LITA FORD – LITA

Happy Wednesday Metalheads! Hope you’re having a great week so far. Today we  take a trip back to 1988 to the self titled- album by a woman who always rocks as hard as the boys, “Lita.”

The album became one of Lita’s most successful albums and produced the hit singles “Kiss Me Deadly” and “Close My Eyes Forever”, her duet with Ozzy Osbourne. Produced by Mike Chapman (Blondie, The Knack), the track listing is as follows:

• Back to the Cave
• Can’t Catch Me
• Blueberry
• Kiss Me Deadly
• Falling in and Out of Love
• Fatal Passion
• Under the Gun
• Broken Dreams
• Close My Eyes Forever

“Can’t Catch Me” was co-written with Lemmy Kilmister and keyboardist, David Erzin, while “Falling In And Out Of Love” was co-written with Nikki Sixx. “Close My Eyes Forever” is Lita’s most successful song to date reaching #8 on the Billboard Top 100.

Lita went on hiatus for many years to tend to her family with former Nitro singer, Jim Gillette. She released her comeback album, “Wicked Wonderland” in 2009, her collaborative effort with Gillette. In 2011, Lita went back to her roots for her next album, “Living Like a Runaway”, which reflected on her split with Gillette, her children and her truce with her former Runaways bandmates. She followed up in 2016 with her next album “Time Capsule” which was a compilation of recordings she had done in the 80’s with a few notable musicians including Gene Simmons, Bruce Kulick and Dave Navarro to name a few.

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO BELOW FOR “KISS ME DEADLY”

VIXEN – EDGE OF A BROKEN HEART

Happy Wednesday Metalheads! Hope you’re having a great week so far. Today we’re going back to 1988 to the debut self-titled album by Vixen for the track “Edge of a Broken Heart.”

The song written by Richard Marx and Fee Waybill reached #26 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1988 and the album was also co-produced by Marx. The success of the album helped Vixen to secure supporting slots on tours with Ozzy Osbourne, Scorpions and Bon Jovi, as well as headlining their own shows as well.

Vixen broke up in 1992 due to musical differences but tried reuniting a few times with different members of the original band in each version. In 2012, guitarist Jan Kuehnemund was planning to reunite the original Vixen lineup with singer Janet Gardner, drummer Roxy Petrucci and bassist Share Ross but sadly was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in 2013. The remaining members decided to carry on the Vixen name in her honor.

The band is currently planning to release a new album in 2019, however singer Janet Gardner has since left the band and was replaced with Femme Fatale singer Lorraine Lewis along with current members Roxy Petrucci, Share Ross and Britt Lighting.

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO FOR “EDGE OF A BROKEN HEART”

ANTHRAX – SATAN’S LOUNGE BAND AT L’AMOUR BROOKLYN, NYC – 1989 – METAL REWIND

Happy Friday Metalheads! Hope you had a great week and are looking forward to the weekend. If you haven’t had a chance to catch my podcast interview with Alex Kayne from L’amour – The Rock Capital of Brooklyn, then click on the link below to hear all about the early days of heavy metal at one of the world’s most famous metal clubs in the country.

After my conversation with Alex it got me to thinking about Anthrax and their show as Satan’s Lounge Band and how it all came about. So let’s take a trip back to 1989 for  “Satan’s Lounge Band” better known as Anthrax.

Anthrax, who hail from New York City had gotten their start at L’amour’s and several local clubs throughout the NYC area in the early 80’s and in 1984 signed a record deal with Megaforce Records owner Jon Zazula and his wife Marsha. Once the members were finalized, they released a few albums that helped to land tours with Iron Maiden, Ozzy Osbourne and Overkill to name a few, throughout the US and Europe.

The band however decided that they wanted to go back to their roots and booked 2 nights back to back at L’amour – The Rock Capital of Brooklyn, the club they frequented in their early days. The show was advertised under the moniker Satan’s Lounge Band – taken from the song “Bud E. Law Bomb and Satan’s Lounge Band” on side B of the “I Am The Law” 12 inch single.  Of course word got out quickly who really was playing the club and it turned out to be a packed house.

Check out the full set below and the video “Madhouse” Live at L’amour from MetalHead Video Magazine – Vol 1, which includes backstage footage of the band and the band performing Madhouse live. Enjoy!

SATAN’S LOUNGE BAND/ANTHRAX – LIVE AT L’AMOUR’S 1989

MADHOUSE – LIVE AT L’AMOUR – METALHEAD VIDEO MAGAZINE – VOL 1

OZZY OSBOURNE – DIARY OF A MADMAN

Happy Wednesday Metalheads! Hope you are all having a great week! Today we take a trip back to 1981 to the second album by Ozzy Osbourne called “Diary of a Madman” released on November 7, 1981.

This is the last album by Ozzy to feature guitarist Randy Rhoads, who sadly passed away several months later while on tour in support of the album. Bassist Bob Daisley and drummer Lee Kerslake were originally involved in the recording of the album, with Daisley providing most of the lyrics and music on the record. During the recording however, they were fired and subsequently replaced by Rudy Sarzo and Tommy Aldridge, who are also credited on the album liner notes as well.

“Diary of a Madman” entered the Billboard chart at No. 16 and features three singles that also hit the Mainstream Rock Chart: “Flying High Again”, “Over The Mountain” and “You Can’t Kill Rock and Roll”.  On May 10, 1982, “Diary of a Madman” was certified platinum by the RIAA and triple platinum on Oct. 26, 1994.

The cover art for the album features Ozzy’s son Louis from his first marriage along with Ozzy in theatrical makeup.

CHECK OUT THE CLASSIC ALBUM TRACKS BELOW:

LOUDNESS – LET IT GO – METAL REWIND

Happy Friday Metalheads! Today we take a trip back to 1986 to the sixth album by the Japanese band Loudness called “Lightning Strikes” for the track “Let It Go.”

“Let It Go” is the opening track on “Lightning Strikes” and the video for the song received substantial airplay on MTV and Headbanger’s Ball. The album produced by Max Norman, who has also produced albums for Ozzy Osbourne and Megadeth peaked at #64 on the Billboard 200 chart and stayed on the chart for 15 weeks. Norman also wrote some of the lyrics for the album but was not credited.

The album is known as “Shadows of War” in Japan and has a different track order as well as a difference in some of the vocals and melodies on the album.

Although the band has has it’s ups and downs over the years and some lineup changes, they released their 27th studio album “Rise to Glory” in 2018 and toured in support of the album.

 

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO FOR LET IT GO

BLACK SABBATH – PARANOID – METAL REWIND

Happy Friday Metalheads! Today we take a trip back to 1970 to the anniversary of the second album by Black Sabbath called “Paranoid” released 50 years ago on September 18, 1970.

The album which was released 7 months after their debut album, was their only album to hit the UK music charts, until the release of “13” in 2013. Recorded at Regent Sound Studios and Island Studios with producer Rodger Bain, the title track was a last minute addition that was written to complete the album. The band released the song as their first single and it has become one of the most classic songs in heavy metal history.

The band had originally planned to name the album “War Pigs” after the classic song but it was rumored that the record label was afraid of backlash as the Vietnam War was going on during that time. Ozzy Osbourne has debunked this theory in his book “I Am Ozzy” stating that it was changed because “Paranoid” was the first single and the record company felt the album would sell better.

In 2017, after completing their “The End’ tour, the members of Black Sabbath announced that they were officially disbanding. Guitarist Tony Iommi however, has not completely shut the door on the band, noting that he’d be open to one-off shows. Ozzy has also expressed interest in reuniting with the band for a performance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in their hometown of Birmingham.

Check out the videos below from the classic album:

IRON MAN

PARANOID

Also you can check out the classic album here:

PARANOID (ALBUM)

LEATHERWOLF – HIDEAWAY – METAL REWIND

Happy Friday Metalheads! Hope you all had a great week. Today we take a trip back to 1989 to the third album by Leatherwolf called “Street Ready” for the track “Hideaway.”

The album which was recorded in the Bahamas was produced by Kevin Beamish but mixed by German producer Michael Wagener, who has worked with such acts as Dokken, Metallica, Ozzy Osbourne and White Lion to name a few. The band released “Hideaway” as the first single and video and made guest appearances in Europe, Germany and Japan in support of the album.

Unfortunately the band did not receive much support from their label at the time and disbanded in 1993. The original members however returned in 1999 for a reunion show at the Galaxy Theater in California. Throughout the years the band has had several lineup changes but they are still playing and are planning to release a new album in 2020.

 

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO FOR “HIDEAWAY” BELOW

RATT – YOU THINK YOU’RE TOUGH – METAL REWIND

Today we take a trip back to 1983 to the second track off Ratt’s self-titled EP, “You Think You’re Tough”.

The EP was remixed and re-released after the success of “Out Of The Cellar” and the video features several guest appearances including Ozzy Osbourne and members of Motley Crue. The lineup includes: Stephen Pearcy – vocals, Warren De Martini and Robbin Crosby – guitars, Juan Croucier – bass and Bobby Blotzer – drums. The legs on the cover of the album belong to Crosby’s then girlfriend, Tawny Kitaen.

Ratt have gone through several lineup changes over the years and splintered off into two groups at one point. The current Ratt lineup includes original members  Stephen Pearcy and Juan Croucier along with former Black ‘N Blue drummer Pete Holmes along with guitarists Chris Sanders and Jordan Ziff. Sadly original guitarist Robbin Crosby died in June 2002 of a heroin overdose, not AIDS as had been previously rumored, after he was diagnosed to be HIV positive in 1994.

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO BELOW FOR “YOU THINK YOU’RE TOUGH”

RONNIE JAMES DIO – A TRIBUTE – METAL REWIND

Happy Friday Metalheads! Hope you are all having a great week and staying safe. Today we’re going to remember the life and career of Ronnie James Dio who passed away on May 16, 2010 from stomach cancer.

Ronald Padavona began his music career in 1957 with a band called The Vegas Kings playing bass. Eventually, he began singing and changed the band name, as well as his name to Ronnie Dio after mobster Johnny Dio. In 1967, after his previous band disbanded, Ronnie formed Electric Elves, later shortened to Elf and recorded three studio albums while securing the opening act slot with Deep Purple. Ronnie caught the ear of Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and recruited Ronnie for his new band Rainbow after splitting with Deep Purple. Rainbow released their debut album in 1975 called “Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow.” However after releasing two more albums as well as a live album, Dio and Blackmore split due to creative differences, as Blackmore was looking to take Rainbow in a more commercial direction. In 1979, Ronnie replaced Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath and the band subsequently released “Heaven and Hell” and “Mob Rules” which put Sabbath back on the map. During the mixing of “Live Evil,” tensions erupted causing Dio to quit and form his own band, Dio. The band released their debut album “Holy Diver” in 1983. Dio went on to subsequently release 10 albums and although members changed over the years, Ronnie was always touring and recording.

In 2006, Ronnie joined Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice for the “Heaven and Hell tour” and had been touring with Heaven and Hell up until it was announced that he had cancer in 2009. Heaven and Hell canceled their upcoming summer tour and Ronnie fought to get back to what he loved, however, his health deteriorated and he passed away on May 16, 2010 at 7:45AM. His wife, Wendy Dio formed  The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund, a non-profit charitable fund dedicated to supporting cancer prevention research, raise awareness and educate the public about early detection in Ronnie’s honor.

Rest In Peace Ronnie!

Check out some of Ronnie’s best work during his long career:

NEON NIGHTS

LAST IN LINE

HEAVEN AND HELL

HOLY DIVER

MAN ON THE SILVER MOUNTAIN

RANDY RHOADS – A TRIBUTE – METAL REWIND

Happy Friday Metalheads. I hope you had a great week. Today we honor the late guitar legend Randy Rhoads, who passed away 38 years ago on March 19, 1982.

Randy was on his way to Orlando, Florida for the next stop on the Ozzy Osbourne, Diary of a Madman tour. After driving most of the night, the band stopped to visit friends and ended up going for a joyride on a small engine plane piloted by tour bus driver Andrew Aycock. Rhoads, who was afraid of flying went only because seamstress/hairdresser Rachel Youngblood had a heart condition and Aycock promised he wouldn’t do anything risky. Randy, who also loved photography wanted to take some aerial photos. Aycock tried to startle the sleeping members on the tour bus and flew the plane extremely close to the bus twice. The third trip, however, proved to be fatal. The plane crashed and burst into flames killing 25-year-old Rhoads, Youngblood and himself.

Randy began his foray into music forming a cover band at 14 called Violet Fox, with his brother on drums, playing classic songs by The Rolling Stones, Alice Cooper and David Bowie during performances at a local music school. After Violet Fox broke up, Randy formed The Whore and began playing over the next several months at backyard parties in LA. At 16, Randy and best friend Kelli Garni, who he had taught to play bass, formed Quiet Riot and started playing bars and clubs around LA including two of the most popular in that era: The Whisky a Go-Go and The Starwood. While they were creating a buzz, Quiet Riot was only able to sign a Japanese recording contract with CBS/Sony who released Quiet Riot and Quiet Riot II in Japan only.

In 1979, during an interview with a magazine, Ozzy Osbourne mentioned that he was looking for a new guitarist. The editors suggested Rhoads and when he showed up for his audition Ozzy hired him on the spot without even hearing a note. Randy had later recounted  “I just tuned up and did some riffs, and he said, ‘You’ve got the gig’; I had the weirdest feeling, because I thought, ‘You didn’t even hear me yet’”. Osbourne was drunk and passed out during the audition, but described Rhoads’ playing as “God entering my life”.

Rhoads played on two Ozzy albums: “Blizzard of Oz” and “Diary of a Madman.” Ozzy also released a 3 song live EP in 1980 called “Mr. Crowley Live EP” from a Southhampton, UK show earlier in the year.

Randy, who was a devoted student of classical guitar combined his classical music influences along with his own heavy style to create music that will live on forever. He has influenced many, many musicians and is considered one of the greatest guitarists of all time. His death was a huge shock to the world and Ozzy wrote in his autobiography “I Am Ozzy” that he almost quit music after Randy’s death.

You may be gone but you are never forgotten!

OZZY OSBOURNE – MR. CROWLEY LIVE 1981

OZZY OSBOURNE – I DON’T KNOW LIVE 1981

OZZY OSBOURNE – CRAZY TRAIN