'80s Metal History (July 30th)

July 30, 1984: "Flagrantly admitting to throwing away a great song ('Animal...') in search of cheap publicity," (-Kerrang!) W.A.S.P. released "I Wanna Be Somebody" in the UK as the second single from their forthcoming debut album "W.A.S.P." (November '84 in North America). Blackie Lawless has said the idea for the song came from watching a "Barney Miller" episode. Release date source: Music Week - July 28, 1984; Kerrang! ad - August 9, 1984.

July 30, 1984: Formally known as Movie Star, Portland, Oregon hard rockers Black 'N Blue released their self-titled debut album featuring US rock hit "Hold On To 18" plus "Chains Around Heaven". The latter also appeared on 1982's "Metal Massacre" compilation. Release date source: [US] Kerrang! - June 28, 1984.

Late-July 1984: Helix released their fourth studio album "Walkin' The Razor's Edge" in North America featuring Canadian hit single "Rock You". For the follow up "Gimme Gimme Good Lovin'", an "adult" version of the music video included then 16-year-old porn star Traci Lords. Release information sources: [US] Billboard ad - August 4, 1984; [Canada] RPM radio trade publication 'LP just shipped' - August 11, 1984.

July 30, 1981: The "Heavy Metal Rumble Of The Summer" featured Judas Priest and Iron Maiden playing Philadelphia... Tickets only $9.50 and no fees yet at that time. Less than 10 bucks for Maiden and Priest in 1981... We had it so good 🤘

July 30, 1980: Judas Priest and Scorpions had opened for Heart a few days earlier in Rockford, Illinois, but were now more in their element with "Heavy Metal Wednesday" in Cleveland. Def Leppard were also on the bill.

July 30, 1983: A "Special Mystery Concert For True Headbangers Only" at L'Amour in Brooklyn turned out to be Motörhead. If you missed it, no worries, the word was out and they played again the following night.

July 30, 1983: Opening with guitarist Brian Robertson lifting the energized lick from Sweet's amped-up "Set Me Free", Motörhead's "Shine", the second single from the album "Another Perfect Day" debuted on the UK Singles Chart.

July 30, 1984: Two of the hottest American hard rock bands of the moment, RATT and Twisted Sister, were touring the states together and stopped for a show in Houston. Dee Snider joined the RATT gang on stage for "Round And Round". -Kerrang!

July 30, 1983: Up and coming bands Great White, Steeler and Armored Saint performed at Perkins Palace in Pasadena, California.

July 30, 1991: Axl Rose threw a fit when his limo driver was cited for an illegal left turn as he was driving the singer to a Guns N’ Roses show at the Forum in Los Angeles. Axl told the Inglewood policeman that he would cancel the concert unless he tears up the ticket. Police say they agreed, fearing a riot might erupt if the show did not go on. Axl's publicist later said, "Before a show, Axl is volatile. It’s a sensitive time and . . . someone had told the limo driver to turn left." Later, the police reviewed the case and issue the driver a $60 ticket.

July 1986: Nikki Sixx was on the cover of Hit Parader Magazine proclaiming Mötley Crüe "The Kings Of American Metal...", but then trying to start a fight by asking "... or is RATT?" My goodness, which of your children do you love more? 😏 Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider got the centerfold.