'80s Metal History (November 13th)

November 13, 1984: "I Wanna Be Somebody", the first single from W.A.S.P. off their debut album, was finally issued in the US (August '84 in the UK). After playing shows in Europe and Japan, the band launched a North American tour with Krokus in Canada on November 24th. Release date source: FMQB radio trade publication - November 2, 1984; FMQB ad - November 16, 1984.

With their fourth studio album "Restless And Wild" available in Continental Europe, Accept released "Fast As A Shark" as the first single in late 1982. The UK and North America wouldn't get the LP until March 1983.

November 13, 1990: Tesla released all-acoustic live album "Five Man Acoustical Jam" in North America (February '91 in the UK), in honor of the Five Man Electrical Band, who had originally performed the song "Signs" that Tesla covered and turned into a US Top 10 hit.

Tesla "Five Man Acoustical Jam" release date source: [US] Billboard Magazine - November 3, 1990; [UK] Kerrang! ad - February 23, 1991.

November 13, 1989: Skid Row performed the last of six UK shows in London. Three days earlier "Youth Gone Wild" was issued as a single and the band made a record shop appearance in London. Release information source: Kerrang! ad - November 11, 1989.

November 1981: At first called "A Certain Heartache", Def Leppard released power ballad "Bringin' On The Heartbreak" as a single in the UK. It nearly didn't make the 'High 'n' Dry' album because it was a ballad. Release information source: DefLeppardUK.com

November 1981: Just seven months after the release of their previous record "Spellbound", Tygers Of Pan Tang issued their third studio album "Crazy Nights" in the UK. This was the second Tygers LP with John Sykes as a second guitarist, who left for Thin Lizzy in 1983.

Tygers Of Pan Tang "Crazy Nights" release information source: Record Business new albums - November 2, 1981; Record Mirror review - November 14, 1981; Record Mirror ad - November 21, 1981; Debuted UK Official Charts on November 21, 1981.

November 13, 1992: After reuniting only a year earlier, Black Sabbath played the Kaiser Convention Center in Oakland, their last show with with Ronnie James Dio until his return in 2006.

November 13, 1983: KISS brought the "Lick It Up" Tour to Brussels, their first without makeup. "I had to re-calibrate from being the fire-spewing Demon with eight-inch heels to a mere mortal playing rock and roll music." -Gene Simmons

November 13, 1986: After 20+ shows in the US, Motörhead hopped the border into Canada to bring the "Orgasmatron" Tour to the Chaudière in Gatineau, Quebec. For this show only, support for Motörhead was the premier unsigned Canadian heavy metal band from Ottawa called "Shock", who over a five year period opened for some of the biggest heavy metal bands that would make their way to town. Shock shopped around six different demos including the unreleased album "Burning A Hole Through The Heavens", but called it quits, frustrated with not obtaining what they thought was a proper recording deal. -Sleaze Roxx

November 13, 1988: Five days after election day, the US was still voting with AC/DC guitarist Angus Young on the ballot when the "Blow Up Your Video" World Tour arrived in L.A. for a show at the Forum.

November 13, 2020: AC/DC released their 17th studio album "PWRϟUP" (Power Up), their first since the death of co-founder and rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young in 2017. Release date source: Blabbermouth.net - October 7, 2020.

November 13, 2025: Whitesnake frontman David Coverdale announced his retirement three years after calling off a farewell tour. "The last few years it has been very evident to me that it’s time really for me to hang up my rock & roll platform shoes and my skintight jeans... It's time for me to call it a day."

Up The Irons! 🤘 Kerrang! Ad - November 13, 1986