'80s Metal History (May 1st)

May 1, 1976: Formed five months earlier by 19-year-old bassist Steve Harris, shortly after he left his previous group "Smiler", a fledgling "Iron Maiden" played their first gig at St. Nicholas Hall in Poplar, London.

Ahead of the release of their new album "Girls, Girls, Girls", Mötley Crüe issued the title track in North America as the first single in early May 1987. The video was filmed at an all-nude strip club and the director originally sent the uncensored version to MTV. Release information source: [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication 'New This Week' - May 8, 1987.

May 1, 2007: Black Sabbath released the album "Live At Hammersmith Odeon", recorded at three concerts between December 31, 1981 and January 2, 1982, during the "Mob Rules" Tour. A limited edition of 5,000 copies sold out immediately. Release date source: Blabbermouth.net - April 29, 2007.

Spring 1983: After the Runaways broke up in 1979, Lita Ford set out on a solo career and four years later released her debut album "Out For Blood" in North America (July '83 in the UK). The original spider web blood-spurting guitar cover art was replaced on future pressings.

Lita Ford "Out For Blood" release information source: [US] Billboard Magazine 'Top Album Picks' - May 14, 1983; [UK] Kerrang! ad - July 14, 1983.

May 1, 1989: U.D.O., featuring former Accept frontman Udo Dirkschneider, released their second studio album "Mean Machine" in the UK (a few weeks later in North America) featuring single "Break The Rules".

U.D.O. "Mean Machine" release information source: [UK] Kerrang! - April 22, 1989; [US] CMJ New Music Report spotlight - June 2, 1989.

May 1985: Warrior's debut album "Fighting For The Earth" was issued in the UK (January '85 in North America) and the European influenced Los Angeles metal band made a short trip to London for a show at the Marquee Club. They also appeared on TV, performing "Fighting For The Earth" and "Defenders Of Creation" on Channel 4's ECT program.

Warrior "Fighting For The Earth" release information source: [UK] Kerrang! ad - April 18, 1985; [US] FMQB radio trade publication ad - February 1, 1985.

May 1, 1987: Iron Maiden played the second to last show of the North American leg of "Somewhere On Tour" with openers Y&T and Waysted in San Jose, California. Tesla were also on the bill.

May 1, 1981: Judas Priest brought the "World Wide Blitz" Tour to Richfield, Ohio in support of the "Point Of Entry" album. Special guest were Savoy Brown who toured with Priest until the end of May. After that the opener was... Iron Maiden.

May 1, 1981: What a night with this NWOBHM bill featuring Raven, Bitches Sin and Thrust at the Mayfair in Newcastle, England. The cover was only £1.75, but you could save 25p if you got there early... nearly the price of a pint in '81.

May 1, 1990: Flotsam and Jetsam released their third studio album "When The Storm Comes Down" in North America, the first not to include songwriting contributions by former bassist Jason Newsted, who co-wrote the band's first two albums. Release date source: CMJ New Music Report - April 13, 1990.

Formed in Germany in 1984 under the name 'Avenger', they released their debut album "Prayers Of Steel" a year later, then found out another band in England shared the same name so they changed it to 'Rage' and that stuck for their next 25 LPs.

May 1, 1989: The first two albums from Judas Priest, "Rocka Rolla" and "Sad Wings Of Destiny" were re-released, repackaged and re-presented as "The Collection" in the UK. Release information source: Kerrang! review - April 29, 1989.

Time to flip the calendar to May and note that one of these rockers has a birthday coming up this month 🤘