'80s Metal History (June 17th)

June 17, 1985: Released at the height of their fame, Scorpions double live album "World Wide Live" was issued in North America (July 1st in the UK), recorded on the extensive "Love At First Sting" tour in France, Germany and several dates in California. Release date source: [US] Billboard Magazine; June 1, 1985; [UK] Music Week - June 29, 1985.

June 17, 1989: The second single from Skid Row's debut album, "18 And Life", debuted on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. The track was getting a lot of attention from Top 40 radio as well and the video in heavy rotation on MTV.

June 1984: Ahead of DIO's second studio album "The Last In Line", American rock radio stations began playing the title track, the only DIO song to reach the Top 10 of Billboard's Album Rock Tracks chart.

June 1985: It was "another batch of solid pop-metal tunes" from Ratt with their new album "Invasion Of Your Privacy" in record stores everywhere and model Marianne Gravatte on the cover.

June 17, 1986: Metallica were nearing the end of their tour opening for Ozzy Osbourne with a show at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. This turned out to be Cliff Burton's final hometown performance. R.I.P.

June 17, 1997: Megadeth released their seventh studio album "Cryptic Writings", their last with drummer Nick Menza. The song "Trust" was their highest charting US rock hit and nominated for "Best Metal Performance" at the 1998 Grammy Awards. Release date source: Album cover sticker

June 17, 1997: Ozzy Osbourne was a no-show for Ozzfest (throat issues) in Columbus, Ohio. His band carried on though with guest vocalists Phil Anselmo, Peter Steele and Marilyn Manson. Fans rioted anyway.

June 17, 1987: With support from Metal Church, Anthrax brought the "Among The Living" tour to Fargo, North Dakota, opening with the title track from the new album, followed by "Caught In A Mosh".

June 1988: Queensrÿche's new album "Operation: Mindcrime" was the "ultimate in mental metal" and American rock radio couldn't get enough. "Eyes Of A Stranger" and "I Don't Believe In Love" were playing and now "Breaking The Silence". Release information source: The Hard Report radio trade publication ad - June 17, 1988.

Issued by Metal Blade records in March 1989 and featuring the song "Another Return To Church Hill", three months later, the debut album from Norwegian metal band Artch titled "Another Return" was a Top 10 hit on US metal and college radio stations.

June 17, 1989: BulletBoys single "Smooth Up In Ya" debuted on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and the MTV music video, with various caricature illustrations, would help make it a Top 25 rock hit later that year.

Happy Birthday to original Rock Goddess and current Girlschool bassist Tracey Lamb (June 17, 1963).

June 17, 1977: KISS released their sixth studio album "Love Gun" in North America (July 15th in the UK), the first with a vocal performance by Ace Frehley ("Shock Me"). Fueled by the title track and "I Stole Your Love", the LP was the band's first Top 5 album on the US Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart. Release date source: [US] Copyright & Trademark (Library of Congress); Billboard & Cash Box Magazine Ads - June 18, 1977; [UK] Music Week ad - July 16, 1977. KISS Timeline

Late-June 1977: Recorded live over several German and Japanese dates in late 1976 during the "Rising" world tour, Rainbow featuring guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and singer Ronnie James Dio, released "On Stage" in North America (July 15th in the UK). Release information source: [US] Billboard Magazine review - July 2, 1977; [UK] Record Mirror - June 18, 1977.

June 17, 1977: Judas Priest played their first USA concert, opening for REO Speedwagon in Amarillo, Texas. Billboard Magazine ad - June 18, 1977

June 17, 1980: Dubbed the "Party 'til You Die Tour" by the band, Van Halen brought the "World Invasion Tour", in support of their third album "Women and Children First", to the UK that began in Newcastle.

June 17, 1986: DIO brought the "Sacred Heart" tour to Philadelphia, which was filmed and released as "Sacred Heart The Video" on VHS later that year. Mechanical devices and laser effects used in the show cost $250,000 to build and transport.