the class of 1985 is now officially middle-aged. It’s been four decades since Dire Straits, Phil Collins and Sting ruled the radio and record stores with multi-platinum albums like Brothers in Arms, No Jacket Required and The Dream of the Blue Turtles.
You can see a list of 1985’s biggest and most influential rock albums below.
MTV was still at full power in 1985, and even holdout veteran artists realized there was no choice but to figure out how to present yourself via music video. Heart, Motley Crue and Kiss were among the bands that updated their look with big hair, padded shoulders and bold – in retrospect can we all admit sometimes garish? – colors and patterns in order to better capture the attention of video-watching fans.
Read More: The Top 40 Rock Albums of 1970
Sonically, keyboards, drum machines and digital production still largely ruled the day, although there were a few holdouts still sticking with more organic sounds. After becoming superstars by adding synths and electronic rhythms to their sound on 1983’s Eliminator, ZZ Top pushed the formula even further away from their blues roots on Afterburner.
On the flip side, rather than attempting to follow up the massive success of Purple Rain, Prince took an immediate left turn into gentler, more psychedelic territory with the lush Around the World in a Day. The year also saw the long-awaited and very welcome returns of John Fogerty, Jimmy Page and the original lineup of Aerosmith – although not all of those albums got the attention they deserved.
The 40 Most Important Rock Albums Turning 40 in 2025
A look back at 1985’s biggest and most influential rock albums.
Gallery Credit: Matthew Wilkening
RECENT COMMENTS
Too many candles: Illinois grandmother’s 80th birthday cake goes up in flames – General World News.net
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@MentalHealthMakeup
"Why didn't they do numbers like a normal person?😂 "
@marymahar8446
"Covid cake 🎂 "
@exdestroyer9818
"Instead of putting 80 candles on the cake… how about putting the number ..."
@ZooZoo293
"Well that's just mean to put trick candles on an 80-year-old's birthday cake! ..."
@Hardawayfits
"Thats for the people who only came for a slice of cake😅😂 "
@herschelwright4663
"You think that they would just use numbered candles!🎂 "
@DavidPerez-wz1ss
"Hope it’s not an ice cream cake hehe "
@jbbee561
"Fire blanket 🤷🏻♀️🤣 "
@40goingwest
"Can I have some cake with my spit?😮 "
@ag21dvhsfootball
"😂❤ "
@nataliemai7738
"哈……要找消防员来才行。 "
@cchico41
"wow. they needed a cake pan to get it out "
@Recks123
"This is exactly why they make numbered candles 😂 "
@koda3967
"🥳Happy birthday! 🎉 🎂 🎈 "
@awajiangirl
"Oh my. Happy birthday "
@Deb_BG
"Ewwww everyone blowing and spitting. I ain't eating that cake! 😅 "
@dreh6244
"8...0 that's it. That was the assignment. They failed in epic fashion...😮 "
@Njamramaxwrykcn
"😂 "
@KATGrose
"This makes my heart so happy "