'80s Metal History (October 14th)

October 14, 1985: Iron Maiden released double live album "Live After Death" in the UK (October 18th in North America), recorded during the "World Slavery" Tour at Long Beach Arena in Southern California and Hammersmith Odeon in London.

The now iconic artwork featured on the cover of "Live After Death" was actually the second image that artist Derek Riggs produced for the album. The original artwork... "I didn’t like it much. I think Eddie is in a bad position. But that was what the manager wanted. As things turned out, it couldn’t be photographed because it was done in oils and oils are a bit glossy." The image did appear in an ad for "Live After Death" in US rock magazine, Circus.

Iron Maiden "Live After Death" release date source: [UK] Music Week - October 12, 1985; Kerrang! ad - October 17, 1985; [US] Billboard Magazine - October 5, 1985.

October 14, 1990: Co-headlined by Megadeth and Slayer with support from Testament and Suicidal Tendencies, the first "Clash Of The Titans" Tour ended in Europe at London's Wembley Arena. The North American leg began in May 1991.

May 17, 1988: The "Mercenaries Of Metal" Tour was taking no prisoners in North America with Judas Priest and opener Slayer laying waste to Los Angeles with the second of two shows at The Forum. The tour ended a week later in Vancouver.

October 14, 1989: Mötley Crüe's fifth studio album "Dr. Feelgood" hit No. 1 on the US Billboard Top Pop Albums chart and remained there for two weeks. That same day the Crüe launched the "Dr. Feelgood" Tour in Essen, Germany.

October 14, 1985: Having built their reputation and success as a live band, Triumph released their first live album "Stages" in North America, culled from the band's previous three tours (1981-84), plus two new studio tracks. Release date source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication - October 11, 1985; Kerrang! - September 19, 1985.

Remembering Twisted Sister drummer A.J. Pero, who would have celebrated a birthday today (October 14, 1959). A.J. died in 2015. R.I.P.

Happy Birthday to Judas Priest co-founder and original singer Al Atkins (October 14, 1947). Al co-wrote "Victim Of Changes".

October 1975: KISS released "Rock And Roll All Nite" as the only single from the "Alive" album, but that's all they needed to climb another level. The studio version issued in April that year was a moderate hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 68, but the live version reached No. 12 in January 1976. Release information source: Debuted Billboard Hot 100 on November 15, 1975.

October 14, 2022: With new frontman Erik Grönwall, Skid Row released their sixth studio album "The Gang's All Here" in North America featuring singles "Tear It Down" and "Time Bomb". Release date source: Blabbermouth.net - May 25, 2022.

October 1980: Creem Magazine featured Judas Priest's Rob Halford on the cover with headline proclaiming heavy metal "Back From The Dead". The subheading "Here Come The Goons" might have revealed how the mag felt about the genre. Not long after, Circus and Hit Parader became the go to mags for metal in the US.