Prince - Prince

Welcome to another edition of Seventies Saturday.

Prince closed out the decade with the release of his self-titled second album on October 19, 1979. Written shortly after the release of his debut album, the multi-talented musician/song-writer/singer completed the record in seven weeks time.

Warner Brothers was concerned after the performance of his debut album and was looking for this record to perform. Prince delivered by going Platinum in the US after climbing all the way to number 22 on the Billboard Album and number 3 on the Billboard R&B charts.

REO Speedwagon - Good Trouble

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Good Trouble, the tenth studio album from the American rock band REO Speedwagon. This June 1982 release was the follow up to their smash hit Hi Infidelity album (click here for my review of that one). The album went to number 7 on the US Billboard Hot 200, number 7 in Norway, number 39 in New Zealand and number 29 in the UK.

The songs were written by Kevin Cronin (lead singer, piano, and guitars), Bruce Hall (bass, vocals) and Gary Richrath (lead guitar).

Robert Plant - Pictures At Eleven

After Led Zeppelin broke up in 1980, a number of the members went on to solo careers.

Thirty years ago today (June 28th), singer/songwriter Robert Plant released his first solo album Pictures At Eleven. This 1982 release went Platinum in a number of countries and performed well on the charts. It went to number 32 in Sweden, number 17 in Norway, number 16 in New Zealand and number 2 in the UK. In the US, it went all the way to number 5 on the Billboard Hot 200.

Joe Jackson - Night and Day

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Night and Day, the fifth studio album from English singer/songwriter Joe Jackson. The title comes from a Cole Porter song with the whole album done in tribute to the composer and, indirectly, to New York City.

The June 1982 release is Jackson’s highest charting album to date. In his native UK, the record went all the way to number 3. In the US, the album reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot 200.

Alan Parsons Project - Eye in the Sky

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Eye in the Sky, the sixth studio album by the British progressive rock group known as the Alan Parsons Project. This June of 1982 LP followed the successful The Turn of a Friendly Card from late 1980 (click here for that review). It went to number 27 in the group’s native UK, number 8 in Sweden, number 3 in Norway, and number 1 in both Austria and Germany; over in North America, it reached number 3 in Canada and number 7 on the US Billboard Hot 200.

ABC - The Lexicon of Love (30th anniversary)

Today, June 25th, also marks the 30th anniversary of the debut album by British pop band ABC. The Lexicon of Love was an early 80's classic.

For my review of this album, please click here.

This is one of my favorite albums from 1982 and to celebrate I plan to cue it up on my iPod to enjoy it once more.

The Gap Band - The Gap Band IV

The Gap Band was a funk band from Tulsa, Oklahoma, who got their start in the early 1970’s. The group performed together for forty three years before retiring in 2010. The foundation of the group was three brothers - Charlie, Ronnie and Robert Wilson.

June 1982 marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of their album The Gap Band IV. This Platinum selling album went to number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100 (their highest ever performance on that chart over their career) and number 1 on the Billboard R&B Albums chart.

Fleetwood Mac - Mirage

Today (June 23rd) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of the thirteenth studio album by Fleetwood Mac. After a year long hiatus following their Tusk tour during which both Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham put out solo records, the band released Mirage in 1982.

The record sales topped two million units alone in the US and a million in the UK. Chart-wise, the album went to number 12 in Germany, number 10 in Sweden, number 5 in both the France and the UK, number 4 in Canada, and number 2 in Australia. In the US, it spent five weeks at the number 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 200.

Oingo Boingo - Nothing to Fear

Coming off of their 1981 debut album Only a Lad (click here for that review), the California based alternative rockers followed it up with their second studio album Nothing to Fear. Today (June 22nd) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of that record.

While it faired a bit better on the US Billboard Hot 200 over the previous release (hitting 148 versus the debut’s 172), the album and band often found its audience thanks to college radio stations and club deejays who enjoyed the band’s quirky sound and thought-provoking lyrics.

Soft Cell - Non-Stop Ecstatic Dancing (30th anniversary)

Today (June 21st) marks the 30th anniversary of the English synthpop duo Soft Cell's second release Non-Stop Ecstatic Dancing.

Following on the heels of their debut album Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret, this six song EP was meant to compliment that debut while emphasizing the more "dance" aspect of their music. The record went to number 6 in the UK and number 57 on the US Billboard Hot 200.

Lionel Richie - Can't Slow Down

Happy sixty-third birthday today (June 20th) to American singer-songwriter, producer and actor Lionel Richie. The Tuskegee, Alabama, born and raised man started his career as a singer and saxophone player for the Commodores in 1968. In the early 80’s, he left the group and embarked upon a successful solo career.

On October 11th, 1983, he released his second studio album Can’t Slow Down. This multi-Platinum selling album hit the top of the charts all across the globe; it went to number 9 in Italy, number 3 in Norway and Switzerland, number 2 in Germany and Sweden, and number 1 in the UK (twice - once for a week in 1983 and then again for two weeks in 1984), Australia, Canada, the Netherlands and New Zealand.

Paula Abdul - Forever Your Girl

Happy fiftieth birthday today (June 19th) to American singer, dancer, choreographer, actress and television host Paula Abdul.

The former Los Angeles Lakers cheerleader made her recording debut with 1988’s Forever Your Girl. The multi-Platinum album, released on June 13th of that year, was a smash hit across the globe. It went to number 24 in Germany, number 19 in New Zealand, number 15 in Sweden, number 12 in France, number 6 in Sweden, number 3 in the UK, and scored the number 1 spot in Australia and Canada. In the US, it took the album sixty-four weeks from its debut to hit the number 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 200; it held that top spot for a week in October of 1989 and then again for eight weeks in the spring of 1990.

Eddie Money - No Control

Today (June 18th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of No Control, the fourth studio album from American rock singer Eddie Money.

Like his first two records, this one became a Platinum seller in the US. It topped out at number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 200 and reached number 36 on the Canadian charts.

Barry Manilow - This One's For You

Today (June 17th) is the sixty-ninth birthday of American singer-songwriter Barry Manilow. In 1964, he penned his first original score for an off-Broadway musical. In the late 60’s and early 70’s, he had a lucrative career as a commercial jingle writer. At night, he played piano for singer Bette Midler on her albums and tours. He also started to record his own albums.

In 1976, Manilow released his fourth studio album This One’s For You. Like his first three releases, this one too went multi-Platinum in the US and rose to the number 6 position on the US Billboard Album chart.

Rosanne Cash - Somewhere in the Stars

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Somewhere in the Stars, the fourth studio album from Rosanne Cash. She is the eldest daughter of the late Johnny Cash and his first wife.

This June 1982 release went to number 76 on the US Billboard Hot 200 and number 6 on the US Billboard Country charts. It also produced a trio of top 20 hits on the Country singles charts.

Steve Miller Band - Abracadabra

Today (June 15th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Abracadabra, the twelfth studio album from California’s own Steve Miller Band. In the US, the Platinum selling album went to number 3 on the Billboard Hot 200 and number 40 on the R&B charts. Around the world, it reached number 47 in New Zealand, number 11 in the Netherlands, number 10 in Norway and the UK, number 8 in Austria, number 4 in Canada, number 3 in Sweden and number 1 in Germany.

Pete Townshend - All the Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes

Today (June 14th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of All the Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes. This was the third solo album by English rocker and songwriter Pete Townshend.

Ashford and Simpson - Street Opera

The American husband-wife R&B songwriters/singers Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson started in the 60's writing for such artists as Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, and Diana Ross. The extremely talented duo then transitioned to recording its own songs in the early 70’s.

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Street Opera, their tenth studio album. This June 1982 release went to number 45 on the US Billboard Hot 200 and number 5 on the Billboard R&B charts. It generated a trio of singles.

38 Special - Special Forces

Yesterday (June 11th) marked the sixtieth birthday of American rock guitarist and singer Donnie Van Zant.

This month also marks the 30th anniversary of the release of Special Forces, the fifth studio album from Van Zant’s band 38 Special. The Platinum certified record went all the way to number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 200.

Grease 2 (soundtrack) (30th anniversary)

Today, June 11th, marks the 30th anniversary of the release of film and soundtrack album for Grease 2, which starred Michelle Pfeifer, Adrian Zmed, Maxwell Caulfield and Lorna Luft.

For my review of the soundtrack album and additional comments on this movie that is one of my all-time favorites, please click here.

For me, I'll be heading back, back, to school again today and taking a trip to Rydell High with the T-Birds and the Pink Ladies.

Cheryl Lynn - Instant Love

Today (June 11th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Instant Love, the fourth studio album from American R&B singer Cheryl Lynn. Produced by Luther Vandross, the record went to number 133 on the US Billboard Hot 200 and number 7 on the Billboard R&B charts. It also generated a pair of singles that did very well on the R&B charts.

John Cougar - American Fool (30th anniversary)

Today, June 10th, also marks the 30th anniversary of the release of John Cougar's sixth studio album American Fool.

For my review of this album, please click here.

To celebrate, I am going to cue up this album and jump back to the summer of 1982 when I was driving my Chevette all around the small western NY town I grew up in.

Chicago - Chicago 16

Thirty years ago, on June 7th of 1982, the American rock band Chicago released their appropriately titled sixteenth studio album Chicago 16. Produced by David Foster and featuring guest musicians from the band Toto, it went to went to number 44 in the UK and spent thirty six weeks on the US Billboard Hot 200, peaking at the number 9 slot.

Survivor - Eye of the Tiger

Today (June 8th) marks the 30th anniversary of the release of Eye of the Tiger, the third studio album from the American rock band Survivor. At the time, the line-up of the group included David Bickler (lead vocals), Frankie Sullivan (guitars, backing vocals), Jim Peterik (guitars, keyboards, backing vocals), Stephan Ellis (bass) and Marc Droubay (drums).

This multi-Platinum album went all the way to number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 200 chart. It had a trio of songs that graced the singles charts and two that were featured in motion pictures.

Stray Cats - Built For Speed

Released on this day thirty years ago (June 7th, 1982), Built For Speed was the first album by the Stray Cats released in the United States. The group had released two albums prior in the UK in 1981, Stray Cats and Gonna Ball. This release was a compilation album that took tracks from both of those records (six from the first, five from the second) to present to the American audience.

This turned out to be a great move. Built For Speed went to number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 200. It also produced two top-10 hits singles on the US Billboard charts.

Happy Birthday, Prince

Happy fifty-fourth birthday today (June 7th) to the one and only Prince Rogers Nelson.

Four years ago, I wrote a blog post all about how much I am a fan of Prince's music (click here to read that one...I'll wait). Since that post, his representation in my iTunes library has grown to over 430 songs and over 35 albums. That does seem like quite a lot; it is in fact just a hair under 2% of my whole music library. Still, he is by far the most represented artist in my music collection.

Gary U.S. Bonds - On the Line

Happy seventy-third birthday today (June 6th) to American rhythm and blues singer Gary Levone Anderson, known best by his stage name of Gary U.S. Bonds. He started his career in the 1960’s and, after two albums, took a break from recording. In the early 80’s, he made a career comeback.

In June of 1982, thirty years ago this month, Bonds released his third studio album On the Line. This was the second of two albums that were produced by Bruce Stringsteen and Steven Van Zandt. The two E. Street Band members wrote eight of the tracks, and Bonds was also back by the classic rock group. The album produced one Top 40 hit single.

Blondie - The Hunter

Today June 5th is the 30th anniversary of the release of The Hunter, the sixth studio album by Blondie.

The record went to number 33 on the US Billboard Hot 200, number 49 in Germany, number 19 in Norway, number 18 in Sweden, number 15 in Australia, and number 9 in the UK. After three Platinum selling releases in a row, this one represented a drop-off in sales. It was also the last studio album the group would put out until they re-united seventeen years later in 1999.

Heart - Private Audition

June 5th marks the 30th anniversary of Private Audition, the sixth studio album by the American rock band Heart. At the time, the group was made up of sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson, Howard Leese (guitar, synthesizer and more), Steve Fossen (bass) and Michael DeRosier (drums).

Although it spent fourteen weeks on the charts and reached number 25 on the US Billboard Hot 200, it was the first album from the band that failed to achieve Platinum sales status. It also went to number 21 in Canada and number 77 in the UK.

Thompson Twins - In the Name of Love

This month marks the 30th anniversary of the release of In the Name of Love, the first album from the Thompson Twins released in the United States.

This record is a compilation of tracks from the group’s first two albums. Two tracks come from 1981’s A Product Of… (Participation) and eight come from 1982‘s Set. Chart-wise, it went to number 148 on the US Billboard Hot 200.

The Bangles - Bangles

This month marks the 30th anniversary of the debut album by the all-female rock band the Bangles. The original line-up in 1982 included Vicki Peterson (lead guitar, vocals), Susanna Hoffs (rhythm guitar, vocals), Debbi Peterson (drums, vocals) and Annette Zilinskas (bass, harmonica, backing vocals).

The five track EP titled Bangles was first released on the Faulty Products label. In 1983, I.R.S. Records re-released it. The four girls were joined by Craig Leon, who also produced the album, and Ethan James on keyboards.

Happy Birthday, Michael Steele

Happy fifty-seventh birthday today (June 2nd) to American bassist, guitarist, singer and songwriter Michael Steele.

Steele began her career in music in 1975 as a member of the all-girl rock band the Runaways. She was the group's first bassist and performed along side Sandy West and Joan Jett, but she left the group before they recorded their first album.

Kenny Rogers - Love Will Turn You Around

Today (June 1st) marks the 30th anniversary of the tenth solo studio album by American country singer/songwriter Kenny Rogers. 1982’s Love Will Turn You Around went to number 34 on the US Billboard Hot 200 and number 5 on the Billboard Country charts. The Platinum selling record also reached number 23 on the charts in Canada.