'80s Metal History (December 18th)

December 18, 1983: Iron Maiden ended the "World Piece" Tour in Dortmund, Germany by killing their mascot Eddie after the song "Iron Maiden". Bruce Dickinson took the brain out of Eddie's head while the rest of the band kicked and pummelled the mascot.

December 18, 1984: Motörhead and Exciter played the Concert Hall in Toronto. One review of the show wrote "Lemmy in 1984: 'God-like and unapproachable … Of such stuff, legends are made.'"

December 18, 1987: Great White played London's Marquee Club... "The audience lapped up all the rip-roarin', dizbustin' rockin' gems thrown at them" including encore "Rock Me." -Kerrang!

December 18, 1988: Before taking a break for the holidays, Metallica with special guest Queensrÿche, played Denver's McNichols Arena. The "Damaged Justice" Tour would resume on January 11, 1989 in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Happy Birthday to former Scorpions guitarist Uli Jon Roth (December 18, 1954).

Happy Birthday to Kreator lead singer and guitarist Mille Petrozza (December 18, 1967).

Remembering drummer Randy Castillo [Ozzy, Mötley Crüe, Lita Ford], who would have celebrated a birthday today (December 18, 1950). Randy died in 2002. R.I.P.

Black Sabbath co-headlined most of their North American shows with Blue Öyster Cult (Black and Blue Tour) over the summer in 1980 and that resulted in a movie that premiered in New York City in December that year and then made the rounds on the 'Midnight Movie' circuit during the early '80s. It was also later released on VHS, but not DVD. Tony Iommi was not happy with the production quality of the film and has refused to authorize it's re-release.

Check out the hot new heavy metal band WATER YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE... wait, what?