörhead released "I Got Mine" in the UK as the lead single from their forthcoming album "Another Perfect Day". Release information source: Record Mirror review - May 14, 1983; Debuted UK Official singles chart on May 21, 1983.

May 13, 1988: Megadeth released "Mary Jane" as the second single from the album "So Far, So Good... So What!" in the UK. A song about marijuana is a good guess, but it's actually really scary... A young witch buried alive; disturb her grave and you're doomed. 😱 Release information source: Music Week ad - May 14, 1983; Debuted UK Official singles chart on May 21, 1983.

May 13, 1984: Now headlining, Mötley Crüe with special guest Saxon played Evansville, Indiana. Before the show, Sunset Strip tattoo artist Kevin Brady joined the Crüe and tattooed a USDA Choice meat stamp on Vince Neil’s left buttock.

May 1985: Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson was on the cover of Faces Magazine and inside a recap of Maiden's "Rock In Rio" festival performance. Ozzy Osbourne, Scorpions and other metal bands were also featured, plus for some reason, Madonna.

Happy Birthday to Girlschool co-founder, singer and rhythm guitarist Kim McAuliffe (May 13, 1959).

Happy Birthday to Heathen founder and guitarist Lee Altus (May 13, 1966). Lee is currently playing with Exodus.

Happy Birthday to former Guns N' Roses guitarist [2000-04] Buckethead (May 13, 1969).

Remembering Vicious Rumors lead singer [1986-95] Carl Spencer Albert, who would have celebrated a birthday today (May 13, 1962). Carl died in 1995. R.I.P.

Remembering Warlord co-founder and guitarist Bill Tsamis, who died May 13, 2021 at age 60. R.I.P.

May 13, 2008: Dokken released their tenth studio album "Lightning Strikes Again" in North America (April 11th in the UK). The title comes from a track on 1985's "Under Lock And Key". This was the last Dokken LP with classic-era drummer Mick Brown. Release date source: Blabbermouth.net - April 20, 2008.

May 13, 1990: Skid Row played a few dates Down Under including The Palace Complex in Melbourne, Australia. The entire tour promoting their debut album would end three days later in Auckland, New Zealand.

May 13, 1986: KISS frontman Paul Stanley went to check out a new, upcoming band called "Guns N' Roses" at Raji’s in Hollywood, California. Paul was being considered to produce the band's debut album that would ultimately become "Appetite For Destruction".