Hair Band History (July 20th)

July 20, 1987: Four years after the release of "Pyromania", anticipation was high for the forthcoming Def Leppard album "Hysteria", and we got the first listen when lead single "Women" was issued to North American radio stations. Meanwhile, in the UK, "Animal" was released as the first single, where it would reach No. 6 on the UK Official Singles Chart.

Def Leppard "Women" and "Animal" singles release date source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication - July 17, 1987; R&R radio trade publication ad - July 17, 1987 [UK] Record Mirror - July 18, 1987; Kerrang! ad - July 23, 1987.

July 20, 2004: Van Halen had reunited with Sammy Hagar and were touring North America with the second of two shows in Chicago. That same day, a compilation album of the biggest VH hits with Hagar was released titled "The Best Of Both Worlds". Release date source: Blabbermouth.net - June 16, 2004.

July 20, 1991: David Lee Roth brought the "A Little Ain't Enough" Tour to East Troy, Wisconsin with special guests Cinderella and Extreme.

July 20, 1991: With guest appearances by Nikki Sixx, Slash and Ozzy and the title track a Top 15 rock hit, Alice Cooper's latest album "Hey Stoopid" peaked at No. 47 on the US Billboard 200.

July 20, 1987: Norwegian hard rockers TNT released "Everyone's A Star" in North America as the second single from the album "Tell No Tales". The band would launch their first US tour on July 31st in Southern California, hitting the road with Stryper and Loudness. Release date source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication - July 17, 1987.

Happy Birthday to Twisted Sister guitarist Jay Jay French (July 20, 1952).

July 20, 1985: Guns N' Roses played the Troubadour in L.A. not far from "Hell House", the one-room space they lived in on the Sunset Strip that was ground zero for sex, drugs and depravity. The 12 song set included encore "Heartbreak Hotel".

July 20, 1988: After playing two warm-up shows at Hammerjack's in Baltimore, Cinderella joined the Judas Priest tour in Montreal in support of their just released second studio album "Long Cold Winter".

"Another rock solid RATT LP", the band's "melodic" and "meaty" second studio album "Invasion Of Your Privacy" featuring single "Lay It Down", was certified gold in Canada. RPM Canadian radio trade publication ad - July 20, 1985

Summer 1989: Skid Row were featured in Hit Parader Magazine.