The Waterboys - The Waterboys

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of The Waterboys, the debut album from the Celtic rock band of the same name.

The group roster for this one was Mike Scott (vocals, piano, guitar, bass and mandolin), Delahaye (organ), Nick Linden (bass and background vocals), Ray Massey (drums), Norman Rodger (bass), Stephen W. Tayler (bass and keyboards), Anthony Thistlethwaite (bass, saxophone, and mandolin) and Kevin Wilkinson (drums).

Bauhaus - Burning From the Inside

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Burning From the Inside, the fourth studio album from the British gothic rock band Bauhaus. Charting at number 13 in the UK, it would be the final studio album the group would record before 2008.

The band consisted of Peter Murphy (vocals and guitar), Daniel Ash (guitar and vocals), David J (bass and vocals) and Kevin Haskins (drums).

Neil Young - Everybody's Rockin'

This month (on July 27th), we marked the thirtieth anniversary of Everybody’s Rockin’, the thirteenth studio album from Neil Young.

He was accompanied by the Shocking Pinks, who shared co-billing on the album. This one-off group consisted of Larry Byrom (piano and backing vocals), Anthony Crawford (backing vocals), Tim Drummond (upright bass), Karl Himmel (snare drum), Ben Keith (saxophone and lead guitar) and Rick Palombi (backing vocals). The 1983 release charted at number 50 in the UK, number 46 on the US Billboard Hot 200, number 30 in Australia, number 22 in Canada, number 21 in New Zealand, and number 15 in Sweden.

National Lampoon’s Vacation (soundtrack)

Welcome to another edition of Soundtrack Sunday.

This week marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of the movie National Lampoon’s Vacation, the hilarious cross-country family road trip tale that introduced us to the Griswold family. Written by John Hughes and directed by Harold Ramis, it starred Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Anthony Michael Hall, Dana Barron, Randy Quaid, and Imogene Coca. Also making appearances were John Candy, Jane Krakowski and super-model Christie Brinkley.

Madonna - Madonna

Today (July 27th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the self-titled debut album from Madonna. In the early 80’s, the Detroit-born singer-dancer was living in New York City with her boyfriend Steve Bray (of the Breakfast Club) and working on demos. She convinced a local DJ to play one of her songs and that started her on the road to her record deal and a notable career.

The multi-Platinum selling Madonna, co-produced by her then boyfriend John “Jellybean” Benitez, charted at number 28 in Germany, number 20 in Japan, number 16 in Canada, number 15 in Austria, number 10 in Australia, number 8 in France and on the US Billboard Hot 200, number 7 in the Netherlands, number 6 in New Zealand and the UK and number 2 in Sweden.

Asia - Alpha

Following their smash hit 1982 self-titled debut (click here for that review), the guys from Asia returned to the studio to work on their next album. The result was 1983’s Alpha which today (July 26th) is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary.

Alpha charted at number 6 on the US Billboard Hot 200, number 5 in the UK and number 4 in Japan.

Metallica - Kill 'Em All

Today (July 25th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Kill 'Em All, the full-length debut album from California-based heavy metal rockers Metallica. Recorded in Rochester NY (my old college stomping grounds) a few months earlier in 1983, it eventually went on to achieve multi-Platinum sales status. Chart-wise, it went to number 246 in Japan, number 129 in Austria, number 120 on the US Billboard Hot 200 (in 1988), number 66 in Ireland, number 65 in Switzerland, number 55 in Australia, number 28 in Sweden and number 12 in Finland (in 2007).

Oingo Boingo - Good For Your Soul

July of 1983 brought out Good For Your Soul, the third studio album from Oingo Boingo. It continued the momentum from the earlier offerings, charting at number 144 on the US Billboard Hot 200. It was band’s last album on the A&M Records label and also the last album, for awhile, to feature Kerry Hatch on bass and Richard Gibbs on keyboards.

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (soundtrack) (35 anniversary)

Today (July 23rd) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of the release of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Band, the soundtrack to the 1978 musical starring Peter Frampton, the Bee Gees and more.

Click here for my thoughts on the film and the album.

Peabo Bryson and Roberta Flack - Born to Love

Today (July 22nd) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Born to Love, the second collaborative album from R&B singers Peabo Bryson and Roberta Flack. This one charted at number 25 on the US Billboard Hot 200, number 15 in the UK, and number 8 on the US Billboard R&B charts.

Private School (soundtrack)

Welcome to another edition of Soundtrack Sunday.

In July of 1989, the teenaged sex comedy Private School hit the theatres. Directed by Noel Black, it was centered on students at an academy for girls and a nearby school for boys. The film starred Phoebe Cates, Matthew Modine, Jonathan Prince, and Ray Walston.

Tom Tom Club - Close To The Bone

In July of 1983, the Tom Tom Club followed up their 1981 self-titled debut (click here for that review) with Close To The Bone. It charted at number 73 on the US Billboard Hot 200, number 49 on the US Billboard R&B chart, and number 31 in New Zealand.

Graham Parker - The Real Macaw

After a number of years performing as Graham Parker and the Rumour, the British singer-songwriter went solo in the early 80’s. This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of The Real Macaw, his second solo studio album from 1983. While it failed to chart in the UK, it did reach number 59 on the US Billboard Hot 200.

Rick Springfield - Living In Oz

Coming off of 1982’s Success Hasn’t Spoiled Me Yet (click here for that review), Australian born rocker and American soap opera heart-throb Rick Springfield released his seventh studio album Living In Oz thirty years ago today (July 18th of 1983). It charted at number 45 in Australia, number 20 in Canada, and number 12 on the US Billboard Hot 200.

Paul Young - No Parlez

English born singer and musician Paul Young was the front man for a number of short-lived bands (Kat Kool & the Kool Cats, Streetband, and Q-Tips) before going it alone and becoming a huge teen idol. His solo debut No Parlez was released thirty years ago tomorrow (July 18th) back in 1983. It charted at number 79 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number 16 in France, number 4 in Austria, number 3 in New Zealand and Norway, and number 1 in Germany, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.

Kansas - Drastic Measures

Following their 1982 album Vinyl Confessions (click here for that review), Kansas returned to the studios to work on their ninth album. Drastic Measures, released in July of 1983, peaked at number 75 on the US Billboard Hot 200.

Staying Alive (soundtrack) (30th anniversary)

Welcome to another edition of “Matinee Monday”.

On July 15th of 1983, Paramount Pictures released Staying Alive, a sequel to the highly successful Saturday Night Fever from 1977. Along with that came the soundtrack album that featured the Bee Gees, Tommy Faragher, Cynthia Rhodes and Frank Stallone. Today, I am revisiting that film and its music to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the release.

Please click here for my full review.

Big Country - The Crossing

Tomorrow (July 15th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of The Crossing, the debut album from Scotland’s Big Country. This 1983 record charted at number 18 on the US Billboard Hot 200, number 17 in Sweden, number 11 in the Netherlands, number 8 in New Zealand, number 4 in Canada, and number 3 in the UK.

Killing Joke - Fire Dances

Today (July 13th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Fire Dances, the fourth studio album from English post-punk band Killing Joke. This July of 1983 release charted at number 29 in the UK and marked a slight change in the musical direction for the group (Jaz Coleman on vocals and synthesizer, Kevin “Geordie“ Walker on guitar, Paul Ferguson on drums and vocals, and newcomer to the band Paul Raven on bass).

Kenny Loggins - Nightwatch

Today (July 12th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Nightwatch, the second solo studio album from Kenny Loggins. This Platinum seller from 1978 peaked at number 7 on the US Billboard Hot 200, his highest charting album to date and since.

Shalamar - The Look

Today (July 11th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of The Look, the seventh studio album from the R&B group Shalamar. While it only reached number 79 on the US Billboard Hot 200, it climbed all the way to number 13 on the US Billboard R&B chart and number 7 in the UK.

This was the final album for Shalamar that featured the line-up of Jeffrey Daniel, Howard Hewett and Jody Watley. Both Daniel and Watley would leave the group in the later part of the year.

Robert Plant - The Principle of Moments

Following 1982’s Pictures at Eleven (click here for that review), legendary Led Zeppelin front-man Robert Plant released his second solo studio album in 1983. This week (July 11th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of The Principle of Moments.

It charted at number 41 in Sweden, number 8 on the US Billboard Hot 200, number 7 in the UK and number 1 in New Zealand.

Wham! - Fantastic (30th anniversary)

Today (July 9th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Fantastic, the debut album from the boys from Wham! (Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael).

For the full details of my review of this album, one which I played a ton over the 80's, click here.

Stacy Lattisaw - Sixteen

This week (July 9th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Sixteen, the fifth studio album from R&B singer Stacy Lattisaw. It charted at number 160 on the US Billboard Hot 200 and number 26 on the US Billboard R&B chart.

Stroker Ace (soundtrack)

Welcome to another edition of Soundtrack Sunday.

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Stroker Ace, the 1983 film about NASCAR driving that starred Burt Reynolds, his future wife Loni Anderson (they wed in 1988), Jim Nabors, Ned Beatty, Parker Stevenson and pro football player turned actor Bubba Smith. There were also appearances in the movie by real-life NASCAR drivers Dale Earnhardt, Richard Petty, Ricky Rudd, Benny Parsons and many more.

Aretha Franklin - Get It Right

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Get It Right, the twenty-ninth album from the legendary R&B singer Aretha Franklin. Following on the heels of her smash hit Jump To It from the previous year (click here for that review), this 1983 album went to number 36 on the US Billboard Hot 200 and number 4 on the US Billboard R&B charts. Once again, she worked with producer Luther Vandross.

Suicidal Tendencies - Suicidal Tendencies

In 1981, the Los Angeles crossover thrash (i.e. punk metal) band Suicidal Tendencies was formed. The line-up at the start was Mike Muir (lead vocals), Grant Estes (guitar), Louiche Mayorga (bass and backing vocals) and Amery Smith (drums). Today (July 5th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of their self-titled debut album from 1983.

Yazoo/Yaz - You and Me Both

Following up on their 1982 Upstairs at Eric’s (click here for that review), Alison Moyet and Vince Clarke returned to the studio to record the second Yazoo (Yaz here in the US) album. The result was You and Me Both, which today (July 4th) celebrates its thirtieth anniversary.

The July 1983 album charted at number 69 on the US Billboard Hot 200, number 33 in Canada, number 15 in Germany, number 4 in Sweden, and number 1 in both New Zealand and the UK.

Quarterflash - Take Another Picture

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Take Another Picture, the second studio album from Quarterflash. Following their debut album from 1981, this 1983 album peaked at number 34 on the US Billboard Hot 200.

Lita Ford - Out for Blood

By the time guitarist/singer Lita Ford made her solo debut in 1983 with Out for Blood, she was already a seasoned veteran in the rock business. At age 16, in 1975, she was one of the members of the all-female rock band the Runaways (along with Joan Jett and others).

Today, to celebrate its thirtieth anniversary, we will give this album a listen. Joining her on the record were Neil Merryweather (bass and vocals as well as co-writer on many of the tracks), and Dusty Watson (drums and backing vocals).

The Alarm - The Alarm (EP) (30th anniversary)

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of the self-title EP The Alarm.

For my full review of this five song debut from the North Wales rockers, please click here.

Book Review: The Rockin' Chair

A broad painting of a family at a crossroad, The Rockin' Chair is the latest novel by Steven Manchester.

While this novel opens with the death of Grandpa John's wife, there is also much reflection (through the use of flashbacks) on the past events of three generations of the McCarthy family. The summoning of the flock home leads to facing past memories, some good and some bad, and how fences can be mended before it is too late.