'80s Metal History (July 20th)

July 1983: Released on their own label almost a year earlier, Queensrÿche were getting the attention of American rock radio with both "The Lady Wore Black" and "Queen Of The Reich" receiving airplay. The band would sign with EMI in August '83. R&R radio trade publication - July 22 & 29, 1983

July 1980: Over three months after its release in the UK, Saxon's second studio album "Wheels Of Steel" finally made it to North America. Featuring the title track and "747 (Strangers In The Night)", the LP went Top 5 in the UK. Release information source: [US] Billboard Magazine Top Album Picks - July 19, 1980.

July 20, 1975: After being dismissed from Hawkwind two months earlier, Lemmy Kilmister formed Motörhead with guitarist Larry Wallis and drummer Lucas Fox and they played their first gig at the Roundhouse in London.

Happy Birthday to Twisted Sister guitarist Jay Jay French (July 20, 1952).

July 20, 1985: Guns N' Roses played the Troubadour in L.A. not far from "Hell House", the one-room space they lived in on the Sunset Strip that was ground zero for sex, drugs and depravity. The 12 song set included encore "Heartbreak Hotel".

July 1984: English heavy metal band Battleaxe released their second studio album "Power From The Universe" featuring opener "Chopper Attack". Originally called Warrior, they were heavily influenced by Saxon and toured the UK with them.

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.

The name sounded so cool, there were two bands using it on both sides of the pond... The British Blitzkrieg and the Buffalo, New York Blitzkrieg. The latter released their debut EP "Ready For Action" in 1985. It was produced by Ron Keel.

July 20, 1983: Motörhead's "Another Perfect Tour" was storming the Northeastern US with shows in New York, Boston and now the Royal Manor North in North Brunswick, New Jersey. Most of the new album was played live, but not included in the setlist... "Ace Of Spades" 😯

July 20, 1988: Supporting the "Ram It Down" album, Judas Priest launched the North American leg of the "Mercenaries Of Metal Tour" in Montreal with support from Cinderella.

"Another rock solid RATT LP," the band's "melodic" and "meaty" second studio album "Invasion of Your Privacy", featuring single "Lay It Down", was certified gold in Canada. RPM Canadian radio trade publication ad - July 20, 1985

Summer 1989: Skid Row were featured in Hit Parader Magazine.