'80s Metal History (June 21st)

June 1985: "Better Than Everyone!" W.A.S.P. were on the cover of Creem Close-Up magazine, along with Ratt and Iron Maiden "Casket Case" (clever).

June 21, 1980: With staggered release dates around the world typical of the early '80s, Iron Maiden's debut album was now available in Japan (April '80 in the UK, July '80 in North America). Meanwhile, Record-Mirror Magazine in the UK featured an Iron Maiden colour poster.

June 21, 1982: After their debut earned them a support slot on the UK leg of Iron Maiden’s "Beast On The Road" tour, The Rods released their second studio album "Wild Dogs" in North America (July 9th in the UK) featuring the title track and "Too Hot To Stop". Release date source: [US] FMQB radio trade magazine - June 18, 1982; [UK] Record Mirror - July 3, 1982.

Formed in the early '80s, a teenaged Leatherwolf emerged on the Southern California scene sharing bills with Metallica and Slayer. In 1984, the band released a five-song EP in the US, that was upgraded to a full-fledged album a year later, and issued by two different record labels as "Leatherwolf" (US) or "Endangered Species" (UK). Release information source: [UK] Kerrang! ad - July 25, 1985.

Formed in 1980, Blitzkrieg issued an early version of the song "Blitzkrieg" in '81 that was later covered by Metallica as the B-side of the "Creeping Death" single. Blitzkrieg's debut album "A Time Of Changes" was released in June 1985. Release information source: Kerrang! ad - June 27, 1985.

Happy Birthday to Winger frontman Kip Winger (June 21, 1961).

Happy Birthday to former Ozzy Osbourne keyboardist [1981-83] Don Airey (June 21, 1948). He played on the "Blizzard Of Ozz" and "Bark At The Moon" albums.

June 21, 1977: Marvel Comics published their first issue with KISS as the main superheroes and mixed the printers ink with blood from each member of the band. Source: Kisstimeline.com

"Lemmy finds a female who can match him stride for stride in the OTT rock'n'roll debauchery stakes. The blushing violet in question is, of course, Plasmatics songstress Wendy O. Williams who, like many before, would seem to have succumbed to the fatal charm of Ladbroke Grove's prime libertine." -Kerrang! - June 1982

Formed in 1983 under the name Herrenvolk, the hard rock/glam metal band from Toronto later changed their name to Kid Wikkid and released a cassette in 1985. This was the first band of vocalist Sebastian Bach, who was 14 at the time.

About this time in 1985, Twisted Sister had peaked with the "Stay Hungry" album and fans wanted more. With the new record still six months away, the back catalog received some fresh exposure with this ad.

It's the first official day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, roll down the windows and pop in your favorite '80s metal cassette or just listen to METAL SHOP 🤘