'80s Metal History (July 19th)

July 1988: Hit Parader magazine had Judas Priest, Megadeth, Scorpions and Guns N' Roses on the cover for "Metal Tour Spectacular!" All were on the road that summer. How many shows did you get to see?

July 1986: Great White's second studio album "Shot In The Dark" was reissued on Capitol Records (Original release March '86 on Telegraph Records) and debuted on the US Billboard Top Pop Albums chart a month later, peaking at No. 82 in October '86. "As an independent, (the band) has already proven itself a big seller at retail." -Billboard Magazine - July 19, 1986.

July 19, 1986: Cinderella's debut album "Night Songs" made it's debut on the US Billboard Top Pop Albums chart at No. 188. Featuring hit singles "Shake Me", "Somebody Save Me" and power ballad "Nobody's Fool", the LP would rise to No. 3 in February 1987. Image: Circus Magazine ad

Happy Birthday to former Celtic Frost frontman Tom G. Warrior, also known as Satanic Slaughter (July 19, 1963).

Happy Birthday to Toxik co-founder and guitarist Josh Christian (July 19, 1965).

July 1984: Formed a year earlier in Guelph, Ontario, Canadian speed/thrash metal pioneers Razor released their debut EP "Armed and Dangerous". The original a rare find, it was limited to 1,200 copies on vinyl.

July 1988: With founding members who shared an interest in horror/gore films and very heavy music, Dallas thrash/speed metal band Rigor Mortis released their self-titled debut album featuring the song "Demons".

July 19, 1986: Van Halen headlined the annual Texxas Jam concert. The temperature in Dallas topped 100 degrees that day as 72,000 sweaty, revved up rock fans took over the Cotton Bowl. DIO, Krokus and Keel were also on the bill.

July 1984: Canadian pop artist Dalbello released the song "Gonna Get Close To You", later covered by Queensrÿche on their 1986 "Rage For Order" album.

July 1991: Queenrÿche followed up their biggest hit single "Silent Lucidity" with "Jet City Woman", written by Geoff Tate's first wife, who was a flight attendant, about coming home to family after a long road trip. "Jet City" is a nickname for Seattle, Washington, the band's hometown. Release information source: Billboard Magazine ad - July 20, 1991.

July 1993: Having won the rights to the band's name "Quiet Riot", singer Kevin DuBrow (who was fired in 1987), reunited with two of his former bandmates Carlos Cavazo and Frankie Banali and released the album "Terrified".

Summer nights at the county fair, maybe you were lucky to get your hands on one of these heavy metal mirrors (circa 1985-86). How many broke before anyone could even get them home? 😆