Heaven 17 - Penthouse and Pavement

This month marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Penthouse and Pavement, the debut album from the UK synthpop band Heaven 17. This 1981 record charted at number 99 in Australia, number 45 in New Zealand, number 24 in Sweden and number 14 in the UK. It stayed on the UK charts for seventy-seven weeks and had achieved Gold sales status by October of the following year.

Bee Gees - Children of the World (40th anniversary)

This month marks the fortieth anniversary of Children of the World, the twelfth studio album for the Bee Gees. Spending sixty-three weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, it peaked at number 8.

For more from this favorite of mine from 1976, click here.

For more from the Bee Gees, click here.

Cyndi Lauper - True Colors (30th anniversary)

Today (September 15th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of True Colors, the second studio album from Cyndi Lauper. This 1986 release spent forty-four weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 4.

For the full review of this record, click here.

For more from Cyndi Lauper, click here.

Genesis - Abacab (35th anniversary)

Today (September 14th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Abacab, the eleventh studio album from Genesis. This 1981 record spent sixty-four weeks on the US Billboard Album chart with a top spot of number 7.

For more from this album, click here.

For more from Genesis, click here.

Meat Loaf - Dead Ringer (35th anniversary)

Today (September 4th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Dead Ringer, the second studio album by singer Meat Loaf. This 1981 record spent eleven weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 45.

For more from this album, click here.

For more from Meat Loaf, click here.

Hall & Oates - Private Eyes (35th anniversary)

Today (September 1st) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Private Eyes, the tenth studio album from Daryl Hall and John Oates. This 1981 release spent sixty-one weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 5.

For more on this album, click here.

And for more Hall & Oates, click here.

Paul Simon - Graceland (30th anniversary)

Today (August 25th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Graceland, the seventh studio album from Paul Simon. This Grammy Award winning Album of the Year for 1986, spent ninety-seven weeks on the US Billboard Album chart but only peaked at number 3.

For my complete review of this album, click here.

For more from Paul Simon, click here.

Boston - Boston (40th anniversary)

Today (August 25th) marks the fortieth anniversary of the self-titled debut album from Boston. 1976's Boston spent an epic one hundred and thirty-two weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, and surprisingly it only peaked at number 3.

For my complete review of this rock classic, click here.

For more from Boston, click here.

the Rolling Stones - Tattoo You (35th anniversary)

Today (August 24th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Tattoo You, the sixteenth studio album from the Rolling Stones. This 1981 record spent fifty-eight weeks on the US Billboard album chart, nine of which at the number 1 spot.

For my full review, click here.

For more from the Rolling Stones, click here.

Pretenders - Pretenders II (35th anniversary)

Today (August 15th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Pretenders II, the second studio album from the Pretenders. This 1981 record spent nineteen weeks on the US Billboard Album chart where it peaked at the number 10 spot.

For my full review, click here.

For more from the Pretenders, click here.

The Kinks - Give the People What They Want (35th anniversary)

Tomorrow (August 25th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Give The People What They Want, the twenty-first studio album from the Kinks. It spent thirty-six weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 13.

For my full review, click here.

For more from the Kinks, click here.

Luther Vandross - Never Too Much (35th anniversary)

Today (August 12th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Never Too Much, the 1981 debut record from Luther Vandross. It spent thirty-six weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 19.

For my complete review, click here.

For more from Luther Vandross, click here.

Barry Manilow - This One's For You (40th anniversary)

This month marks the fortieth anniversary of This One's For You, the fourth studio album from Barry Manilow. Like his first three releases, this one from 1976 also went multi-Platinum in the US and rose to the number 6 position on the US Billboard Album chart (with a total chart run of sixty weeks).

For more on this album, click here.

For more from Barry Manilow, click here.

Hall & Oates - Bigger Than Both of Us (40th anniversary)

This month marks the fortieth anniversary of Bigger Than Both of Us, the fifth studio album from the hit-making duo of Daryl Hall and John Oates. This Gold selling record from 1976 was the highest charting of the eight albums the duo released during the 1970’s decade. It spent fifty-seven weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 13.

For more on this album, click here.

For more from Hall and Oates, click here.

Journey - Escape (35th anniversary)

Today (July 31st) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Escape, the seventh studio album from Journey. This 1981 record spent an amazing one hundred and forty-six weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at the number 1 spot.

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

For even more from Journey, click here.

The Time - The Time

Today (July 29th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of The Time, the self-titled debut from the famed Minneapolis band. While the cover showed the roster of the original group line-up who toured, the main people in the recording studio were Morris Day (on vocals) and Prince (on all other instruments and some vocals).

Debbie Harry - KooKoo (35th anniversary)

Today (July 27th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of KooKoo, the first solo studio album from Debbie Harry. This 1981 release scored very well on the charts, going to number 24 in Norway, number 17 in both Canada and New Zealand, number 7 in Sweden and number 6 in the UK. In the US, it spent twelve weeks on the US Billboard Album chart and peaked at number 25.

For my full album review, please click here.

For more from Debbie and Blondie, please click here.

Sparks - Whomp That Sucker

This month marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Whomp That Sucker, the tenth studio album from Sparks. This 1981 record, which was the group's return to their rock roots after two disco efforts, peaked at number 182 on the US Billboard Album chart.

Was (Not Was) - Was (Not Was)

This month marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of the self-titled debut album from Was (Not Was). David Weiss and Don Fagenson formed the band in Detroit, Michigan, in the late 70's. The duo enlisted vocalists Harry Bowens and Sweet Pea Atkinson for this 1981 record. The album was re-released in 2004 under the title Out Come the Freaks with an expanded track listing.

Run-D.M.C. - Raising Hell (30th anniversary)

Today (July 14th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Raising Hell, the third studio album from rap pioneers Run-D.M.C. This 1986 record spent seventy-one weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 3.

For my full review of this rap classic, click here.

For more from Run-D.M.C., click here.

the Go-Go's - Beauty and the Beat (35th anniversary)

Today (July 8th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Beauty and the Beat, the debut album from the Go-Go's. This 1981 record spent seventy-two weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, including six at the number 1 spot.

For my full review of this classic debut, click here.

For even more from the Go-Go's, click here.

Pat Benatar - Precious Time

Today (July 6th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Precious Time, the multi-Platinum selling third album from Pat Benatar. This 1981 record spent fifty-four weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 1 after just four weeks. It also reached number 57 in Germany, number 46 in the Netherlands, number 30 in the UK, number 9 in Sweden, number 8 in Australia, number 3 in France and number 2 in Canada.

Foreigner - 4 (35th anniversary)

Today (July 2nd) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of 4, the fourth studio album from Foreigner. This 1981 release spent eighty-one weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, including ten of those at the number 1 position.

For my full review of this classic album, click here.

For more from Foreigner, click here.

Wham! - Music From the Edge of Heaven

Today (July 1st) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Music From the Edge of Heaven, the third and final studio album in the 1980's from Wham! This 1986 record went to number 10 on the US Billboard Album chart (with a twenty-eight week total run) and number 9 in Canada and Japan. North America and Japan were the only marks for this release; the rest of the world got The Final on May 31st, 1986, instead (which was a greatest hits compilation with four identical tracks from this album also included).

Madonna - True Blue

Today (June 30th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of True Blue, the third studio album from Madonna. This multi-Platinum seller from 1986 went to number 1 all over the world: Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK. Here in the US, it spent an amazing eighty-two weeks on the Billboard Album chart.

Kim Wilde - Kim Wilde (35th anniversary)

Today (June 29th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of the self-titled debut album from Kim Wilde. Kim Wilde went Gold in the UK after reaching number 3 on those charts and Gold in Germany after reaching number 1. Here in the US, it spent twenty-two weeks on the Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 86.

For my full review, click here.

For more from Kim Wilde, click here.

Teena Marie - Emerald City

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Emerald City, the seventh studio album from Teena Marie. This 1986 record spent eleven weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, where it peaked at number 81. It also reached number 20 on the US Billboard R&B chart.

Rod Stewart - Rod Stewart (Every Beat of My Heart)

Today (June 23rd) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the self-titled fourteenth studio album from Rod Stewart, known also as Every Beat of My Heart. This 1986 record went to number 28 in Japan, number 16 in Australia, number 13 in the Netherlands, number 12 in Norway, number 9 in Canada, number 5 in the UK, number 4 in Germany, and number 3 in Sweden. Here in the US, it spent nineteen weeks on the Billboard Album chart with a top spot of number 28.

Tom Tom Club - Tom Tom Club (35th anniversary)

Tomorrow (June 23rd) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Tom Tom Club, the 1981 self-titled debut album from Talking Heads band members Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth. It spent a total of thirty-three weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 23.

For my complete review, click here.

For more from the Tom Tom Club, click here.

Oingo Boingo - Only a Lad (35th anniversary)

Today (June 19th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Only a Lad, the first full-length studio album from Oingo Boingo. This 1981 record spent five weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 172.

For my full review, click here.

For more from Oingo Boingo, click here.

The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead (35th anniversary)

Today (June 16th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of The Queen Is Dead, the third studio album from the Smiths. This 1981 release was certified Gold in both the UK (where it reached number 2) and the US (where it only reached number 70 on the Billboard Album chart during its thirty-seven week run).

For more from this album, click here.

For more from the Smiths, click here.

Duran Duran - Duran Duran

Today (June 15th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of the release of the self-titled debut from Duran Duran. This 1981 went multi-Platinum in sales and climbed to number 27 in Canada, number 22 in Germany, number 9 in Australia, number 3 in the UK and number 2 in New Zealand. Here in the US, it failed to chart in 1981 but upon re-release in 1982 it spent eighty-seven weeks on the Billboard Album chart with a top spot of number 10.

Thompson Twins - A Product Of... (Participation)

This month marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of A Product Of...(Participation), the debut album from the Thompson Twins. Initially the group consisted of six members: Tom Bailey (bass, lead vocals, keyboards, percussion), Chris Bell (drums, backing vocals, percussion), Peter Dodd (guitar, backing vocals, percussion, saxophone), Joe Leeway (congas, backing vocals, percussion), John Roog (guitar, backing vocals, percussion) and Jane Shorter (saxophone, percussion). Bailey and Leeway would remain with the group as the decade continued.

Genesis - Invisible Touch

Today (June 9th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Invisible Touch, the thirteenth studio album from Genesis. This multi-platinum seller from 1986 spent eight-five weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 3. It also reached number 26 in Spain, number 14 in Japan, number 8 in France, number 5 in Austria and Italy, number 4 in Sweden and Switzerland, number 3 in Australia and Norway, number 2 in Finland, Germany and the Netherlands, and number 1 in Canada, New Zealand and the UK.

Morris Day and the Time live (6/5/16)

Sunday (6/5) was day two for us at the Belle Isle Grand Prix here in Detroit. And the threat of inclement weather was not going to deter us (and hundreds more) from seeing the performance by Morris Day and the Time. And if you even had to guess, yes we had another great spot right at the stage rails. As you'll see below, we were so close we almost could have reached out and touched the stage.

The Romantics live (6/4/16)

My wife and I attended the Belle Isle Grand Prix this past weekend, sponsored by Chevrolet Detroit. There was plenty of racing, lots of automotive displays, a wide variety of food, and also some great music. One of the two concerts we got to see on Saturday the 4th was the Romantics.

Psychedelic Furs - Talk Talk Talk (35th anniversary)

Today (June 6th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Talk Talk Talk, the second studio album from the Psychedelic Furs. It reached number 30 on the UK album charts and number 89 on the US Billboard Album chart (with a fourteen week total stay on that latter chart).

For my full review, click here.

For more from the Psychedelic Furs, click here.

ABC - The Lexicon of Love II

Last week (May 27th) marked the release of The Lexicon of Love II, the ninth studio album from ABC (now consisting of singer/songwriter Martin Fry and orchestrator Anne Dudley). And if the name and album cover design (down to the graphical layout, the use of lyrical poetry beneath the title, etc.) evokes memories of the band's 1982 debut album The Lexicon of Love, then that arrow has not gone wide from the mark.

The Beat / The English Beat - Wha'ppen? (35th anniversary)

This month marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Wha'ppen?, the second studio album from the Beat (known as the English Beat here in the US). This 1981 record went to number 3 in their native UK (just as the previous album did); in the US it spent six weeks on the Billboard Album chart and peaked at number 126.

For my full review, click here.

For more from the Beat/English Beat, click here.

UB40 - Present Arms

Today (May 29th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Present Arms, the second studio album from UB40. As with their debut, this 1981 record went Platinum in the UK, peaking at number 2. It also hit number 28 in Australia, number 20 in the Netherlands and number 13 in New Zealand.

Peter Gabriel - So (30th anniversary)

Yesterday (May 19th) marked the thirtieth anniversary of the release of So, the fifth studio album from Peter Gabriel. The 1986 album spent ninety-three weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 2.

For my full review, click here.

For more from Peter Gabriel, click here.

Billy Joel - Turnstiles

Today (May 19th) marks the fortieth anniversary of Turnstiles, the fourth studio album from Billy Joel. This 1976 record spent only twelve weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 122. It also reached number 286 in Japan and number 12 in Australia.

Joe Walsh - There Goes the Neighborhood (35th anniversary)

Today (May 15th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of the release of There Goes The Neighborhood, the fifth solo studio album from Joe Walsh. This 1981 release spent eighteen weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 20.

For my full review of this record, click here.

For more records featuring Joe Walsh, click here.

Teena Marie - It Must Be Magic

Today (May 14th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of It Must Be Magic, the fourth studio album and final one on the Motown label for Teena Marie. This 1981 release spent twenty-five weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 23. It also went all the way to number 2 on the US Billboard R&B Album chart. Besides vocals and keyboards, she also produced this record and wrote most of the tracks too.

Top Gun (soundtrack) (30th anniversary)

Today (May 13th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of the soundtrack from Top Gun. This 1986 album spent ninety-three weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, five of those weeks at the number 1 spot. It also featured a star-studded roster of bands and artists.

For the full album review, click here.

Nu Shooz - Poolside

Today (May 5th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Poolside, the first major label full-length album from Nu Shooz. The 1986 album spent thirty-two weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 27. It also hit number 79 in Australia, number 32 in the UK, number 30 in Germany, number 25 in New Zealand, number 23 in Switzerland, number 18 on the US Billboard R&B chart, and number 16 in Canada.

Van Halen - Fair Warning

Today (April 29th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Fair Warning, the fourth studio album from Van Halen. This Platinum-selling 1981 release went to number 97 in Australia, number 49 in the UK, number 37 in Germany, number 27 in Norway, number 18 in Sweden, number 13 in the Netherlands, and number 11 in Canada. Here in the US it spent twenty-three weeks on the US Billboard Album chart and peaked at number 5.

Jim Steinman - Bad For Good (35th anniversary)

This month marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Bad For Good, the 1981 album by singer-songwriter Jim Steinman. The record spent seventeen weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 63.

For my full review, click here.

For more from Jim Steinman, click here.

The Tubes - The Completion Backward Principle (35th anniversary)

This month marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of The Completion Backward Principle, the sixth studio album from the Tubes. This 1981 release spent twenty-seven weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 36.

For my full album review, click here.

For more from the Tubes, click here.

In Memoriam of Prince

2016 has already been a year of loss of so many from the music world: David Bowie, Glenn Frey, Paul Kantner, Maurice White, Vanity, Merle Haggard and more. The hardest blow yet though came this week.