80s Metal History (May 27th)

May 27, 1983: Their only LP with former Thin Lizzy guitarist Brian "Robbo" Robertson, who replaced "Fast" Eddie Clarke, Motörhead's sixth studio album "Another Perfect Day" was issued in the UK (July '83 in North America) as the band launched "Another Perfect Tour" in Chippenham, England. Release date source: Record Mirror - May 7, 1983.

May 27, 1983: Metallica finished recording their debut album "Kill 'Em All" in Rochester, New York and they did it in two weeks at a cost of $30K, which nearly caused Megaforce head Jon Zazula to go bankrupt. The album was released in late July '83.

May 1981: Iron Maiden released their first live video "Live At The Rainbow". Recorded in December 1980, it includes one of the band's earliest concerts with guitarist Adrian Smith as well as a very early version of "Killers" with different lyrics. Release information source: Record Mirror video chart debut - June 6, 1981.

May 27, 1988: The "Monsters Of Rock" summer stadium tour launched in East Troy, Wisconsin with Van Halen, Scorpions, Dokken, Metallica and Kingdom Come. Poor Dokken had to follow Metallica... "They kicked our ass every day [laughing]!" -Don Dokken

May 27, 1984: The "American Rock Festival" in Michigan was "HEAVY METAL HEAVEN!!" for the unofficial start of summer. Memorial Day weekend was rockin' hard with Ozzy Osbourne, Mötley Crüe, Ratt, Quiet Riot, Triumph, Accept... And, tickets under $20!

May 27, 1986: Armored Saint were touring North America with Metallica on the "Damage, Inc." tour, but in between stops in Des Moines and Minneapolis, had a chance to open for Judas Priest on the "Fuel For Life" tour at Wings Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The band posted some photos on social media in 2023... "they were 1 of our biggest metal influences. First time meeting - so friendly and down to earth!"

May 27, 1985: Shot at London's famous Lyceum in September 1984, the "raunchiest era of the decade and the craziest band of them all", W.A.S.P. released the video "Live At The Lyceum, London" in the UK, with only five songs. The DVD issued later has the full show. Release date source: Kerrang! - May 16, 1985.

Originally from Hawaii, guitarist Geoff Thorpe founded power metal band Vicious Rumors in San Francisco and they released their debut album “Soldiers Of The Night” in 1985, their only LP with vocalist Gary St. Pierre and guitarist Vinnie Moore.

Released in early May '88, "All Systems Go", the new album from Vinnie Vincent Invasion was blowing up at American rock radio. The Hard Report radio trade publication ad - May 27, 1988

Late-May 1993: From the soundtrack of the movie "The Last Action Hero" starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, AC/DC released "Big Gun" as a single in the US, that went on to become a No. 1 rock hit in early June. Release information source: Debuted Billboard Mainstream Rock chart on June 5, 1993.

May 27, 1988: With opener Lita Ford, Yngwie Malmsteen and new singer, former Rainbow vocalist Joe Lynn Turner, brought the "Odyssey" tour to The Fillmore in San Francisco. The tour included 109 dates across 15 countries.

1984: Back when we had to wait 4-6 weeks for delivery, we could join the Queensrÿche International Campaign and stay in touch with the band for just $10 a year... Laminated ID Badge, Newsletters, Photos, Buttons and Bumper Stickers... Sign me up!