Hair Band History (July 17th)

July 17, 1989: Ahead of the release of "Trash", the album that would return Alice Cooper to the hard rock throne, the lead single "Poison" was issued in the UK and to American radio. The track went on to become one of the Godfather of Shock Rock's best-known songs worldwide. The music video hit MTV on August 12th that year. Release information source: [UK] Kerrang! - July 15, 1989; [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication ad - July 21, 1989.

July 17, 1985: Mötley Crüe's "Smokin' In The Boys Room" from the album "Theatre Of Pain" was steamin' at American rock radio and the music video, featuring Michael Berryman as the school principal, just hit MTV.

July 1987: MTV added the music video a month earlier and now Europe's latest single "Carrie", from "The Final Countdown" album, was making moves at American radio. It would become their highest-charting song on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 3 on August 22, 1987. R&R radio trade publication ad - July 17, 1987

July 17, 1989: San Francisco glam rockers Vain were seeing some action at American rock radio with their debut single "Beat The Bullet" from their first album "No Respect" released in North America (August 14th in the UK). The band toured the UK with Skid Row later that year. Release information source: [US] CMJ New Music Report - June 15, 1989; [UK] Kerrang! - July 22, 1989.

July 17, 1989: L.A. all-female hard rockers Phantom Blue released their self-titled debut album in the UK, featuring single "Why Call It Love?", for which the music video was filmed within a maximum-security prison in Carson City, Nevada. Release date source: Kerrang! - June 10, 1989.

July 17 1992: Guns N' Roses and Metallica began their co-headlining tour in Washington, D.C. Metallica insisted they play first every night so they would be paid whether GnR showed up or not. Axl Rose had tried to get Nirvana to open.

July 17, 1993: Guns N’ Roses concluded the "Use Your Illusion" Tour with back-to-back shows in Buenos Aires. When Slash and Duff McKagan walked offstage, they had no idea it would be their last gig with the classic-era lineup.

July 1988: Cinderella's new album "Long Cold Winter" was out worldwide and frontman Tom Keifer got the cover of the latest issue of Kerrang!