80s Metal History (June 6th)

Happy Birthday to Slayer singer and bassist Tom Araya (June 6, 1961). Before he joined the band, Araya was a respiratory therapist who used his earnings to finance Slayer's 1983 debut album "Show No Mercy".

Remembering RATT guitarist Robbin "King" Crosby, who died June 6, 2002 at age 42. R.I.P.

June 6, 1985: Formed from the remains of two local bands, L.A. Guns and Hollywood Rose, the classic lineup of Guns N' Roses (Axl, Slash, Izzy, Duff and Steven) performed together for the first time at the Troubadour in Hollywood, California.

June 6, 1981: Iron Maiden's second studio album "Killers" made its debut on the US Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart, their first to do so across the pond. It peaked at No. 78 in August '81.

June 6, 1986: With their first live album "Intermission" now in stores, DIO's "Sacred Heart" tour that began in 1985 was now the "Sacred Heart - Intermission" tour and the band played the first show in Hollywood, Florida with opener Accept.

June 1988: Formed in Philadelphia three years earlier with former Cinderella guitarist Michael Kelly Smith and drummer Tony Destra, Britny Fox released their self-titled debut album in North America (September 9th in the UK) featuring singles "Long Way To Love" and "Girlschool". Release information source: [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication spotlight - June 17, 1988; [UK] Kerrang! - September 10, 1988.

Happy Birthday to former David Lee Roth and Whitesnake guitarist Steve Vai (June 6, 1960).

Happy Birthday to former Grim Reaper guitarist [1979–88] Nick Bowcott (June 6, 1959).

Happy Birthday to guitarist The Great Kat [Katherine Thomas] (June 6, 1966), best known for her thrash metal interpretations of well-known pieces of classical music.

June 1986: After releasing their debut single "No Presents For Christmas" in December 1985, followed by their debut album "Fatal Portrait" in February '86, King Diamond released "Halloween" as a single.

June 6, 1987: "AN EXPLOSION. FIRE SPITTING FROM THE STAGE. HELL ON EIGHT LEGS..." Manowar launched into 'Blow Your Speakers' at London's Hammersmith Odeon... "MY EARS! MY EARS!" -Kerrang!

June 6, 1989: Three weeks after concluding the MTV "Headbangers Ball" tour in the US with Exodus and Helloween, Anthrax were headlining Europe dates on the "State Of Euphoria" tour with special guest Suicidal Tendencies, when they landed in Offenbach, Germany for a show at Stadthalle.

June 1988: Brazilian speed/thrash metal band Taurus released their debut album "Trapped In Lies".

June 6, 1992: "Revenge", the 16th studio album from KISS, debuted at No. 6 on the US Billboard 200. The LP was dedicated to drummer Eric Carr, who passed away in November 1991.

June 6, 1994: Former (at the time) Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson released his second solo album "Balls To Picasso" in the UK (July 26, 1994 in North America). Dickinson has said he and Roy Z were talked into making the album less heavy than it should have been. Release date source: [UK] Kerrang! review - June 4, 1994; [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication ad - June 24, 1994.

June 6, 2004: Metallica played the Download Festival at Castle Donington without drummer Lars Ulrich, who was sidelined with an "undisclosed illness". Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo filled in the first two songs. Slipknot’s Joey Jordison played the rest.

June 6, 1981: Iron Maiden were on the cover of Japan's Music Life Magazine.

June 6, 1981: The very first issue of UK metal magazine Kerrang! was published as a special pull-out by weekly music paper Sounds, with AC/DC's Angus Young on the cover and inside features on Motörhead, Girlschool and Saxon.