Hair Band History (May 2nd)

May 2, 1988: With new singer Mark Slaughter, Vinnie Vincent Invasion released their second studio album "All Systems Go" in North America (May 9th in the UK) featuring singles "Love Kills" and "That Time Of Year". Headlining small clubs, the band toured the US and Canada briefly, but broke up after the last show at the end of August that year. The LP was recorded with Jeff Scott Soto on backing vocals.

Vinnie Vincent Invasion "All Systems Go" release information source: [US] FMQB radio trade magazine - April 22, 1988; Billboard Magazine ad "Just Shipped" - May 7, 1988; Debuted on the US Billboard Top Pop Albums chart chart on May 21, 1988; [UK] Kerrang! - May 14, 1988.

May 2, 1984: Bon Jovi spent the summer touring with Scorpions and on this date landed in Vancouver. Of course, they would come back to this Canadian city many times in the future to record both "Slippery When Wet" and "New Jersey".

May 1989: With success on rock radio, Great White's "Once Bitten Twice Shy" from the album "...Twice Shy" was getting the push at Top 40. It would debut on the US Billboard Hot 100 in June and peak at No. 5 in August. HITS radio trade publication ad - May 8, 1989

May 2, 1989: Kingdom Come released their second studio album "In Your Face" in the UK (April 17, 1989 in North America) featuring singles "Do You Like It" and "Overrated". The band was booked to tour the UK with W.A.S.P., but split up shortly after the release of the second single. Release date source: Kerrang! - April 22, 1989.

May 2, 1986: In support of "Turbo", Judas Priest began the "Fuel For Life" Tour at Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Opening bands on the tour included: Dokken, Bon Jovi, Krokus, Loudness and Warlock.

May 1995: Slaughter released their third studio album "Fear No Evil" in North America featuring the single "Searchin'". Success was elusive in most of the world, but certainly some fans loved it and the LP performed well in Japan. Release information source: [US] Debuted Billboard 200 album chart on May 20, 1995.

May 2, 1986: With Paul Black on vocals (Phil Lewis would replace him a year later), L.A. Guns played the Troubadour in West Hollywood, California with opener Faster Pussycat.

May 1988: With former Rainbow vocalist Joe Lynn Turner, Yngwie Malmsteen released "Heaven Tonight" as the first single from his latest album "Odyssey". The song was a Top 20 US rock hit and the album became Malmsteen's highest-charting on the US Billboard Top Pop Albums chart. Release information source: [US] HITS radio trade publication ad - May 2, 1988.

Happy Birthday to Killer Dwarfs drummer Darrell "Dwarf" Millar (May 2, 1965).

May 2, 1987: With Cinderella opening, Bon Jovi played the second of two shows at Providence Civic Center in Providence, Rhode Island.

May 2, 1987: The beginning of what would become a juggernaut album included a record store appearance by Whitesnake's David Coverdale in Ferndale, Michigan.

May 2, 1977: Marshall Berle brought two Warner Bros. execs to The Starwood in West Hollywood, California to check out Van Halen. After the show, producer Ted Templeman and music executive Mo Ostin offered the band a recording contract, which they accepted less than 24 hours later.

May 1989: It was hair band hysteria on Columbia Records with this ad promoting the hot debuts from Warrant, Britny Fox and Dangerous Toys, plus up and comers No Shame and Love/Hate.