'80s Metal History (July 23rd)

Happy Birthday to Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash (July 23, 1965).

July 23, 1984: Y&T released their sixth studio album "In Rock We Trust" in the UK (Late July in North America) featuring their first big radio hit "Don't Stop Runnin'". Dr Pepper acquired the rights to use the track "She's A Liar" from the LP in a radio ad campaign and the band re-recorded it with custom lyrics.

Y&T "In Rock We Trust" release date source: [UK] Kerrang! - June 28, 1984; [US] R&R radio trade publication 'Most Added' - August 3, 1984; Billboard Magazine front page ad - August 11, 1984.

July 23, 1983: DIO launched the "Holy Diver" tour at the Concert Barn in Antioch, California with support from Rough Cutt. 3,000 people got to see the very first DIO concert! The tour was 74 shows in 12 countries.

July 23, 1977: Opening for Led Zeppelin, Judas Priest played "Day On The Green" in Oakland. "And then the fog lifts... It's 10 o'clock in the morning, and there's, like, 80,000 people there! And we had two shows like that back-to-back." -Rob Halford.

July 23, 1983: Now available in North America, Motörhead's sixth studio album "Another Perfect Day" debuted on the US Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart, their only LP with guitarist Brian "Robbo" Robertson (Thin Lizzy) who replaced "Fast" Eddie Clarke.

July 23, 1989: Metallica's "Damaged Justice" tour arrived in Uniondale, New York with support from The Cult. Metallica opened with "Blackened" most every night followed by "For Whom The Bell Tolls" and "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)".

July 23, 1983: It was a "British Metal Onslaught!" in Texas with Iron Maiden, Saxon and Fastway playing Dallas on the "World Piece" tour. Maiden opened with "Where Eagles Dare", "Sanctuary" and "Wrathchild".

Remembering Megadeth drummer [1989-98] Nick Menza, who would have celebrated a birthday today (July 23, 1964). Nick died in 2016 at age 51. He played on four Megadeth albums, including "Rust In Peace" and "Countdown To Extinction". R.I.P.

July 1985: The debut EP from Overkill was issued by Azra Records. Originally recorded as a demo tape a year earlier, the band sold the material to Azra, against their better judgement, due to financial difficulties. Artwork the band suggested was not used.

July 1984: Founded by former members of Blitzkrieg, Avenger released their debut album "Blood Sports" featuring the song "Enforcer". Another band in Germany also had the Avenger name, but changed to Rage after learning of the NWOBHM Avenger.

July 23, 1991: Power metal band Vicious Rumors released their fourth studio album “Welcome To The Ball” in North America featuring the song "Children". The music video for the single was shown on MTV Headbangers Ball, but also received daytime airplay. Release date source: CMJ New Music Report - July 19, 1991.

July 1988: Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi was "once again preparing to announce yet another radical personnel shuffle" with "powerhouse drummer Cozy Powell" set to join the band. -Kerrang!