'80s Metal History (July 17th)

July 1982: Metallica made available their "No Life 'til Leather" demo. Guitarist Dave Mustaine had just joined the band a few months earlier. Ron McGovney played bass on the demo before he left the band and Cliff Burton was hired shortly after.

Happy Birthday to Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler (July 17, 1949).

July 17, 1989: Ahead of the release of "Trash", the album that would return Alice Cooper to the hard rock throne, the lead single "Poison" was issued in the UK and to American radio. The track went on to become one of the Godfather of Shock Rock's best-known songs worldwide. Release information source: [UK] Kerrang! - July 15, 1989; [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication ad - July 21, 1989.

Released in early July 1982, Judas Priest's eighth studio album "Screaming For Vengeance" debuted on the UK Official Album Chart on July 17th and hit the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart in America on July 24th. It would reach No. 11 in the UK and peak at No. 17 in the US.

July 17, 1982: A young Mark Slaughter drove with a buddy from Las Vegas to Anaheim for "The Summer Strut" concert. Foreigner, Loverboy and Scorpions were on the bill, but Mark was most set on seeing the opener "Iron Maiden".

July 17, 1984: DIO launched "The Last In Line" tour in Bakersfield, California with support from Whitesnake and Black 'N Blue. DIO opened with "Stand Up And Shout" and the encore was "We Rock" + "Mob Rules".

July 17 1992: Guns N' Roses and Metallica began their co-headlining tour in Washington, D.C. Metallica insisted they play first every night so they would be paid whether GnR showed up or not. Axl Rose had tried to get Nirvana to open.

Happy Birthday to Crimson Glory rhythm guitarist Ben Jackson (July 17, 1963).

Hailing from the secluded Channel Islands between England and France, the band Legend released their second studio album "Death In The Nursery" featuring "Why Don't You Kill Me" in 1982.

July 17, 1993: Guns N’ Roses concluded the "Use Your Illusion" tour with back-to-back shows in Buenos Aires. When Slash and Duff McKagan walked offstage, they had no idea it would be their last gig with the classic-era lineup.

July 17, 1993: In Houston, Texas for a show at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, Megadeth were opening for Aerosmith, but later kicked off the "Get A Grip" tour when Dave Mustaine said in a radio interview, "Yeah, we think we oughta be headlining, but we don't mind because everyone knows this is Aerosmith's last hurrah." Steven Tyler replied, "Dave, we'd like to help you out. Which way did you come in?" 😬