Headbangers – The Worldwide MegaBook of Heavy Metal Bands
Back in 1995/1996 I was still married to my now ex-wife. She was a voracious reader and during our brief marriage it inspired me to do some reading. Most of the time it was band/musician biographies. Sometimes it was just catching up on John Saul books (all of which suck anymore). One day I went to the library and was just thumbing through the reference books and came across “Headbangers – The Worldwide MegaBook of Heavy Metal Bands” by Mark Hale. I cracked it open and just started freaking out. This book had just about everyone in it that was a metal band. It spans from the late 60s to about 1990 and does a wonderful job of cross-referencing bands, listing albums and catalog numbers. There’s an index in the back of musicians, band names, countries of origin and record labels with catalog 
numbers. It’s a pretty extensive hardcover book.
Hale gives descriptions of the bands and does his best not to inject bias. It’s 540+ pages of heavy metal goodness.
My ex and I split up in late 1996 and by early 1997 I had started my own CD sales business. I was mostly doing it by word of mouth between friends, eBay and had started an online music store, Acacia Music (defunct). I checked the book out from the library several times and finally called the publisher to see if they still had any copies. Luckily they did. Having a business license and tax ID number, they sold me the book for $75. One of the best investments that I have ever made.
The book has 2 editions. The first edition had a run of 750 copies and the second run of the first edition had 250 copies. That’s it!
Somewhere along the line I decided to get it signed by bands that were in it. If I remember correctly the first signatures were by Warrell Dane/Jim Shepherd (Sanctuary) and Jon Schaffer (Purgatory 60 aka Iced Earth) when Nevermore and Iced Earth were touring together in 1999.
Over the years I’ve met a lot of bands who are in it and some of the encounters were pretty random. I think in the coming months I’ll start writing about the signatures and how I obtained them. Many of them had some good stories attached to them. Typically I get the same reaction, “What the hell is this and where the hell did you get it?”
If you’re a fan of metal, especially the pre-1990 stuff, this book is a must have. They typically don’t come cheaply but you can generally find some on Amazon.com. Most of the copies there are ex-library copies.
Here’s the current list of signatures (updated 3/30/2021):
| AC/DC | – | Simon Wright |
| Accept | – | Udo, Peter Baltes, Wolf Hoffman, Herman Frank |
| Ace Frehley | – | Anton Fig |
| Aerosmith | – | Joey Kramer, Brad Whitford |
| Aftermath | – | Charlie Tsisolis, Steve Sacco, John Lovette, Ray Schmidt, Eric ? (not in the book) |
| Agony Column | – | Stuart Laurence |
| Alcatrazz | – | Graham Bonnet, Gary Shea, Jimmy Uvena |
| Alice Cooper | – | Alice Cooper |
| Amulance | – | Rick Baez, Bob Luman, Chuck Hamilton (not in the book) |
| Anthrax | – | Dan Spitz, Scott Ian, Joey Belladonna, Charlie Benante, Frank Bello |
| Armored Saint | – | Joey Vera, John Bush, Phil Sondoval, Gonzo Sandoval |
| Assalant | – | Mike Botello |
| At War | – | Paul Arnold, Shawn Helsel |
| Attacker | – | Mike Sabatini, Pat Marinello |
| Autograph | – | Steve Lynch, Randy Rand |
| Banshee | – | Terry Dunn |
| Baron Steele | – | Joe Szabo, Al Ortiz |
| Battlezone | – | Paul Di’Anno |
| Bitch | – | Betsy |
| Black N Blue | – | Pete Holmes, Jaime St James, Patrick Young |
| Black Roses | – | Chuck Wright |
| Black Sabbath | – | Glenn Hughes |
| Bloodcum | – | John Araya |
| Bloodlust | – | Sandy K |
| Britny Fox | – | Johnny Dee |
| Bullet | – | Fitty |
| Bullet Boys | – | Marq Torien, Jimmy D’Anda, Mick Sweda |
| Celtic Frost | – | Tom G Warrior |
| Chastain | – | Leather Leone, David T. Chastain, Mike Skimmerhorn, Ken Mary, David Harbour |
| Cheap Trick | – | Tom Petersson, Robin Zander, Rick Nielsen |
| Cinderella | – | Tom Keifer |
| Cirith Ungol | – | Tim Baker, Robert Garven, Mike Flint, Greg Lindstrom, Jim Barraza (not in the book but verified inclusion based on other resources) |
| CJSS | – | Les Sharpe, Russell Jenkins |
| Damien Thorne | – | Ken Starr, Rick Browz (not in book but played on original demos) |
| Dangerous Toys | – | Scott Dalhover, Meark Geary, Mike Watson |
| Dark Angel | – | Gene Hoglan |
| Death Tripper | – | Jerry Blanco |
| Deceased | – | King Fowley |
| Deliverance | – | Glenn Rogers |
| Destruction | – | Schmier, Mike |
| Détente | – | Steve Hochheiser |
| Devastation | – | Rodney Dunsmore, Alex Dominguez, Louie Carrisalez |
| Diamond Rexx | – | S.St. Lust, Andre |
| The Dictators | – | Handsome Dick Manitoba |
| DIO | – | Rowan Robertson, Craig Goldy, Vinny Appice |
| Dirty Looks | – | Paul Lidel |
| Dokken | – | Jeff Pilson, George Lynch |
| DRI | – | Felix Griffin, Josh Pappe (RIP) |
| English Dogs | – | Graham Butt (one of the funniest inscriptions ever…you had to be there)(signed while playing with Sabbat) |
| Enuff Z’Nuff | – | Chip Znuff, 3 non-original members; none of them in the book; signed in the back |
| Exciter | – | Dan Beehler, Allan Johnson |
| Exodus | – | Gary Holt, Tom Hunting |
| Faster Pussycat | – | Taime Down, Brent Muscat, 2 non-original members |
| Fates Warning | – | Frank Aresti, John Arch, Jim Matheos, Victor Arduini, Steve Zimmerman, Joe DiBiase |
| Ferrari | – | Oni Logan |
| Flotsam and Jetsam | – | Eric AK, Kelly David Smith, Ed Carlson, Michael Gilbert |
| Forbidden | – | Tim Calvert, Paul Bostaph |
| Forte’ | – | Rev Jones (band not in the book) |
| Glacier | – | Mike Podrybau |
| Great White | – | Jack Russell |
| Grim Reaper | – | Steve Grimmett |
| Joe Hasselvander | – | Joe Hasselvander |
| Hawkwind | – | Nik Turner |
| Hellion | – | Ann Boleyn |
| Helstar | – | James Rivera, Larry Barragan |
| Hirax | – | Katon W. DePena |
| Hurricane | – | Kelley Hansen |
| Impaler | – | Bill Lindsey, Commander Court |
| Jag Panzer | – | Chris Cronk (also listed with Fates Warning), Harry Conklin, Joey Tafolla, Rikard Stjernquist, Mark Briody, John Tetley |
| Jaguar | – | Garry Peppard |
| Jet Red | – | Brad Rang |
| Juggernaut | – | Harlan Glenn, Eddie Katilus, Scott Womack |
| Keel | – | Scott Warren |
| Killer Dwarfs | – | Russ Dwarf, Bryce Dwarf |
| King Diamond | – | Mikkey Dee, Pete Blakk |
| Kingdom Come | – | James Kottak |
| Kreator | – | Ventor |
| Krokus | – | Marc Storace, Chris Von Rohr, Mandy Meier |
| LA Guns | – | Philip Lewis, Tracii Guns, Steve Riley |
| Lethal | – | Tom Mallicoat, Glen Cook, Dell Hull, Jerry Hartman (not in book but played on Programmed) |
| Liege Lord | – | Joe Comeau, Tony Truglio, Matt Vinci |
| Lion | – | Doug Aldrich |
| Lizzy Borden | – | Alex Nelson (RIP), Lizzy Borden, Joey Scott Harges |
| Loudness | – | Minoru Niihara, Akira Takasaki, Masayoshi Yamashita, Masayuki Suzuki (not in the book) |
| Lydia Von Huston | – | Jennifer Batten |
| Manowar | – | Ross the Boss |
| Manilla Road | – | Mark Shelton |
| Medieval Steel | – | John Roth, Bobby Franklin, Jeff Boydston |
| Megadeth | – | Dave Mustaine, David Ellefson |
| Metal Blade Records | – | Brian Slagel |
| Metal Church | – | Craig Wels |
| Mindless Sinner | – | Christer Göransson, Magnus Danneblad, Jerker Edman, Christer Carlson, Tommy Viktorsson (Formerly Johansson) |
| Militia | – | Mike Soliz, Rob Willingham, Phil Achee, Tony Smith, Jesse Villegas |
| Vinnie Moore | – | Vinnie Moore |
| Motorhead | – | Lemmy Kilmister (RIP) |
| MSG | – | Michael Schenker |
| Mythra | – | Vince High, John Roach, Alex Perry |
| Mystic Force | – | Keith Menser |
| Necrophagia | – | Killjoy (RIP) |
| Nuclear Assault | – | Dan Lilker, John Connelly, Glenn Evans |
| Obituary | – | James Murphy |
| The Obsessed | – | Wino |
| Odin | – | Shawn, Jeff and Matt Duncan, Randy O., Aaron Samson |
| Omen | – | Kenny Powell, Steve Wittig |
| Ostrogoth | – | Mario “Grizzly” Pauvels |
| Overkill | – | Bobby Ellsworth, D.D. Verni |
| Ozzy | – | Tommy Aldridge |
| Pentagram | – | Bobby Liebling, Victor Griffin |
| Picture | – | Laurens Bakker, Rinus Vreugdenhil |
| Plasmatics | – | TC Tolliver |
| Pretty Boy Floyd | – | Steve Summers, 2 non-original members |
| Purgatory 60 (Iced Earth) | – | John Schafer |
| Q5 | – | Evan Sheeley, Rick Pierce, Jonathan Kay |
| Queensyche | – | Geoff Tate |
| Quiet Riot | – | Rudy Sarzo, Sean McNabb, Frankie Banali (RIP) |
| Racer X | – | Juan Alderete (as “Jeff” in the book) |
| Rage | – | Peavey Wagner, Manni Schmidt, Chris Efthimiadis |
| Rainbow | – | Joe Lynn Turner |
| Randy California | – | Mark Andes (while playing with Firefall) |
| Rapid Tears | – | Brian Frank |
| Ratt | – | Stephen Pearcy |
| Raven | – | John Gallagher, Mark Gallagher |
| Rigor Mortis | – | Bruce Corbtt (RIP), Casey Orr, Harden Harrison |
| Riot | – | Don Van Stavern, Bobby Jarzombek, Rick Ventura |
| Rising Force | – | Yngwie Malmsteen, Anders Johansson, Jeff Scott Soto |
| Rods | – | Carl Canedy, David Feinstein, Gary Bordonaro |
| Ulrich Roth | – | Uli Jon Roth |
| Rotting Corpse | – | John Perez, Mando Tovar |
| Rough Cutt | – | Matt Thorne, Chris Hager |
| Running Wild | – | Stefan Schwartzmann |
| Ruthless | – | Sami DeJohn |
| S.A. Slayer | – | Bob Catlin, Art Villareal |
| Sabbat | – | Martin Walkyier, Andy Sneap, Simon Negus, Simon Jones |
| Sacred Rite | – | Peter Crane, Jimmy Caterine, Mark Kaleiwahea |
| Sadus | – | Steve DiGiorgio |
| Saint Vitus | – | Mark Adams, David Chandler, Scott Reagers |
| Salty Dog | – | Michael Hannon |
| Sanctuary | – | Warrel Dane (RIP), Jim Sheppard |
| Satan | – | Brian Ross, Russ Tippins, Graeme English, Steve Ramsey, Sean Taylor |
| Satan’s Host | – | Patrick Evil (not in book but confirmed original) |
| Scorpions | – | Francis Buchholz, Herman Rarebell |
| Screamer | – | Jim Dofka |
| Sentinel Beast | – | Michael Spencer |
| Sepultura | – | Paolo, Jr, Andreas Kisser |
| Skid Row | – | Sebastian Bach |
| Slauter Xstroyes | – | Paul Krathy |
| Slayer | – | Dave Lombardo |
| SOD | – | Billy Milano |
| Steel Prophet | – | Steve Kachinsky |
| Stryper | – | Michael Sweet, Robert Sweet, Oz Fox, Tim Gaines |
| Syrus | – | Al Berlanga, Michael Vasquez, John Castilleja |
| Takashi | – | Danny Stanton |
| Ted Nugent | – | Derek St. Holmes |
| Tesla | – | Troy Lucketta, Tommy Skeoch, Brian Wheat, Frank Hannon, Jeff Keith |
| Testament | – | Chuck Billy, Alex Skolnick, Greg Christian, Eric Peterson |
| The Rods | – | Carl Canedy, David Feinstein, Garry Bordonaro |
| Thin Lizzy | – | John Sykes, Scott Gorham |
| Thrust | – | Ron Cooke |
| Triumph | – | Rik Emmett |
| Trouble | – | Ron Holtzman, Eric Wagner, Jeff “Oly” Olson |
| T.T. Quick | – | Mark Tornillo |
| Turbin | – | Doug Morrison, Neil Turbin |
| Twisted Sister | – | AJ Pero (RIP) |
| Tygers of Pan Tang | – | Robb Weir |
| Tyrant | – | Greg May |
| Tyrant’s Reign | – | Phil Fouch, Ken Miller |
| UFO | – | Paul Chapman (RIP), Phil Mogg, Paul Raymond (RIP), Andy Parker |
| Vatican | – | Vince Vatican, Vic Grabouski, Brian McNasty |
| Venom | – | Mantas, Abaddon, Demolition Man |
| Vendetta (Chicago) | – | Klyph Black |
| Vinnie Moore | – | Vinnie Moore |
| Voi Vod | – | Away, Snake, Blacky |
| War Cry | – | Rich Rozek, Phil Fouch, Karl Miller (neither in the book) |
| Warlock | – | Doro Pesch |
| Watchtower | – | Jason McMaster, Ron Jarzombek, Billy White, Rick Colaluca |
| Wendy O. Williams | – | Greg Smith |
| Whitesnake | – | David Coverdale |
| White Lion | – | Greg D’Angelo |
| Wicked Angel | – | Joseph Valdez (book only lists the singer, validated here) |
| Winger | – | Kip Winger, Reb Beach, Rod Morgenstein |
| Wishbone Ash | – | Andy Powell |
| Wolfsbane | – | Blaze Bayley |
| Wyzard | – | John Alvarado, Buster Grant (as Gilbert Grant Guzman in the book) |
| Y&T | – | Dave Meniketti |
The Metal Files 
The BOOK! The greatest tome of knowledge ever. I thought Quiet Riot signed it? I didn’t know Pete Holmes signed it though. I need to find a copy one day.
Daniel
April 13, 2010 at 7:33 am
yeah I need to own that. I know I’d end up inadventantly memorizing half of it.
lucky sod.. lol… but at least I have a gig coming up
http://kingbiscuitpants.wordpress.com/2010/04/13/this-should-be-interesting-filling-in-with-the-fantastic-five/
kingbiscuitpants
April 13, 2010 at 9:04 am
Not only does this book look and sound unreal… those signatures! Oh, the stories that go along with them… man, I will be reading as fast as you write!
Keep carrying that book around where you go… it’s worth every droplet of sweat! (:
metalodyssey
April 13, 2010 at 11:03 pm
Most impressed by-James Murphy
Most surprised you have his signature-Steve Summers
Metal Mark
April 15, 2010 at 7:15 am
I got the Murphy one when he was in Testament. I actually spent a weekend with Summers and the back several years ago…it was pretty insane, literally.
Sean (The Metal Files)
April 15, 2010 at 8:25 am
[…] Unfortunately Overkill wasn’t at the game that day. When I got to meet Dave, I had him sign The Book and got to talk to him for a few minutes one on one. He was cool, very gracious. I asked him if […]
MUSTAINE – A Heavy Metal Memoir Review « The Metal Files
August 16, 2010 at 10:03 am
[…] Triptykon was announced to play Emo’s and I was in. I mean c’mon. It’s Tom G! I bought the meet and greet pass mainly to get his signature in the book. […]
Triptykon – Austin, TX 10-29-10 « The Metal Files
October 30, 2010 at 8:17 am
Is it better than HEAVY METAL ENCYCLOPEDIA? I have that book and its pretty cool, i have alot of books on punk and metal, Slayer reing in blood is great, i have like 40 books on this, American Hardcore,Lords of Chaos,Bandg your head, etc ect
ill look for this one
Mosh
November 16, 2010 at 9:28 pm
i think this book is better than most but is only current to about 1990ish. well worth the $ if you can find one.
The Metal Files
November 16, 2010 at 10:45 pm
[…] and share our joy with them. Added bonus for me was getting Lemmy and Mikkey’s signatures in my book. […]
Motörhead Concert Review March 8, 2011 – Motörhead Day! « The Metal Files
March 9, 2011 at 1:24 pm
[…] with John Gallagher of Raven. It would also be a good opportunity to get some more sigs in The Book. Raven’s drummer at the time was Hasselvander from Pentagram, a band that I am a HUGE fan […]
Meeting UDO/Raven – June 17, 2000 « The Metal Files
June 7, 2011 at 8:48 pm
[…] back into Hollywood to catch Odin’s soundcheck and to get Randy O and Aaron Samson to sign the book. I got to watch them do 2 or three songs, got my signatures and hung out with Shawn and Jeff […]
Odin Live @ The Whisky 8/27/11 « The Metal Files
August 30, 2011 at 7:08 pm
[…] I got to speak to him for a few minutes. He graciously signed The Book and some CDs for me. It was a fun evening, very relaxing. Billy White Share […]
Billy White Concert Review « The Metal Files
November 11, 2011 at 2:03 pm
[…] asked him if he was going to be around for the night as I wanted to run over to my apartment to get my book and Juggernaut CD for a signature. He said he was there for the night and would sign anything. […]
Meeting Harlan Glenn of Juggernaut 08/04/12 « The Metal Files
August 5, 2012 at 1:40 pm
[…] you’ve been paying even minor attention to this site, you know my obsession with getting The Booksigned when opportunity presents itself. I had nothing to do yesterday afternoon and decided to […]
Kreator/Accept/Swallow The Sun Concert Review, Austin, TX 9/30/12 « The Metal Files
October 1, 2012 at 5:34 pm
[…] About a month or so ago I caught word that Jack Russell’s Great White was going to be playing a smaller Austin venue so of course I bought a ticket. Not to mention I wanted Jack’s signature in The Book. […]
Jack Russell’s Great White & Broken Teeth Concert Review, Austin TX, 12/30/2012 « The Metal Files
December 31, 2012 at 9:15 am
[…] just get right into this. You’ve seen me talk about The Book several times and my outer metal nerd was in full effect yesterday. I left work and went straight […]
Testament, Overkill, Flotsam and Jetsam & 4arm Concert Review, Austin TX, 2/5/2013 « The Metal Files
February 6, 2013 at 1:40 pm
[…] and got to meet Dave and his son outside the bus. I had Dave sign a few CDs and had him sign The Book. When he signed my River’s Edge soundtrack CD, he said, “We were on this?” It […]
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February 16, 2013 at 9:16 am
[…] and was happy for a chance to see him play live…and of course to have an opportunity to get the book […]
Red Lamb Concert Review, Austin TX 3/9/2013 | The Metal Files
March 11, 2013 at 10:17 am
[…] feel like they should have been so much bigger. I got to meet him for a minute and he signed The Book. Another huge signature for my […]
Manilla Road, Eternal Champion, Chaos In Tejas 2013 | The Metal Files
June 3, 2013 at 5:59 pm
[…] was only $6, but it wasn’t convenient. My real reason for going at all was solely to get The Book signed. NERD. I […]
Blaze Bayley & Killamaul Concert Review, Austin, TX 06/20/2013 | The Metal Files
June 22, 2013 at 2:36 pm
[…] signing in town and I figured it was a perfect time to finally meet him and to get his book and mine signed. I arrived a few minutes early, picked up my copy of his book and hung out with my good […]
Megadeth Concert Review, Austin, TX December 11, 2013…and David Ellefson! | The Metal Files
December 12, 2013 at 7:26 pm
[…] At the hotel, we got our gear together for the night. Him with CD covers galore and me with The Book. I had purchased a canvas shoulder bag to carry that in and to house whatever swag I […]
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April 18, 2014 at 6:45 am
[…] did get Cronk to sign the book and also ran into Jerry from San Antono’s Death Tripper who are also listed in […]
Karion Concert Review, San Antonio, TX 04/12/2014 | The Metal Files
April 20, 2014 at 8:20 pm
Reblogged this on The Metal Files and commented:
Updated.
The Metal Files
May 5, 2014 at 9:10 pm
[…] this week I took the decision to buy the VIP/meet and greet pass to hopefully get The Book signed. Immediately after paying for it, I received an automated email stating the details and […]
On meeting Cheap Trick (Concert Review), May 16, 2015, Austin, TX | The Metal Files
May 16, 2014 at 11:56 pm
[…] with him to meet Alice Cooper and of course I accepted. What a wonderful signature to get in The Book! We made the 3 hour trek to Dallas around noon, got parked, got our tix and made our way through […]
On Meeting Alice Cooper, Dallas, TX, May 17, 2014 | The Metal Files
May 17, 2014 at 9:13 pm
[…] Andes, was in Heart during the 80s, and Spirit and Canned Heat in the 70s. I looked him up in The Book and he’s listed with Randy California, so that solidified my decision to go to the […]
Firefall Concert Review, Austin, TX, July 25, 2014 | The Metal Files
July 26, 2014 at 8:53 am
[…] that AJ Pero from Twisted Sister was playing drums for these few USA shows. So of course I had The Book with me as well as the first 3 Twisted Sister CDs. We got to speak with him after the show and […]
Blaze Bayley Concert Review, Austin, TX, October 20, 2014 | The Metal Files
October 27, 2014 at 7:25 pm
[…] but it didn’t happen. No big deal. One of the reasons I was going to this show was to get The Book signed by Phil Lewis and Steve Riley of LA Guns and hopefully Stephen Pearcy. More on these […]
Stephen Pearcy, LA Guns, Faster Pussycat, BulletBoys Concert Review, November 22, 2014 | The Metal Files
November 24, 2014 at 3:14 pm
[…] drums after February 9th. That didn’t happen. Either way, both Bobby and Vinny are both in The Book, so I was set either way. The band comes out and opens with Death Alley Driver by Rainbow and […]
Uli Roth and Black Knights Rising Concert Review, Houston, TX, February, 13, 2015 | The Metal Files
February 15, 2015 at 4:12 pm
[…] I was afforded a moment to get on the bus with Doro. It was a cool few minutes. She signed The Book and my Triumph and Agony CD. The tour manager was rushing me off the bus so I didn’t get […]
Doro Concert Review, Houston, TX, March 8, 2015 | The Metal Files
March 9, 2015 at 2:04 pm
[…] into my hotel and went to the venue to see if any of the guys were hanging out and to try and get The Book signed. Score. I got to meet Mandy Meier and Chris Von Rohr (only original and founding member) […]
Krokus Concert Review, Houston, TX, April 24, 2015 | The Metal Files
April 26, 2015 at 10:55 am
[…] Saint guys went back to their hotel after signing The Book (thanks, Jeff!) to rest and clean up and Jason and I hung out while some of the local openers were […]
Saxon, Armored Saint & Evil United Concert Review, San Antonio, TX, May, 23, 2015 | The Metal Files
May 25, 2015 at 11:37 am
[…] a cool guitar solo part that Dave jammed out on. They ended right at 11PM. Of course I brought The Book with me and Kelz has a stack of CD and tape covers. After the place cleared out a bit they came […]
CJSS & Thruster Concert Review, Cincinnati, OH, October 9, 2015 | The Metal Files
October 12, 2015 at 7:15 pm
[…] a 25 minute or so nap, I throw on my clothes, grab The Book, and walk the 3 blocks to the venue, Bombay Bar and Grill. Upon walking in, I’m given my […]
Frost and Fire Metal Fest Concert Review, Ventura, CA, October 17, 2015 | The Metal Files
October 19, 2015 at 7:46 pm
[…] bands, but there’s usually a mission behind it and that’s to get certain musicians in The Book. With Foreigner, two of the guys were in 80s metal bands that I liked and actually have a little […]
Foreigner Concert Review, Austin, TX, April 21, 2016 | The Metal Files
April 22, 2016 at 10:04 am
[…] not into Manowar beyond their first album, Battle Hymns, but The Dictators have 2 folks that are in The Book that I wanted to have added: Handsome Dick Manitoba (HDM) and Ross the Boss. Add to the fact that […]
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May 30, 2016 at 10:05 am