Hair Band History (December 30th)

December 1987: David Lee Roth released "Just Like Paradise" as the lead single from his forthcoming album "Skyscraper". On the cover, that is DLR really rock climbing in Yosemite National Park. "I started climbing when I was 11, in the Boy Scouts." Release information source: [US] Billboard Magazine ad - December 18, 1987.

Twisted Sister released power ballad "The Price" in North America in late 1984 (March '85 in the UK) as the third single from the album "Stay Hungry". "I had been away from home for four months from my wife and my son. I wrote it inspired by those feelings..." -Dee Snider

After 145 shows, Tesla concluded the "Psychotic Supper" Tour in October 1992, but spending the holidays in their hometown of Sacramento, California, they added one more for New Year's Eve at Arco Arena.

December 30, 1982: KISS played the second show of the "Creatures Of The Night/10th Anniversary" Tour in Sioux City, Iowa. The band's lucrative record contract with PolyGram required them to be composed of founders Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, plus Ace Frehley, who had quit the band. However, the press release stated he was too injured from a recent car crash to tour, but might make appearances when able. Early concert ads featured Frehley's image, so many fans did not realize he was replaced by Vinnie Vincent until they came to the shows.

December 30, 1991: "Put your faith in a loud guitar", From the soundtrack to "Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey", KISS' "God Gave Rock n Roll To You II" was issued as a single in the UK (July '91 in North America). This was the last contribution to a KISS song by drummer Eric Carr before he passed away in November '91. Release date source: [UK] Kerrang! ad - January 4, 1992.

After touring the UK with Judas Priest most of December 1983, plus a rock festival in Germany, Quiet Riot were a month removed from "Metal Health" hitting No. 1 on the US Billboard Top LPs & Tapes chart and now headlining shows in their home country. On December 30th they played Hara Arena in Dayton, Ohio with support from Night Ranger.

December 30, 1982: Kerrang! reported on Scorpions guitarist Rudolph Schenker being arrested over the summer on the "Blackout" Tour in Corpus Christi, Texas... "'It was unbelievable!' recalls the German axe hero. 'The only thing I'd been doing was throwing a few things around in the bar when the manager came up to me and said 'You must leave!' When I asked him why he told me to come to his office and the next thing I knew I'd been handcuffed.'"

December 1984: The Year Of The Rat turned out to be prophetic for the rodents from the Sunset Strip. RATT's debut album was a US Top 10 hit and single "Round And Round" reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. The band concluded the "Out Of The Cellar" Tour with shows in San Bernardino, California on the 30th and Long Beach on New Year's Eve.

December 1990: How many picked up the latest issue of Circus Magazine just for the centerfold? 😊