Hair Band History (July 16th)

July 16, 1981: Def Leppard released their second studio album "High 'n' Dry" in North America (the week of July 13th in the UK), their first with producer "Mutt" Lange and featuring rock hit "Let It Go" and power ballad "Bringin' On the Heartbreak". "It was the start of where we wanted to go." - Joe Elliott

Def Leppard "High 'n' Dry" release information source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication - July 10, 1981; Debuted Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart on August 8, 1981; [UK] Smash Hits Magazine ad - July 23, 1981 and Music Week ad - July 25, 1981; Debuted Official album chart on July 25, 1981; Record Mirror review - August 1, 1981.

July 16, 1984: The success of "Metal Health" was a tough act to follow and Quiet Riot's rushed follow up "Condition Critical" didn't match expectations, but it still went platinum and produced US Billboard Hot 100 hit single "Mama Weer All Crazee Now", plus rock hit "Sign Of The Times".

Quiet Riot "Condition Critical" release date source: [US] Billboard Magazine - June 30, 1984; R&R radio trade publication ad - July 13, 1984; [UK] Kerrang! ad - July 26, 1984.

July 1988: David Lee Roth released the acoustic ballad "Damn Good" as a single from the album "Skyscraper". It was written by guitarist Steve Vai, who originally called it "Scandinavian Air Solo" until DLR got a hold of it. Release information source: R&R radio trade publication ad - July 15, 1988.

July 1988: Riding high on the success of lead single "Kiss Me Deadly", Lita Ford released a remix of "Back To The Cave" as the second single from the album "Lita". The song went on to become a Top 25 rock hit in the US. Release information source: R&R radio trade publication ad - July 15, 1988.

Happy Birthday to former Night Ranger keyboardist [1982-98] Alan Fitzgerald (July 16, 1949). He also played keyboards offstage for Van Halen [1991-2004].

July 1988: Three months after its release, Scorpions tenth studio album "Savage Amusement" was already platinum in the US. Featuring singles "Rhythm Of Love", "Believe In Love" and "Passion Rules The Game", the LP reached No. 5 on the US Billboard Top Pop Albums Chart. Billboard Magazine ad - July 30, 1988

At the start of the "Slippery When Wet" Tour in July 1986, Bon Jovi opened for Judas Priest when they played Montreal, but after the massive success of the album, the band returned nearly a year later on July 16, 1987 as headliners, with Cinderella in tow.

July 1988: "Coming On Strong!!" Guns N' Roses' Axl Rose was on the cover of Japan's Music Life Magazine. Slash has said GnR wore a little bit of makeup in the early days, but their frontman here looks like he could be a member of Poison 😏