# Headbangers Ball Tour

The Headbangers Ball Tour was a North American tour presented by MTV's Headbangers Ball, which took place in April and May 1989. It was headlined by American thrash metal band Anthrax, and supported by Exodus and Helloween.

## History

The tour began on April 3, 1989, in Seattle, and ended on May 12, 1989, in Poughkeepsie, New York. Anthrax was promoting their platinum-selling album State of Euphoria, while Exodus and Helloween were promoting their respective albums Fabulous Disaster and Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt. 2.
The Headbangers Ball Tour is notable for being Exodus' last tour with drummer Tom Hunting, until he rejoined the band in 1997. Due to health problems, Hunting left the band in the middle of the tour and was temporarily replaced by Vio-lence drummer Perry Strickland and then permanently by John Tempesta, who was a drum tech for Anthrax and would remain in Exodus until their breakup in 1993.
MTV and Island Records paired up for a Headbangers Ball Tour contest. The winner was Lori Gutman who lived in Kinnelon, New Jersey. Members of Anthrax and Exodus taped a spot for Headbangers Ball at the winner's home. It aired later that year. The grand prize was a 1989 Jeep Wrangler, $1,000, and some Headbangers Ball swag.

## Tour dates

| Date | City | Country | Venue |
| North America ||||
| April 3, 1989 | Seattle | United States | Paramount Theatre |
| April 4, 1989 | Portland | United States | Civic Auditorium |
| April 6, 1989 | Salt Lake City | United States | The Coliseum |
| April 8, 1989 | Oakland | United States | Kaiser Convention Center |
| April 9, 1989 | Long Beach | United States | Long Beach Arena |
| April 10, 1989 | Phoenix | United States | Pride Pavilion |
| April 13, 1989 | San Antonio | United States | Freeman Coliseum |
| April 14, 1989 | Dallas | United States | State Fair Coliseum |
| April 15, 1989 | Houston | United States | The Coliseum |
| April 16, 1989 | New Orleans | United States | Lakefront Arena |
| April 18, 1989 | Miami | United States | James L. Knight Center |
| April 19, 1989 | Tampa | United States | The Sundome |
| April 20, 1989 | Atlanta | United States | Civic Center |
| April 21, 1989 | Memphis | United States | North Hall Auditorium |
| April 22, 1989 | Louisville | United States | The Gardens |
| April 25, 1989 | Danville | United States | David S. Palmer Arena |
| April 24, 1989 | Dayton | United States | Hara Arena |
| April 26, 1989 | Milwaukee | United States | The Omnibus |
| April 28, 1989 | Chicago | United States | Aragon Ballroom |
| April 29, 1989 | Detroit | United States | Cobo Arena |
| April 30, 1989 | Cleveland | United States | Music Hall |
| May 1, 1989 | Pittsburgh | United States | Syria Mosque |
| May 3, 1989 | Upper Darby Township | United States | Tower Theater |
| May 4, 1989 | Boston | United States | Orpheum Theatre |
| May 5, 1989 | New York City | United States | Felt Forum |
| May 6, 1989 | New York City | United States | Felt Forum |
| May 8, 1989 | Troy | United States | RPI Field House |
| May 10, 1989 | Baltimore | United States | Baltimore Arena |
| May 11, 1989 | Springfield | United States | Springfield Civic Center |
| May 12, 1989 | Poughkeepsie | United States | Mid-Hudson Civic Center |

## Personnel

Anthrax:
* Joey Belladonna – vocals
* Dan Spitz – lead guitar
* Scott Ian – rhythm guitar
* Frank Bello – bass
* Charlie Benante – drums
Exodus:
* Steve "Zetro" Souza – vocals
* Gary Holt – guitars
* Rick Hunolt – guitars
* Rob McKillop – bass
* Tom Hunting – drums (April 3–10 shows)
* Perry Strickland – drums (filling in for Hunting on select dates)
* John Tempesta – drums (filling in for Hunting on select dates)
Helloween:
* Michael Kiske – vocals
* Michael Weikath – lead guitar
* Roland Grapow – rhythm guitar
* Markus Grosskopf – bass
* Ingo Schwichtenberg – drums