Andy Gibb - After Dark

This month marks the thirty fifth anniversary of After Dark, the third and final studio album from Andy Gibb. This 1980 release reached number 67 on the US Billboard R&B chart, number 65 in Australia, number 24 in Canada, number 23 in Sweden, and number 21 in Norway and on the US Billboard Album chart. It spent a total of fifteen weeks on the US Billboard Album chart. Older brother Barry assisted on the record by penning all of the songs.

The Psychedelic Furs - The Psychedelic Furs (35th anniversary)

Today (February 27th) marks the thirty fifty anniversary of the self-titled debut album from The Psychedelic Furs. This 1980 record performed fairly well, reaching number 18 on the native UK charts; in the US the record spent seven weeks on the Billboard Album chart and made it to number 140.

For my full review, click here.

'Til Tuesday - Voices Carry

Today (February 26th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Voices Carry, the debut album from the Boston-based band 'Til Tuesday. This 1985 record reached number 19 on the US Billboard Album chart, with a thirty-one week total run. The original line-up of the band included Aimee Mann (vocals and bass as well as lyricist on all the songs on the debut), Robert Holmes (guitar and backing vocals), Joey Pesce (keyboards and backing vocals), and Michael Hausman (drums and percussion).

Tears For Fears - Songs From the Big Chair (30th anniversary)

Thirty years ago today (February 25th) the synth-pop due Tears For Fears released their second and highest album to date - Songs From the Big Chair. The album peaked at number 2 in their native UK and number 1 for five out of eighty-three weeks total on the US Billboard Album chart.

For my complete review of this 80's classic, click here.

Squeeze - Argybargy

This month marks the thirty fifth anniversary of Argybargy, the third studio album from Squeeze. It peaked at number 71 on the US Billboard Album chart (with a total run on the chart of twenty-four weeks), number 32 in the UK and number 26 in Canada.

Orchestral Manouvres in the Dark - Orchestral Manouvres in the Dark (35th anniversary)

Today (February 22nd) marks the thirty fifth anniversary of the self-titled debut album Orchestral Manoeuvres In the Dark. In 1980,it peaked on the UK charts at number 27. The record was slightly retooled for the 1981 US release under the same name - compiling tracks from both this record and the band’s second UK release Organisation.

For more of this album review, click here.

Run-D.M.C. – King of Rock

Today (February 21st) marks the thirtieth anniversary of King of Rock, the second studio album from Run-D.M.C. This 1980 release spent fifty-six weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 52. It also went to number 12 on the US Billboard R&B chart.

Linda Ronstadt - Mad Love

This month marks the thirty fifth anniversary of Mad Love, the tenth studio album from Linda Ronstadt. With this record, she was well into her second decade as a recording artist. This 1980 release hit number 65 in the UK, number 37 in the Netherlands, number 22 in New Zealand, number 12 in Japan, number 11 in Canada and number 6 in Australia. Here in the US, it debuted at number 5 on the Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 3, and spending a total of thirty-six weeks on the chart. It was also nominated for a Grammy award the following year.

The Breakfast Club (soundtrack) (30th anniversary)

Today (February 19th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of The Breakfast Club, the John Hughes' 1985 film about five high school teens enduring a Saturday detention together. The soundtrack album was produced by composer Keith Forsey, an English songwriter, drummer and record producer. He worked with such artists as Generation X, Billy Idol, Charlie Sexton and the Psychedelic Furs. He co-wrote most of the tracks that appeared on this album.

The album spent twenty-six weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 17.

For more of this album review, click here.

Mick Jagger - She's The Boss (30th anniversary)

Tomorrow (February 19th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of She’s The Boss, the first solo album Mick Jagger did away from the Rolling Stones. The 1985 record was a Platinum seller, spending eleven weeks on the UK charts where it peaked at number 6 and twenty-nine weeks on the US Billboard Hot 200 where it peaked at number 13.

For more on this album, click here.

Heart - Bebe le Strange

This weekend (February 14th) marked the thirty fifth anniversary of Bebe le Strange, the fifth studio album from Heart. This 1980 release hit number 78 in Australia and number 5 on the US Billboard Album chart. It spent twenty-two weeks total on the latter chart.

The Rose (soundtrack) (35th anniversary)

Welcome to another edition of Soundtrack Sunday.

Today (February 15th) marks the thirty fifth anniversary of the release of the soundtrack from The Rose, a rock drama starring Bette Midler (in her acting debut) which told the tale of a 1960’s rock star who was struggling with the pressures of her career and demands from her business manager. The story was loosely based on the life of Janis Joplin, and the film was nominated for four Academy Awards. The soundtrack album, which features Midler on vocals, reached number 12 on the US Billboard Album chart with a forty-five week total run on the chart.

For more of my review from this album, click here.

Teena Marie - Lady T

Today (February 14th) marks the thirty fifth anniversary of Lady T, the second studio album from American R&B great Teena Marie. This 1980 release went to number 45 on the US Billboard Album chart (with a twenty-three week total run) and number 18 on the US Billboard R&B chart.

Whitney Houston - Whitney Houston

Tomorrow (February 14th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the self-titled debut album from the New Jersey born Whitney Houston. The album would eventually achieve multi-Platinum sales status, charting at number 13 in France, number 11 in Italy, number 9 in Austria, number 5 in the Netherlands, number 2 in Finland, Germany, Switzerland and the UK, and number 1 in Australia, Canada, Norway, and Sweden and on both the US Billboard Album and R&B charts. It spent a total of one hundred and sixty three weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, fourteen of which were at the top spot.

Vision Quest (soundtrack) (30th anniversary)

Today (February 12th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of the soundtrack from Vision Quest, a coming-of-age film from 1985 starring Matthew Modine, Linda Fiorentino and Daphne Zuniga. The album hit the shelves three days prior and featured an all-star roster. The album spent a total of twenty-three weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 11.

For more on this album, click here.

The Firm - The Firm

In the early 80's, a British rock super-group called the Firm formed. It included singer Paul Rodgers (of Bad Company), guitarist Jimmy Page (of Led Zeppelin) drummer Chris Slade (from Uriah Heep) and bass player Tony Franklin. Today (February 11th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of their self-titled debut album The Firm, which peaked at number 17 on the US Billboard Album chart and number 15 in the UK. It spent thirty-three weeks total on the US Billboard Album chart.

the Smiths - Meat Is Murder (30th anniversary)

Tomorrow (February 11th) is the 30th anniversary of Meat Is Murder, the second studio album from the Smiths. It went to number 110 on the US Billboard Album chart (with a thirty-two week total run on the chart), number 58 in Australia, number 45 in Germany, number 40 in Canada, number 39 in the Netherlands, number 27 in Sweden, number 13 in New Zealand, and number 1 in the UK.

For my full review, click here.

American Gigolo (soundtrack) (35th anniversary)

Welcome to another edition of Soundtrack Sunday.

Today (February 8th) marks the thirty fifth anniversary of the release of soundtrack from American Gigolo. The accompanying movie starred Richard Gere and Lauren Hutton and told the tale of a self-centered, superficial male prostitute in Los Angeles. The soundtrack recording did fairly well too. The album went all the way to number 7 on the US Billboard 200 Album chart, spending twenty-five weeks total on the chart.

For more of my review of this album, click here.