Hair Band History (February 28th/29th)

February 28, 1983: The start of the hair metal era, Quiet Riot released their third studio album "Metal Health" in North America (Late March '83 in the UK) featuring the title track and US Top 5 smash "Cum On Feel The Noize" and considered the first metal LP to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Top LPs & Tapes chart.

Quiet Riot "Metal Health" release information source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication - February 18, 1983; [UK] Kerrang! Album Chart debut + review - April 7, 1983.

February 1983: Def Leppard released "Photograph" in the US as the first single from the album "Pyromania". Written about Marilyn Monroe, the video includes several appearances of a lookalike. The song has been performed at every concert. Release information source: Debuted US Billboard Hot 100 on March 12, 1983.

February 29, 1988: Kingdom Come released their debut album in North America (March 14th in the UK). After the breakup of his previous band, Stone Fury, German vocalist Lenny Wolf formed Kingdom Come. They were an instant success, but Led Zeppelin comparisons created some backlash.

Kingdom Come debut release date source: [US] R&R radio trade publication ad - February 26, 1988; [UK] Kerrang! - March 12, 1988.

February 28, 1985: King Kobra released their debut album "Ready To Strike" in North America featuring single "Hunger" (MTV added the music video on February 15th), written by members of the Canadian band Kick-Axe and recorded by them for "The Transformers: The Movie" soundtrack under the alias Spectre General. After playing with Ozzy for two years, drummer Carmine Appice formed King Kobra with relatively unknown musicians.

King Kobra "Ready To Strike" release date source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication - February 22, 1985.

February 28, 1995: Warrant released their fourth studio album "Ultraphobic" in North America (one day earlier in the UK) after the apparent break-up of the band. Former Kingdom Come members Rick Steier and James Kottak replaced original members Joey Allen and Steven Sweet. Release date source: [US] Rock magazine ad; [UK] Kerrang! - February 25, 1995.

February 1987: Released two months earlier, Tesla's "Mechanical Resonance" was a smash hit in the US, becoming the fastest selling debut album in Geffen Records history. The label marked the occasion with this strange radio industry ad, but cheers to the band! R&R US radio trade publication - February 20, 1987

February 29, 1992: Mr. Big's "To Be With You", the third single from the album "Lean into It", hit No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and remained there for three weeks.

Produced by Michael Wagener (Dokken, Skid Row, White Lion, etc.), Canadian rockers Brighton Rock released their debut album "Young Wild and Free" in late 1986, but got the push with this ad for the first single in February 1987. R&R US radio trade publication - February 20, 1987

February 28, 1985: Michael Bolton released the album "Everybody's Crazy" in North America. Before he became a crooner, MB was on Hair Band Boulevard. KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick played on the album and the music video for the title track hit MTV at the end of March. The song was later featured in the 1986 movie "Back To School". Release date source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication - February 22, 1985.

Happy Birthday to Zebra lead singer and guitarist Randy Jackson (February 28, 1955).

February 28, 1987: Valerie Bertinelli hosted Saturday Night Live in the US and her husband at the time, Eddie Van Halen made an appearance, playing alongside G.E. Smith and the SNL house band for an instrumental number called "Stompin’ 8H".

February 28, 1989: Two days after being involved in a major fight with nearly everyone associated with Bon Jovi, including Jon Bon Jovi himself - Read More - Skid Row's Sebastian Bach was arrested before the band's encore in Hampton, Virginia and charged with "using abusive and violent language." He spent the night in jail and told "never to return" to Hampton.

February 28, 1985: KISS' Paul Stanley was on the cover of Circus Magazine. The annual reader's poll revealed RATT as best new artist and Lita Ford best female vocalist.