On this day in rock history, Iron Maiden made what seemed like a shocking change at the frontman position – but one that, in hindsight, clearly hurtled them toward superstardom.

Still, as Bruce Dickinson took the stage for the first time at the Palasport of Bologna, Italy, all that was known for sure was that Iron Maiden had already released two well-received albums with Paul Di’Anno. As yet unheard was the band's career-making third album, The Number of the Beast, which changed everything.

Ozzy Osbourne later found himself embroiled in a grisly controversy, as 19-year-old John Daniel McCollum shot and killed himself while listening to an Osbourne album at his home in Indio, Calif. His parents went on to sue Ozzy, pointing to the lyrics of "Suicide Solution" – which was found on McCollum's turntable. The case was eventually dismissed.

Crosby Stills Nash and Young ended the '90s with one of their very-rare reunions, as the on-again, mostly off-again foursome issued Looking Forward. There had been an 18-year span between their first and second albums, and then another 11 between their third and this one.

Watch an exciting recap of many of the day’s biggest rock anniversaries above, narrated by our radio host Zach Martin. And learn more about these and other important events by clicking the links below.

News anniversaries:
Beatles awarded MBEs, amid protests (1965)
Bruce Dickinson plays his first show with Iron Maiden (1981)
Ozzy Osbourne is involved with a court case involving a fan suicide (1984)

Album Anniversaries:
Crosby Stills Nash and Young - Looking Back (1999)

Iron Maiden Albums, Ranked Worst to Best

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