'80s Metal History (August 7th)

Happy Birthday to Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson (August 7, 1958).

August 7, 1983: Iron Maiden brought the "World Piece" tour to Indianapolis. A model voted "Miss Metal" as part of a radio promotion was invited on-stage during "22 Acacia Avenue". Bruce Dickinson ripped her top off and was arrested afterwards.

August 7, 1982: Metallica continued paying their dues in the early days opening for Kaos and Roxx Regime (later renamed Stryper) at the Bruin Den in Long Beach, California.

August 7, 1981: Riot released their third studio album "Fire Down Under" in North America and the UK featuring their most popular song "Swords And Tequila". This LP ended up being their last with original vocalist Guy Speranza. Release date source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication - July 24, 1981; [UK] Record Business - July 27, 1981.

August 7, 1986: One of the most publicized metal death cases ended when a judge threw out a lawsuit that claimed Ozzy Osbourne and two record labels encouraged a teenager in California to shoot himself two years earlier while listening to Ozzy’s "Suicide Solution".

Happy Birthday to Helloween co-founder and guitarist Michael Weikath (August 7, 1962).

Remembering Great White singer Jack Russell who died August 7, 2024 at age 63. R.I.P.

Remembering UFO and Waysted bassist Pete Way, who would have celebrated a birthday today (August 7, 1951). He also co-founded Fastway, but never recorded with them. Pete died in 2020. R.I.P.

Early August 1990: Ratt released "Lovin' You's A Dirty Job" as the lead single from their forthcoming fifth studio album "Detonator". The track would go on to become a Top 20 US rock hit. Release information source: R&R radio trade publication - August 3, 1990.

August 7, 1990: U.D.O. released their third and most successful studio album "Faceless World" in North America (Late-February in the UK), featuring single "Heart Of Gold". It was produced by former Accept drummer Stefan Kaufmann, who also wrote the lyrics along with Udo Dirkschneider. Release information source: [US] CMJ New Music Report - July 20, 1990; [UK] Kerrang! review - March 10, 1990.

August 7, 1987: Supporting their second studio album "Second Heat", Racer X traveled the path of many bands before them with a show at Chuck Landis' Country Club in Reseda, California.

August 1988: Birthday boy Bruce Dickinson was on the cover of Hit Parader Magazine.