On this day April 18, 1987, MTV premiered Headbangers Ball, the iconic late night show that became a must watch destination for metalheads across the country. With heavy metal and hard rock exploding in popularity during the 80s, Headbangers Ball gave fans a dedicated place to see music videos, band interviews, and live footage that mainstream programming often ignored.
Over the course of 410 episodes, the show featured legends like Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Iron Maiden, and Guns N Roses along with rising underground acts and glam metal favorites. Whether you were into thrash, hair metal, or everything in between, Headbangers Ball brought it straight to your screen with attitude and volume cranked all the way up. It wasn’t just about music it was about the scene, the look, the rebellion, and the community that formed around it.
Fun fact: The very first host of Headbangers Ball was Kevin Seal, but it became most associated with Riki Rachtman, who took over hosting in 1990 and became a metal icon in his own right.
Trivia question: What MTV show that premiered in 1987 ran for 410 episodes and became the go to spot for heavy metal videos and band interviews?
Over the course of 410 episodes, the show featured legends like Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Iron Maiden, and Guns N Roses along with rising underground acts and glam metal favorites. Whether you were into thrash, hair metal, or everything in between, Headbangers Ball brought it straight to your screen with attitude and volume cranked all the way up. It wasn’t just about music it was about the scene, the look, the rebellion, and the community that formed around it.
Fun fact: The very first host of Headbangers Ball was Kevin Seal, but it became most associated with Riki Rachtman, who took over hosting in 1990 and became a metal icon in his own right.
Trivia question: What MTV show that premiered in 1987 ran for 410 episodes and became the go to spot for heavy metal videos and band interviews?
