80’s Metal/Hair Bands
Launching a new month and Spring Break for me starts now, but the 80’s metal rolls on 24/7 on METAL SHOP.
Here’s a 2-minute readup on this mostly Fool-free Friday, April 1st.
There is nothing to contradict the earlier reports of Axl Rose guest singing for AC/DC on the remaining 10 scheduled tour dates, so we are accepting it as fact. This article lays out the evidence quite nicely.
For Axl’s other band, all signs point to a sneak-peek GUNS N’ ROSES warm-up show tonight at a Los Angeles club. The exact location is also unconfirmed, though several sources point to the Troubadour. This will be the first time Axl appears on stage with both Slash and Duff McKagan since 1993.
History tells us David Lee Roth quit VAN HALEN on April 1, 1985, but history is wrong. Roth left the band in 1985 and the idea of him springing this news on April Fools’ Day makes for a great story, but the truth is Eddie delivered the bad news in the pages of Rolling Stone in August, “The band as you know it is over,” he said. “Dave left to be a movie star. He even had the balls to ask if I’d write the score for him.” Eddie then made clear that he’d moved on. “I’m looking for a new lead singer … it’s weird that it’s over. Twelve years of my life putting up with his bulls–.”
AC/DC Guitarist Angus Young celebrated his 61st birthday yesterday (3/31). Former SKID ROW singer Sebastian Bach turns 48 on Sunday (4/3).
Of course it’s “All Fools’ Day,” an Elizabethan smart-mouthed play on “All Saints’ Day” and if you’re a fool for classic metal, you may have bought this headline today, ‘Metallica to stage Master Of Puppets… on ice!’ courtesy of teamrock.com… hopefully only for a second. This April Fool’s prank was definitely better the headline posted on Loudwire ‘James Hetfield Quits Metallica to Join the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’
That’s a wrap. Updates during my Spring Vacation will have to come between beers, but rest assured, I’m on top of it 🙂 Upon my return, the IRON MAIDEN tour will be in my neighborhood… can’t wait! In the meantime, I’m enjoying this great footage from Wednesday night’s New York City stop – Click Here
Rock on kids!
On April 6, 1985, DOKKEN performed their hits ‘Just Got Lucky’ and ‘Alone Again’ on American Bandstand. Bassist Jeff Pilson shared his memories…
“I remember the day well. We’d just played with Triumph the night before in San Diego, and had to play AB at 9:00 AM. Back then that was extremely early for all of us.”
“Anyways I remember Don decided to try a new outfit that day- we called it the pirate outfit. Wow- turned out to be not such a great idea! Poor guy- got ribbed to death on that one. At least he tried doing something new, but what an embarrassment (like all the other outfits from that era weren’t!!). George looked cool in it (I do have a copy and showed my wife a couple years ago so the memory is fairly fresh).”
“Other than that Mick saved the day by saying the highlight of his career was meeting Gladys Knight (who was also on the show) after George inadvertently dissed Detroit by saying it was the low point on the tour. Of course what he had meant was the hotel room he and I had shared that had blood stains and stab marks in one of the beds!! But all in all a very cool experience!”
Welcome to WTF Thursday. Rumors persist that Axl Rose will perform with AC/DC as a guest vocalist for their 10 remaining shows, but this sounds like a done deal with Malcolm Young’s son claiming ‘It’s True.’ Another source says Brian Johnson was “supposed to retire after the last tour.” Official word should be coming any day or minute now.
40 years ago this summer, KISS’ Gene Simmons discovered VAN HALEN and recorded several demos with them, including Eddie and Alex playing KISS’ “Christine Sixteen.” Those recordings have never seen the light of day. Simmons says “It’s a lot of cool stuff, but the band just doesn’t want it to come out — you know, the back and forth with [David Lee] Roth complicated matters.” While there is no official release, you can hear the demos online at this location – http://www.vhnd.com/2016/03/22/gene-simmons-talks-lost-seventies-van-halen-demos/
METALLICA’s “Master Of Puppets” is among the albums that have been selected for induction into the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry, which annually selects 25 recordings that are “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” and are at least 10 years old. The selections for the 2015 registry bring the total number of recordings on the registry to 450, only a minuscule portion of the Library’s vast recorded-sound collection of more than 3 million items.
On considering the possible end of IRON MAIDEN when Bruce Dickinson was diagnosed with cancer, bassist Steve Harris said “At this stage of our career, I really don’t think we would have looked to another singer. We didn’t even consider it. There’s no point. We can’t really replace Bruce anyway, so we wouldn’t try at this stage in our career. I don’t think so. But, thank God we didn’t need to and he’s fine.” Harris went on to say “If Maiden ended tomorrow, it’s been amazing and I can live with that.”
This sounds like an Onion article, but this headline was seen on a metal website yesterday – “MÖTLEY CRÜE Reunites As ‘Motley Crew’ To Avoid Retirement Contract”
Today in 1979, MOTÖRHEAD paved the way for thrash with their second album ‘Overkill’
Happy Birthday to Exodus singer Steve Souza. He turns 52 today.
The 80’s metal runs loud and proud on METAL SHOP 24/7. Thanks for listening!
No more Mr. Nice Guy dogs. It’s coming down fast and it’s coming down hard. Thanks for listening to METAL SHOP.
The major metal news outlets have not confirmed, but this site posted yesterday that a ‘source close to AC/DC confirms singer Brian Johnson was fired.’ Comedian Jim Breuer feels ‘really bad’ about invading AC/DC’s privacy last week when he said Brian Johnson was “kicked to the curb” by the band, but the report from United Media Publishing claims “everything Mr. Breuer originally said is basically the truth, in a roundabout way.”
The informant, speaking out only under the condition of anonymity, says it’s his loyalty to Brian Johnson as to why he’s risking his job by speaking out. He says Brian is a “fab guy and has been treated like shit. He does have hearing issues but not as serious as they’re saying. This was just an excuse to fire the guy, basically.” The insider also denied claims that KROKUS singer Marc Storace was contacted by the band’s record label to possibly replace Johnson.
The source said lead guitarist (and sole remaining original member) Angus Young has narrowed the search down to two or three guys, all relative unknowns outside of their respective countries, putting to rest rumors of a possible mashup of classic rock royalty. “They’re not well known names. The band never considered any big name vocalists to replace Brian. I think they wanted to find a fresh new talent. The plan is to decide on the singer within the next couple of weeks, maybe sooner, reschedule the tour and get back out on the road as if nothing’s happened.”
METALLICA released audio of ‘The Four Horseman’ from the remastered edition of ‘Kill ‘Em All,’ coming out April 15th. The quality is excellent, but probably too clean. Maybe new fans will appreciate this, but I still get most excited hearing the energy and raw sound of the original that got me hooked in the first place. Have a listen – Click Here.
After a major runway accident in Chile, IRON MAIDEN’s Ed Force One has been repaired and will rejoin the tour today in Brasilia. While Maiden had continued touring South America without it, it’s good news if you hoped to get a glimpse of the plane when they come to your town.
Maiden’s third album and first with singer Bruce Dickinson, “The Number of the Beast,” was released today in 1982. The album cover was originally created for the song “Purgatory”, but was deemed too high a calibre of artwork for a single release and it was saved for The Number of the Beast album instead. The original 1982 artwork includes a blue sky in the background; this was a mistake by the printers of the album cover, and was later rectified and became black when the album was remastered for compact disc in 1998.
ANTHRAX released their big breakthrough album “Among the Living” today in 1987. It features the singles, “I Am the Law” and “Indians” and was dedicated to the memory of METALLICA bassist Cliff Burton.
SCORPIONS were forced to cut short their concert in Hamburg last night because of a “viral infection” affecting the voice of the band’s lead singer, Klaus Meine. The band reportedly performed for about thirty minutes before calling off the rest of the gig. It is not clear if Meine will be well enough to take part in the next performance scheduled for Wednesday in Leipzig.
An official announcement is expected today, but there is speculation that former GUNS N’ ROSES drummer Steven Adler will join the big reunion. Stay tuned.
‘How’s the lad?’ and welcome to the wearing-o’-something-green edition of ‘How’s it going there’ in 80’s metal.
It’s St. Patrick’s Day, so below is a video performance of ‘Whiskey In The Jar’. THIN LIZZY’s version came out in 1972 and METALLICA’s cover of Thin Lizzy’s version was released in 1998. Since neither came out in the 80’s, I flipped a coin and Thin Lizzy won, so “whack for my daddy-o, there’s whiskey in the jar-o” to light up your day.
Seems everyday there is something new in the AC/DC guest singer saga. Now comes word that vocalist, Rob Liotti, who was chosen by filmmakers to portray the late Bon Scott in a biopic, has apparently had contact with the band about replacing lead singer, Brian Johnson. Liotti says “yes, I will confirm that I have had contact with the band – both directly and through third parties close to the AC/DC camp, but that’s really all I can say.”
Last week, former JUDAS PRIEST guitarist KK Downing said he would only consider a return to Priest if they embarked on a “greatest metal tour” with other giants of the genre, IRON MAIDEN and BLACK SABBATH sharing the bill. Well, Priest frontman Rob Halford says he loves the idea, saying “I think that’s the dream of a lot of people, to imagine Maiden and Sabbath and Priest and Led Zeppelin. Can you imagine what that would be like at Wembley? Oh my God! It would just be mad. It would be like multiple nights. Forget about 50 shows that Michael Jackson didn’t do. It would be 100 shows at Wembley. So, yeah, it’s great to hear that there’s that passion still in KK’s voice for Priest.”
A petition has been launched to erect a statue of RONNIE JAMES DIO in his birthtown of Portsmouth, New York.
On this date in 1984, VAN HALEN’s ‘Jump’ peaked at No. 1 in the U.S. Over the years David Lee Roth has given various accounts of the meaning behind the lyrics, but most often says they are about a TV news story he saw where a man was about to kill himself by jumping off a building.
Happy Birthday to Bob Bohtelo listening to METAL SHOP in California.
That’s a wrap. Make a little time to party today or a lot 😉 and thanks for checking in here, made even better by your comments and updates! “Have a drink on me” Metal Dogs! And have a Sham-ROCKIN’ St. Patrick’s Day!
Hola! regular readers and dubious skimmers alike!
It’s Wednesday, March 16th and AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson’s close friend, comedian Jim Breuer, has released a video message clarifying the comments he made in which he suggested the singer was “kicked to the curb” by the band after 36 years. “Just so people know, I’m not quoting Brian Johnson,” said Breuer. “It’s me venting. He didn’t say a lot of those things. When I first saw him he was just down and sad and just saying, ‘I’m just trying to work things out and I hope it all comes to fruition.’ The rest is me just trying to lift him up, being funny and goofy. Then I just talked in a conversation with a friend kind of exaggerating some of those points. I had no clue the madness that it would create.”
Many famous names have been floated as possibilities to guest sing for AC/DC and finish out the current tour. One of those names is KROKUS vocalist Marc Storace, whose band has opened for AC/DC in the past and who once turned down an opportunity to audition to replace the late Bon Scott in 1980. Storace says he would ‘certainly’ accept the offer to front the band, if an offer came, saying “As far as it concerns me, obviously there’s my loyalty to Krokus, but the guys would understand if the offer came and I would certainly take it up this time and go for an audition. Then it’s up to Angus to decide. For me, AC/DC is Angus Young — no offense to Brian Johnson. I think Brian Johnson did a magnificent job with his special unique kind of voice. But losing your hearing is not a nice thing. It’s like losing our eyesight for a musician.”
I remember being sick and staying home from school one day in 1976 and my dad coming home from work with the new KISS album as a get well gift. That record was ‘Destroyer’ released this week 40 years ago and what most consider to be their best album. Rolling Stone magazine disagreed with that sentiment, writing “the vocals are undistinguished and emotionally empty; the lyrics — about partying and the rock scene, with plenty of campy S&M allusions — trite. Worse yet, there’s not a memorable guitar solo on the album.” Click Here to read the rest of the review.
Today in 1992, during a METALLICA concert at Orlando Arena, fans dangled an usher by his ankles from the balcony as trouble broke out at the show. The band was charged $38,000 for repairs and cleaning after the audience trashed the building.
On this date in 2008, Daniel MacMaster, vocalist for Bonham, died of complications from pneumonia at age 39. R.I.P.
It’s a short one today, but the best part of this is your contribution, anyway. So, have at it!
Good Day Metal Dogs! After making our mandatory time lurch this past weekend, I think I am finally back on track. Daylight savings time can be eliminated anytime and I would be okay with that.
Has BRIAN JOHNSON been ‘kicked to the curb’ by AC/DC? That’s the claim by comedian and friend of the AC/DC singer, Jim Breuer, who says that Johnson spoke to AC/DC management and Angus Young to explain the situation with his hearing loss, that he didn’t think it’s as bad as the doctor said it is, but “literally the next day in the press, it was ‘Brian Johnson, tour canceled, he’s losing his hearing.'”
Breuer added that despite Johnson being in the band for 36 years, he still felt like a hired gun. Johnson also believes that Young, who is seven years his junior, wants to keep AC/DC going for another decade. “[Brian] explained how Angus is the youngest guy in the band,” Breuer said. “He’s convinced Angus wants to continue the next ten years whether it’s him or not. [Angus] wants to write another album and do one more tour. Who’s filling those shoes? How do you do that after forty years? It’s just really weird.”
CINDERELLA bassist Eric Brittingham doesn’t think Tom Keifer is coming back to the band, saying in a recent interview, “That is the big question. It’s, like, what are we doing? It’s been four years now that Tom’s been on his own. We’re not making any new music [and] he is, so I guess that’s probably the answer right there.”
Happy Birthday to TWISTED SISTER singer Dee Snider. He turns 61 today. Did you know that during the mid-80’s, before the premiere of Headbangers Ball, the first MTV program to consist entirely of heavy metal videos was ‘Heavy Metal Mania’ and was hosted by Dee Snider? Check out a short video promo of the show from 1985 below and note the cameo of a recently deceased metal legend at the :16 mark.
Occasionally you may hear a voice on METAL SHOP saying things like “That metal music is good for the soul and colon” or “Let’s put the fun back in funeral my friend.” That voice belongs to my longtime friend, Dan Jungle Rooster McCutcheon, who is celebrating another year above ground today. Happy Birthday Dan F!
Happy Birthday to Radovan Jakovljevic listening to METAL SHOP in New York.
That’s the latest in the world of 80’s metal and hard rock for now. Thanks to everyone for participating, liking, or lurking. Have a kick ass Tuesday!
Happy Friday! The 80’s metal is non-stop on METAL SHOP because you deserve a good ass kicking, and you know it.
On this date in 1983, QUIET RIOT released their third album “Metal Health,” the first heavy metal album to reach the top spot on the Billboard 200. QR went on a tour the same year, opening for BLACK SABBATH. The title track is known by a number of slightly different names. It was simply called “Metal Health” on the original vinyl release, but most subsequent reissues of the album on other formats call it “Bang Your Head”, with the phrase ‘Metal Health’ in parentheses, either before or after the “main” title.
Today in 1983, HELIX also released their third studio album “No Rest for the Wicked,” featuring the single “Heavy Metal Love.” After a long run as a standard bar band, they changed their image to a more image-conscious metal band and were finally signed to Capitol Records after being rejected by them three times.
METALLICA is working on a new album and it may be done this year as Lars Ulrich told Rolling Stone, “We’ve gotta finish the new record now. But thankfully we’re quite far along. Hopefully we should be able to knock that on the head this spring, I would guess. So we will be gearing up and playing shows and doing all that fun stuff again soon.”
JUDAS PRIEST is releasing a new concert DVD from last year’s “Redeemer Of Souls” tour later this month. Checkout a performance clip of ‘The Hellion/Electric Eye’ from that disc posted yesterday at this location – Click Here
Happy Birthday to former PANTERA Drummer “Vinnie Paul” Abbott, who turns 52 today and Happy Birthday to IRON MAIDEN Bassist Steve Harris, who turns 60 tomorrow (3/11).
For most of us in the U.S.A. and some parts of the world, we have the inexplicable duty this weekend of making sure that every single timepiece in our realm is changed, by force or by programming, to Daylight Saving Time. This is a highly unpopular and pointless mandate. The government wants us to eat our broccoli, but they have no problem with depriving us of that precious and vital thing called sleep?
Thanks for checking in! Look forward to reading your interesting updates and comments. Enjoy your abbreviated wknd!
Hey Hey it’s Thursday… here is a quick 80’s metal update to provide an illusory sense of being on top of stuff :).
With AC/DC’s Brian Johnson sidelined, probably forever, because of near total hearing loss, who will replace him to finish out the current tour? Some names being floated are Sammy Hagar, David Lee Roth, Dave Grohl, Vince Neil, Krokus’ Marc Storace and original AC/DC lead singer Dave Evans. Stay tuned.
Ever since MOTORHEAD’s Lemmy passed in late December, it seems one classic rocker after another has also left us. Others like Brian Johnson are still here, but their careers have been cut short. Now comes word (and confirmed by guitarist Alex Lifeson) that RUSH are officially retired from touring because drummer of Neil Peart’s physical inability to play any longer due to increasing chronic arthritis pain. Super sad.
OZZY OSBOURNE said recently, “I’m not saying I’ll never record with Tony or Geezer again,” but he will no longer tour with BLACK SABBATH, so get out and see them while you still can. ‘The End’ tour starts up again in Australia next month.
In a recent interview, MÖTLEY CRÜE’s Nikki Sixx said it was ‘really special’ seeing Vince Neil cry at the band’s final show on December 31, 2015, “cause I had seen Vince only cry a few times.”
Two great songs and a precursor to the metal sound of the 80’s were released today in 1976 (JUDAS PRIEST ‘The Ripper’) and in 1979 (MOTÖRHEAD ‘Overkill’).
Happy Birthday to Aron Culver listening to METAL SHOP in California.
Hope to see you on the radio. Love to hear your comments about things. Thanks!
Well, most of us figured this was AC/DC’s final tour this year anyway, but yesterday’s news that they have postponed the rest of their U.S. tour as singer Brian Johnson faces “total hearing loss,” was a shock and felt like another rock star death.
Johnson has revealed that he burst his eardrum racing cars without earplugs. “I heard my eardrum burst because I forgot to put my plugs in under my helmet,” he said, “Music had nothing to do with it … I was dizzy, my middle ear had gone, and I took my helmet off and there was blood coming out and I’d burst my eardrum.”
This story was on my local news channel this morning with the headline ‘Brian Johnson will never sing again.’ I don’t know why, but reality really sunk in for me right there that this is the end for the legends from down under.
I saw AC/DC on the current tour last month and I am glad I did, but it’s a bummer that Johnson and the band couldn’t go out on their own terms. Take care of yourself, Brian.
Happy Posthumous Birthday to former IRON MAIDEN Drummer Clive Burr. He would have been 59 today. Previously a member of Samson, Burr joined Maiden in 1979 (coincidentally at about the same time Bruce Dickinson joined Samson). He played on their first three records: Iron Maiden, Killers and The Number of the Beast, and co-wrote the songs “Gangland” and “Total Eclipse.” Burr died in 2013 due to complications related to MS. R.I.P.
Happy Birthday to Adejola Olivera listening to METAL SHOP in São Paulo, Brazil.
For Those About To Rock, We Salute You!
