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

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