Hair Band History (May 25th)

Happy Birthday to Scorpions singer Klaus Meine (May 25, 1948).

May 1989: White Lion released "Little Fighter" as the lead single from their forthcoming album "Big Game". The lyrics for the song are "In Memory Of The Rainbow Warrior", the Greenpeace boat destroyed by French intelligence in 1985. Release information source: The Hard Report radio publication ad - June 2, 1989.

May 1991: Ahead of the release of their new album "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge", Van Halen issued "Poundcake" as the first single. It would reach No. 1 on the US Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart. Release information source: [US] R&R radio trade publication ad - May 24, 1991.

May 1990: RATT were rehearsing material for their forthcoming album "Detonator", but took time out to receive platinum awards from their record label Atlantic for the band's previous release "Reach For The Sky". R&R radio trade publication - May 25, 1990

May 1991: Slaughter had released "Mad About You" as the fourth and final single from their debut album "Stick It To Ya" a month earlier, but American radio was not yet ready to quit the LP, so a promotional single for "Desperately" was issued. Release information source: [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication ad - May 25, 1991.

May 25, 1990: Swedish rockers with a little bit of funk, Electric Boys, released their debut album "Funk-O-Metal Carpet Ride" three weeks earlier in North America and first single "All Lips 'n Hips" was the No. 5 most requested and on its way to being a US Top 20 rock hit. Release information source: The Hard Report radio publication ad - May 25, 1990.

After being rejected three times, Helix were finally signed to Capitol Records and their third studio album "No Rest For The Wicked" released in May 1983 in North America (Late-July in the UK), featuring singles "Does A Fool Ever Learn", "Never Want To Lose You" and US rock hit "Heavy Metal Love". Release date source: RPM Magazine Canada - June 4, 1983.

Japanese hard rockers Loudness released "Long Distance Love" as a single from the EP "Jealousy" in 1988.

Having shifted to a pop-metal sound, Aerosmith's tenth studio album "Pump", featuring singles "Love In An Elevator", "Janie's Got A Gun" and "What It Takes" propelled the LP to 6x Platinum in the US. Image: Billboard ad - May 25, 1991

May 1992: Skid Row released "Quicksand Jesus" as a single in Japan. The band would conclude the "Slave To The Grind" Tour with two shows in Tokyo later that year.

May 1986: "Back In The Fast Lane" with new frontman Sammy Hagar, Van Halen were on the cover of Hit Parader Magazine. One year later, with their new album "Girls, Girls, Girls" in stores, Mötley Crüe were on the cover of Hit Parader with the headline "Return Of The Sleaze Patrol".

May 1991: The latest issue of the UK's Kerrang! Magazine featured posters of Winger and BulletBoys frontman Marq Torien.