Bon Jovi's third studio album dropped on this day in 1986, Slippery When Wet lodged itself in the top slot in the Billboard album charts for a two month stretch and ended the following year as the top selling album of 1987.  Even though Livin' on a Prayer was co-written by Jon and Desmond Child, Richie Sambora insisted it be added to ones he and Jon had written for the release. That song and another Child collaboration, You Give Love a Bad Name, ended up being the album's biggest songs out of the gate, but Wanted Dead or Alive, the metaphoric outlaw meets rocker song Jon and Richie wrote together that was inspired by Bob Seger's Turn The Page, became the group's anthem.

 

Other Noteworthy Classic Rock events on August 18 include...

 

1944 The Move lead singer Carl Wayne born. 
1962 Ringo Starr does first concert as drummer for the Beatles in Birkenhead, England.

1969 Mick Jagger shot in the hand on Ned Kelly movie set.

1977 Police do first concert as a trio in Birmingham, UK.

1977 Elvis Presley buried at Graceland.

1979 Nick Lowe and Carlene Carter marry.

1980 Yes releases Drama.   

1982 Liverpool renames 4 streets in honor of a Beatles member.

1986 Bon Jovi releases Slippery When Wet.

1988 John Mellencamp's wife Victoria files for divorce. 

1990 Jimmy Page plays with Aerosmith during Monsters Of Rock tour stop at Castle Donnington.

1997 Rolling Stones announce Bridges To Babylon tour under Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. 

2000 Badfinger's Joey Molland breaks a leg in a fall from the stage but still finishes his concert.