1987

U2 release their pivotal fifth studio album, The Joshua Tree, in March. The album rockets to #1 on the strength of hit singles “With Or Without You” (#1), “Where The Streets Have No Name” (#13), “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” (#1). To date, the album is U2’s best-selling release, having sold over 20 million copies worldwide.

Check out this collection of live tracks from U2's '87 tour:

In God's Country
Exit
Electric Co.
One Tree Hill
Out Of Control
People Get Ready
Pride (In The Name Of Love)
Running To Stand Still
Southern Man
Trip Through Your Wires
Unforgettable Fire
Where The Streets Have No Name


Despite the release of a new studio album, “Strangeways, Here We Come”, in September, The Smiths disband after the departure of guitarist Johnny Marr. [Check out this Morrissey solo version of "A Rush And A Push And The Land Is Ours".]


The Cult release “Electric”, an album that celebrates 70’s-era hard rock, and is seen as a drastic departure from the goth-tinged rock of their previous album, “Love” which had been a large underground success. The album had initially been recorded with Steve Brown, who had produced “Love”, but the band then opted for a fresher sound, enlisting Rick Rubin. The album peaked at #38 in the US, but songs such as “Love Removal Machine”, “Li’l Devil" and “Wild Flower” are some of the band’s best-known material. Notably, the opening act on their ’87 US tour was none other than Guns ‘n’ Roses. [Check out this early live version of "Electric Ocean".]


In July, Guns & Roses release their debut album, “Appetite For Destruction”. The album would not become a hit until almost a year later, when MTV begins playing the video for “Sweet Child O’ Mine” in heavy rotation. It has gone on to sell over 15 million copies in the US alone.


Check out this live version of "Appetite For Destruction:

Welcome To The Jungle
It's So Easy
Nighttrain
Out Ta Get Me
Mr. Brownstone
Paradise City
My Michelle
Think About You
Sweet Child O' Mine
You're Crazy
Anything Goes
Rocket Queen


In March, Bryan Adams’ “Heat Of The Night” is the first cassette single, or cassingle, to be released in the US. [Also check out "I Fought The Law" and "Hearts On Fire" live from '87.]


Def Leppard release “Hysteria” nearly four years after their last album, “Pyromania”. Sessions for the album had been begun years earlier with producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange, who then dropped out due to exhaustion from working a number of lengthy projects. The album further delayed by drummer Rick Allen’s car accident and the severing of his left arm. By the time he had recuperated and mastered the digital kit designed to enable him to play a full kit, Lange had returned to the fold. The album stands as their best-selling release ever, spending several weeks at #1 and going on to sell over 14 million copies in the US. The album includes six hit singles “Animal” (#19), “Armageddon It (#3), “Rocket” (#12), “Hysteria” (#10), “Pour Some Sugar On Me” (#2), and “Love Bites” (#1).


Former Go-Go’s singer Belinda Carlisle releases her second solo album, “Heaven On Earth”, which features three Top 1o singles, including the #1 smash “Heaven Is a Place On Earth”, “I Get Weak” (#2) and “Circle In The Sand” (#7).


Los Lobos’ cover of the Richie Valens hit, “La Bamba”, recorded for the movie of the same name, becomes the top-selling US single of the year.


In January, Husker Du release “Warehouse: Songs And Stories”. On the eve of their ’87 tour, the band’s manager committed suicide, forcing guitarist Bob Mould to take over management duties, furthering the rift between himself and drummer Grant Hart. The band managed to finish the tour, but broke up immediately afterwards. The album’s three singles - “Could You Be The One?”, “She’s A Woman”, and “Ice Cold Ice” – all perform well at college radio, yet receive only moderate MTV airplay.



In August, Metallica capitalizes on their growing US fanbase by releasing “(The $5.98 EP) Garage Days Re-Revisited”, a collection of covers of songs by some of their favorite bands (including the Misfits, Killing Joke and Diamond Head). The EP lands at #28 on the US Top 100 Albums chart, going platinum. The album went out-of-print soonafter, becoming a highly sought-after collector’s item. [Check out this live version of "Last Caress" from '87.]

In August, Midnight Oil enjoys sizeable US-based chart success with their politically-charged album “Diesel And Dust”, which was driven by the chart success and heavy MTV rotation of the video for “Beds Are Burning” (#17).
The album would peak at #21 and be certified gold.


The soundtrack to the box-office hit movie “Dirty Dancing” spends a staggering 19 weeks at #1 and is the best-selling soundtrack album of the year. It features Top 10 hit singles by the likes of Eric Carmen (“Hungry Eyes”), Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes (“I’ve Had The Time of My Life”), and even the film’s star, Patrick Swayze (“She’s Like The Wind”).


Punk singer turned smarmy lounge lizard, David Johansen makes his recorded debut as Buster Poindexter, unleashing the cruise ship staple “Hot! Hot! Hot!” upon an unsuspecting public.

The Cure release “Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me”, a double-album that is alternately their most accessible and indulgent album yet, goes Top 10 in the UK and throughout most of Europe. It is notable for featuring some fan favorites as “Why Can’t I Be You?” and “Just Like Heaven”, the latter of which becomes their first US Top 40 hit.


INXS release their sixth album “Kick” and solidify their status as major worldwide hit makers, using MTV to their fullest advantage in order to propel their singles “Need You Tonight” (#1), “Devil Inside” (#2), “Never Tear Us Apart” (#7), and “New Sensation” (#3) up the charts. The album peaked at #3, going on to sell over ten million copies worldwide.


(Man, was L.A. happening in '87 or what?! I'd have gone for Wall Of Voodoo, being a huge fan of theirs once Andy Prieboy joined as singer, but the idea of seeing Jane's and Guns on the same bill as well...wow.)

Jane’s Addiction released their self-titled debut album. Having already agreed to terms with Warner Bros. Records, the band insisted on releasing their first album for local indie Triple X and to record the album live. [Check out live tracks of "Trip Away" and "Whores" from '87]


Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers release their seventh studio album, “Let Me Up (I’ve Had Enough)”, which features the Top 20 single, “Jammin’ Me”. The album is notable for being their first recorded work after a monumental world tour supporting Bob Dylan. (Check out this live cut of Dylan with Petty & the Heartbreakers performing “Rainy Day Women #12 and 35”).

In October, Bruce Springsteen releases “Tunnel Of Love”, the long-awaited follow-up to Born In The USA. As somber as his prior album was bombastic, the album debuts at #1 on the charts and contains two top 10 singles, “Brilliant Disguise” (#5) and the title track (#9).