The Honeydrippers - The Honeydrippers Vol. 1 (30th anniversary)

Today (September 24th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of The Honeydrippers Vol. 1, the sole EP release from Jimmy Page and Robert Plant's off-shoot project as the Honeydrippers. The record spent thirty-one weeks total on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 4.

For my full review, click here.

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.

Bonnie Tyler - Faster Than the Speed of Night

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of the UK release of Faster Than the Speed of Night, the fifth studio album from Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler (the US release would follow in September of 1983). This Platinum seller was produced by Jim Steinman and was nominated for two American Music Awards (Favorite Rock/Pop Female Artist and Favorite Rock/Pop Single) and two Grammy Awards (Best Pop Vocal Performance Female and Best Rock Vocal Performance Female).

The Weather Girls - Success

R&B singers Martha Walsh and Izora Armstead started out as backup singers for disco performers like Sylvester before breaking out on their own. They first recorded under the name of Two Tons o' Fun in the early 80's, having a number of Billboard Dance hits.

In late 1982, they hit number 1 on that chart with their signature single. Around the same time, they changed their name to the Weather Girls and recorded the album Success. Paul Jabara, who co-produced the record, also had his hand in writing most of the tracks. Also noted for working on it were Paul Shaffer (on keyboards) and Patti Austin and Deniece Williams (on backing vocals).

Today we will look at this 1983 release to celebrate its thirtieth anniversary.

Scandal - Scandal EP

This week marks the thirtieth anniversary of the self-titled debut EP from the New York City native rock band Scandal. In September of 1982, the group was made up of bassist Ivan Elias, drummer Frankie LaRocka, keyboardist Benjy King, singer Patty Smyth, and guitarists Zack Smith, and Keith Mack. Paul Shaffer also provided some of the keyboards on this debut record.

The Honeydrippers - The Honeydrippers Vol. 1

In the early 1980‘s, lead singer Robert Plant took breaks from his hard rocking for the legendary band Led Zeppelin to play some more classic rhythm and blues music in a group called the Honeydrippers. The band included fellow Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, former Yardbird member Jeff Beck and some other musicians.