'80s Metal History (September 17th)

September 17, 1984: With bassist Jeff Pilson replacing Juan Croucier, the classic era was set and Dokken released their second studio album "Tooth And Nail" in North America (early October in the UK), featuring rock hits "Into The Fire" and "Just Got Lucky", plus power ballad "Alone Again".

Dokken "Tooth And Nail" release information source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication - September 14, 1984; Billboard Magazine ad - September 29, 1984; [UK] Kerrang! ad - October 4, 1984.

September 17, 1984: Produced by Paul Stanley while Gene Simmons pursued an acting career, KISS released their 12th studio album "Animalize" in North America (September 21st in the UK), their only LP with guitarist Mark St. John. Lead single "Heaven's On Fire" was a No. 11 US rock hit.

KISS "Animalize" release information source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication - September 14, 1984; [UK] Kerrang! ad - September 20, 1984.

September 17, 1991: Ozzy Osbourne released his sixth studio album "No More Tears" in North America (October 7th in the UK) featuring US Top 10 rock hits the title track and "Mama, I'm Coming Home", the lyrics for the latter written by Motörhead's Lemmy Kilmister. In early 1990, Ozzy had tentatively elected to call the new album "No Dogs Allowed", then changed it to "Say Hello 2 Heaven" before settling on "No More Tears".

Ozzy Osbourne "No More Tears" release information source: [US] Billboard Magazine 2-page ad - September 21, 1991; [UK] Originally scheduled for release on September 16th (Kerrang! ad - September 14, 1991), the LP was delayed until October 7th (Music Week ad - October 5, 1991) and debuted on the UK Official album chart on October 19th.

September 17, 1991: Guns N' Roses released their third and fourth studio albums "Use Your Illusion I" and "Use Your Illusion II" in North America (one day earlier in the UK) featuring Top 5 rock hits "You Could Be Mine" and "Civil War". Both albums debuted at No. 1 and No. 2 on the US Billboard 200.

Guns N' Roses "Use Your Illusion I" and "Use Your Illusion II" release date source: [US] R&R radio trade publication ad - September 13, 1991; [UK] Kerrang! - September 28, 1991

September 17, 1986: Iron Maiden released "Wasted Years" as the lead single from their forthcoming album "Somewhere In Time" in North America (August '86 in the UK), the first Maiden single solely written by guitarist Adrian Smith, who also sings backing vocals. Release date source: FMQB radio trade publication - August 29, 1986.

September 1975: Moving away from progressive "krautrock" to a harder sound, Scorpions released their third studio album "In Trance" in Germany (April '76 in North America), the first with their familiar logo and first of many censored covers. Release information source: [US] Billboard Magazine New LP / Tape Releases - April 17, 1976.

September 17, 1986: After a hiatus from the music industry where he remained in seclusion for three years, Alice Cooper returned with his ninth studio album "Constrictor" in North America (October 20th in the UK), recorded with guitarist Kane Roberts and bassist Kip Winger. Release date source: [US] R&R radio trade publication - September 19, 1986; [UK] Record Mirror - October 18, 1986.

September 1989: Loudness released their eighth studio album "Soldier Of Fortune", their first with American vocalist Mike Vescera. Lead single "You Shook Me" was the most added at US Metal radio the second week of September '89. Release information source: [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication spotlight - September 8, 1989; [UK] Kerrang! ad - September 23, 1989.

September 17, 1983: With the music video getting played on MTV, Capitol Records showed some "Heavy Metal Love" to Helix by placing a front page ad in Billboard Magazine promoting the single and album released in late May that year.

Happy Birthday to original Venom drummer Anthony "Abaddon" Bray (September 17, 1960).

September 17, 1987: Motörhead launched the "Rock 'n' Roll" Tour in the UK with opener, Sword from Canada... "We want to be known as a heavy metal band so who better to tour with than the heaviest?" -Rick Hughes, Sword

September 17, 1988: Guns N' Roses concluded the North American leg of the 16-month "Appetite For Destruction" Tour opening for INXS at Texas Stadium in Dallas. The show is remembered by the band as one of their worst performances... "The band completely fell apart in front of this massive audience," recalled Slash. "It was desperate on stage, trying to keep everything together. I have nightmares about it."