Starship - Knee Deep in the Hoopla

Today (September 10th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Knee Deep in the Hoopla, the first studio album from Starship (the band formerly known by Jefferson Starship and, before that, Jefferson Airplane). The line-up for the group was Mickey Thomas (vocals), Grace Slick (vocals), Donny Baldwin (drums and vocals), Craig Chaquico (guitars) and Pete Sears (bass). The Platinum selling 1985 album hit number 65 in the Netherlands, number 45 in Germany, number 43 in New Zealand, number 29 in Switzerland, number 22 in Sweden, number 15 in Canada and number 7 on the US Billboard Album chart (with a total of fifty weeks on that latter chart).

Aretha Franklin - Who's Zoomin' Who?

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Who's Zoomin' Who?, the thirty-first studio album from Aretha Franklin. This Platinum seller, produced by Narada (Michael Walden) from 1985 spent fifty-one weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 13. It also went to number 49 in the UK, number 15 in Australia, number 13 in Canada and number 3 on the US Billboard R&B chart. Rolling Stone magazine ranked it number 86 on its list of the 100 Greatest Albums of the 1980's.

The J. Geils Band - Love Stinks (35th anniversary)

Today (January 28th) marks the thirty fifth anniversary of Love Stinks, the eleventh studio album from the J. Geils Band. It peaked at number 18 on the US Billboard Album chart, spent forty-two weeks total on the chart, and produced a number of singles.

For my full album review, click here.

Peter Wolf - Lights Out (30th anniversary)

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Lights Out, the first solo album from Peter Wolf. It spent twenty-six weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 24.

For my full review, please click here.

Jefferson Starship - Nuclear Furniture

Today (May 30th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Nuclear Furniture, eighth and final studio album from Jefferson Starship (they would later reform under the name of just Starship). It spent twenty-three weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 28.

Ted Nugent - Penetrator

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Penetrator, the eighth studio album from American rocker Ted Nugent. This 1984 release peaked at number 56 on the US Billboard Album chart (with fifteen weeks on the chart total). Joining Nugent's guitars were Bad Company's Brian Howe (lead vocals), the Door's Doug Lubahn (bass), and from Billy Squier's band Alan St. Jon (keyboards) and Bobby Chouinard (drums). Peter Wolf of the J. Geils Band also provided some percussion and sequencing.

Grace Slick - Software

Yesterday (January 30th) marked the thirtieth anniversary of Software, the fourth and last (to date) solo studio album from Grace Slick, lead singer of Jefferson Airplane in the 60's and Jefferson Starship in the 70's. This 1984 release stalled at number 206 on the US Billboard Album chart. Most of the tracks featured lyrics written by Slick and music by Austrian musician Peter Wolf (not to be confused with the member of the J. Geils Band); Wolf also played keyboards and synth bass on the record.

J. Geils Band - Showtime

Today (November 12th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Showtime, the thirteenth studio album from the J. Geils Band. Recorded in Detroit, Michigan, it was also the group’s third live album. Lead singer Peter Wolf left the band after this release to pursue a solo career.

Showtime was a Gold seller in the US and peaked at number 23 on the US Billboard Hot 200.

Peter Wolf - Lights Out

Happy sixty-sixth birthday today (March 7th) to singer, songwriter and musician Peter Wolf.

In 1984, in between gigs with the J. Geils Band, Wolf recorded his first solo album with co-producer Michael Jonzun of the Jonzun Crew (an electro-funk hip-hop group). He also got some musical help for Maurice Starr, Mick Jagger and the P-Funk Horns on some of the tracks. The resultant record Lights Out reached number 24 on the US Billboard Album chart.

The J. Geils Band - Love Stinks

Happy sixty-sixth birthday today (February 20th) to American rock guitarist and singer J. Geils.

In 1980, the J. Geils Band entered into their second decade of recording with the album Love Stinks. The album went to number 18 on the US Billboard Hot 200 chart and generated a couple of singles.