On this day in rock history, Benjamin Orr of the Cars was born in 1955. The bassist contributed lead vocals on hit singles like "Just What I Needed," "Let's Go" and "Drive," as well as several other classics. He passed away from pancreatic cancer on Oct. 3, 2000.

Rush released their 12th album, Hold Your Fire, in 1987. The LP found them furthering the experimentation with synthesizers that marked much of their '80s work. Aimee Mann of 'Til Tuesday contributed vocals to "Time Stands Still," a No. 3 rock radio hit and the first time Rush had used an outside singer.

After a 12-year hiatus, Rainbow reappeared with Stranger in Us All. The record found Ritchie Blackmore collaborating with new singer Doogie White. It is the last rock project to date for Blackmore, who has since gone on to form the medieval folk band Blackmore's Night with his wife, Candice Night.

Dance of Death, Iron Maiden's second album after the return of Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith, arrived on Sept. 8, 2003. The group continued to try new ideas, such as the first-ever songwriting contribution by drummer Nicko McBrain and, in the LP closer, "Journeyman," an all-acoustic track. They also bucked modern technology by recording on analog tape instead of digitally.

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 important events by clicking the links below.

Album Anniversaries:
Rush, Hold Your Fire (1987)
Rainbow, Stranger in Us All (1995)
Iron Maiden, Dance of Death (2003)

Birthdays:
Benjamin Orr of the Cars (1955)

See Iron Maiden and Other Rockers in the Top 100 Albums of the '80s

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