80s Metal History (May 8th)

May 8, 1988: Billed as Charlotte & The Harlots, Iron Maiden played a not-so-secret gig at the storied Brooklyn, New York heavy metal club L'Amour. There were rumors it was Maiden, but some opted not to go thinking it was a tribute band 😏

May 8, 1989: In support of their latest album "The Headless Children", W.A.S.P. launched the "89 & Headless" tour in Belfast, where a riot nearly brokeout "after 700 fans were locked out of the sold-out venue! However, the Royal Armoured Guard restored order" -Kerrang. Originally scheduled to start in April shortly after the album's release, the tour was postponed a month to allow drummer Frankie Banali to finish his touring commitments with Quiet Riot. The UK dates ran through the end of May including two nights at London's Hammersmith Odeon.

May 8, 1986: Filmed in Salt Lake City two years earlier, Ozzy Osbourne "Bark At The Moon Live" was issued on VHS. At some point, half of the concert was shown on TV in the UK. You could get it on LaserDisc in Japan and then eventually DVD.

Happy Birthday to Van Halen drummer Alex Van Halen (May 8, 1953).

Happy Birthday to Cinderella co-founder and bassist Eric Brittingham (May 8, 1960).

Happy Birthday to Sanctuary co-founder and bassist Jim Sheppard (May 8, 1961).

May 8, 1990: Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson released his debut solo album "Tattooed Millionaire". Fundamentally different from his works with Maiden, the LP features a hard rock sound that is less progressive. The title track was a Top 20 hit in the UK. An alternate album title "First Offence" was considered. Release date source: [US] Billboard Magazine - May 5, 1990; [UK] Kerrang! - April 14, 1990.

May 2000: With singer Bruce Dickinson and guitarist Adrian Smith back with the band, Iron Maiden released "The Wicker Man" as the lead single from their forthcoming album "Brave New World". It reached the Top 10 in the UK and Top 25 in the US. Release information source: [UK] Debuted Official singles chart on May 20, 2000; [US] Debuted Billboard Mainstream Rock chart on June 10, 2000.

May 1997: Megadeth released "Trust" as the lead single from their forthcoming album "Cryptic Writings". It was their biggest hit at radio, reaching No. 1 on the US Billboard Active Rock chart. It was also nominated for a Grammy in 1998. Release informaton source: Debuted Billboard Mainstream Rock chart on May 31, 1997.

May 8, 1990: Yngwie Malmsteen released his fifth studio album "Eclipse" in North America (April 17th in the UK) with another new singer Göran Edman and featuring single "Making Love". Release date source: Billboard Magazine ad - May 12, 1990.

May 8, 1989: Featuring Grim Reaper frontman Steve Grimmett on vocals, Onslaught released their third studio album "In Search Of Sanity" in the UK. The LP was first recorded with singer Sy Keeler, but the record label wasn't impressed. Release date source: Kerrang! - April 22, 1989.

May 8, 1981: Ozzy Osbourne and Motörhead lit up Cambria County War Memorial Arena in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

May 1983: Anvil's third studio album "Forged In Fire" was released in North America a month earlier and would soon be available overseas to coincide with the band's tour of the UK that included opening for Motörhead at London's Hammersmith Odeon on June 4, 1983. -Kerrang!

"The pleasure is to play" 80s Metal and Hard Rock... Welcome to the 8th of May, the loudest day of the year and thanks for listening to METAL SHOP!!!