'80s Metal History (August 24th)

August 24, 1987: Metallica released "The $5.98 E.P.: Garage Days Re-Revisited" in North America (August 10th in the UK), their first recording with bassist Jason Newsted and consisting entirely of covers of late-'70s/early-'80s new wave of British heavy metal bands and punk rock music.

Metallica "The $5.98 E.P.: Garage Days Re-Revisited" release date source: [US] Billboard Magazine - August 1, 1987; [UK] Kerrang! - August 6, 1987.

Late August 1987: Savatage released their fourth studio album "Hall Of The Mountain King" in North America and the UK, featuring the title track, "24 Hrs. Ago", "Legions" and Golden Earring cover "Strange Wings", the latter with future Badlands singer Ray Gillen on backing vocals.

Savatage "Hall Of The Mountain King" release information source: [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication 'Record of the Week' - August 28, 1987; [UK] Kerrang! review - September 3, 1987.

Happy Birthday to Armored Saint and former Anthrax singer John Bush (August 24, 1963).

August 24, 1985: Billed as "The Four Horsemen", Metallica played a secret gig at their old stomping grounds, Ruthie’s Inn in Berkeley, a warm up for their upcoming "Day On The Green" appearance in Oakland with Scorpions, RATT, Y&T and more.

August 24, 1984: With their debut album just released a week earlier, W.A.S.P. were in a movie as the metal band in the new horror fantasy film "The Dungeonmaster". The band chose this over another movie "Heavy Metal Zombies".

August 24, 1987: Motörhead released their eighth studio album "Rock 'n' Roll" in the UK (September 14th in North America) with six tracks also appearing on the soundtrack to the British black comedy film "Eat The Rich". Frontman Lemmy got a part in the film, playing a character called Spider.

Motörhead "Rock 'n' Roll" release information source: [UK] Kerrang! - August 6, 1987; [US] FMQB radio trade publication - August 28, 1987.

August 24, 1984: Motörhead released the single "Killed By Death" from their forthcoming compilation album "No Remorse" in the UK (November '84 in North America). The music video was banned by MTV in the US for "excessive and senseless violence".

Motörhead "Killed By Death" single release date source: [UK] Music Week - August 18, 1984; [US] FMQB radio trade publication ad - November 30, 1984.

August 24, 1982: Produced by Max Norman (Ozzy Osbourne) and recorded in England, San Francisco rockers Y&T released their fourth studio album "Black Tiger" in North America (Late August in the UK), the first with the classic Y&T logo on the cover. The band also played their first shows outside the US.

Y&T "Black Tiger" release information source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication - August 13, 1982; [UK] Kerrang! ad - September 9, 1982.

Y&T's album "In Rock We Trust" produced their first big US rock radio hit with single "Don't Stop Runnin'" that was now being pushed by the band's record label to US Top 40 radio stations in this ad that appeared in an industry trade magazine on August 24, 1984.

The music video for the first single "Midnite Maniac" premiered on MTV in the US six days earlier and the new album from Krokus titled "The Blitz" was in stores with a North American tour set to launch in September. R&R radio trade publication ad - August 24, 1984

August 24, 1990: Almost six weeks after the trial began, a judge dismissed a civil suit against members of Judas Priest, who were facing charges that lyrics from two songs on the "Stained Class" album drove two young fans to suicide.

Remembering Whitesnake co-founder and guitarist Bernie Marsden, who died August 24, 2023 at age 72. He wrote or co-wrote with David Coverdale many of the group's hit songs, including "Fool For Your Loving" and "Here I Go Again." R.I.P.

August 24, 1981: With three weeks remaining of the "Blizzard Of Ozz" Tour, Ozzy Osbourne performed in Green Bay, Wisconsin, opening with the two biggest hits from the debut album, "I Don't Know" and "Crazy Train".

August 24, 1980: The 20th Reading Rock Festival in England saw a transformation that was dominated by heavy rock music and Day 3 was the highlight with Whitesnake, Def Leppard, Ozzy Osbourne's Blizzard Of Oz, Budgie, Tygers Of Pan Tang, Angel Witch and Praying Mantis. Other bands who performed included Iron Maiden, Samson and UFO a day earlier and Krokus on the first day.

August 24, 1985: Deep Purple headlined the annual Texxas Jam concert, preceded by Scorpions, Night Ranger, Bon Jovi and two up and coming metal acts, Grim Reaper and Victory.

August 24, 1988: Vinnie Vincent Invasion performed at The Palace in Hollywood, California. Apparently, Vinnie liked to soundcheck alone "for like an hour... ripping riffs and soloing at maximum volume." -Stevie Rachelle, Tuff (opener).