The Best Rock Albums of 1988

Today's post in 50 Years of Music, a section of my blog devoted to the best rock albums of the past fifty years, will include the best albums of 1988. I have covered 22 years of music in other posts (1965-87), which can be found by typing the year into the search bar at the top of my blog. Each post in 50 Years of Music is updated frequently, with new albums recommended by readers added to the posts. What's your favorite?

• Metallica- ...And Justice for All
• AC/DC- Blow Up Your Video
• R.E.M.- Green
• The Smithereens- Green Thoughts
• Cinderella- Long Cold Winter
• Iron Maiden- Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son
• Poison- Open Up and Say... Ahh!
• Jimmy Page- Outrider
• U2- Rattle and Hum
• Van Halen- OU812
• Living Colour- Vivid
• Robert Plant- Now and Zen
• Jane's Addiction- Nothing's Shocking
• Ted Nugent- If You Can't Lick 'Em... Lick 'Em
• The Beatles- Past Masters (compilation)
• Bon Jovi- New Jersey

Traveling Wilburys- Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 (1988)

Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 is the debut album by the super-group Traveling Wilburys released on October 18, 1988 in the United States (October 24th in the UK). The album has been certified 3x Platinum in the United States, 6x Platinum in Canada, and Platinum in the United Kingdom. The album reached #3 on the U.S. Billboard 200 in 1988 and stayed on the charts at #8 for the year 1989.

A supergroup is defined as 'an exceptionally successful rock group, in particular one formed by musicians famous from playing in other groups' (Google). Traveling Wilburys included five members already famous from other bands-- George Harrison of The Beatles (named as 'Nelson Wilbury in the album credits); Jeff Lynne of Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) (Otis Wilbury); Tom Petty of Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers (Charlie T. Wilbury Jr.); Roy Orbison (Lefty Wilbury); and Bob Dylan (Lucky Wilbury). Their album release did not include any singles, but several songs became popular, including: "Handle With Care," "Tweeter and the Monkey Man," "End of the Line," "Dirty World," and "Rattled." 

George Harrison is credited for writing "Handle With Care" and "End of the Line," Bob Dylan for "Dirty World" and "Tweeter and the Monkey Man," and Jeff Lynne is credited for "Rattled." Tom Petty is credited for two songs which are not listed here-- "Last Night" and "Margarita."

Notable of the album is that it sold 2 million copies in the United States within the first six months of its release. Also, Roy Oribson died of a heart attack in less than two months after the release of the album on December 6, 1988 at the age of 52. Up to that point in time, none of Bob Dylan's records had reached 2 million in sales yet until The Traveling Wilburys, Vol. 1 became the first one. Jeff Lynne had not seen an album of his gain as much success as The Traveling Wilburys, Vol. 1 had in a few years, except for Tom Petty's 1989 solo release Full Moon Fever on which Lynne is credited for bass guitar, keyboards, backing vocals, and production (along with Tom Petty and Mike Campbell-- lead guitarist from Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers). George Harrison had been already been doing well with a number of successful solo albums released since the early 1970s.

Alexander Schwartz - JPageFan71
The Antagonists

https://jpagefan71.blogspot.com

https://www.youtube.com/user/JPageFan71

The Best Rock Albums of 1987

Today's post in 50 Years of Music, a section of my blog devoted to the best rock albums of the past fifty years, will include the best albums of 1987. I have covered 31 years of music in other posts (1965-86), which can be found by typing the year into the search bar at the top of my blog. Each post in 50 Years of Music is updated frequently, with new albums recommended by readers added to the posts. What's your favorite?

• Def Leppard- Hysteria
• U2- The Joshua Tree
• The Cars- Door to Door
• R.E.M.- Document
• Great White- Once Bitten
• George Harrison- Cloud Nine
• Sammy Hagar- I Never Said Goodbye
• Anthrax- Among the Living
• The Cult- Electric
• Aerosmith- Permanent Vacation
• Pink Floyd- A Momentary Lapse of Reason
• John 'Cougar' Mellencamp- The Lonesome Jubilee
• Alice Cooper- Raise Your Fist and Yell 
• Dokken- Back for the Attack 
• Joe Walsh- Got Any Gum?

Guns N' Roses- Appetite for Destruction (1987)

The original album artwork for Appetite for Destruction, based on the painting by Robert Williams, was changed afterwards to the first picture above after several music retailers refused to stock the album. The original cover depicts 'a robotic rapist about to be punished by a metal avenger.'

Appetite for Destruction is the debut studio album by the American hard rock group Guns N' Roses released on July 21, 1987. The album was a phenomenal success and has been certified 18x Platinum in the United States, Platinum in Canada, and 3x Platinum in the United Kingdom. The album reached #1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and #1 in New Zealand, as well as #5 on the UK Albums Chart.

Guns N' Roses' debut albums includes five singles-- "It's So Easy," "Welcome to the Jungle," "Sweet Child o' Mine," "Paradise City," and "Nightrain." Specific single charting has not been made readily available for the above five songs. Other notable songs on the album include: "Mr. Brownstone," "Rocket Queen," "Out ta Get Me," and "Think About You."

Notable of Appetite for Destruction is that it is the best selling album ever released on the Geffen record label and also the best selling debut album by an American rock band in music history at an estimated 18,000,000+ units sold in the United States alone. Also, producer Mike Clink worked eighteen-hour days for over a month straight on the album under a budget of about $370,000 U.S. dollars. Slash, the lead guitarist for Guns N' Roses, struggled to find a suitable sound until he finally settled on a Gibson Les Paul copy plugged into a Marshall guitar amplifier. Slash spent many hours each day with Clink in the studio recording overdubs and structuring his solos for the album.

Meanwhile, singer Axl Rose's recording took much longer than the rest of the band as he insisted on doing one line at a time in a perfectionist manner. Rose's vocals are splendid on the album do not get me wrong, but I must state that Axl Rose is one of the most despised musicians in all of rock music

Alexander Schwartz - JPageFan71
The Antagonists

https://jpagefan71.blogspot.com
http://www.youtube.com/user/JPageFan71

The Best Rock Albums of 1986

Today's post in 50 Years of Music, a section of my blog devoted to the best rock albums of the past fifty years, will include the best albums of 1986. I have covered 30 years of music in other posts (1965-85), which can be found by typing the year into the search bar at the top of my blog. Each post in 50 Years of Music is updated frequently, with new albums recommended by readers added to the posts. What's your favorite?

• Metallica- Master of Puppets
• AC/DC- Who Made Who
• Megadeth- Peace Sells... but Who's Buying
• Cinderella- Night Songs 
• Boston- Third Stage
• Van Halen- 5150
• The B-52's- Bouncing off the Satellites
• The Smiths- The Queen is Dead
• Beastie Boys- Licensed to Ill
• R.E.M.- Lifes Rich Pageant
• Slayer- Reign in Blood
• Queen- A Kind of Magic
• Paul McCartney- Press to Play 
• Alice Cooper- Constrictor 
• Ted Nugent- Little Miss Dangerous

Bon Jovi- Slippery When Wet (1986)

Slippery When Wet is the third studio album by American rock group Bon Jovi released on August 18, 1986. The album has been certified 10x Platinum in the United States, 6x Platinum in Australia, 3x Platinum in the United Kingdom, and Platinum in Canada. The album was a commercial success and peaked at #1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 Chart and in Australia and Canada on their respective charts. Slippery When Wet also charted at #6 in the United Kingdom.

Slippery When Wet includes four singles-- "You Give Love a Bad Name," Livin' On a Prayer," "Wanted Dead or Alive," and "Never Say Goodbye." The first two singles both consecutively reached #1 on the U.S. Billboard 200, and "Wanted Dead or Alive" charted at #7 on the same chart.

Notable of the album is that it was the first hard rock album ever to have three singles chart on the U.S. Billboard 200. Slippery When Wet was also recognized by Billboard for being the top selling album the following year in 1987. Also notable is that artist Desmond Child co-wrote "You Give Love a Bad Name" and "Livin' On a Prayer. Child has also co-written a number of hit songs for others bands, such as: "I Hate Myself for Loving You" by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, "I Was Made for Lovin' You" by Kiss, "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)" by Aerosmith, and also "Bad Medicine" by Bon Jovi which is another famous hit by the band.

Alexander Schwartz - JPageFan71

The Antagonists

https://jpagefan71.blogspot.com
https://www.youtube.com/user/JPageFan71

The Best Rock Albums of 1985

Today's post in 50 Years of Music, a section of my blog devoted to the best rock albums of the past fifty years, will include the best albums of 1985. I have covered 29 years of music in other posts (1965-84), which can be found by typing the year into the search bar at the top of my blog. Each post in 50 Years of Music is updated frequently, with new albums recommended by readers added to the posts. What's your favorite?

• ZZ Top- Afterburner
• Tears For Fears- Songs From the Big Chair
• John 'Cougar' Mellencamp- Scarecrow
• Mötley Crüe- Theatre of Pain
• The Cult- Love
• Phil Collins- No Jacket Required
• R.E.M.- Fables of the Reconstruction
• Talking Heads- Little Creatures
• John Fogerty- Centerfield
• Sting- The Dream of the Blue Turtles
• Rush- Power Windows
• Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers- Southern Accents
• Scorpions- World Wide Live
• George Thorogood- Maverick
• Todd Rundgren- A Capella 
• Dokken- Under Lock and Key 
• Joe Walsh- The Confessor

Dire Straits- Brothers In Arms (1985)

Brothers In Arms is the fifth studio album by British rock band Dire Straits released on May 13, 1985. The album has been certified 9x Platinum in the United States, 13x Platinum in the United Kingdom, and Diamond in Canada. The album charted at #1 in 18 different countries, making it one of the most commercially successful rock albums of all time. Also, the album has sold over 30 million copies across the globe making it one of the best selling albums of all time as well.

The album includes five singles-- "So Far Away," "Money for Nothing," "Brothers In Arms," "Walk of Life," and "Your Latest Trick." The first single charted at #19 in the United States, "Money for Nothing" charted at #1 in the United States and #4 in the United Kingdom and Australia, the third single charted at #16 in the United Kingdom, "Walk of Life" charted at #7 in the United States and #2 in the United Kingdom, and finally "Your Latest Trick" charted at #26 in the United Kingdom and reached the #1 spot in the charts in France, but not until eight years afterwards in 1993.

Notable of the album was that it was one of the first albums to be fully digitally recorded, as was the Scorpions release Love at First Sting in 1984 featured in "The Best Albums of 1984." Brothers In Arms was one of the first albums to be directed towards the Compact Disc (CD) market. Also, the music video for "Money for Nothing" received a substantial amount of airplay on MTV (back when MTV was good), featuring what was considered advanced computer graphics animation in 1985. Finally, Brothers In Arms was the first studio album released by a band to sell one million copies in the CD format and to outsell its LP version. A Rykodisc employee later stated after the release of the album: "[In 1985 we] were fighting to get our CDs manufactured because the entire manufacturing capacity was overwhelmed by a demand for a single rock title-- Dire Straits' Brothers In Arms."

For a guitar cover by me of the hit song "Money for Nothing" from the album Brothers In Arms, just click on the link to the YouTube video here: Dire Straits - Money For Nothing Cover

via (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_iudmZPeNs)

Alexander Schwartz - JPageFan71
The Antagonists

https://jpagefan71.blogspot.com
https://www.youtube.com/user/JPageFan71

The Best Rock Albums of 1984

Today's post in 50 Years of Music, a section of my blog devoted to the best rock albums of the past fifty years, will include the best albums of 1984. I have covered 28 years of music in other posts (1965-83), which can be found by typing the year into the search bar at the top of my blog. Each post in 50 Years of Music is updated frequently, with new albums recommended by readers added to the posts. What's your favorite?

• Bruce Springsteen- Born in the U.S.A.
• U2- The Unforgettable Fire
• The Cars- Heartbeat City
• Metallica- Ride the Lightning
• Foreigner- Agent Provocateur
• Rush- Grace Under Pressure
• Van Halen- 1984
• Bryan Adams- Reckless
• Ratt- Out Of The Cellar
• Twisted Sister- Stay Hungry
• The Pretenders- Learning To Crawl
• Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble- Couldn't Stand The Weather
• Sammy Hagar- VOA
• The Cars- Heartbeat City 
• Paul McCartney- Give My Regards to Broad Street 
• Ted Nugent- Penetrator 
• Dokken- Tooth and Nail

Scorpions- Love at First Sting (1984)

Love at First Sting is the ninth studio album by the German hard rock group Scorpions released on March 27, 1984. The album is certified 3x Platinum in the United States, 2x Platinum in Canada, and Gold in the United Kingdom. The album charted at #6 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and at #17 on the UK Albums Chart.

Love at First Sting includes three singles-- "Rock You Like a Hurricane," "Still Loving You," and "Big City Nights." The first two singles charted at #25 and #64 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and "Big City Nights" charted at #76 on the UK Singles Chart.

Notable of the album is that is was one of the first hard rock albums digitally recorded and released instead of the traditional analog recording format. "Still Loving You" became a big hit for the band in several countries in Europe charting at #3 in Switzerland, France, and Belgium; #14 in Germany; and #5 in the Netherlands. After Love at First Sting was first released the album cover was changed for use in certain retail stores after a complaint was filed through Wal-Mart retailers over the 'explicit' original cover. The 'clean' album features a photo of the band members on the cover which can be found in the album sleeve of the original version.

Alexander Schwartz - JPageFan71
The Antagonists

https://jpagefan71.blogspot.com
https://www.youtube.com/user/JPageFan71

The Best Rock Albums of 1983

Today's post in 50 Years of Music, a section of my blog devoted to the best rock albums of the past fifty years, will include the best albums of 1983. I have covered 27 years of music in other posts (1965-82), which can be found by typing the year into the search bar at the top of my blog. Each post in 50 Years of Music is updated frequently, with new albums recommended by readers added to the posts. What's your favorite?

• ZZ Top- Eliminator
• Huey Lewis & the News- Sports
• Metallica- Kill 'Em All
• AC/DC- Flick of the Switch
• Dokken- Breaking the Chains
• The Police- Synchronicity
• Iron Maiden- Piece of Mind
• Quiet Riot- Metal Health
• Yes- 90125
• Pink Floyd- The Final Cut
• Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble- Texas Flood
• Dio- Holy Diver
• Mötley Crüe- Shout At The Devil
• Billy Idol- Rebel Yell
• David Bowie- Let's Dance
• Styx- Kilroy Was Here
• Talking Heads- Speaking in Tongues
• Night Ranger- Midnight Madness
• Ringo Starr- Old Wave
• Joe Walsh- You Bought It - You Name It

Def Leppard- Pyromania (1983)

Pyromania is the third studio album by British rock group Def Leppard released on January 20, 1983. The album is certified 10x Platinum in the United States, 7x Platinum in Canada, and Silver in the United Kingdom. The album became a huge success, peaking at #2 on the U.S. Billboard 200 Chart and at #18 on the UK Albums Chart.

The album included four singles, all which have received substantial radio airplay over the years and even today: "Photograph," "Rock of Ages," "Foolin'," and "Too Late for Love." The first three singles all became top 40 singles in the United States. Other notable songs on the album include: "Rock! Rock! ('Til You Drop)," "Stagefright," "Comin' Under Fire," and "Action! Not Words." 

Notable of the album is that it is the first Def Leppard album to feature guitarist Phil Collen who has remained with the band since Pyromania. Also notable of the album is that Pyromania was believed to be the last Def Leppard album at the time due to the tragic accident of drummer Rick Allen on New Year's Eve in 1984 when he lost his left arm in a car crash. However, Allen recovered and learned to play with one arm on specially modified and customized drum kits and stuck with the band, helping to result in the phenomenal success of the group's fourth album released in 1987-- Hysteria. The release for 1987 included a number of other well-known Def Leppard tunes, such as: "Pour Some Sugar On Me," "Armageddon It," "Rocket," and "Animal."

For a guitar cover by me with a backing track of a song released in 1983 by ZZ Top, just click on the link: ZZ Top - Gimme All Your Lovin' Cover

via (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvwtJNHwbUk)

Alexander Schwartz - JPageFan71
The Antagonists

https://jpagefan71.blogspot.com
https://www.youtube.com/user/JPageFan71

The Best Rock Albums of 1982

Today's post in 50 Years of Music, a section of my blog devoted to the best rock albums of the past fifty years, will include the best albums of 1982. I have covered 26 years of music in other posts (1965-81), which can be found by typing the year into the search bar at the top of my blog. Each post in 50 Years of Music is updated frequently, with new albums recommended by readers added to the posts. What's your favorite?

• Van Halen- Diver Down
• Led Zeppelin- Coda
• The Clash- Combat Rock
• Ted Nugent- Nugent
• Iron Maiden- The Number of the Beast
• Rush- Signals
• Utopia- Utopia; Swing to the Right
• Duran Duran- Rio
• Judas Priest- Screaming for Vengeance
• Paul McCartney- Tug of War
• Scorpions- Blackout
• George Harrison- Gone Troppo
• Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers- Long After Dark
• Sammy Hagar- Three Lock Box
• George Thorogood & the Destroyers- Bad to the Bone
• The B-52's- Mesopotamia (EP)
• Foghat- Zig-Zag Walk
• Todd Rundgren- The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect 
• Don Henley- I Can't Stand Still

Michael Jackson- Thriller

Thriller is the sixth studio album by the American recording artist Michael Jackson released on November 30, 1982. The album has been certified 29x Platinum in the United States, 16x Platinum in Australia, 11x Platinum in the United Kingdom, and Diamond in Canada. The album was a worldwide success and charted at #1 in many countries, including: Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Italy, United Kingdom, and the United States.

Of the nine songs on Thriller, seven were released as singles-- "The Girl Is Mine," "Billie Jean," "Beat It," "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'," "Human Nature," "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)," and "Thriller." The album was produced by Quincy Jones and includes a number of famous musicians on various tracks on the record.

Notable of the album is that it is estimated to be the highest selling album in music history with somewhere between 51 million to 65 million units sold worldwide since its release. Also, the first single to be released with the album-- "The Girl is Mine" -- features former Beatles member Paul McCartney and charted at #2 on the U.S. Billboard Top 100. Most notable of the album Thriller for rock purposes is the song "Beat It," which features both Jeff Porcaro (drums) and Steve Lukather (guitar, excluding solo) from the rock group Toto and a guitar solo played by Eddie Van Halen. Van Halen had already been in the studio earlier in the year recording Van Halen's fifth studio album Diver Down when he received a phone call from producer Quincy Jones, asking to add a guitar solo. Eddie recorded the guitar solo free of charge, even at the discouragement of the band and management. Eddie Van Halen has stated that he was doing it was a favor and knew exactly what he was doing- and he was right. Fitting a shredding guitar solo into a pop song classic gains some serious popularity for most rock artists.

Alexander Schwartz - JPageFan71
The Antagonists

https://jpagefan71.blogspot.com
https://www.youtube.com/user/JPageFan71

The Best Rock Albums of 1981

Today's post in 50 Years of Music, a section of my blog devoted to the best rock albums of the past fifty years, will include the best albums of 1981. I have covered 25 years of music in other posts (1965-80), which can be found by typing the year into the search bar at the top of my blog. Each post in 50 Years of Music is updated frequently, with new albums recommended by readers added to the posts. What's your favorite?

• The Rolling Stones- Tattoo You
• Van Halen- Fair Warning
• Foreigner- 4
• AC/DC- For Those About to Rock We Salute You
• Journey- Escape
• Joe Walsh- There Goes the Neighborhood
• Aldo Nova- Aldo Nova
• Def Leppard- High 'n' Dry
• Sammy Hagar- Standing Hampton
• Ozzy Osbourne- Diary of a Madman
• U2- October
• George Harrison- Somewhere In England
• Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers- Hard Promises
• Foghat- Girls to Chat and Boys to Bounce 
• Todd Rundgren- Healing 
• Alice Cooper- Special Forces 
• John Entwistle- Too Late the Hero

Rush- Moving Pictures (1981)

Moving Pictures is the eighth studio album by Canadian progressive rock group Rush released on February 12, 1981. The album has been certified 4x Platinum in both the United States and Canada, and Silver in the United Kingdom. The album charted at #3 on both the U.S. Billboard 200 and the UK Albums Chart, as well as charting #1 on the Canadian Albums Chart.

The album included three singles-- "Limelight," "Tom Sawyer," and "Vital Signs." The first single charted at #4 on the U.S. Mainstream Rock Charts, "Tom Sawyer" charted at #8 on the U.S. Mainstream Rock Charts and at #25 in the United Kingdom where "Vital Signs" charted at #41 as well. Other notable songs on the album include: "Red Barchetta," and "YYZ."

Notable of the album is that it is Rush's most commercially successful and popular album to date with radio-friendly hits such as "Tom Sawyer," "Limelight," and "Red Barchetta." Also notable is that the album cover photo was taken in front of the Ontario Legislative Building at Queens Park in Toronto, Canada. The painting closest to the front of the building includes the 'starman' logo from the reverse side of the album cover of the band's 1976 album 2112. 

For a guitar solo cover by me of a song released in 1981, just click on the link to the YouTube video: Aldo Nova - Fantasy Cover (Guitar Solo)

via (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eC5vKMf_spI)

Alexander Schwartz - JPageFan71
The Antagonists

https://jpagefan71.blogspot.com
https://www.youtube.com/user/JPageFan71

The Best Rock Albums of 1980

Today's post in 50 Years of Music, a section of my blog devoted to the best rock albums of the past fifty years, will include the best albums of 1980. I have covered 14 years of music in other posts (1965-79), which can be found by typing the year into the search bar at the top of my blog. Each post in 50 Years of Music is updated frequently, with new albums recommended by readers added to the posts. What's your favorite?

• Van Halen- Women and Children First
• Def Leppard- On Through The Night
• Talking Heads- Remain In Light
• The Pretenders- Pretenders
• Rush- Permanent Waves
• REO Speedwagon- Hi Infidelity
• Black Sabbath- Heaven and Hell
• Ozzy Osbourne- Blizzard of Ozz
• Iron Maiden- Iron Maiden
• Queen- The Game
• Foghat- Tight Shoes
• John Lennon & Yoko Ono- Double Fantasy
• The B-52's- Wild Planet
• Bruce Springsteen- The River
• David Bowie- Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)
• Alice Cooper- Flush the Fashion
• Ted Nugent- Scream Dream 
• Eagles- Eagles Live (Live Album)

AC/DC- Back in Black (1980)

Back in Black is the seventh studio album by Australian rock group AC/DC and the first album to feature singer Brian Johnson after Bon Scott's death from alcohol poisoning on February 19, 1980. The album was released on July 25, 1980 and has been certified 25x Platinum in the United States, 12x Platinum in Australia, and Platinum in both Canada and the United Kingdom. It would be impossible to list the chartings for Back in Black as the album has re-charted many times over the past twenty five years.

Back in Black includes four singles-- "You Shook Me All Night Long," "Hells Bells," "Back in Black," and "Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution." Other notable songs on the album include: "Shoot to Thrill," "Have a Drink On Me," "What Do You Do For Money Honey," and "Let Me Put My Love Into You."

Notable of the album is that it has sold around 50 million copies internationally and is estimated to be the second highest selling rock album of all time. Michael Jackson's 1982 album Thriller takes the #1 spot with estimated sales between 51 million and 65 million units worldwide. Also, the album was recorded in the Bahamas during tropical storm season which caused much interference with the power at the recording studio. Johnson has stated in past interviews that the storms were his inspiration for the opening verse of "Hells Bells": "I'm rolling thunder, pouring rain. I'm comin' on like a hurricane. My lightning's flashin' across the sky. You're only young but you're gonna die..."

For a guitar cover by me recorded in 2009 of a song from Back in Black, just click on the link to the YouTube video: AC/DC - You Shook Me All Night Long Cover

via (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2UGAg4c7TI)

Alexander Schwartz - JPageFan71
The Antagonists

https://jpagefan71.blogspot.com
https://www.youtube.com/user/JPageFan71

ZZ Top - Gimme All Your Lovin' Cover

A cover version of the rock song "Gimme All Your Lovin'" by ZZ Top including both guitar solos and featuring a backing track with vocals, bass guitar, and drums provided by http://www.guitarbackingtrack.com. The video provides two guitars-- the lead guitar is the main video and the rhythm guitar is shown as a PIP (picture-in-picture). Both guitars are recorded and played by Alexander Schwartz. All lyrics and music written by Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill, and Frank Beard.

"Gimme All Your Lovin'" is the opening track from ZZ Top's eighth studio album titled "Eliminator," released on March 23, 1983. The song was the first single released from the album and charted at #37 on the "U.S. Billboard Hot 100" and at #10 on the "UK Singles Chart." The song is also featured in the video game "Grand Theft Auto 5."

Please note that the song cover is not intended to be exactly note for note and that I did make a couple of mistakes. I am only human after all and a self-taught musician who has never taken a lesson.

Both videos were recorded via a Nady SP-5 USB Microphone plugged into a MacBook Pro and edited with iMovie. The guitar featured in both videos are a Samick Avion AV6 Greg Bennett Design Electric Guitar played through a Marshall DSL15H/MX-212 Tube Amplifier.

Make sure to click on the link below to check out a regularly updated blog about guitar and music which includes fifty years of the greatest albums of rock with pictures, original song lyrics and compositions, featured YouTube videos, and much more! I am also available on Google+, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, Facebook, and more!

Blogger: http://jpagefan71.blogspot.com
Google+: http://plus.google.com/101401557317455371296/posts
Twitter: http://twitter.com/PageFan71
Tumblr: http://www.tumblr.com/blog/jpagefan71
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/JPageFan71
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/alexanderrschwartz

(via http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvwtJNHwbUk)

The Best Rock Albums of 1979

Today's post in 50 Years of Music, a section of my blog devoted to the best rock albums of the past fifty years, will include the best albums of 1979. I have covered 13 years of music in other posts (1965-78), which can be found by typing the year into the search bar at the top of my blog. Each post in 50 Years of Music is updated frequently, with new albums recommended by readers added to the posts. What's your favorite?

• Pink Floyd- The Wall
• Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers- Damn the Torpedoes
• The B-52's- The B-52's
• The Clash- London Calling
• Led Zeppelin- In Through the Out Door
• Van Halen- Van Halen II
• The Cars- Candy-O
• Foghat- Boogie Motel
• April Wine- Harder.....Faster
• Frank Zappa- Joe's Garage Acts 1, 2, & 3
• The Police- Reggatta de Blanc
• George Harrison- George Harrison
• Eagles- The Long Run
• Ted Nugent- State of Shock
• The Knack- Get The Knack
• Michael Jackson- Off The Wall
• Supertramp- Breakfast in America
• Molly Hatchet- Flirtin' With Disaster
• Eagles- The Long Run

AC/DC- Highway to Hell (1979)

Highway to Hell is the fifth international studio album released by Australian rock group AC/DC on July 27, 1979. The album has been certified 7x Platinum in the United States, 2x Platinum in Canada, and Gold in the United Kingdom, and has charted at #17 on the U.S. Billboard 200 Albums Chart and #13 on the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart as well.

Highway to Hell includes three singles-- "Highway to Hell," "Girls Got Rhythm," and "Touch Too Much." The first single charted at #47 on the U.S. Pop Singles Chart in 1979 and then again in the United Kingdom in 2013 at #4 on the UK Big Top 40 Chart. Other notable songs on the album include: "Night Prowler," "If You Want Blood (You've Got It)," "Love Hungry Man," and "Walk All Over You."

Notable of the album is that it is the last AC/DC album to feature vocalist Bon Scott, who died of alcohol poisoning on February 19, 1980. Scott was replaced by vocalist Brian Johnson, who first appeared on the 1980 album Back in Black and has remained with the band since. Also, AC/DC was formed by brothers Angus Young and Malcolm Young who play lead and rhythm guitar for the band. In recent years Malcolm has had health issues and has resigned from the band. However, Malcolm's spot was filled by the his nephew Stevie Young.

Alexander Schwartz - JPageFan71
The Antagonists

https://jpagefan71.blogspot.com
https://www.youtube.com/user/JPageFan71

The Best Rock Albums of 1978

Today's post in 50 Years of Music, a section of my blog devoted to the best rock albums of the past fifty years, will include the best albums of 1978. I have covered 12 years of music in other posts (1965-77), which can be found by typing the year into the search bar at the top of my blog. Each post in 50 Years of Music is updated frequently, with new albums recommended by readers added to the posts. What's your favorite?

• AC/DC- Powerage; If You Want Blood You've Got It
• Dire Straits- Dire Straits
• The Cars- The Cars
• Joe Walsh- But Seriously, Folks...
• The Rolling Stones- Some Girls
• Foreigner- Double Vision
• The Police- Outlandos d'Amour
• Bob Dylan- Street-Legal
• Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band- Stranger in Town
• Ted Nugent- Double Live Gonzo (Live Album); Weekend Warriors
• The Godz- The Godz
• Rush- Hemispheres
• Journey- Infinity
• Cheap Trick- Heaven Tonight
• Ringo Starr- Bad Boy
• Styx- Pieces of Eight
• Foghat- Stone Blue
• REO Speedwagon- You Can Tune a Piano, But You Can't Tuna Fish
• The Who- Who Are You
• Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers- You're Gonna Get It!
• George Thorogood & the Destroyers- Move It on Over
• Ringo Starr- Bad Boy 
• Todd Rundgren- Hermit of Mink Hollow 
• Alice Cooper- From the Inside

Van Halen- Van Halen (1978)

Van Halen is the first studio album by the American rock group Van Halen released on February 10, 1978. The album has been certified 10x Platinum in the United States, 4x Platinum in Canada, and Gold in the United Kingdom. The album has charted twice: at #19 on the U.S. Pop Albums Chart in 1978 and at #117 on the U.S. Billboard 200 in 1984. The latter charting was likely due to the release of their popular 1984 album titled 1984, the last Van Halen album for many years featuring David Lee Roth on vocals.

Ten of the eleven songs on Van Halen were released as singles, the only exclusion being a cover of John Brim's "Ice Cream Man." The singles "You Really Got Me" and "Runnin' With the Devil" charted at #36 and #84 on the U.S. Billboard Pop Singles Chart, respectively. Other notable songs on the album include: "Eruption," "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love," and "Jamie's Cryin'."

Notable of the album is the hard rock cover of the 1960s The Kinks song "You Really Got Me." Also, Van Halen was founded by two brothers- guitarist Eddie Van Halen and drummer Alex Van Halen. Eddie Van Halen had become a legend among local guitarists even before their debut album release particularly for his 'unorthodox' guitar techniques and sounds. Eddie is often regarded as one of the main guitarists to popularize right-hand tapping, artificial harmonics, and  'dive bomb' techniques on the electric guitar, most notably in the song "Eruption" on the band's debut album.

In past interviews, Eddie Van Halen has stated that he was largely influenced by the right-hand tapping technique when viewing a Led Zeppelin concert while the band was performing the song "Heartbreaker." During the guitar solo, guitarist Jimmy Page held the guitar behind his head and used the right-hand tapping technique while playing. The technique has gone on to influence many rock and heavy metal guitarists, including: Randy Rhoads of Ozzy Osbourne/Quiet Riot, Kirk Hammett of Metallica, Dave Mustaine of Megadeth, Dimebag Darrell of Pantera, Zakk Wylde of Ozzy Osbourne/Black Label Society, and many more.

For a guitar cover by me of a song released in 1978, just click on the link to a YouTube video: The Cars - Bye Bye Love Cover 

via (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DcAzKWaXhk)

Alexander Schwartz - JPageFan71
The Antagonists

https://jpagefan71.blogspot.com
https://www.youtube.com/user/JPageFan71

The Best Rock Albums of 1977

Today's post in 50 Years of Music, a section of my blog devoted to the best rock albums of the past fifty years, will include the best albums of 1977. I have covered 11 years of music in other posts (1965-1976), which can be found by typing the year into the search bar at the top of my blog. Each post in 50 Years of Music is updated frequently, with new albums recommended by readers added to the posts. What's your favorite?

• AC/DC- Let There Be Rock
• KISS- Love Gun
• David Bowie- Low
• Cheap Trick- In Color
• Foreigner- Foreigner
• Talking Heads- Talking Heads: 77
• Pink Floyd- Animals
• Ted Nugent- Cat Scratch Fever
• Eric Clapton- Slowhand
• Fleetwood Mac- Rumours
• Bee Gees- Saturday Night Fever
• Ringo Starr- Scouse the Mouse; Ringo the 4th
• Styx- The Grand Illusion
• Steve Miller Band- Book of Dreams
• Ringo Starr- Ringo the 4th 
• Alice Cooper- Lace and Whiskey

Queen- News of the World (1977)

News of the World is the sixth studio album by British rock group Queen released on October 28, 1977. The album has been certified 4x Platinum in the United States, 3x Platinum in Canada, and 2x Platinum in the United Kingdom. The album charted at #4 on the UK Albums Chart and at #3 on the U.S. Billboard 200.

News of the World included three singles, one with a B-side: "We Are the Champions"/"We Will Rock You," "Spread Your Wings," and "It's Late." Other notable songs on the album include: "Sheer Heart Attack," "Spread Your Wings," "Fight from the Inside," and "Sleeping on the Sidewalk."

Notable of the album is that it is the second album to be fully produced by the band themselves, the first being 1975's release A Day at the Races. Also, the song "We Will Rock You" was intentionally written to be simple and anthemic by guitarist Brian May so that the band's live audience could be more directly involved in the show. The band attempted a more 'mainstream' rock sound for News of the World after some critics had called their previous release a "boring" album. Finally, the album was titled after a popular U.K. newspaper of the same.

For a guitar cover by me of a song released in 1977, just click on the link to a YouTube video: KISS - Christine Sixteen Cover

via (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOLFGE7ileY)

Alexander Schwartz - JPageFan71
The Antagonists

https://jpagefan71.blogspot.com
https://www.youtube.com/user/JPageFan71

The Best Rock Albums of 1976

Today's post in 50 Years of Music, a section of my blog devoted to the best rock albums of the past fifty years, will include the best albums of 1976. I have covered 10 years of music in other posts (1965-1975), which can be found by typing the year into the search bar at the top of my blog. Each post in 50 Years of Music is updated frequently, with new albums recommended by readers added to the posts. What's your favorite?

• AC/DC- High Voltage (U.S. Release); Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
• Boston- Boston
• Peter Frampton- Frampton Comes Alive!
• Queen- A Day at the Races
• Status Quo- Blue For You
• Ted Nugent- Free-For-All
• The Rolling Stones- Black and Blue
• Kiss- Destroyer; Rock and Roll Over
• Foghat- Night Shift
• Blue Öyster Cult- Agents of Fortune
• Eagles- Hotel California
• Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers- Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
• Kansas- Leftoverture
• Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band- 'Live' Bullet
• Steve Miller Band- Fly Like an Eagle
• Electric Light Orchestra- A New World Record
• Ringo Starr- Ringo's Rotogravure 
• Alice Cooper- Alice Cooper Goes to Hell
• George Harrison- Thirty Three and 1/3 
• Todd Rundgren- Faithful 
• Joe Walsh- You Can't Argue with a Sick Mind

Rush- 2112 (1976)

2112 is the fourth studio album by the Canadian rock trio Rush released on April 1, 1976. The album has been certified 3x Platinum in the United States, 2x Platinum in Canada, and Silver (60,000 units sold) in the United Kingdom. The album charted at #61 on the U.S. Billboard Pop Albums Chart.

2112 included 3 singles upon its release-- " The Twilight Zone," "2112 Overture/The Temples of Syrinx," and "A Passage to Bangkok." The album is most noted for the song "2112," a 20-minute composition composed of seven different parts with music written by singer/bassist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson, and lyrics written by drummer Neil Peart. The song describes the tale of a man who finds a guitar and presents it to the "Priests of the Temples of Syrinx," who have become the leaders of the world and control every aspect of humans lives. The Priests destroy the guitar and tell the man that the world does not need music and the "old ways of man."

2112 is often regarded as one of the most influential albums in the development of the progressive rock genre. Of course other bands i.e. Yes had been making progressive rock albums before the mid '70s, but Rush greatly helped to bring a much larger fan-base to the genre with 2112 and other releases, such as the 1981 album Moving Pictures.

For a guitar cover by me of a song released in 1976, just click on the link to a YouTube video: KISS - Calling Dr. Love Cover

via (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtqZXUJ1flA) 

Alexander Schwartz - JPageFan71
The Antagonists

https://jpagefan71.blogspot.com
https://www.youtube.com/user/JPageFan71

The Best Rock Albums of 1975

Today's post in 50 Years of Music, a section of my blog devoted to the best rock albums of the past fifty years, will include the best albums of 1975. I have covered 9 years of music in other posts (1965-1974), which can be found by typing the year into the search bar at the top of my blog. Each post in 50 Years of Music is updated frequently, with new albums recommended by readers added to the posts. What's your favorite?

• Pink Floyd- Wish You Were Here
• Foghat- Fool For The City
• Bad Company- Straight Shooter
• Bob Dylan- Blood On The Tracks
• Queen- A Night At The Opera
• Bruce Springsteen- Born to Run
• Ted Nugent- Ted Nugent
• Aerosmith- Toys in the Attic
• Rush- Fly By Night; Caress of Steel
• Neil Young- Tonight's The Night
• The Who- The Who By Numbers
• Fleetwood Mac- Fleetwood Mac
• George Harrison- Extra Texture (Read All About It)
• Ringo Starr- Blast From Your Past
• Todd Rundgren- Initiation 
• Alice Cooper- Welcome to My Nightmare 
• Eagles- One of These Nights 
• Keith Moon- Two Sides of the Moon

Led Zeppelin- Physical Graffiti (1975)

Physical Graffiti is the sixth studio album by British rock group Led Zeppelin and the group's only double album of original content, released on February 24, 1975. The album has been certified 16x Platinum (Estimated 8,000,000 units shipped since the album is a double album) in the United States and 2x Platinum in the United Kingdom. Led Zeppelin's sixth album charted at #1 on both the UK Albums Chart and the U.S. Billboard 200.

Physical Graffiti included one single with a B-side: "Trampled Under Foot"/"Black Country Woman." Other notable songs on the album include: "Kashmir," "Houses of the Holy," "Custard Pie," "Ten Years Gone," and "In My Time of Dying." Physical Graffiti was recorded at Headley Grange, the same location where Led Zeppelin had recorded their fourth and fifth albums at the recommendation of rock group Fleetwood Mac (see "The Best Album of 1971").

Notable of Physical Graffiti is that Led Zeppelin wrote and recorded only eight songs for the album. The remainder of the album includes unreleased songs from recording sessions of previous studio albums: one from Led Zeppelin III, three from Led Zeppelin IV, and three from Houses of the Holy. These seven songs are listed below along with the corresponding album and album's year of release.

"Bron-Yr-Aur" - Led Zeppelin III (1970)
"Down by the Seaside" - Led Zeppelin IV (1971)
"Boogie With Stu" - Led Zeppelin IV (1971)
"Night Flight" - Led Zeppelin IV (1971)
"The Rover" - Houses of the Holy (1973)
"Houses of the Holy" - Houses of the Holy (1973)
"Black Country Woman" - Houses of the Holy (1973)

Alexander Schwartz - JPageFan71
The Antagonists

https://jpagefan71.blogspot.com
https://www.youtube.com/user/JPageFan71