Hair Band History (June 8th)

June 8, 1984: Twisted Sister released their third studio album "Stay Hungry" in the UK (Mid-June '84 in North America) featuring megahits "We're Not Gonna Take It" and "I Wanna Rock" plus power ballad "The Price". The comedic videos ran almost constantly on MTV.

Twisted Sister "Stay Hungry" release information source: [UK] Record-Mirror - June 2, 1984; [US] Cashbox Magazine "forthcoming release" - June 16, 1984 and Billboard Magazine Radio Rock Albums survey chart debut - June 23, 1984 (The latter is not a sales chart, only what American radio was playing a week earlier). Finally, the June 2, 1984 issue of Billboard notes a July 1, 1984 ship date for "Stay Hungry". However, with the LP debuting on the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart on July 7, 1984 and normally a minimum of 7-10 days of sales needed to chart, it was most likely in US record stores by Mid-June.

June 1984: Van Halen released "Panama" as the second single from the album "1984" in North America. A No. 2 rock hit in the US in March, the song was now crossing over to the Billboard Hot 100 and on its way to becoming a massive summer hit. Release information source: R&R radio trade publication ad - June 8, 1984.

June 8, 1985: Bon Jovi had just returned home after touring Europe when this ad appeared in Billboard Magazine. Two more weeks of rest and they would resume the "7800° Fahrenheit" Tour headlining in the Midwest before joining RATT in July.

June 8, 1999: Def Leppard released their seventh studio album "Euphoria" marking a return to their signature sound that made them famous in the '80s. Former producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange returned for four days and co-wrote No. 1 rock hit "Promises". Release date source: [US] HITS Magazine radio trade publication - June 1, 1999.

Happy Birthday to Trixter bassist P.J. Farley (June 8, 1972).

June 1990: Canadian rockers Alias released "Haunted Heart" as the lead single from their forthcoming debut album. It went on to be a Top 20 rock hit in the US. They would do even better with the follow up, power ballad "More Than Words Can Say". Release information source: The Gavin Report radio trade publication ad - June 8, 1990.

June 8, 1991: Built around the acoustic guitar of Nuno Bettencourt and lead vocals of Gary Cherone, Extreme's "More Than Words", the third single from the album "Extreme II: Pornograffitti", hit No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

June 8, 1993: Loaded with hard rock acts, the soundtrack to the movie "Last Action Hero" was issued featuring AC/DC and Megadeth, but it was the ballad "Two Steps Behind" from Def Leppard that rocked the charts, reaching No. 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Release date source: Billboard Magazine - June 5, 1993.

June 8, 1991: Ahead of the release of their second studio album "Slave To The Grind", Skid Row were featured "In Portrait" in the UK's Kerrang! Magazine.