Anniversary Series - 1985!

I hope everyone is staying safe.  I know I haven't been as productive as I could be here, but I'm committed to at least get these anniversary articles out.  Going back over 1985 seems to be an odd year, as there doesn't seem to be as much in the way of major releases like my previous articles.  Still, any year is a good year for rock music to come out, and this one isn't any different.

The year starts off with John Fogerty, of Creedence Clearwater Revival fame, getting a big solo hit with "Centerfield."  Dire Straits would find their own massive success with Brothers in Arms, featuring "Walk of Life," the satirical "Money for Nothing," and the epic title track.  Starship would continue it's complicated history with "We Built This City," and Heart would make their big comeback this year with "These Dreams."

As for metal, the genre was slowly expanding, with the subgenres of thrash, death, speed, power, and even doom finding their footing.  Those waving the banner for traditional metal found plenty to enjoy with Accept's Metal Heart, and Dio's Sacred Heart.  Power metal quietly kicked off this year with Helloween's Walls of Jericho, establishing the sound that would inspire epic music for decades to come.

Glam was certainly not sitting back, though as one of the biggest albums would be Theatre of Pain by Mötley Crüe, featuring a cover of "Smokin' in the Boys Room" and "Home Sweet Home," the power ballad that would pave the way for many more to follow the rest of the decade.  Other highlights include Ratt's Invasion of Your Privacy, Dokken's Under Lock and Key featuring "Unchain the Night" and "The Hunter," and Twisted Sister's Come Out and Play, best known these days for a team up with Alice Cooper for "Be Chrool to Your Scuel," the video for which ended up being banned from MTV.

Prog rock would definitely take a backseat at this time as most bands were content with a streamlined sound.  Marillion would end up being big this year as their album Misplaced Childhood would provide the hit "Kayleigh."  Rush continued their synth-heavy sound with Power Windows, Supertramp would recruit David Gilmour for Brother Where You Bound, and Asia would replace Steve Howe for Mandy Meyer for the more stadium-rock savvy Astra.  The Alan Parsons Project, after attaining radio success for for the past five years, would pick up some of their older progressive styles with Stereotomy at the end of the year.  

Hopefully, that covers the year pretty well.  Check out my playlist below, and speak up if you think I've missed something.  Until then, rock on! \m/