'80s Metal History (September 23rd)

September 23, 1985: Iron Maiden released "Running Free" Live as the first single from their forthcoming album "Live After Death" in the UK (October '85 in North America). Bruce Dickinson refers to it being the fourth concert at Long Beach Arena and that was on March 17, 1985. Release date source: [UK] Kerrang! - September 5, 1985; [US] FMQB radio trade publication ad - October 11, 1985.

September 23, 1989: Metallica were nearing the end of the "Damaged Justice" Tour with three shows in Irvine, California and livened things up a bit by switching instruments with James on drums, Jason on guitar, Kirk on bass and Lars singing 🙃

In a September 1983 issue of Kerrang! Magazine, Twisted Sister's Jay Jay French was wondering what happened to Y&T? Well, "Mean Streak" was now available in the UK and well-received with both the LP and single on the charts.

September 1983: The first issue of Metal Forces Magazine was published in the UK with the sensational headline "Murray Quits Maiden?" It was supposed to happen after the "World Piece" Tour over musical differences. Not, but sold some mags.

September 23, 1989: Mötley Crüe's fifth studio album "Dr. Feelgood" debuted at No. 24 on the US Billboard Top Pop Albums chart. With the title track a radio smash and the music video receiving heavy play on MTV, the LP reached No. 1 by mid-October.

September 23, 1989: Skid Row's debut album peaked at No. 6 on the US Billboard Top Pop Albums chart thanks to smash hits "I Remember You" and "18 & Life", the latter also peaking on this day at No. 4 on the Hot 100 singles chart.

September 1986: Motörhead's 7th studio album "Orgasmatron" was now available in North America (July '86 in the UK) and promoted to US rock radio stations as "Alternative Metal" 🤷‍♂️

Motörhead "Orgasmatron" release date source: [US] The Gavin Report radio trade publication review - September 24, 1986; The Gavin Report ad - October 3, 1986; Debuted on the US Billboard Top Pop Albums chart November 29, 1986.

September 1991: Over a year after the release of the "Empire" album, Queensrÿche released "Another Rainy Night (Without You)" as the fifth single in North America and it went on to be a US Top 10 rock hit. Release information source: [US] R&R radio trade publication 'Most Added' - September 27, 1991.

Happy Birthday to Coney Hatch co-lead singer and bassist Andy Curran (September 23, 1960).

September 23, 1990: Three days into the "No Prayer On The Road" Tour, Iron Maiden played Ireland for the first time with opener Wolfsbane, whose singer Blaze Bayley would replace Bruce Dickinson in Maiden four years later.

Listen to METAL SHOP for the "Best Of The Beast" from Iron Maiden, but if that's not enough for you, the band's first greatest hits compilation, released in September 1996 in the UK, is a solid backup.