'80s Metal History (July 2nd)

July 2, 1984: DIO released their second studio album "The Last In Line" in North America (July 13th in the UK) featuring singles "We Rock", "Mystery" and the title track that made it the band's highest-charting album in both the UK (No. 4) and US (No. 23).

DIO "The Last In Line" release information source: [US] Billboard Magazine ad - July 7, 1984; [UK] Kerrang! ad - July 12, 1984.

July 2, 1983: It was "A Mighty Metal Feast!" in Northern California with Iron Maiden, Saxon and Fastway playing the Bay Area, and if you missed it, you could drive an hour east and catch the show in Sacramento the next night 😎

July 2, 1981: Judas Priest and Iron Maiden were touring together and played the Convention Hall in Asbury Park, New Jersey. No cameras, no alcohol then... Those rules no longer apply for middle-aged metal fans 🤘

July 2, 1980: With new singer Ronnie James Dio, Black Sabbath launched the US "Heaven And Hell" tour in El Paso, Texas. 10 days later, they would meet up with Blue Oyster Cult for "Black + Blue" in Houston. Riot opened most Texas dates.

July 1986: Metallica released the song "Master Of Puppets" as a single in France, while in the US it was sent to radio as a promo, labeled "Master Of Puppets Part 1" and faded out after three-and-a-half minutes. Radio didn't really play it and a single edit was lame anyway.

July 2, 1990: Tesla played the Trocadero Theatre in Philadelphia. The show was recorded and later released as "Five Man Acoustical Jam". The band's cover of Five Man Electrical Band's "Signs" was a surprise hit in early 1991.

July 2, 1991: Alice Cooper released the album "Hey Stoopid" in North America featuring singles "Love's A Loaded Gun" and the title track. Guest appearances included Nikki Sixx, Slash and Ozzy. "Feed My Frankenstein" is also on the Wayne's World soundtrack. Release information source: Billboard Magazine new releases and spotlight - July 6, 1991.

July 2, 1982: Occult-themed NWOBHM band Demon released their second studio album "Night Of The Demon" in the UK. Their most commercially successful LP, it features single "Don't Break The Circle". Release date source: Record Mirror - June 26, 1982.

July 1984: Doom and power metal pioneers Cirith Ungol released their second studio album "King Of The Dead", which bandmember Robert Garven declared is their "best album" because the band "had total control over it".

July 2, 1982: Scorpions brought the "Blackout" tour to Chicago with openers Girlschool and Iron Maiden.

RATT's Robbin Crosby had auditioned to replace KISS guitarist Ace Frehley in 1982. He didn't make the cut, but KISS drummer Eric Carr thought he was good enough for a second listen, so he went to see Crosby perform with RATT at the Troubadour and this is Eric's ticket from that night.

July 2, 1991: "I'll take it, goddamn it!" and thus began the "Rocket Queen Riot" in Missouri with Axl Rose jumping in the crowd to confiscate a camera. Next, the band split and the crowd went nuts for three hours. Axl was arrested a year later.

July 2, 2014: Mötley Crüe launched the "Final Tour" in Grand Rapids, Michigan. "All Bad Things Must Come To An End" except... they didn't 😏