'80s Metal History (July 10th)

Remembering Ronnie James Dio (DIO/Black Sabbath/Rainbow), who would have celebrated a birthday today (July 10, 1942). Ronnie died in 2010. R.I.P.

Happy Birthday to Triumph guitarist and singer Rik Emmett (July 10, 1953).

Happy Birthday to Armored Saint co-founder and guitarist Phil Sandoval (July 10, 1961)

July 10, 1981: On the road with Judas Priest, Iron Maiden's first American tour brought them to Atlanta. The band was also getting much attention at rock radio as "Wrathchild" was receiving airplay most everywhere.

July 10, 1990: Exodus released their fourth studio album "Impact Is Imminent" in North America (one day earlier in the UK) featuring single "Objection Overruled". Guitarist Gary Holt has said he would like to re-record the LP, but also praised it for having "some of the best riffs I've ever written." Release date source: [US] CMJ New Music Report - July 6, 1990; [UK] Kerrang! - June 30, 1990; Kerrang! ad - July 14, 1990.

July 1986: "German Big Four" teutonic thrash metal band Tankard released their debut album "Zombie Attack". Unlike the politics and violence lyrics from Kreator, Destruction and Sodom, Tankard write about alcohol reverence.

July 1987: Ace Frehley's new band "Frehley's Comet" released "Rock Soldiers" as the second single from their self-titled debut album. Ace co-wrote the song with Chip Taylor, who had written "Wild Thing" by The Troggs. Release information source: The Hard Report radio trade publication ad - July 10, 1987.

July 10, 1990: Less than a year after releasing her debut solo album "Force Majeure", the follow up "Doro" was issued in North America (June '90 in the UK) from former Warlock singer Doro. The LP was produced by Gene Simmons and features single "Unholy Love". Release information source: [US] CMJ New Music Report radio trade publication - July 6, 1990; [UK] Kerrang! ad - June 9, 1990.

July 1987: "Don't lose out on a good time through ignorance," the new album from a glammed up Y&T, "Contagious", was now available in the UK.

Featuring songs from their '70s albums between "Fly To The Rainbow" and "Taken By Force", "Best of Scorpions, Vol. 2" was issued in the US in July 1984.

July 10, 1989: On the road in Europe with Suicidal Tendencies, King's X and M.O.D., Anthrax concluded the "State Of Euphoria" tour in Belfast, Northern Ireland by cutting the show short with sevens songs left in their usual set because of being spat on by members of the audience. "Bassist Frank Bello apparently threw off his bass mid-way through a song and berated the guilty members of the crowd for gobbing at him, after which the band left the stage half-an-hour early, and didn't return." -Kerrang!