Albums Celebrating 30, 40 & 50-Year Anniversaries in 2018

There are a lot of albums that are celebrating milestone anniversaries in 2018. This year marks the 30^th and 40^th anniversaries of debut albums from the likes of Soundgarden, NWA, Van Halen and The Cars. Iconic albums from The Beatles, Blondie, Jimi Hendrix and more are also being fondly remembered and celebrated 40 and 50 years later.

Last week, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, took a look at albums celebrating 10^th and 20^th anniversaries in 2018. Today, we return to the nostalgia rabbit hole to look at albums turning 30, 40 and 50 this year.

30 Years

1.       Metallica, ‘…And Justice for All’: Metallica’s fourth studio album and first without bassist Cliff Burton, ‘…And Justice for All’ saw the band release some of their most complex songs ever. The album was also one of their most popular, peaking at number six on the Billboard 200.

2.       Soundgarden, ‘Ultramega OK’: Though not originally a hit, Soundgarden’s debut album, ‘Ultramega OK,’ laid the groundwork for grunge and the sound that was about to come out of the Seattle scene. Ahead of this year’s anniversary, the album was reissued, this time taking its rightful place within the top 10 on Billboard’s Vinyl Albums and Tastemaker Albums charts.

3.       NWA, ‘Straight Outta Compton’: One of the defining albums of the late 80s hip-hop scene, ‘Straight Outta Compton’ helped give rise to west coast “gangsta” rap. It’s influence remains apparent three decades later, being included into the National Recording Registry last year, as well as inspiring the title of an award-winning biopic about NWA in 2015.

4.       R.E.M., ‘Green’: R.E.M. made their major label debut in 1988, releasing their sixth album, ‘Green,’ on Warner Bros. Records. Opting for more major-key tracks and the inclusion of mandolin, lap steel guitar, accordion and cello, the album saw the band expanding their sound and creating one of their most well-received albums of all time.

40 Years

1.       Blondie, ‘Parallel Lines’: The second of two albums released in 1978, ‘Parallel Lines’ became Blondie’s most iconic album. A step away from the band’s punk and new wave roots, singles like “Heart of Glass” and “One Way or Another” took on more of a pop and disco sound, giving them crossover pop fame.

2.       The Who, ‘Who Are You’: The Who were already big stars when they released ‘Who Are You,’ their eighth studio album and last to feature Keith Moon on drums. The title track became a hit for the band, leading the album to reach number two on the Billboard Pop Albums chart.

3.       Van Halen, ‘Van Halen’: Van Halen’s self-titled debut album was a huge hit upon its release in 1978. Featuring several singles that would become rock radio staples, including “Runnin’ with the Devil” and “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love,” the album reached number 19 on Billboard’s pop albums chart and continues to be a best-seller decades later.

4.       The Cars, ‘The Cars’: The Cars released their self-titled album in 1978 to critical and commercial success. “Just What I Needed” became a rock radio staple, while the album itself peaked on the Billboard Charts at number 18.

50 Years

(Note: Yes, Led Zeppelin is turning 50 this year. However, their debut album came out in 1969, and therefore will not be 50 until January 2019.)

1.       Velvet Underground, ‘White Light/White Heat’: The follow-up to their groundbreaking debut album, ‘White Light/White Heat’ found the Velvet Underground headed in a new direction with their sound. Without influence from Andy Warhol or Nico, the band got more aggressive with their sound and content, writing about unsavory subjects like sex and drugs. The album can be seen as a step towards punk before punk was even a conscious thing.

2.       Big Brother & the Holding Company, ‘Cheap Thrills’: ‘Cheap Thrills’ saw Big Brother & the Holding Company earn their biggest success yet. Their second (and last) album with Janis Joplin as frontwoman, the album reached number one on the Billboard Top LPs chart with single “Piece of My Heart” becoming a classic rock track. It would be the last time the band would see that kind of success.

3.       Jimi Hendrix Experience, ‘Electric Ladyland’: Noted by many as one of the greatest albums of all time, ‘Electric Ladyland’ became the Jimi Hendrix Experience’s best-selling album ever. The album topped the Billboard album chart for two weeks with their cover of “All Along the Watchtower” becoming their highest-charting single and arguably more iconic than the original.

4.       The Beatles, ‘The Beatles (The White Album)’: Released near the end of The Beatles’ career together, their self-titled album features some of the band’s most iconic and eclectic songs. Songs like “Back in the U.S.S.R.” and “Revolution” were more upbeat while “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” “Blackbird” and “Don’t Pass Me By” are some of the most beautiful melodies the band has ever recorded.

5.       Rolling Stones, ‘Beggars Banquet’: The Rolling Stones’ ninth album, ‘Beggars Banquet’ found the band hitting out with a harder edge than their previous album. Leading off with “Sympathy for the Devil,” the album reached number five on the Billboard 200 upon release.

In 2018, there are a lot of iconic albums that are celebrating milestone anniversaries. Go back in time by checking out some of those turning 30, 40 and 50 this year, and let us know what albums you’re nostalgic for.

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