Headbangers Ball Tour

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.^[3][4]

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.

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