80s Metal History (June 1st)

June 1, 1987: Judas Priest released their second live album "Priest...Live!", recorded over two nights in Atlanta and Dallas on the '86 "Fuel For Life" tour. A video of the entire Dallas concert was issued later with four additional songs. Release date source: Billboard Magazine ad - May 2, 1987.

June 1, 1987: Helloween released their second studio album "Keeper Of The Seven Keys: Part I" in North America (February 16, 1987 in the UK), their first with vocalist Michael Kiske. Kai Hansen had a difficult time singing and playing guitar during the previous tour. Release date source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication - May 29, 1987; [UK] Kerrang! review - February 19, 1987.

Iron Maiden's "Beast On The Road" tour was devastating the USA with a full slate of dates that included Atlanta on June 1, 1982. "The beast is roaring, but its only just begun! Get ready for Eddie!"

Almost a full year after Guns N’ Roses' debut album "Appetite For Destruction" hit stores, "Sweet Child O’ Mine" was issued as a single to American radio stations, hitting the US Billboard rock chart on June 11, 1988 and the Hot 100 on June 25th. It reached No. 1 in September that year. R&R radio trade publication ad - June 3, 1988

June 1987: Swiss extreme metal band Celtic Frost released their second studio album "Into The Pandemonium". Vastly different from their previous work in a more classic metal style, it includes an unlikely cover of Wall of Voodoo's "Mexican Radio". Release information source: [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication 'Best Sellers' chart debut - June 26, 1987; [UK] Kerrang! ad - June 25, 1987.

June 1, 1992: Danzig released "Dirty Black Summer" as the lead single from their forthcoming album "Danzig III: How The Gods Kill". Release date source: Kerrang! - May 9, 1992.

June 1, 1992: Originally written and recorded by British hard rock band Zodiac Mindwarp And The Love Reaction for their '91 album "Hoodlum Thunder", Alice Cooper released "Feed My Frankenstein" as a single from his album "Hey Stoopid". The song is also featured on the "Wayne's World" soundtrack and Cooper makes an appearance in the film, performing at a concert. Guest appearances on the track include Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Nikki Sixx, and Elvira (Cassandra Peterson).

Happy Birthday to Triumph bassist Mike Levine (June 1, 1949).

Remembering original Lȧȧz Rockit drummer [1983-89, 2005-06] Victor Agnello, who died June 1, 2014 at age 50. R.I.P.

June 1981: Motörhead were on the cover of the UK's Flexipop magazine and inside was a Free blue vinyl Flexi-Disc of the band's live cover of "The Train Kept a-Rollin'", recorded in late March on the three night "Short, Sharp, Pain In The Neck" tour that would become the legendary "No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith!" Note the message on the disc, "Place coin here if flexible record skips".

June 1, 1984: Metallica opened the first six dates of Venom's "Seven Dates Of Hell" tour in February '84, but the seventh date didn't happen until this show at London's Hammersmith Odeon.

June 1, 1987: Guitarist Tony MacAlpine released his second studio album "Maximum Security". Featuring single "Tears Of Sahara", the LP is his only release to enter the US Billboard 200, reaching No. 146 and remaining on the chart for eleven weeks.

June 1970: Black Sabbath released their self-titled debut album in North America (February 13th in the UK). Widely regarded as the first heavy metal album, guitarist Tony Iommi has said it was recorded in a single day in October 1969. Release information source: Cashbox Magazine ad - July 11, 1970.