St. Elmo's Fire (soundtrack) (30th anniversary)

Today (July 26h) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of the soundtrack from St. Elmo's Fire. The album spent thirty-seven weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, hitting a peak spot of number 21.

For my complete review, click here.

Billy Squier - Signs of Life

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Signs of Life, the fourth studio album from Billy Squier. It was co-produced by Squier and Jim Steinman. The album spent twenty-nine weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 11.

Fast Times at Ridgemont High (soundtrack) (30th Anniversary)

This week, we are doing Matinee Monday.

Today (July 30th) marks the 30th anniversary of the release of the soundtrack album to the seminal 80's teen film Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

For my review of this album, please click here.

So, let's all put on our checkered Vans and chill out with Spicoli, Brad, Stacy, Damone, and Mr. Hand.

Billy Squier - Emotions in Motion

Today (July 23rd) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Emotions in Motion, the third studio album from rocker Billy Squier. Taking the momentum from 1981's Don't Say No (click here for my review of that record), this one continued his Platinum selling trend in the US and Canada. Chart-wise, it reached number 5 on the US Billboard Hot 200.

The album cover was created by renowned artist Andy Warhol. I think the red mark, with its angular shape, over his right eye makes me think he looks a bit like Paul Stanley of KISS.

Billy Squier - Don't Say No

Tomorrow (May 12th) marks the sixty-second birthday to American rock musician Billy Squier.

The Massachusetts born Squier was inspired to become a musician after seeing Eric Clapton and Cream perform in 1968. In the early 70’s, he played with a band called Piper who released two albums. From there, Squier signed with Capitol Records and released his first albums solo albums in the 80’s.

St. Elmo's Fire (soundtrack)

Friday (November 18th) was the fifty sixth birthday of singer/songwriter John Parr.

In 1985, Joel Schumacher directed a coming-of-age film about seven Georgetown University graduates adjusting to their post-college lives and the responsibilities of adulthood. The cast was made up of prominent young actors and actresses that were part of the 80’s Brat Pack genre: Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy, Demi Moore, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy and Mare Winningham.

Fast Times at Ridgemont High (soundtrack)

Welcome to another edition of Soundtrack Sunday.

In 1981, Rolling Stone magazine writer Cameron Crowe went undercover to a San Diego, California, high school to research a book. In 1982, that book was adapted into the coming-of-age teen comedy Fast Times at Ridgemont High. The film, which opened in August of 1982, helped launch the careers of young actors Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Renhold, Robert Romanus, Phoebe Cates, Forest Whitaker, Eric Stoltz, Anthony Edwards and Nicolas Cage. At a cost of $4.5 million to make, the film earned more than $27 million at the box office and has since become a TV/cable and video favorite the world over. It even spun off a short-lived CBS sitcom in 1986 that starred young actors Courtney Thorne-Smith and Patrick Dempsey.

The double-disk soundtrack album, released on July 30th of 1982, did fairly well; it peaked at number 54 on the Billboard 200 and several of the songs were released as singles.