Hair Band History (September 17th)

September 17, 1984: KISS released their 12th studio album "Animalize" featuring No. 11 US rock hit "Heaven's On Fire". The LP was produced by Paul Stanley while Gene Simmons pursued an acting career and was recorded with guitarist Mark St. John.

KISS "Animalize" release information source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication - September 14, 1984; [UK] Kerrang! ad - September 20, 1984.

September 17, 1984: With bassist Jeff Pilson replacing Juan Croucier, the classic era was set and Dokken released their second studio album "Tooth And Nail" featuring US Top 30 rock hit "Just Got Lucky" and Top 20 power ballad "Alone Again".

Dokken "Tooth And Nail" release information source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication - September 14, 1984; Billboard Magazine ad - September 29, 1984; [UK] Kerrang! ad - October 4, 1984.

September 17, 1991: Guns N' Roses released their third and fourth studio albums "Use Your Illusion I" and Use Your Illusion II" featuring US Billboard Hot 100 hits "November Rain" (No. 5) and "Don't Cry" (No. 10). Both albums debuted at No. 1 and No. 2 on the Billboard 200.

Guns N' Roses "Use Your Illusion I" and "Use Your Illusion II" release date source: [US] R&R radio trade publication ad - September 13, 1991; [UK] Kerrang! - September 28, 1991

September 17, 1983: Six months after the release of the album "Metal Health", Quiet Riot single "Cum On Feel The Noize" debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 at No. 92. By November, the song would reach No. 5 and drive the LP to No. 1.

September 17, 1983: Nearing the end of the US leg of the "Pyromania" Tour, Def Leppard played San Diego with openers Eddie Money and an on the rise Mötley Crüe. Def Leppard ended the tour three days later in Hawaii.

September 17, 1988: Winger's debut album debuted at No. 182 on the US Billboard Top Pop Albums chart. With hit singles "Madalaine", "Seventeen", "Headed For A Heartbreak" and "Hungry", the LP would reach No. 21 in February 1989.

September 17, 1986: After a hiatus from the music industry where he remained in seclusion for three years, Alice Cooper returned with his ninth studio album "Constrictor", recorded with guitarist Kane Roberts and bassist Kip Winger. Release date source: [US] R&R radio trade publication - September 19, 1986.

September 17, 1996: Firehouse released their fourth studio album "Good Acoustics" in North America featuring unplugged versions of some of their biggest hits, plus four new songs, including "You Are My Religion". Release date source: [US] The Vindicator Newspaper (Youngstown, Ohio) - September 16, 1996; The Victoria Advocate (Victoria, Texas) - September 15, 1996.

Happy Birthday to King's X lead guitarist and co-lead vocalist Ty Tabor (September 17, 1961).

September 17, 1988: The last generation of L.A. hair metal acts were following the footsteps of Mötley Crüe, RATT and others by playing Chuck Landis' Country Club in Reseda, California. Tuff would be one of the few to land a deal with a record label.

September 17, 1988: With the massive success of their second album "Open Up And Say... Ahh!", Poison were now touring as headliners with support from Lita Ford and Britny Fox.

September 17, 1988: Guns N' Roses concluded the North American leg of the 16-month "Appetite for Destruction" tour opening for INXS at Texas Stadium in Dallas. The show is remembered by the band as one of their worst performances... "The band completely fell apart in front of this massive audience," recalled Slash. "It was desperate on stage, trying to keep everything together. I have nightmares about it."