80s Metal History (May 7th)

May 7, 1988: In support of their forthcoming album "Ram It Down", Judas Priest launched the "Mercenaries Of Metal" tour in Stockholm. Unlike other 80s Priest tours, there are no official live recordings available from this one.

May 7, 1982: "An Evening Of Thrills & Chills With The Original Boys Of Metal Madness", a recently signed to Elektra Records Mötley Crüe played Glendale, California. "Too Fast For Love" would be re-released by Elektra three months later.

May 7, 1986: Three weeks into a European tour promoting the "Sacred Heart" album, DIO began a string of dates in the UK with a show at NEC in Birmingham with opener Keel.

May 7, 1987: Laying waste to the old country, Slayer brought the "Reign In Pain" European tour to Milan with special guest Malice.

May 7, 1983: With their debut EP due by the end of the month, Ratt played Six Flags Magic Mountain Club in Valencia, California with Great White opening. Quiet Riot performed at Six Flags the following night.

May 1985: Formerly known as Satan and formed by members of Angel Witch, Blind Fury released their only album "Out Of Reach" before reverting back to Satan. Blind Fury was chosen to avoid being associated with more extreme metal bands like Venom.

Happy Birthday to Savatage bassist Johnny Lee Middleton (May 7, 1963).

Remembering Motörhead lead guitarist [1984-2015] Phil Campbell who would have celebrated a birthday today (May 7, 1961). Phil died in 2026 at age 64. R.I.P.

Remembering Whitesnake co-founder and guitarist Bernie Marsden who would have celebrated a birthday today (May 7, 1951). Bernie wrote or co-wrote with David Coverdale many of the group's hit songs, including "Fool For Your Loving" and "Here I Go Again." Bernie died in 2023. R.I.P

Remembering Tawny Kitaen, star of several Whitesnake videos and model on two Ratt album covers, who died May 7, 2021 at age 59. R.I.P.

May 7, 1986: With a show in Birmingham, England, the latest album from Keel, "The Final Frontier", was just issued in the UK, where the band were touring with DIO.

May 7, 2013: "Sex, Drugs, Ratt & Roll: My Life In Rock", the biography of Ratt frontman Stephen Pearcy, was now available in book stores... "The groupies, the trashed hotel rooms, the drugs—and just how much you can get away with when you’re one of the biggest hair metal stars of all time."

May 7, 2016: With singer Brian Johnson sidelined due to hearing loss, AC/DC resumed the "Rock Or Bust World Tour" with Axl Rose on vocals. Axl had broken his foot a month earlier and sat through most of AC/DC's set in Lisbon, Portugal.

May 1992: Megadeth were mixing their next studio album "Countdown To Extinction" in L.A. with producer Max Norman. Dave Mustaine was also getting used to the joys of parenthood, having become the proud father of a baby boy, Justis David Mustaine." -Kerrang!