80s Metal History (June 8th)

June 8, 1984: Twisted Sister released their third studio album "Stay Hungry" in the UK (Mid-June '84 in North America) featuring megahits "We're Not Gonna Take It" and "I Wanna Rock" plus power ballad "The Price". The comedic videos ran almost constantly on MTV.

Twisted Sister "Stay Hungry" release information source: [UK] Record-Mirror - June 2, 1984; [US] Cashbox Magazine "forthcoming release" - June 16, 1984 and Billboard Magazine Radio Rock Albums survey chart debut - June 23, 1984 (The latter is not a sales chart, only what American radio was playing a week earlier). Finally, the June 2, 1984 issue of Billboard notes a July 1, 1984 ship date for "Stay Hungry". However, with the LP debuting on the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart on July 7, 1984 and normally a minimum of 7-10 days of sales needed to chart, it was most likely in US record stores by Mid-June.

June 1984: Van Halen released "Panama" as the second single from the album "1984" in North America. A No. 2 rock hit in the US in March, the song was now crossing over to the Billboard Hot 100 and on its way to becoming a massive summer hit. Release information source: R&R radio trade publication ad - June 8, 1984.

Scorpions released "Loving You Sunday Morning" as a promotional single from the "Lovedrive" album in the US in 1979. While the album features new guitarist Matthias Jabs, lead guitar on this song was recorded by Michael Schenker.

June 2010: Iron Maiden released "El Dorado" as the lead single from their forthcoming album "The Final Frontier". The following year, the song won the Grammy Award in the US for "Best Metal Performance". Release information source: Blabbermouth.net - June 7, 2010.

Happy Birthday to current Accept and former T.T. Quick singer Mark Tornillo (June 8, 1954).

June 8, 1992: W.A.S.P. released their fifth studio album "The Crimson Idol" in the UK (July 1993 in the US), a rock opera telling the story of the rise and fall of a fictional rock star named Jonathan Steel. It was intended to be a Blackie Lawless solo LP. Release information source: [UK] Kerrang! ad - June 13, 1992; [US] Billboard Magazine - July 3, 1993.

June 8, 1993: Loaded with hard rock acts, the soundtrack to the movie "Last Action Hero" was issued featuring tracks from AC/DC, Megadeth, Def Leppard, Queensrÿche, Anthrax and more. The film opened in theaters 10 days later. Release date source: Billboard Magazine - June 5, 1993.

Late to the NWOBHM scene, Blade Runner released their second and last studio album "Warriors Of Rock" featuring the title track and "Eyes Of The Beholder" in 1986.

June 1983: New York metal band Virgin Steele released their second studio album "Guardians Of The Flame". Co-founder/guitarist Jack Starr left after this LP, sued the band and won the name Virgin Steele, then sold it to co-founder/singer David DeFeis.

June 1987: Kerrang! reported that Metal Church had parted company with guitairst, and only surviving founding-member, Kurdt Vanderhoof, because he doesn't like to tour, but noting he would "continue in a song-writing capacity."

June 8, 1985: Iron Maiden brought the "World Slavery Tour" to the Mesker Music Theatre in Evansville, Indiana with special guests Accept.

June 8, 1984: Ozzy Osbourne played the second to last show of the "Bark At The Moon" tour at the Astrodome in Houston, and ahead of the final performance at Texxas Jam in Dallas two days later, got the cover of the Dallas Times Herald "Weekend".