Author Topic: Big 4 bands of 80's rock  (Read 4886 times)

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Offline WildRanger

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Re: Big 4 bands of 80's rock
« Reply #35 on: March 28, 2018, 10:21:09 AM »
Big 4 80's bands in general, worldwide (including metal):
U2
Guns N' Roses
Iron Maiden
Metallica

Big 4 bands in the USA excluding metal:
U2
Guns N' Roses
Van Halen
Def Leppard or Motley Crue (I can't stand MC, but they were the most prominent hair band)

Big 4 bands in Europe excluding metal:
U2
Guns N' Roses
Dire Straits
Whitesnake (Scorpions are very close)

Whitesnake were huge in Europe since the beginning of the 80's, while in America they didn't catch on until 1987(S/T album with hits Here I Go Again, Still of the Night and Is This Love), when from a boogie/bluesy hard rock band they turned into another commercial hair metal band to finally crack America.





« Last Edit: March 28, 2018, 10:26:28 AM by WildRanger »

Offline bosk1

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Re: Big 4 bands of 80's rock
« Reply #36 on: March 28, 2018, 10:35:08 AM »
High'n'Dry is ordinary ? -  first I've heard  ;D

"Fairly".  Present poster not-withstanding, it wasn't even in the same league, let alone ball-park as Hysteria/Pyromania

Perhaps in sales but I know I'm not the only one around here who would reach for High n Dry before Hysteria

I love all three albums, but I would absolutely say High n Dry is anything but ordinary.  It didn't have the commercial accessibility of Pyromania or Hysteria.  But the songwriting and playing chops were absolutely there, and unlike most rock albums of that era, it is an album that you can really enjoy from side A, song 1 through the end without feeling like there is anything that is filler. 

Van Halen was the band that EVERYONE had on their text books (remember when  you used to have to cover your textbooks in paper bags?).   Guys loved them, chicks loved them, and they played sold out arenas.   Metallica was the band that the weird kid had as a patch on his jean jacket and you never actually heard any songs from. 

Yeah, I have to agree.  I mean, looking back from NOW, Van Halen is a joke that I thankfully outgrew fairly early on, whereas Metallica are true heavyweights that I can still go back and listen to and feel like they are the bedrock foundation of what metal evolved into.  But looking at the '80s alone, you can't really put Metallica anywhere near a "big 4 of rock" status.  Van Halen really helped define that era of rock.  Notwithstanding the arguable quality of Metallica's first two albums, they were still relatively obscure and underground, especially when compared to Van Halen.  Their fanbase grew tremendously with Puppets, and the Puppets tour started generating buzz about their cred as a legitimate epic live band.  But again, compared to Van Halen, they were still small potatoes.  They didn't start to REALLY take off commercially until AJFA, and that was at the very tail end of the '80s.  Again, that isn't to take away from their status, influence, or anything else.  But as far as the '80s go, Van Halen dominated that decade, whereas Metallica were up-and-comers until very late in that decade. 
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Offline Stadler

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Re: Big 4 bands of 80's rock
« Reply #37 on: March 28, 2018, 10:48:41 AM »
Ironically, Metallica's legendary status today is a testament to their obscurity then.  They were NOT - like Guns - a one-hit wonder or - like Boston - one of those with a legendarily popular debut album.  They were the slow burn band, and they were (at least to me) very different than what I had heard before or what I was listening. 

And this from a guy who lived in college with a guy who slept out to get ...Justice on vinyl day of release.   It blew me away, but it wasn't the kind of music you cranked on your stereo for a college floor party. 

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Re: Big 4 bands of 80's rock
« Reply #38 on: March 28, 2018, 04:27:27 PM »
Big 4 80's bands in general, worldwide (including metal):
U2
Guns N' Roses
Iron Maiden
Metallica

Big 4 bands in the USA excluding metal:
U2
Guns N' Roses
Van Halen
Def Leppard or Motley Crue (I can't stand MC, but they were the most prominent hair band)

Big 4 bands in Europe excluding metal:
U2
Guns N' Roses
Dire Straits
Whitesnake (Scorpions are very close)

Whitesnake were huge in Europe since the beginning of the 80's, while in America they didn't catch on until 1987(S/T album with hits Here I Go Again, Still of the Night and Is This Love), when from a boogie/bluesy hard rock band they turned into another commercial hair metal band to finally crack America.



Wildranger, may I ask a question? How old are you and where are you located in the world?
would have thought the same thing but seeing the OP was TAC i immediately thought Maiden or DT related
Winger Theater Forums........or WTF.  ;D
TAC got a higher score than me in the electronic round? Honestly, can I just drop out now? :lol

Offline King Postwhore

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Re: Big 4 bands of 80's rock
« Reply #39 on: March 28, 2018, 04:29:59 PM »
Who is your daddy, and what does he do?
I don't like country music, but I don't mean to denigrate those who do. And for the people who like country music, denigrate means 'put down'.” - Bob Newhart
So wait, we're spelling it wrong and king is spelling it right? What is going on here? :lol -- BlobVanDam
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Re: Big 4 bands of 80's rock
« Reply #40 on: March 28, 2018, 04:30:33 PM »
Who is your daddy, and what does he do?

Papa don't preach.
would have thought the same thing but seeing the OP was TAC i immediately thought Maiden or DT related
Winger Theater Forums........or WTF.  ;D
TAC got a higher score than me in the electronic round? Honestly, can I just drop out now? :lol

Online Anguyen92

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Re: Big 4 bands of 80's rock
« Reply #41 on: March 28, 2018, 04:42:01 PM »
Yeah, I have to agree.  I mean, looking back from NOW, Van Halen is a joke that I thankfully outgrew fairly early on, whereas Metallica are true heavyweights that I can still go back and listen to and feel like they are the bedrock foundation of what metal evolved into.  But looking at the '80s alone, you can't really put Metallica anywhere near a "big 4 of rock" status.  Van Halen really helped define that era of rock.  Notwithstanding the arguable quality of Metallica's first two albums, they were still relatively obscure and underground, especially when compared to Van Halen.  Their fanbase grew tremendously with Puppets, and the Puppets tour started generating buzz about their cred as a legitimate epic live band.  But again, compared to Van Halen, they were still small potatoes.  They didn't start to REALLY take off commercially until AJFA, and that was at the very tail end of the '80s.  Again, that isn't to take away from their status, influence, or anything else.  But as far as the '80s go, Van Halen dominated that decade, whereas Metallica were up-and-comers until very late in that decade.

I mean you look at 1988, when Metallica released ...And Justice for All, they were on a stadium bill with Van Halen.  The Monsters of Rock Tour in 1988.  They were the 2nd opening band on the bill before Dokken, Scorpions, and Van Halen.  I heard from Tom Morello, when he did a thank you to Metallica for being together for 30 years as a band, that during the LA show in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, that Metallica created such a buzz and fury (which resulted in a small riot and chairs being thrown around) that poor Dokken had to follow that. 

Four years later, they went from 2nd opening band to co-headlining with GNR in the same venue and eventually, they went to headline the LA Coliseum by themselves.
« Last Edit: March 28, 2018, 04:48:28 PM by Anguyen92 »

Offline King Postwhore

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Re: Big 4 bands of 80's rock
« Reply #42 on: March 28, 2018, 05:09:15 PM »
 I know that both TAC and I saw that tour.  Him in New Jersey I believe and I saw it in Maine. Metallica was on the up at that point but the video for One really got them into the mainstream and then when they did the Black Album everything blew up.
I don't like country music, but I don't mean to denigrate those who do. And for the people who like country music, denigrate means 'put down'.” - Bob Newhart
So wait, we're spelling it wrong and king is spelling it right? What is going on here? :lol -- BlobVanDam
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Re: Big 4 bands of 80's rock
« Reply #43 on: March 28, 2018, 06:15:25 PM »
June 26, 1988
Giants Stadium

Metallica is on stage!

would have thought the same thing but seeing the OP was TAC i immediately thought Maiden or DT related
Winger Theater Forums........or WTF.  ;D
TAC got a higher score than me in the electronic round? Honestly, can I just drop out now? :lol

Offline King Postwhore

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Re: Big 4 bands of 80's rock
« Reply #44 on: March 28, 2018, 06:19:24 PM »
 I was drunk, rain was pouring on me and I stepped on a mustard pack that shot my leg during Metallica. LOL
I don't like country music, but I don't mean to denigrate those who do. And for the people who like country music, denigrate means 'put down'.” - Bob Newhart
So wait, we're spelling it wrong and king is spelling it right? What is going on here? :lol -- BlobVanDam
"Oh, I am definitely a jackass!" - TAC

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Re: Big 4 bands of 80's rock
« Reply #45 on: March 28, 2018, 06:22:30 PM »
I was drunk, rain was pouring on me and I stepped on a mustard pack that shot my leg during Metallica. LOL

Good times! :lol
would have thought the same thing but seeing the OP was TAC i immediately thought Maiden or DT related
Winger Theater Forums........or WTF.  ;D
TAC got a higher score than me in the electronic round? Honestly, can I just drop out now? :lol

Offline KevShmev

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Re: Big 4 bands of 80's rock
« Reply #46 on: March 28, 2018, 06:54:57 PM »
Who is your daddy, and what does he do?

Papa don't preach.



  Please.  LA is a vacuum.  It's not at all indicative of anywhere else.  I say all that tongue in cheek and with deep respect, but for real, east of the Mississippi?   Van Halen is Ritchie Blackmore and Metallica is Uli Jon Roth.   Van Halen was the band that EVERYONE had on their text books (remember when  you used to have to cover your textbooks in paper bags?).   Guys loved them, chicks loved them, and they played sold out arenas.   Metallica was the band that the weird kid had as a patch on his jean jacket and you never actually heard any songs from. 

This is not a diss, I love Metallica and Hetfield is, to me, the coolest guy in rock (something Roth still wants to be).  So I get Metallica and love them.  But let's not revise history.  Back in 1985 they were a niche band anywhere more than 20 miles from the Sunset Strip.

Exactly.

But hey, if we can argue that a band/artist is in the Big 4 because they were big in my town, then I can put Sammy Hagar in there, since he has always been huge in St Louis, right? ;)

Offline King Postwhore

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Re: Big 4 bands of 80's rock
« Reply #47 on: March 28, 2018, 06:59:39 PM »
I was drunk, rain was pouring on me and I stepped on a mustard pack that shot my leg during Metallica. LOL

Good times! :lol

 oh the story I could tell you later back at my buddies Campground.  Lol
I don't like country music, but I don't mean to denigrate those who do. And for the people who like country music, denigrate means 'put down'.” - Bob Newhart
So wait, we're spelling it wrong and king is spelling it right? What is going on here? :lol -- BlobVanDam
"Oh, I am definitely a jackass!" - TAC

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Re: Big 4 bands of 80's rock
« Reply #48 on: March 28, 2018, 07:01:18 PM »
I hope it doesn't include mayonnaise down your leg. :lol
would have thought the same thing but seeing the OP was TAC i immediately thought Maiden or DT related
Winger Theater Forums........or WTF.  ;D
TAC got a higher score than me in the electronic round? Honestly, can I just drop out now? :lol

Offline King Postwhore

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Re: Big 4 bands of 80's rock
« Reply #49 on: March 28, 2018, 07:08:08 PM »
 I do have a story about that. LOL Would you like to hear about it?
I don't like country music, but I don't mean to denigrate those who do. And for the people who like country music, denigrate means 'put down'.” - Bob Newhart
So wait, we're spelling it wrong and king is spelling it right? What is going on here? :lol -- BlobVanDam
"Oh, I am definitely a jackass!" - TAC

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Re: Big 4 bands of 80's rock
« Reply #50 on: March 28, 2018, 07:08:52 PM »
I do have a story about that. LOL Would you like to hear about it?

Nah, I'm good, thanks.  :lol
would have thought the same thing but seeing the OP was TAC i immediately thought Maiden or DT related
Winger Theater Forums........or WTF.  ;D
TAC got a higher score than me in the electronic round? Honestly, can I just drop out now? :lol

Offline King Postwhore

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Re: Big 4 bands of 80's rock
« Reply #51 on: March 29, 2018, 04:17:17 AM »
Well too bad for you. LOL

Whole bunch of my friends and I rented a beach house and in the last day there's some food left I took this long sausage dioped it in mayonnaise and zipped the other end in my pants.

All my friends give me a nickname of CK.  Stood for Colossal Kielbasa.  Lol
I don't like country music, but I don't mean to denigrate those who do. And for the people who like country music, denigrate means 'put down'.” - Bob Newhart
So wait, we're spelling it wrong and king is spelling it right? What is going on here? :lol -- BlobVanDam
"Oh, I am definitely a jackass!" - TAC

Online Podaar

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Re: Big 4 bands of 80's rock
« Reply #52 on: March 29, 2018, 07:20:01 AM »
Well too bad for you. LOL

Whole bunch of my friends and I rented a beach house and in the last day there's some food left I took this long sausage dioped it in mayonnaise and zipped the other end in my pants.

All my friends give me a nickname of CK.  Stood for Colossal Kielbasa.  Lol

I'll bet it sounded just like that. DIIIIIIIOP!
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Offline King Postwhore

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Re: Big 4 bands of 80's rock
« Reply #53 on: March 29, 2018, 07:45:46 AM »
If only I tried slang.  Lol
I don't like country music, but I don't mean to denigrate those who do. And for the people who like country music, denigrate means 'put down'.” - Bob Newhart
So wait, we're spelling it wrong and king is spelling it right? What is going on here? :lol -- BlobVanDam
"Oh, I am definitely a jackass!" - TAC

Offline MinistroRaven

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Re: Big 4 bands of 80's rock
« Reply #54 on: October 17, 2019, 07:35:37 AM »
Didn't know where to put this:

"ORIGINAL FOREIGNER MEMBERS REUNITE FOR 40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF MULTI-PLATINUM ALBUM “DOUBLE VISION”

With more than 80 million albums sold and 16 Top 30 hits, Foreigner is universally hailed as one of the most popular rock acts in the world. Now, ‘Foreigner - Double Vision: Then And Now’ takes viewers behind the scenes as original band members join Mick Jones and Foreigner’s current lineup for the very first time in the band’s 40-year history. Both incarnations of the band share the same stage for an epic performance. ‘Foreigner - Double Vision: Then And Now’ available on November 15th, 2019 via earMUSIC.

Watch rock and roll history with one of music’s most anticipated reunion events as ‘Foreigner - Double Vision: Then And Now’ celebrates the 40th anniversary of the band’s multi-platinum 1978 album ‘Double Vision’ with a masterful live performance of the band’s biggest hits, filmed at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, USA.

Original members Lou Gramm, Al Greenwood, Dennis Elliott, Ian McDonald and Rick Wills take the stage with Mick Jones and Foreigner - Kelly Hansen, Tom Gimbel, Jeff Pilson, Michael Bluestein, Bruce Watson and Chris Frazier - to rock through some of the best-selling songs that bring back the memories that make it feel like the first time for both long-time fans and new generations.

Says Mick Jones, “This was a show that I will always remember! Sharing the stage with the guys that shaped Foreigner in the beginning and the stellar musicians that carry the flag in the new millennium, was a truly emotional moment.”

"We wanted to stage an elaborate production for the very first ‘Foreigner - Then And Now’ reunion concert”, says award-winning executive producer Barry Summers of Rock Fuel Media, who created this explosive rock celebration. “Something unlike any other previous Foreigner show has captured on film, that both visually and sonically breathes new life into their amazing classic songs – the songs that I grew up on - for the fans to enjoy for many years to come. I believe we achieved that in this film and live album."

Filmed in 4K Ultra HD using over 24 camera positions, the concert film features a stunning multimedia set design, with custom CGI animation, lasers, fog, and elaborate FX that elevate this powerful performance to new levels.

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“Juke Box Hero” – Features an array of special effects, lasers, smoke and an insane animated jukebox on steroids.
 
“Starrider” – A 3D animated spacecraft and digital effects breathe new life into the digital age.
 
“Feels Like The First Time” - The song that launched the legacy is performed by original members for the first time in over 30 years.
 
“I Want To Know What Love Is” - A breathtaking full Gospel rendition that brings the Albert Strickland & Cho'Zen Choir together with both incarnations of the band onstage for the very first time.
 
“Hot Blooded” - A Flamin' HOT and electrifying encore finale featuring both incarnations of the band together onstage has the entire crowd on their feet and rockin’.

Offline hefdaddy42

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Re: Big 4 bands of 80's rock
« Reply #55 on: October 17, 2019, 12:56:15 PM »
When we are saying "biggest of the 80s" we are talking truly huge, because the 80s were the biggest decade of all.  Here is a quick look at the top 25 selling albums of the 80s, with rock acts in bold.

1. Michael Jackson - Thriller
2. AC/DC - Back in Black
3. Bruce Springsteen - Born in the USA
4. Guns N Roses - Appetite for Destruction
5. Whitney Houston - Whitney Houston
6. Phil Collins - No Jacket Required
7. Prince & The Revolution - Purple Rain
8. Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Bank - Live/1975-85
9. Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms
10. Bon Jovi - Slippery When Wet
11. Def Leppard - Hysteria
12. Various Artist - Dirty Dancing Original Soundtrack
13. Michael Jackson - Bad
14. Bob Marley & The Wailers - Legend: The Best of Bob Marley & The Wailers
15. U2 - The Joshua Tree
16. George Michael - Faith
17. Madonna - Like a Virgin
18. Lionel Richie - Can't Slow Down
19. Whitney Houston - Whitney
20. Van Halen - 1984
21. Various Artists - Top Gun Motion Picture Soundtrack
22. Madonna - True Blue
23. Various Artists - Footloose Motion Picture Soundtrack
24. Def Leppard - Pyromania
25. REO Speedwagon - High Infidelity

I owned every one of these albums.  Clearly the biggest act was Various Artists.

Just outside the Top 25 were Journey with Escape, ZZ Top with Eliminator, The Police with Syncronicity, Billy Joel with An Innocent Man, Bon Jovi with New Jersey, Genesis with Invisible Touch, Eagles with Eagles Live, Aerosmith with Pump, Metallica with ...And Justice For All, Phil Collins with Face Value AND ...But Seriously, Whitesnake with Whitesnake, U2 with Rattle and Hum, and Metallica with Master of Puppets.
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Offline bosk1

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Re: Big 4 bands of 80's rock
« Reply #56 on: October 17, 2019, 01:03:36 PM »
Wow, Springsteen had two in the top 10?  Some things will just never make sense to me.
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Offline Stadler

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Re: Big 4 bands of 80's rock
« Reply #57 on: October 17, 2019, 01:04:54 PM »
I had or have 17 of those.  Hmmm.

By the way, of the also rans?   "An Innocent Man" by Billy Joel is a very under-rated album. I LOVE that record, and if you dig into the where's and why's of that (and what Joel was trying to accomplish) it's even more amazing, especially since it landed with millions and millions of people had no clue of that subtext.  Plus the title track is a vocal tour de force. 

EDIT: I had 15; I miscounted the two Madonna records (I have Like A Prayer and the greatest hits, Immaculate Collection).
« Last Edit: October 17, 2019, 01:17:06 PM by Stadler »

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Re: Big 4 bands of 80's rock
« Reply #58 on: October 17, 2019, 01:07:19 PM »
I had 8 of them.
would have thought the same thing but seeing the OP was TAC i immediately thought Maiden or DT related
Winger Theater Forums........or WTF.  ;D
TAC got a higher score than me in the electronic round? Honestly, can I just drop out now? :lol

Offline King Postwhore

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Re: Big 4 bands of 80's rock
« Reply #59 on: October 17, 2019, 01:16:13 PM »
I only had 6 of them.
I don't like country music, but I don't mean to denigrate those who do. And for the people who like country music, denigrate means 'put down'.” - Bob Newhart
So wait, we're spelling it wrong and king is spelling it right? What is going on here? :lol -- BlobVanDam
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Offline Stadler

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Re: Big 4 bands of 80's rock
« Reply #60 on: October 17, 2019, 01:19:03 PM »
Not to be a dick, but I will point out, only one in that top ten that isn't in (or currently nominated for) the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?  Phil Collins.

:) :)  :tup :loser:

Offline pg1067

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Re: Big 4 bands of 80's rock
« Reply #61 on: October 17, 2019, 01:54:58 PM »
Original members Lou Gramm, Al Greenwood, Dennis Elliott, Ian McDonald and Rick Wills take the stage with Mick Jones and Foreigner - Kelly Hansen, Tom Gimbel, Jeff Pilson, Michael Bluestein, Bruce Watson and Chris Frazier - to rock through some of the best-selling songs that bring back the memories that make it feel like the first time for both long-time fans and new generations.

Since when is Rick Wills an original member?  Ed Gagliardi played bass on the self-titled debut and on Double Vision (which came out in 1978, making this its 41st, not 40th, anniversary).  Rick Wills didn't join the band until Head Games.


When we are saying "biggest of the 80s" we are talking truly huge, because the 80s were the biggest decade of all.  Here is a quick look at the top 25 selling albums of the 80s, with rock acts in bold.

I've only ever owned three of these albums (Back in Black, Slippery and Pyromania).

I wonder if there are any other decades with THREE movie soundtracks among top selling albums.  I'm sure the SNF soundtrack was one of the top 25 selling albums of the 70s, but I can't think of any others.
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Offline King Postwhore

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Re: Big 4 bands of 80's rock
« Reply #62 on: October 17, 2019, 01:59:05 PM »
Grease I would guess as well.  I think the 60's had more soundtrack albums that charted.
I don't like country music, but I don't mean to denigrate those who do. And for the people who like country music, denigrate means 'put down'.” - Bob Newhart
So wait, we're spelling it wrong and king is spelling it right? What is going on here? :lol -- BlobVanDam
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Offline bosk1

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Re: Big 4 bands of 80's rock
« Reply #63 on: October 17, 2019, 02:02:01 PM »
I owned every one of these albums.  Clearly the biggest act was Various Artists.

I have had 7 of them.  Looking back, there are 9 I would own.  But just because they were huge doesn't mean they were an automatic buy for me.  There are plenty on that list that I have no interest in.  Take the AC/DC album, for example.  Great album.  But I would never listen to it.  The couple of standout songs from it could be heard on the radio or MTV than I cared to hear them, so that covered it.  I feel similarly about several of the others.

(but another 11 from the "almost" list)
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Offline pg1067

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Re: Big 4 bands of 80's rock
« Reply #64 on: October 17, 2019, 02:12:59 PM »
I went and looked (because of course I did):

1970s:  SNF and Grease in the top 25

The 1960s are really interesting (at least to me).  Only three artists are represented in the top 10:  the Beatles (6), Led Zeppelin (2)....and the Monkees (2)!  The only soundtrack in the top 25 is West Side Story (unless you count Hard Days Night and Help)

1990s (the only list I could find was U.S. only):  The Bodyguard, Forrest Gump (?!) and Titanic.

There are no soundtracks among the best selling albums of the 21st Century (both decades combined), but soundtracks were the best selling albums in 2006 (High School Musical), 2007 (HS Musical 2), 2014 (Frozen) and 2018 (The Greatest Showman).

I'll stop derailing the thread now.
"There's a bass solo in a song called Metropolis where I do a bass solo."  John Myung

Offline hefdaddy42

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Re: Big 4 bands of 80's rock
« Reply #65 on: October 17, 2019, 02:15:56 PM »
Wow, Springsteen had two in the top 10?  Some things will just never make sense to me.
The Boss is awesome.
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Offline cramx3

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Re: Big 4 bands of 80's rock
« Reply #66 on: October 17, 2019, 02:22:46 PM »
Damn, even I have at least 8 of those albums.  I miss when rock music was big like that.  I mean, I don't remember the 80s but rock was still big in the 90s of my child hood.

Online TAC

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Re: Big 4 bands of 80's rock
« Reply #67 on: October 17, 2019, 06:15:16 PM »
Wow, Springsteen had two in the top 10?  Some things will just never make sense to me.
The Boss is awesome.

Some might call that...




wait for it.....









BOSSOME!
would have thought the same thing but seeing the OP was TAC i immediately thought Maiden or DT related
Winger Theater Forums........or WTF.  ;D
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Offline Architeuthis

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Re: Big 4 bands of 80's rock
« Reply #68 on: October 17, 2019, 06:46:24 PM »
I'm surprised there's no mention of Motley Crue.  They were pretty big specially in the late eighties.

I would say,
  Scorpions
  Motley
  Journey
  Def Leppard

  OHH,, and Weird Al..    :metal

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Offline KevShmev

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Re: Big 4 bands of 80's rock
« Reply #69 on: October 17, 2019, 07:48:12 PM »
I've owned 11 of those 25 at one point or another on cassette or CD.