Welcome back to the flip-through series! Today we dive into Hit Parader, March 1988 (Part 2) — a pure time capsule of big hair, bigger posters, and bands fighting their way into a new era. I’m Robert John Hadfield, and in this issue we hit everything from Aerosmith’s “Permanent Vacation” comeback to KISS’s Crazy Nights era, Bon Jovi mania, David Lee Roth’s “Skyscraper,” Ozzy between The Ultimate Sin and No Rest for the Wicked, Rush “Time Stand Still,” Yngwie Malmsteen (Rising Force → Odyssey with Joe Lynn Turner), W.A.S.P., Lita Ford, KIX – Midnite Dynamite, McAuley Schenker Group, and Black Sabbath’s Tony Martin era (The Eternal Idol). Plus: the ads! Carvin amps, Rockhouse method, spandex catalogs, door posters, back-issue order forms, and the DOD FX57 “Mega Muscle” pedal. Peak 1988, front to back.

👉 Tell your stories in the comments: Did you own this issue? See any of these tours? Did you ever order one of those back-page ads? Post your memories (and your ’80s concert photos!) below.

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Chapters / Timestamps

00:00 Cold open: why these flip-throughs matter
00:36 Hit Parader (Mar ’88) — Part 2 kickoff
01:12 Yngwie Malmsteen resets guitar playing; theory & modes boom
02:45 W.A.S.P. memories + opening for KISS
03:25 Aerosmith — Done With Mirrors → Permanent Vacation comeback arc
05:35 KISS in Crazy Nights (Eric Carr / Bruce Kulick) — holding it together
07:05 Bon Jovi — Slippery When Wet into New Jersey takeover
08:10 David Lee Roth — Skyscraper vs. Eat ’Em and Smile; VH with Hagar drift
09:35 Ozzy Osbourne — misunderstood quotes; ’86–’88 transition
10:35 Rush — Hold Your Fire / “Time Stand Still” hits different now
12:15 Ad break inside the mag: Carvin amps, Rockhouse, posters, spandex, ID cards
14:05 Lita Ford resurgence + “Close My Eyes Forever” halo effect
15:10 Undercards & sleepers: Armored Saint, Celtic Frost/Helloween mentions
16:15 KIX – Midnite Dynamite love letter
17:25 MSG (McAuley Schenker Group) hair-helmet era
18:05 Black Sabbath – The Eternal Idol (Tony Martin, Eric Singer, Bob Daisley)
19:15 Gear ads: DOD FX57 Mega Muscle; who owned these?
20:10 Call to action: your memories + book a Zoom; wrap