Skid Row (Skid Row album)

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Skid Row is the debut studio album by the American heavy metal band Skid Row. It was released on January 24, 1989, by Atlantic Records and was recorded in 1988 at Royal Recorders in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, with producer Michael Wagener. The album runs 39 minutes and 28 seconds.

Band and recording
- Skid Row formed in 1986 in Toms River, New Jersey. Members were Sebastian Bach (vocals), Dave Sabo (guitar), Scotti Hill (guitar), Rachel Bolan (bass), and Rob Affuso (drums).
- After catching the attention of Bon Jovi’s manager Doc McGhee, the band signed with Atlantic Records in 1988.
- Recording took place in a hotel’s back area studio in Lake Geneva. The sessions were organized and paced by Wagener.

Commercial performance
- The album peaked at number 6 on the Billboard 200.
- It was certified 5× Platinum by the RIAA in 1995 for selling five million copies in the United States.
- Four singles were released: Youth Gone Wild, 18 and Life, I Remember You, and Piece of Me. All had music videos and received heavy MTV airplay.

Reception and impact
- At release, critics gave mixed reviews, but the album helped Skid Row gain national attention and MTV exposure.
- Over time, it has been recognized as a significant late-80s hair metal release. Metal Hammer listed it among 10 hair metal albums you need, and Loudwire ranked it No. 4 on their Top 30 Hair Metal Albums list in 2022.

Touring and notable events
- Skid Row opened for Bon Jovi and Aerosmith on major tours in 1989–1990.
- They played the Moscow Music Peace Festival in August 1989, drawing a large crowd.
- On tour, Sebastian Bach was involved in a 1989 incident where he was arrested after throwing a bottle into the crowd; he received probation. In 1990, he wore a T-shirt with an anti-gay slogan on stage and later apologized.

Songwriting
- All songs were written by Dave Sabo and Rachel Bolan, with credits noted on the album liner notes.