1983 - 30th Anniversary Wrap Up

With the final day of the year upon us once more, I thought I would give a quick list recap of all the albums from 1983 that I reviewed for their thirtieth anniversaries this past year. How many albums was that exactly?

Divinyls - Desperate

This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of Desperate, the debut studio album from the Australian band Divinyls. This 1983 peaked at number 5 in their native country early in the year before hitting the world-wide scene months later.

Let's Active - Afoot

Formed right here in North Carolina (the state I have called home now since 1988), Let’s Active began as a trio in Winston-Salem. Their original line up included Mitch Easter (guitar and vocals), Faye Hunter (bass) and Sara Romweber (drums). Easter had a close association with R.E.M. in the early days; he co-produced their first few albums in the early 80’s and Let’s Active even opened for them on tour.

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of their debut EP Afoot, which peaked at number 154 on the US Billboard Album chart.

The Sugarhill Gang - Rappin' Down Town

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Rappin’ Down Town from the Sugarhill Gang - Wonder Mike (Michael Wright), Big Bank Hank (Henry Jackson) and Master Gee (Guy O‘Brien). This 1983 album was the third one from the New York City based rap group, following up 8th Wonder from the previous year (click here for that review).

Hot Chocolate - Love Shot

October marked the thirtieth anniversary of Love Shot, the eighth and final studio album during the 1980’s for the UK band Hot Chocolate. The roster at the time included Errol Brown (vocals), Tony Connor (drums), Larry Ferguson (keyboards), Harvey Hensley (guitar), and Pat Olive (bass).

The Bluebells - The Bluebells

This year marks the thirtieth anniversary release of The Bluebells, the debut EP from the Scottish band of the same name. The group was made up of Robert Hodgens (guitar), Kenneth McCluskey (vocals and harmonica), Dave McCluskey (drums), Russell Irvin (guitar), Craig Gannon (guitar), Lawrence Donegan (bass) and Neil Baldwin (bass).

Blue Nile - A Walk Across the Rooftops (30th anniversary)

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of A Walk Across the Rooftops, the debut EP from the Scottish pop group the Blue Nile.

Click here for my full album review.

Martin's 100 Favorite Albums of 1982

My fellow music-blogger buddies Herc (from Herc's Hideaway) and Mark (from 1976-1985: My Favorite Decade) are both big fans of the music of 1982. We've been discussing our favorite albums of that year, so I thought I would come up with my favorite 100 albums released during that calendar year.

Rodney Dangerfield - Rappin' Rodney

November marked the thirtieth anniversary of Rappin’ Rodney, the fourth comedy album by Rodney Dangerfield. It had been three years since his last release, a time period he spent working on films like Caddyshack and Easy Money. Sparked by his new found popularity, the record spent twenty weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 36.

The Plimsouls - Everywhere At Once

July of 1983 saw the release of Everywhere At Once, the second full length studio album from the California band the Plimsouls. Having only spent four weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, it peaked at number 186. Today, I will give this one a spin in honor of its thirtieth anniversary this year.

Indeep - Last Night a DJ Saved My Life

Back in June of this year, the thirtieth anniversary of Last Night a DJ Saved My Life occurred. This 1983 debut by the New York City based Indeep (musician Michael Cleveland, and singers Rejane Magloire and Rose Marie Ramsey) spent ten weeks on the US Billboard Album charts, peaking at number 43.

D.C. Cab (soundtrack)

Welcome to another edition of Soundtrack Sunday.

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of D.C. Cab, an R-rated comedy film written and directed by Joel Schumacher, and starring Mr. T. (of the A-Team), Max Gail (of Barney Miller), Adam Baldwin, Gary Busey, Bill Maher, Marsha Warfield, Paul Rodriguez and Irene Cara.

Peter Schilling - Error in the System

Today (December 21st) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Error in the System, the first English album by German singer Peter Schilling. The record was released in his native country in late 1982 under the title Fehler im System.

S.O.S. Band - On the Rise

Released in July of 1983, On the Rise was the fourth studio album from the Atlanta based S.O.S. Band. The record charted at number 47 on the US Billboard Album chart, number 36 in New Zealand, number 30 in the Netherlands and number 7 on the US Billboard R&B chart.

Dr. Hook - Let Me Drink From Your Well

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Let Me Drink From Your Well, the twelfth and final studio album from Dr. Hook. Unlike 1982’s Players In the Dark (click here for that review), this one from 1983 failed to even hit the major charts.

The Hooters - Amore

Released on the independent label Antenna, Amore was the first studio album released by Pennsylvania rockers the Hooters. This 1983 debut was a cult favorite in the Philadelphia area and sold over 100,000 copies. The record, which features four songs that were reworked on later albums by the band, was their stepping tone to a major record label deal a year later.

Today we will give this one a listen in honor of its thirtieth anniversary.

Jeffrey Osborne - Stay With Me Tonight

This Fall marked the thirtieth anniversary of Stay With Me Tonight, the second studio album from Jeffrey Osborne. This R&B release went to number 56 in the UK, number 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and number 3 on the US Billboard R&B chart.

Two of a Kind (soundtrack)

Welcome to another edition of Matinee Monday.

Today (December 16th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Two of a Kind, the 1983 romantic comedy that re-teamed John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. The two played criminally-minded individuals (he an inventor, she a bank teller) bent on protecting the Earth from God’s destruction. Unlike the former film that starred these two (1978’s film-adaptation of the musical Grease), this one was a critical and commercial flop.

ESG - Come Away With ESG

Formed in the late 1970’s in the Bronx, ESG (which stood for “Emerald, Sapphire and Gold”) was a band made up of the four Scroggins sisters: Renee (guitar and vocals), Deborah (bass and vocals), Marie (congas and vocals), and Valerie (drums).

After a couple of EPs, including 1982’s ESG Says Dance to the Beat of Moody (from which a couple tracks here first appeared), they put out their first full-length album in 1983 entitled Come Away With ESG. Pitchfork Media, out of Chicago, ranked it as the 84th greatest album of the 1980’s. Today, we will give it a spin for its thirtieth anniversary.

Nile Rodgers - Adventures in the Land of the Good Groove

Earlier this year (in March) marked the thirtieth anniversary of Adventures in the Land of the Good Groove, the first solo album by singer-songwriter-producer Nile Rodgers. Joining him on the record were Chic alum Bernard Edwards (bass), Tony Thompson (drums), Jeremy Steele (guitar), Raymond Jones (piano), Rob Sabino (keyboards) and numerous backing vocalists.

June Pointer - Baby Sister

After working with her sisters for a few years, at age thirty June Pointer decided to do a solo album in 1983. The result was Baby Sister which we will be looking at today to celebrate its thirtieth anniversary.

The Fall - Perverted By Language

Today (December 12th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Perverted By Language, the sixth studio album by the English band the Fall. The line-up on this album included Mark E. Smith (vocals, piano and violin), Karl Burns (drums and bass), Steve Hanley (bass), Paul Hanley (drums and keyboards), Craig Scanlon (guitar and vocals) and Brix Smith (guitar and backing vocals).

The Call - Modern Romans

Hailing out of San Francisco, the Call was made up of Michael Been (vocals and guitar), Greg Freeman (bass), Scott Musick (drums and vocals) and Tom Ferrier (guitar and vocals). Today we will give a listen to Modern Romans, their second studio album, to mark its thirtieth anniversary. This 1983 release reached number 84 on the US Billboard Album charts.

The Bongos - Numbers With Wings

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Numbers With Wings, the third EP from the Bongos. Hailing from New Jersey, the group consisted of Richard Barone (vocals and guitar), James Mastro (guitar), Frank Giannini (drums) and Rob Norris (bass).

Rufus - Stompin' at the Savoy

On August 10th of this year, Stompin’ at the Savoy celebrated its thirtieth anniversary. This double-album from Rufus, their final release as a group, went to number 64 in the UK, number 50 on the US Billboard Album chart and number 4 on the US Billboard R&B chart.

The Little Girls - Thank Heaven!

December means catch-up month on some of the 30th anniversary releases I missed mentioning earlier in the year. We start off today with Thank Heaven!, the April 1983 release from the Little Girls.

The Cure - Japanese Whispers

This week (December 6th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Japanese Whispers, the third studio album from the Cure. This 1983 record hit number 181 on the US Billboard Album chart, number 26 in the UK, number 13 in Australia, and number 8 in New Zealand. The album was a compilation of singles and B-sides that the group released during the year from November 1982 to that time and included the tracks that made up of The Walk extended play that had been released in North America during the summer of 1983.

Luther Vandross - Busy Body

Today (December 6th) is the thirtieth anniversary of Busy Body, the third studio album from R&B singer-songwriter-producer Luther Vandross. It continued the successful run from his first two albums Never Too Much and Forever, For Always, For Love (click here and here respectively) by going Platinum in the US. Chart-wise, it hit number 42 in the UK, number 32 on the US Billboard Album chart and number 1 on the US Billboard R&B chart.

Dreamboy - Dreamboy (EP)

Hailing from Oak Park, Michigan, the R&B quartet Dreamboy first hit the airwaves in late 1983. They were signed to Quincy Jones’ Quest record label with distribution by Warner Brothers. The line-up for the band was Jeff Stanton (vocals), Jeff Bass (guitar), Jimi Hunt (keyboards), Pat Stewart (bass) and George “Dewey” Twymon (drums).

Carole King - Speeding Time

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Speeding Time, the thirteenth album from singer-songwriter Carole King. The record was the first of hers that failed to chart in the US, and it might have led to the six year studio recording hiatus she took until 1989‘s City Streets.

Joining the legendary performer on this record were Bob Glaub (bass), Bobbye Hall (percussion), Plas Johnson (saxophone), Robbie Konodor (synthesizer), Danny Kortchmar (guitar), and Russ Kunkel (drums).

Slade - The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome

Today (December 3rd) marks the thirtieth anniversary of The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome, the tenth studio album from the British rock group Slade. The record was released in North America in early 1984 under the title Keep Your Hands Off My Power Supply and with a shuffled track order. Together, the record charted at number 50 in Australia, number 49 in the UK, number 39 in New Zealand, number 33 on the US Billboard Album chart, number 26 in Canada, number 9 in Denmark and Germany, number 5 in Switzerland, number 2 in Norway and number 1 in Sweden.

Nona Hendryx - Nona

Before moving off to a solo career, Nona Hendryx was one third of the R&B girl-group Labelle. In the mid-1970’s she went solo and released a number of records. One of them, 1983’s Nona celebrated its thirtieth anniversary back in March of this year. Her second solo studio album, it climbed to number 83 on the US Billboard Album chart and number 25 on the US Billboard R&B chart.

Doobie Brothers - Minute By Minute (35th anniversary)

Welcome to another edition of Seventies Sunday.

Today (December 1st) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of the release of Minute By Minute, the eighth studio album from the Doobie Brothers.

Please click here to read my full review of the album.

Freur - Doot-Doot

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Doot-Doot, the debut album from Freur who hailed from Cardiff, Wales. The group was made up of Carl Hyde (vocals and guitar), Bryn Burrows (drums), Rick Smith (keyboards and guitar), Alfie Thomas (guitar) and John Warwicker (synthesizers).

Earth, Wind & Fire - Electric Universe

This week marks the thirtieth anniversary of Electric Universe, the thirteenth studio album from Earth, Wind and Fire. It charted at number 40 on the US Billboard Album chart, number 22 in the Netherlands, and number 8 on the US Billboard R&B Album chart.

Re-Flex - The Politics of Dancing

Hailing from the UK, Re-Flex was a four man new-wave synth-pop band. Their roster consisted of John Baxter (vocals), Paul Fishman (keyboards), Roland Vaughan Kerridge (drums) and Nigel Ross-Scott (bass). Their one album release was 1983’s The Politics of Dancing which is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary this month. The record charted at number 58 in Germany, number 53 on the US Billboard Album chart, and number 34 in New Zealand.

The Blues Brothers - Briefcase Full of Blues

Today (November 28th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Briefcase Full of Blues, the debut album from the Blues Brothers. Formed out of a Saturday Night Live sketch, actors Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi turned their love of the old soul and blues music into a genuine recording act. The record, a collection of covers recorded live on September 9th of 1978 at the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles, hit a chord with the American public as it went all the way to number 1 on the US Billboard Album chart in February of 1979 (knocking out Billy Joel's 52nd Street) and eventually achieved double-Platinum sales.

Gloria Gaynor - Love Tracks

Today (November 27th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Love Tracks, the sixth studio album from disco/R&B singer Gloria Gaynor. It went to number 34 in Germany, number 31 in the UK, number 15 in Australia, number 14 in Norway, number 10 in Sweden, and number 7 on the US Billboard Album chart.

Eurythmics - Touch

Today (November 26th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Touch, the third studio album from Eurythmics. Following on the successful heels of Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) (click here for that review), this Platinum seller went to number 20 in France, number 14 in Switzerland, number 9 in Germany and Sweden, number 8 in Norway, number 7 on the US Billboard Album chart, number 4 in Australia, and number 1 in New Zealand and the UK. The record has appeared on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time (first at number 500 then at number 492 on the revised 2012 list).

Siouxsie and the Banshees - Nocturne

Today (November 25th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Nocturne, the first live album from Siouxsie and the Banshees. Taken from the shows at the Royal Albert Hall on September 30th and October 1st of 1983, this double-disk release charted at number 35 in New Zealand and number 29 in the UK; it achieved silver sales status in the UK also. Robert Smith (of the Cure) played guitar with the band for these shows.

Tracey Ullman - You Broke My Heart In 17 Places (30th anniversary)

Today (November 25th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of You Broke My Heart In 17 Places, the debut album from Tracey Ullman. Before she was a known as a comedy star, she showed the world the singer side of her talent. The result was a pretty solid pop album.

For the full review, please click here.

Corey Hart - First Offense

Today (November 24th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of First Offense, the debut album from Canadian singer Corey Hart. It was recorded in Manchester, England, a year earlier and was produced by Jon Astley and Phil Chapman. The 1983 release went to number 31 on the US Billboard Album chart and number 6 in Canada, where it also achieved triple-Platinum sales status.

Status Quo - Back to Back

This week (November 25th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Back to Back, the sixteenth studio album from the English rock band Status Quo. The group was first formed, under another name, in 1962 and released their first album in 1968. This album from 1983 charted at number 60 in Germany, number 56 in France, number 38 in Sweden, number 25 in Austria, number 20 in Switzerland, number 18 in Norway, and number 9 in the UK.

Kool & the Gang - In the Heart

This week (November 21st) marks the thirtieth anniversary of In the Heart, the seventeenth studio album from Kool & the Gang. This one peaked at number 32 in New Zealand, number 29 on the US Billboard Album chart, number 19 in Germany, number 18 in the UK, number 17 in the Netherlands, and number 5 on the US Billboard R&B chart.

Duran Duran - Seven and the Ragged Tiger

Today (November 21st) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Seven and the Ragged Tiger, the third studio album from Duran Duran. It achieved Platinum sales status in the UK within a week of its release, and Platinum in the US by the start of 1984. Chart-wise, it reached number 20 in France, number 17 in Germany, number 16 in Switzerland, number 8 on the US Billboard Album chart, number 7 in Canada, number 3 in Finland, number 2 in Australia, and number 1 in the Netherlands, New Zealand and the UK.

Captain Sensible - The Power of Love

English singer-songwriter Captain Sensible followed his 1982 solo debut Women and Captains First (click here for that review) with The Power of Love. I had to do a bit of digging on the Internet just so I could review this 1983 release as it is a pretty rare record, so let’s see what we come up with.

Split Enz - Conflicting Emotions

This month celebrates the thirtieth anniversary of Conflicting Emotions, the second-to-last studio album from Split Enz during the 1980’s. This 1983 release went to number 137 on the US Billboard Album chart, number 18 in the Netherlands, number 13 in Australia, and number 3 in New Zealand.

Leo Sayer - Have You Ever Been in Love

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Have You Ever Been in Love, the tenth studio album from Leo Sayer. Following up his 1982 release World Radio (click here for that review), this one from 1983 only charted at number 15 in the UK.

Olivia Newton-John - Totally Hot

Welcome to another edition of Seventies Sunday.

Today, in honor of its thirty-fifth anniversary this month, we are giving a listen to the 1978 release Totally Hot. This was the tenth studio album for Australian-born singer Olivia Newton-John. The Platinum selling record went to number 30 in the UK, number 18 in New Zealand, number 9 in Japan, number 7 on the US Billboard Album chart, number 5 in Canada, and number 4 in Australia on the US Billboard Country chart.

John Denver - It's About Time

This week (November 15th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of It’s About Time, the seventeenth studio album from John Denver. Dedicated to his father, the record peaked at number 92 in Canada, number 90 in the UK, number 61 on the US Billboard Album chart, number 55 on the US Billboard Country chart, and number 19 in Australia.