'80s Metal History (October 5th)

Happy Birthday to AC/DC singer Brian Johnson (October 5, 1947).

October 5, 1981: Formed seven years earlier in Newcastle, England by brothers John and Mark Gallagher, Raven released their debut album "Rock Until You Drop" in the UK featuring their first single "Don't Need Your Money", originally issued in 1980. Release date source: Record Business - October 5, 1981.

October 5, 1987: Continuing the slasher film trend created with previous LP "Constrictor", Alice Cooper released his 10th studio album "Raise Your Fist And Yell" in North America (October 19th in the UK) featuring single "Freedom". The LP was recorded with guitarist Kane Roberts and bassist Kip Winger.

Alice Cooper "Raise Your Fist And Yell" release date source: [US] Billboard - October 3, 1987; [UK] Kerrang! - October 10, 1987; Kerrang! ad - October 24, 1987.

October 5, 1989: Mötley Crüe performed a warm-up show for the upcoming "Dr. Feelgood" Tour at Hollywood’s Whisky a Go Go. The "Kickstart My Heart" music video was filmed with comedian Sam Kinison playing Crue’s limo driver at the beginning.

October 5, 1980: With the album a Top 25 hit in the UK, Scorpions launched the British "Animal Magnetism" Tour in Manchester, culminating with three shows at London's Hammersmith Odeon in late October.

Remembering Motörhead and Fastway guitarist "Fast" Eddie Clarke, who would have celebrated a birthday today (October 5, 1950). He was the last surviving member of the classic Motörhead line-up when he passed away in 2018. R.I.P.

October 1985: DIO released "Hungry For Heaven" as the second single from the album "Sacred Heart" in the UK, originally written for the "Vision Quest" movie soundtrack which was slightly different from the album version.

October 5, 1980: With new single "Euthanasia" from their debut album "Wild Cat" in record shops, Tygers Of Pan Tang played the first of two nights at London's Marquee Club.

Happy Birthday to original Tesla drummer Troy Luccketta (October 5, 1959).

Happy Birthday to Blitzkrieg singer Brian Ross (October 5, 1954).

Demons (Dèmoni) is an Italian horror film released in October 1985 about a group of random people who are invited to a screening of a mysterious movie, only to find themselves trapped in the theater with ravenous demons. Sounds awesome and it had a soundtrack to match with metal tracks from Mötley Crüe, Pretty Maids, Biff Byford of Saxon and Accept's "Fast As A Shark".

October 5, 1982: AC/DC and Y&T played the second of two nights at Newcastle City Hall in the UK... "First ever time I saw AC/DC. I was 16 and they were one of my favourite bands (still are, 40 years later). As venues went, we were lucky to have Newcastle City Hall. Living in Durham It was right on the doorstep. Oddly you would be surprised how many mates dads said they knew Brian (Johnson) and regularly drank with him. The support act was Y&T. I was kind of into them as well and they put on a good show. It’s one of the only times I’ve ever seen the audience fired up for the support." -Fan Review