On September 27, 1986, during the European leg of Metallica’s Damage, Inc. Tour , members drew cards to determine which bunks on the tour bus they would sleep in. Burton won and chose to sleep in Hammett’s bunk. At around sunrise near Dörarp , Sweden, the bus driver lost control…
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Despite their resurrecting performance, the band members’ drug problems still stood in their way. In 1986, Tyler completed a successful drug rehabilitation program, after an intervention by his fellow band members, a doctor, and manager Tim Collins , who believed that the band’s future would not be bright if Tyler…
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Steve Vai left to join David Lee Roth ‘s solo band in 1986. The split was on good terms, as it was an offer Vai could not refuse. He was replaced by guitarist Danny Johnson, who recorded what became Alcatrazz’s third studio album, Dangerous Games , released in September 1986.…
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Def Leppard brought in Jeff Rich in August 1986 to play alongside Allen during Def Leppard’s warm-up mini tour of Ireland. When Rich turned up late for a gig, he and the band realised Allen could drum alone.
After two moderately successful albums, the group changed its approach and hired professional songwriter Desmond Child as a collaborator. Bruce Fairbairn was chosen to produce and, in early 1986, Bon Jovi moved to Vancouver, Canada to spend six months recording a third album. They named it Slippery When Wet after…
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The Raised on Radio tour began at Angels Camp in August 1986 and the band performed sold-out shows throughout the United States before concluding with two shows in Anchorage in early 1987, with selected dates supported by Honeymoon Suite , The Outfield , and Glass Tiger . The tour featured…
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American singer Steff Fontaine, formerly of Christian metal band Joshua , joined in July 1986 but was criticised for being totally “unprofessional” (he missed, for some reason, a San Francisco gig) and was sacked in September 1986 after just one American tour. Fontaine’s position was offered then to ex-Grand Prix,…
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Turbo was released in April 1986 and it is the last studio album to be certified Platinum by the RIAA. The band adopted a more colourful stage look and gave their music a more mainstream feel by adding guitar synthesisers . The band had a successful arena tour, with 100…
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In September 1985, Europe was approached by an executive from Epic Records. They helped Europe start the recording of its next album with Journey producer Kevin Elson. The result was The Final Countdown . Released on 26 May 1986, the album gave the band its international breakthrough, was certified Triple…
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Following a phone call between Cain and Perry, Journey returned to Fantasy Studios in late 1985 to record their ninth studio album, Raised on Radio , but with Perry taking the role as the album’s producer. Tensions within the band were shown when Herbert and Perry fired both bass player…
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