Hair Band History (July 6th)

July 1990: Jon Bon Jovi released his debut solo single "Blaze Of Glory", which he wrote after "Young Guns II" star Emilio Estevez requested "Wanted Dead Or Alive" for the soundtrack. Jon didn't think that one fit the theme of the Western movie. Release information source: R&R radio trade publication ad - July 6, 1990.

July 1990: Winger released "Can't Get Enuff" as the lead single from their forthcoming album "In The Heart Of The Young". The uptempo rocker was the band's most successful single on rock radio and the steamy music video in heavy rotation on MTV. Release information source: R&R radio trade publication ad - July 6, 1990.

July 6, 1991: Van Halen's ninth studio album "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" debuted at No. 1 on the US Billboard Top Pop Albums chart, holding that spot for three weeks thanks to hit singles "Poundcake", "Top Of The World" and "Right Now".

July 1986: Dokken released "It's Not Love" in North America as the third single from the album "Under Lock And Key". MTV was already on the music video that featured the band performing on a flatbed truck as it drives down Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles. Local radio station KNAC had announced the video shoot and that brought out the fans. Billboard Magazine ad - July 5, 1986

July 6, 1988: Femme Fatale released "Waiting For The Big One" in North America as the lead single from their self-titled debut album, with the music video hitting MTV a month later. Release date source: CMJ New Music Report - July 1, 1988.

July 6, 1987: Jeff Paris released his second studio album "Wired Up" featuring the songs "Cryin'", "One Night Alone" and "Charmed Life", all covered by Vixen for their debut album issued two years later. Paris started his hard rock career as a songwriter in 1984 on albums by Lita Ford and Y&T, including singles "Gotta Let Go" (Ford) and "Lipstick & Leather" (Y&T). He also worked as a session musician playing keyboards on Cinderella's 1986 debut album "Night Songs". Release date source: FMQB radio trade publication - July 3, 1987.

July 1990: Before it became a US Top 25 rock hit, L.A. Guns power ballad "The Ballad Of Jayne" was languishing a little at Top 40 radio, so their record label encouraged stations to give it another go. Hitmakers Magazine radio trade publication ad - July 6, 1990

With a more conventional blues rock feel, 3/5 of the original RATT (Pearcy, DeMartini, Blotzer) plus new bassist Robbie Crane, released their sixth studio album "RATT" in 1999 featuring Top 40 US rock hit "Over The Edge".

Great White released their ninth studio album "Can't Get There from Here" in 1999 featuring Top 10 US rock hit "Rollin' Stoned". They toured with RATT, Poison, and L.A. Guns. Guitarist Mark Kendall left the band the following year.

Many sites, including Google, Wikipedia and even the band, show July 6, 1981 as the release date for Def Leppard's second studio album "High 'n' Dry". This is NOT CORRECT. The LP was issued the week of July 13, 1981 in the UK (July 16th in the US). Release information source: [UK] Smash Hits Magazine ad - July 23, 1981 and Music Week ad - July 25, 1981; Debuted Official album chart on July 25, 1981; [US] FMQB radio trade publication - July 10, 1981; Debuted Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart on August 8, 1981.