'80s Metal History (June 13th)

June 13, 1983: If you hadn't heard, a front page ad in Billboard Magazine two days earlier, served as a reminder of the arrival of "Holy Diver" in North America, the debut album from Ronnie James Dio and his new band DIO (drummer Vinny Appice, bassist Jimmy Bain and for a minute, guitarist Jake E. Lee before being replaced by Vivian Campbell). The album debuted on the US Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart two weeks later.

Many sites show RATT's second album "Invasion Of Your Privacy" was released on June 13, 1985 in North America. This date is NOT Correct. The LP was issued on May 30, 1985 (Release date source: FMQB radio trade publication - May 24, 1985). Featuring singles "Lay It Down", "You're In Love" and "What You Give Is What You Get", it debuted on the US Billboard Top Pop Albums chart at No. 29 on June 29, 1985. Billboard ad - June 15, 1985

June 13, 1986: Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica played three nights in Long Beach, California. One fan died and three were injured when they jumped off the balcony onto the next level during Metallica's set. Paramedics: "We asked one kid why he jumped and he said, 'for life'" 😯

June 13, 1984: Judas Priest brought the "Metal Conqueror" tour with a Metallian-shaped drum riser to Detroit in support of their new album "Defenders Of The Faith". Openers on the North American leg were Great White and Kick-Axe.

June 13, 1988: Nuclear Assault released their second studio album "Survive" that brought them into the thrash metal mainstream. Propelled by single "Brainwashed", the LP was the band's first to enter the US Billboard Top Pop Albums chart.

Nuclear Assault "Survive" release date source: [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication - May 27, 1988; [UK] Kerrang! ad - June 18, 1988.

Happy Birthday to Obsession and former Loudness and Yngwie Malmsteen singer Michael Vescera (June 13, 1962).

Happy Birthday to former Megadeth drummer [1987-89] Chuck Behler (June 13, 1965) who played on the album 'So Far, So Good... So What!.'

June 13, 1980: With new singer Bruce Dickinson, Samson released "Vice Versa" as the lead single from their forthcoming album "Head On" in the UK. To promote the single, an ad placed in Music Week Magazine (June 14, 1980) read "More Metal Than The Eiffel Tower".

June 13, 1985: Released three years earlier in the UK by indie label Secret Records, "Under The Blade" the debut album from Twisted Sister, was re-mixed and re-released by Atlantic Records in North America after the band's success with "Stay Hungry". Release date source: FMQB radio trade publication - June 7, 1985.

June 1986: British metal band Rogue Male released their second studio album "Animal Man" in the UK. One year earlier after releasing their debut LP, the band was hailed by Kerrang! as "the next big thing", but they never broke through and disbanded in '87.

June 13, 1989: Faith No More released their third studio album "The Real Thing" in North America. The first single wasn't released until late August and the second in late January 1990. That second single was "Epic" and the music video blew up on MTV. Release date source: FMQB radio trade publication - June 9, 1989.

June 13, 1992: Black Sabbath's "TV Crimes", from the album "Dehumanizer", debuted on the UK Official singles chart. The song is a criticism of American televangelists, particularly Jeff Fenholt, who briefly worked with Tony Iommi on what would become Seventh Star.

June 1987: Accept confirmed that lead vocalist Udo Dirkschneider had left the band to pursue a solo career. "The split was entirely amicable." -Kerrang!