'80s Metal History (September 13th)

Happy Birthday to Megadeth founder, singer and guitarist (and former Metallica guitarist) Dave Mustaine (September 13, 1961).

So what were you doing on September 13, 2013? What a lineup at "The Battle Of San Bernardino" with Testament, Overkill, Anthrax, Megadeth and headliner, Iron Maiden that not surprisingly drew 30,000 metal fans.

September 13, 1990: Getting ready for the "Painkiller" Tour, Judas Priest performed a one-off at the Foundations Forum in Los Angeles, a heavy metal music industry convention. It was Priest's first show with new drummer Scott Travis.

Happy Birthday to former DIO and Black Sabbath drummer, Vinny Appice (September 13, 1957).

September 1983: Formed a year earlier in Connecticut and appearing on Metal Blade's "Metal Massacre 2", Obsession released their debut EP "Marshall Law" with singer Michael Vescera, who later fronted Loudness and Yngwie Malmsteen.

September 13, 1985: Using the moniker "Gogmagog", a one-off three-track single was released in the UK, recorded by former Iron Maiden singer Paul Di'Anno and drummer Clive Burr, along with former Def Leppard guitarist Pete Willis, Whitesnake bassist Neil Murray and future Iron Maiden guitarist Janick Gers. Release date source: Kerrang! - September 4, 1985.

Happy Birthday to former Judas Priest and Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force singer Tim 'Ripper' Owens (September 13, 1967).

September 1985: With the release of their second LP "No Stranger To Danger" in North America, San Francisco thrash metal band Lääz Rockit tried to straddle the line between thrash and the mainline '80s arena rock sound on the upsurge at the time with mixed results. Release information source: Kerrang! - August 22, 1985.

September 13, 1979: Just signed to their first recording contract with Phonogram Records, Def Leppard embarked on a UK tour opening for Sammy Hagar in Newcastle, England. Three nights later they were playing Hammersmith Odeon in London.

September 1988: Dokken were featured in Circus Magazine. The band toured as part of the "Monsters Of Rock" Festival over the summer with Van Halen, Scorpions, Metallica, and Kingdom Come. Recordings from their April '88 tour in Japan led to the release of a live album from Dokken titled "Beast From The East" in November that year.