'80s Metal History (August 30th)

August 30, 1984: After playing the states in July and August, DIO brought "The Last In Line" Tour to Europe, starting with the "Breaking Sound" Festival in Paris. Unfortunately, the limited size of many European stages meant they had to scale down the Egyptian theme.

August 1983: In less than three weeks all these bands played the Country Club in Reseda, California... Motörhead, Armored Saint, Rough Cutt, Leatherwolf, Steeler, Raven and Metallica. 🤩🤘

August 30, 1987: RATT performed in Germany for the first time as part of the "Monsters Of Rock" Festival in Nürnberg and Pforzheim. The second show was recorded and bootlegged as "RATT Undercover Monsters".

August 30, 1983: Only $10 to see Iron Maiden, Fastway and Coney Hatch play Providence, Rhode Island on the "World Piece" Tour. Two more shows followed in New York before moving on to Canada in early September.

August 30, 1983: Def Leppard played Detroit with special guest Krokus who were thrown off the "Pyromania" Tour for (according to Krokus) providing too much competition for Def Leppard, who countered the tour contract ended with Detroit 🙃

August 30, 1988: Anthrax released "Make Me Laugh" in the UK as the lead single from their forthcoming album "State Of Euphoria". The song features lyrics critical of Jim and Tammy Fae Bakker and televangelism in general. Release date source: Kerrang! ad - August 27, 1988.

Late August 1988: Danzig released their debut album featuring the band's biggest hit "Mother", which may have been a little ahead of its time as it didn't chart that year, but became a US Top 20 rock smash and MTV darling when re-released in 1993. Uncredited background vocals on "Twist Of Cain" and "Possession" are from Metallica's James Hetfield.

Danzig debut release information source: [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication spotlight - August 26, 1988; [UK] Kerrang! review - September 10, 1988.

August 30, 1969: The show flyer read "Earth", but Tony Iommi, Bill Ward, Geezer Butler and Ozzy Osbourne had just changed their band's name that night, covering the "Earth" logo on the bass drum with gaffer tape and playing their first gig as "Black Sabbath".

Late August 1981: In the UK, Michael Schenker Group released "Ready To Rock" as the lead single from their forthcoming album "MSG". Release information source: Record Mirror ad - August 29, 1981.

Happy Birthday to former Whitesnake lead guitarist [1978-84] Micky Moody (August 30, 1950).

Happy Birthday to former Helloween guitarist [1989-2001] Roland Grapow (August 30, 1959).

August 30, 1986: DIO launched "Japan Tour '86" at Hokkaido Koseinenkin Hall in Sapporo. Six more shows would follow in support of the "Sacred Heart" album and then it was on to Australia and Puerto Rico.

August 30, 1991: Two weeks after their performance at Castle Donington, the "Monsters Of Rock" AC/DC, Metallica, Mötley Crüe and Queensrÿche played "Open Air '91" in Hasselt, Belgium.