The Top Rock LPs of 35 Years Ago

1981 was 35 years ago, and at that time the world barely knew who Steve Jobs or Bill Gates was. The Power Rangers and the news of Rock Hudson being infected with AIDS hit the news stands, making national headlines. What were the top rock LPs of 1981?

1.) “Moving Pictures” by Rush
2.) “Blizzard of Ozz” by Ozzy Osbourne
3.) “Fair Warning” by Van Halen
4.) “Point of Entry” by Judas Priest
5.) “For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)” by AC/DC
6.) “Dad Loves His Work” by James Taylor
7.) “High N’ Dry” by Def Leppard
8.) “Coconut Telegraph” by Jimmy Buffett
9.) “Tatoo You” by the Rolling Stones

Prologue: Rush, the Rolling Stones, James Taylor, Van Halen, AC/DC, and Ozzy (by way of Black Sabbath) are all in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Not one of these albums from 1981 is considered their best work, by either the critics or the artists themselves. The top songs “Start Me Up” by the Stones and “Tom Sawyer” by Rush were fabulous singles from the year.

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