'80s Metal History (September 1st)

September 1981: After three albums and touring for five years, Motörhead released their first live album "No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith" in North America (June '81 in the UK). On the heels of "Ace Of Spades", it shot to No. 1 on the UK album chart. Release information source: Billboard Magazine 'Recommended LPs' - September 12, 1981.

September 1985: Motivated to make an album that would impress critics and fans, Metallica began recording "Master Of Puppets" in Copenhagen, the title already decided when James and Lars began writing new material.

September 1983: Iron Maiden released "Video Pieces" on home video featuring their first four music videos with singer Bruce Dickinson... "Run To The Hills", "The Number Of The Beast", "Flight Of Icarus" and "The Trooper".

September 1, 1979: The title track and first single from AC/DC's new album "Highway To Hell", debuted on the UK Singles Chart. The song was written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young and Bon Scott, but that classic guitar riff was all Angus.

Early September 1984: Ahead of the release of their new album "Animalize", KISS issued "Heaven's On Fire" as the lead single. American rock radio got the track first in late August and it went on to become a US rock hit (peaked No. 11). The music video begins with a shot of Paul Stanley with his hands on fire. Release information source: [US] R&R radio trade publication 'Most Added' - August 31, 1984; [UK] Debuted Official singles chart on September 8, 1984.

September 1986: Metal Blade issued "Menace To Society" in North America (late October '86 in the UK), the second studio album from Lizzy Borden, featuring "Notorious", "Bloody Mary", "Generation Aliens" and "Love Kills". The LP was the band's first to chart in the US. Release information source: [US] The Metal Blade website (which has not been reliable for accurate dates) shows September 1, 1986; The LP debuted on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart on November 1, 1986; [UK] Kerrang! ad + review - October 30, 1986.

September 1, 1984: "Monsters Of Rock '84" in Karlsruhe, West Germany featured Mötley Crüe, Accept, Gary Moore, Ozzy Osbourne, DIO, Van Halen and AC/DC. DIO is listed above Ozzy on the flyer, but went onstage right before Ozzy's performance.

September 1, 1992: After touring the states, the reunited Black Sabbath "Mob Rules" lineup (Dio, Iommi, Butler, Appice) began a string of dates in the UK starting in Newcastle, England.

September 1, 1982: Touring the US with Girlschool and Iron Maiden, Scorpions brought the "Blackout" Tour to Long Beach Arena in Long Beach, California.

September 1987: Whitesnake were white hot and seemed to be everywhere... "One of the most popular cartoons currently on American TV is 'GI Joe', wherein a secret US army fights a constant battle against the evil Cobra organisation. And in a recent episode, Cobra were heard to use the message 'The Whitesnake' will rule forever." -Kerrang!

September 1, 2003: Legendary hard rockers Motörhead were inducted into Hollywood's RockWalk during a ceremony at the Whisky A Go Go on Sunset Blvd. KISS drummer Eric Singer introduced and inducted the band members (Lemmy Kilmister, Mikkey Dee and Phil Campbell) and the mayor of Los Angeles singled out the group for their contribution to music with their brand of "ballsy" rock.

Welcome, I bid you welcome to... September.

"I brought my pencil! Give me something to write on, man!" Happy Back To School.