80s Metal History (May 20th)

May 20-21, 1985: Organized by Ronnie James Dio, Jimmy Bain and Vivian Campbell, 40 metal and hard rock musicians gathered in L.A. as "Hear 'n Aid" to record "Stars" for famine relief in Africa. Record label contractual issues delayed its release for a year.

The "Hear 'n Aid" project originated when Dio felt disrespected by not being invited to participate in the "We Are The World" charity fundraising song, but despite that, the "Stars" recording featured only male performers. Female guitarists and vocalists like Joan Jett and Lita Ford were not invited.

May 20, 1984: This review appeared in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch following a Scorpions show there three nights earlier... "Possibly the most popular German rock band in the US, easily won over an enthusiastic crowd at Kiel Auditorium."

May 1988: With new singer Phil Anselmo, Pantera released their fourth studio album "Power Metal". The song "Proud To Be Loud" was written and produced by Keel guitarist Marc Ferrari and originally intended to appear on Keel's 1987 self-titled album.

Happy Birthday to Exciter co-founder and bassist Allan Johnson (May 20, 1959).

May 20, 1988: King Kobra released their third studio album and last with the original lineup "King Kobra III". Founder and drummer Carmine Appice joined Blue Murder the following year. The model on the LP cover is Carmine's then wife, Sarah Appice. Release date source: The Hard Report radio trade publication - April 29, 1988.

May 20, 1985: "All Over You", the first single from "First Visit", the debut album from British metal band Rogue Male, was issued in North America. Release date source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication - May 17, 1985.

May 20, 1982: Iron Maiden played the seventh show of the North American leg of the "Beast On The Road" tour in Cincinnati, Ohio, opening for 38 Special and Rainbow.

May 1983: German metal co-founders Trance released their second album "Power Infusion". One review notes "they threw their wattage up quite a few notches from the debut a year earlier, landing them just outside an Accept level of pre-thrash intensity."

May 1997: "Once Upon A..." there was this band from Philadelphia called Cinderella that made us all forget about the fairytale and the release of their greatest hits reminded us just how good we had it in the late 80s/early 90s.

May 20, 1980: Def Leppard performed their first USA show in Santa Monica, California, the start of a two and a half month tour supporting Pat Travers, Ted Nugent, Scorpions, Judas Priest and AC/DC. "I heard somebody shout, "Wasted!" I couldn't believe it." -Joe Elliott

May 1984: Former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley formed a new band, "tongue-in-cheekly titled Frehley's Comet!" and his replacement, Vinnie Vincent, was now also a former KISS guitarist. -Kerrang!

May 20, 1987: MTV began showing the music video for Beastie Boys latest single "No Sleep Till Brooklyn" which features a guitar solo from Slayer's Kerry King, who also appeared in the video. Rick Rubin, who produced Slayer's "Reign In Blood" also produced Beastie Boys "Licensed To Ill".