Hair Band History (August 23rd)

Late August 1989: Ahead of the release of their new album "Dr. Feelgood", Mötley Crüe released the title track as the first single, which went on to become the band's first American Top Ten hit, reaching No. 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Release information source: The Hard Report ad - August 18, 1989.

After concluding the "Dancing Undercover" Tour in the US in late July, RATT were gearing up to perform in Germany for the first time as part of the "Monsters Of Rock" Festival. This ad appeared in Metal Hammer Magazine on August 23, 1987.

August 1985: Even though many media outlets were reporting that Sammy Hagar had joined Van Halen, this blurb in UK magazine Kerrang! notes Sammy had not yet officially joined the band, but they were collaborating.

August 23, 1985: "Soldiers Under Command", the first full-length studio album from Stryper, was shipped to US record stores (October '85 as an import in the UK). Demand was high as the band's label received advance orders for 100,000+ copies and it became the first Christian metal album to achieve gold status.

Stryper "Soldiers Under Command" release information source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication - August 30, 1985; Billboard Magazine - September 14, 1985; Stryper singer Michael Sweet social media post - May 15, 2024; [UK] Kerrang! review - October 17, 1985.

August 23, 1985: Following their "Monsters Of Rock" appearance at Castle Donington on the 17th, Bon Jovi released "The Hardest Part Is the Night" as the third single from the album "7800° Fahrenheit", but only in the UK. Release date source: Kerrang! - August 8, 1985; Debuted UK Official singles chart on August 31, 1985.

August 23, 1994: Tesla released their fourth studio album "Bust A Nut" in North America featuring the single "Mama's Fool". With guitarist Tommy Skeoch entering rehab for substance abuse, the band went on a six-year hiatus and didn't record another LP until 2004. Release date source: CMJ New Music Report - August 22, 1994.

August 23, 1988: Touring with Judas Priest, Cinderella played Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, opening with "Fallin' Apart At The Seams" and "Somebody Save Me".

August 23, 1990: Five days after performing at the "Monsters Of Rock" Festival at Castle Donington in England, Whitesnake, Aerosmith and Poison traveled to Germany for Super Rock Berlin.

August 1993: Scorpions released "Alien Nation" as the lead single from their forthcoming album "Face The Heat". One of their heaviest songs with almost apocalyptic lyrics went on to be a Top 10 US rock hit. Release information source: Music & Media Magazine ad - August 21, 1993.

August 1988: The intellectual headbanger needs a magazine too and "Product of a Normal American Home" Alice Cooper was featured.