There was a lot going on in the 1980s in popular music. In the outside world, there was Cold Wars and Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird. Inside the music industry, sounds were clashing. From the 1970s and the decade of Led Zeppelin came synthesizers and big hair. Yes, a lot was going on.
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Despite those many happenings, there were a lot of great rock albums to come into the world, from artists like Bruce Springsteen to Guns N’ Roses. Here below are eight must own albums from the decade for your burgeoning vinyl collection.
1. Born in the U.S.A., Bruce Springsteen (1984)
Four simple words conjure up images of American flags, the red, white, and blue, and Bruce Springsteen’s butt. But no one is complaining. This album and the titular single are still ringing out today, somehow keen symbols of the place from where they come.
2. Appetite for Destruction, Guns N’ Roses (1987)
When you open an album with “Welcome to the Jungle,” you’re onto something. This record announced the arrival of the Los Angeles-born rock band with hit after hit. Other big-ticket offerings include “Paradise City” and “Sweet Child o’ Mine.”
3. Back In Black, AC/DC (1980)
One utterance of the title and you can hear the electric guitars, the drums and bass rhythms: Duh… duh-nuh-nuh…duh-nuh nuh….Ellylelurllyysyyeoooouu! Released at the beginning of the decade by Australian rock band, this (their 8th album) was an instant classic thanks to songs like “You Shook Me All Night Long” and the title track.
4. Ghost in the Machine, the Police (1981)
With songs like “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic,” this album came four years into the British-born rock band’s tenure. Of course, the Police are the group that gave us the raspy-voiced singer Sting. Check this album out for some classic rock.
5. The Joshua Tree, U2 (1987)
The Irish rock band’s fifth album, The Joshua Tree opens with three bangers in a row: “Where the Streets Have No Name,” “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” and “With or Without You.” Put it on to rock out or set a mood, this LP combines poetry, thought and a bajillion guitar sounds.
6. Purple Rain, Prince (1984)
Purple Rain is a classic album from the Minnesota-born Prince. It’s the record (and film) that made him a household name, thanks to songs like “Let’s Go Crazy,” “The Beautiful Ones” and the title track. Prince, from visuals to music, is a deity in rock. And this is his magnum opus.
7. Heart, Heart (1985)
The west coast rock band burst onto the scene in 1975 with its debut LP, Dreamboat Annie. But it was 10 years later when the group made a big resurgence thanks to its self-titled record in 1985. The LP is certified quintuple platinum and hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200. It includes the hits, “These Dreams” and “What About Love,” among others. The album earned the band a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
8. Van Halen, Van Halen (1984)
Also known as MCMLXXXIV, this was the last LP from the group (until later in 2012) to feature lead singer David Lee Roth. The album featured huge hits like “Jump” and “Hot For Teacher” and boasts one of the most memorable album covers of all time: the dashing angel smoking a cigarette.
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