This Week In Classic Rock History

AUG 2-8: Historic events this week from Def Leppard, Prince, Stevie Nicks and ZZ Top

Presented by

AUGUST 3, 1987: DEF LEPPARD RELEASE HYSTERIA

All 7 singles from Def Leppard\’s fourth album went Top 10:

\”Hysteria\” (#9), \”Women\” (#7), \”Animal\” (#5), \”Rocket\” (#5), \”Armageddon It\” (#3), \”Pour Some Sugar on Me\” (#2), \”Love Bites\” (#1)

Hysteria has sold over 12 million copies in the US alone.

• • •
AUGUST 4, 1984: PURPLE RAIN IS #1
A little over a month after its release, Purple Rain made its way to #1 on the Billboard 200.

Featuring the #1 hits \”When Doves Cry\” and \”Let\’s Go Crazy\”, the classic album would spend an astounding 22 straights weeks at #1.

The landmark album earned Prince & the Revolution two Grammys, and an Academy for Best Original Song Score for Prince.

• • •
AUGUST 6, 1981: STEVIE NICKS RELEASES BELLA DONNA
Stevie Nicks scored a #1 album with the release of her solo debut, Bella Donna.

The album has sold over 6 million copies worldwide thanks to strong singles like \”Leather and Lace\” featuring Don Henley, \”Edge of Seventeen\”…

…and \”Stop Dragging My Heart Around\” featuring Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers.

• • •
AUGUST 7, 1996: ELIMINATOR CERTIFIED DIAMOND
ZZ Top\’s biggest album, Eliminator, is a stunner.

Expanded use of synthesizers brought a New Wave sound that appealed to a wider audience.

Eliminator has gone 10x Platinum in the US thanks to the hits \”Gimme All Your Lovin\’\”, \”Got Me Under Pressure\”, \”Legs\” and \”Sharp Dressed Man\”.

Recent Posts

View All