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.

Sometimes It Snows In April - Prince dead at 57

I just get the devastating news that Prince Rogers Nelson was found dead today at age 57.

His song "Sometimes It Snows In April" from 1986 is hitting me particularly hard right now. As my regular readers know, his music has meant so much to me over these last four decades. He is easily the most represented artist in my music library. He was a professional, a perfectionist, a powerful performer, and a prolific composer. He has touched so many.

I will have a more fitting tribute here after I have had time to process. Right now I am in complete shock.

Kim Carnes - Mistaken Identity (35th anniversary)

This month marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Mistaken Identity, the sixth studio album from Kim Carnes. This 1981 release spent fifty-two weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, including four weeks at the number 1 spot. The album earned Carnes nominations in two Grammy categories the following year - for Best Pop Female and for Album of the Year.

For my full album review, click here.

For more from Kim Carnes, click here.

Rick James - Street Songs (35th anniversary)

Today (April 7th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Street Songs, the fifth studio album from Rick James. This 1981 release was certified Platinum in the US, reaching number 3 on the Billboard Album charts (with an impressive seventy-four weeks total on the chart) and number 1 on the R&B Album charts.

For my full review of this album, click here.

And for more from Rick James, click here.

The Singles of '76 (epilogue)

Last month, my blogging buddies and I presented our favorite songs from 1976. This is part of a month long celebration I did along with my blogging buddies Herc (of Herc's Hideaway) and Mark (of 1976-1985: My Favorite Decade). Herc was creative and came up with a little summary image which I am presenting below. Enjoy.

Donny and Marie - Featuring Songs From Their Television Show

Today (April 3rd) marks the fortieth anniversary of Donny and Marie - Featuring Songs From Their Television Show, the third studio album from the brother and sister act of Donny and Marie Osmond. This 1976 album spent thirty-eight weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 60. It also went to number 48 in Canada and the UK.

Bruce Hornsby and the Range - The Way It Is (30th anniversary)

Today (April 1st) marks the thirtieth anniversary of The Way It Is, the debut album from Bruce Hornsby and the Range. This 1986 release spent seventy-three weeks on the US Billboard Album chart with a top spot of number 3.

For my complete review of this album, click here.

New Kids on the Block - New Kids on the Block (30th anniversary)

Today (April 1st) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the self-titled debut album from the New Kids on the Block. Released in 1986, it initially only had some minor traction. It wasn't until a few years later, when it was re-released in 1989, did it spend eight weeks on the US Billboard Album chart with a top spot of number 25.

For my full review, click here.