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.