'80s Metal History (December 24th)

Remembering Motörhead founder, lead singer and bassist Lemmy Kilmister, who would have celebrated a birthday today (December 24, 1945). Lemmy died in 2015. R.I.P.

December 24, 1990: Iron Maiden released single "Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter" in the UK, originally recorded by Bruce Dickinson for the soundtrack to "A Nightmare On Elm Street 5: The Dream Child", but Steve Harris wanted to keep it for Maiden. Release date source: Kerrang! ad - December 22, 1990.

December 24, 1988: Christmas Eve fell on a Saturday and what better way to flip the clock to Christmas Day than with Ozzy Osbourne and Zakk Wylde hosting MTV Headbangers Ball. The first video played "Crazy Babies" 😜

December 24, 1990: On Lemmy's birthday, Motörhead released "The One To Sing The Blues" as the lead single (and first on CD) from their forthcoming album "1916". Release date source: Kerrang! ad - December 22, 1990.

Happy Birthday to former Anthrax singer [1982-84] Neil Turbin (December 24, 1963).

Happy Birthday to Helix co-founder and former guitarist Brent "The Doctor" Doerner (December 24, 1963).

Happy Birthday to Razor bassist Mike Campagnolo (December 24, 1964).

Remembering original Loudness drummer Munetaka Higuchi, who would have celebrated a birthday today (December 24, 1958). Munetaka died in 2008. R.I.P.

December 1983: Released in North America in October, the debut album from Alcatrazz, "No Parole From Rock 'n' Roll", was well-received by American rock radio and MTV was playing the music video for lead single "Island In The Sun". The follow up single "Hiroshima Mon Amour" became popular in Japan. Featuring guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen and former Rainbow singer Graham Bonnet, Alcatrazz also included Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr for about a week, but he left upon discovering the band was going to be based in the US, as opposed to his native England.

What did 80s Metal stars want for Christmas in 1984? Kerrang! posed the question and the answers are an interesting snapshot of the time. Some highlights: "Accessories for my home computer" -Phil Lynott, Thin Lizzy; "A can of mace, rubber gloves, zip mask, cosh, and 500 old ladies' addresses!" -Lemmy, Motörhead; "World peace and no hunger" -Marc Storace, Krokus; "Loni Anderson" -Helix, Toronto; "Sybil Danning under my tree" -Blackie Lawless, W.A.S.P.; "A mobile recording truck" -Queensrÿche, Seattle; "The secret formula of the invisible man" -Ronnie James Dio; "A six pack of chicks" -James Hetfield, Metallica; "A fencing coach in a flight case" -Bruce Dickinson, Iron Maiden; "A gold record" -Dokken, Los Angeles; "Something BIG, fat and juicy, wrapped in leather and tied up in chains" -Rob Halford, Judas Priest; "A walk around London with Lemmy" -David Coverdale, Whitesnake.

Yeowwltide Greetings from METAL SHOP 🤘