Hair Band History (May 21st)

May 21, 1987: Jon Bon Jovi was on the cover of Rolling Stone. The magazine wrote "Bon Jovi has hit the top with an image tailor-made for today’s teens... and Jon Bon Jovi has the most wonderful hair in rock & roll today."

May 21, 1983: Taped in late April before the start of their tour with Billy Squier, Def Leppard made their only appearance on Dick Clark's American Bandstand in the US. They performed mimed versions of "Rock Of Ages" and "Photograph".

May 21, 1988: Poison's "Open Up And Say...Ahh!" debuted at No. 43 on the US Billboard Top Pop Albums chart. Powered by singles "Nothin' But A Good Time", "Fallen Angel", "Your Mama Don't Dance" and No. 1 hit "Every Rose Has Its Thorn", it would peak at No. 2 in June '88.

May 21, 1988: Nearly a year after the release of White Lion's album "Pride", the first single "Wait" was a certified smash, peaking at No. 8 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the music video in heavy rotation on MTV.

May 1982: Released in Europe six months earlier on French label Carrere Records as Don Dokken "Breakin' The Chains" with the frontman on the cover, Dokken's debut album was re-issued as Dokken "Breakin' The Chains" with a different cover. A year later, the LP would be remixed, partially re-recorded and renamed "Breaking The Chains" before being issued again by Elektra in North America. The original Dokken had "drummer Gary Holland (who would later play with Great White from 1982-85) and guitarist Greg Leon, but they were replaced when Don Dokken picked up George Lynch because he wanted a hit and Lynch had 'Paris Is Burning' in his catalogue. Lynch demanded that Mick Brown be the drummer and the rest is history." -Kerrang! Release information source: Kerrang! ad - May 20, 1982.

Many sites show Cinderella released their second studio album "Long Cold Winter" on May 21, 1988. This date is NOT CORRECT. It was released July 5, 1988 in North America. Source: Billboard Magazine - July 2, 1988

May 21, 1986: After collaborating with KISS on the "Animalize" and "Asylum" albums, singer, bassist, guitarist, songwriter, producer and former member of the Plasmatics, Jean Beauvoir, released his debut solo album "Drums Along The Mohawk" in North America, featuring the single "Feel The Heat". Release date source: FMQB radio trade publication - May 16, 1986.

Happy Birthday to Tora Tora singer Anthony Corder (May 21, 1969).

Remembering Phantom Blue guitarist Michelle Meldrum-Norum, who died May 21, 2008 at age 39. She is survived by her son Jake and husband, Europe guitarist John Norum. R.I.P.

May 21, 2002: Poison released their sixth studio album "Hollyweird" in North America, the first from the full original line-up since 1990's "Flesh & Blood" and currently their last LP of original material. Release information source: Debuted US Billboard 200 album chart on June 8, 2002.

May 21, 2010: Y&T released their 12th and final studio album "Facemelter" in Europe. It was also the last Y&T recording with bassist Phil Kennemore, who died of cancer the following year. A music video was made for single "I'm Coming Home". Release date source: Blabbermouth.net - April 2, 2010.

May 21, 1982: Floridian rockers Axe released their third album "Offering" featuring the hit anthem "Rock N' Roll Party In The Streets". On the rise, they were touring with Mötley Crüe in 1984, but lost their guitarist in a car accident. Release date source: FMQB radio trade publication - May 7, 1982.

May 21, 1983: Def Leppard's "Photograph", the first single from the "Pyromania" album, peaked at No. 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It also spent six weeks at No. 1 on the Album Rock Tracks chart.

May 21, 1984: At age 36, Ozzy Osbourne was much too young to be "So Tired", but the ballad from the "Bark At The Moon" album was released in the UK and would become a Top 20 hit in his home country. Ozzy was hospitalized in late February '84 "following an incident involving a broken mirror that occured during the shooting" of the music video in London. "Upon his return to the states, the Oz was found to have splinters of glass in his throat, causing painful lacerations." -Kerrang! Release date source: Kerrang! ad - May 17, 1984.