The 80s were a golden era for album sales, with rock music thriving at the forefront of popular culture. In this feature, we have identified 25 major rock bands who achieved their biggest-selling album during this decade and taken a closer look at how they followed up those career-defining moments.
There are bands, such as Bon Jovi, Def Leppard and Journey, who followed their biggest-selling albums with yet another smash success story, keeping the momentum of their careers going stronger than ever. These groups managed to navigate the intense industry expectations that often follow a massive commercial breakthrough.
However, on the flip side, there are groups that caved to the record label pressure to strike while the iron was hot. Acts such as Quiet Riot and REO Speedwagon saw less than satisfactory results on their first new music after reaching their commercial heights, illustrating the precarious nature of following up a blockbuster record.
There is even one notable outlier that remains a point of discussion: The Police. They set their album sales high mark with Synchronicity only to split up before producing another original studio album. It is difficult to rank a follow-up when the band ceases to exist before one can be recorded.
As we look back at the 1980s—a decade that brought us cinematic staples like E.T., Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Back to the Future—it is essential to acknowledge the best-selling albums of the era. By examining how these follow-up records performed, we can better understand the trajectory of these legendary bands and the impact of their creative decisions during a pivotal time in rock history.
