'80s Metal History (August 29th)

August 29, 1980: After his departure from UFO in 1978 and brief reunion with Scorpions for the "Lovedrive" album, Michael Schenker formed the Michael Schenker Group and they released their debut album in the UK and North America. The LP was produced by Deep Purple bassist Roger Glover.

Michael Schenker Group debut release date source: [UK] Music Week - August 16, 1980; [US] Debuted Billboard Top LPs& Tape Chart on September 20, 1980; Billboard ad - October 25, 1980.

August 29, 1980: Jet Records issued "Crazy Train", the debut single from Ozzy Osbourne and Blizzard Of Ozz in the UK (July '81 in North America) from the forthcoming album "Blizzard Of Ozz". The lyrics refer to the Cold War and fear of annihilation.

Ozzy Osbourne and Blizzard Of Ozz "Crazy Train" release date source: [UK] Record Mirror - August 23, 1980; Music Week ad - August 30, 1980; [US] R&R radio trade publication ad - July 3, 1981.

August 29, 1988: Helloween released their third studio album "Keeper Of The Seven Keys: Part II" in the UK (Late September '88 in North America) featuring singles "Dr. Stein" and "I Want Out", the latter one of the band's best-known songs.

Helloween "Keeper Of The Seven Keys: Part II" release information source: [UK] Kerrang! review - August 27, 1988; [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication spotlight 'four weeks on the chart' - October 21, 1988.

August 29, 1989: Metallica played the first of two shows in Seattle on the "Damaged Justice" Tour and all these years later, the pro-shot video is a glorious watch of the band in their prime.

August 29, 1987: The "Monsters Of Rock" Festival traveled to Germany with two dates that featured headliner Deep Purple and special guests DIO, Metallica, RATT, Cinderella, Helloween and Pretty Maids.

August 29, 2009: Heaven & Hell (Black Sabbath) ended the "The Devil You Know" Tour in Atlantic City. It would be Ronnie James Dio’s final performance. He was diagnosed with stomach cancer three months later. R.I.P.

August 29, 1987: The debut album from Guns N' Roses, "Appetite For Destruction", debuted at No. 182 on the US Billboard Top Pop Albums chart. The LP received little attention initially and their record label was about to "walk away" from it until the band hit with third single, "Sweet Child O' Mine".

August 29, 1988: New York City hard rockers Circus Of Power released their self-titled debut album in North America (November '88 in the UK) featuring tracks "Call Of The Wild" and "Machine". Release information source: [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication - August 12, 1989; [UK] Kerrang! ad - November 9, 1988.

August 29, 1989: After signing with Megaforce, Phoenix rockers Icon released their fourth studio album "Right Between The Eyes" in North America (April 1990 in the UK), that includes an appearance by Alice Cooper and features single "Taking My Breath Away".

Icon "Right Between The Eyes" release date source: [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication - August 18, 1989 (Note: 'Street date' noted as August 28th. However, starting in April 1989, all US LPs were released on Tuesdays); [UK] Kerrang! ad - April 7, 1990.

Happy Birthday to Flotsam and Jetsam guitarist Michael Gilbert (August 29, 1968).

Happy Birthday to guitarist Tony MacAlpine [MacAlpine, Vinnie Moore, Steve Vai] (August 29, 1960).

Happy Birthday to former Cobra and Krokus guitarist Mandy Meyer (August 29, 1960).

Scorpions and RATT were touring together and performed in Tacoma, Washington on August 29, 1985. I was at this show and put the ticket stub in a scrapbook, writing above it "Excellent Concert." I was short on details in those days 😀