Hair Band History (July 23rd)

July 23, 1988: Nearly a year after its release and all those great songs issued as singles, Def Leppard's "Hysteria" hit No. 1 on the US Billboard Top Pop Albums chart and once it got there, didn't let go for six weeks. It has since sold 20 million+ copies.

July 23, 1988: It was the summer of Def Leppard in North America... The same day their album "Hysteria" hit No. 1 on the US Billboard Top Pop Albums chart, single "Pour Some Sugar On Me", the true "Song Of The Summer" that year, peaked at No. 2 on the Hot 100.

Happy Birthday to Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash (July 23, 1965).

July 23, 1984: Sammy Hagar released his eighth studio album "VOA" in the USA (the title a reference to the Voice of America broadcast network), featuring single "I Can't Drive 55", his most successful as a solo artist. Sammy joined Van Halen a year later.

Sammy Hagar "VOA" release date source: Originally scheduled to be issued in the US on July 16, 1984 (Billboard Magazine 'New Releases' - June 30, 1984), "VOA" was delayed a week (Billboard ad 'Ships July 23rd' - July 14, 1984).

July 23, 1984: Y&T released their sixth studio album "In Rock We Trust" in the UK (Late July in North America) featuring their first big radio hit "Don't Stop Runnin'". Dr Pepper acquired the rights to use the track "She's A Liar" from the LP in a radio ad campaign and the band re-recorded it with custom lyrics.

Y&T "In Rock We Trust" release date source: [UK] Kerrang! - June 28, 1984; [US] R&R radio trade publication 'Most Added' - August 3, 1984; Billboard Magazine front page ad - August 11, 1984.

July 23, 1990: Their biggest hit in the US, Enuff Z'Nuff power ballad "Fly High Michelle", the second single from their debut album, was released in the UK. The song was written by lead singer Donnie Vie about a friend who had died. Release date source: Kerrang! - June 30, 1990.

July 23, 1986: Less than a month before the release of "Slippery When Wet", Bon Jovi were on the road in Canada opening for Judas Priest and played Montreal for the first time. Before the tour, Jon Bon Jovi had “never listened to” Judas Priest.

July 23, 2016: Def Leppard's Joe Elliott posted "Yesterday, Jon Bon Jovi visited me at my house in Dublin for an afternoon of jollity!!! We’ve taken this photo 3 times now, once in 1988 I think, about 20 years ago & again today!!!"