Tag: Phil Collins

#TBT #Cassette Phil Collins, No Jacket Required, 1985

Phil Collins
No Jacket Required
Atlantic Records
1985

In the summer of 85, Phil Collins was at the height of his super powers. He drummed on every rock star’s records, was on TV constantly, played at Live Aid (both in London and later same day in Philly!). And along the way, he sold 25 million copies of this album … mostly on cassette.

Top 100 Songs of 1985

We will see lots of lists for 2015 this week. But first, check out Chicago’s WLS Top 100 Songs of 1985!

WLS 1985

 

What’s the deal with Phil Collins?

1985 was indeed the year of Phil Collins. He performed at Live Aid in London then jetted across the Atlantic to perform at Live Aid in Philly!

phil at live aid

In fact many Live Aid performers show up on this list. I don’t know how much money these guys raised for starving kids, but Springsteen, Madonna, Duran Duran, REO, Tina Turner, Hall & Oates, Bowie & Jagger and several Live Aid bands all sold a lot of records that year!

 

1985 Transformations

1985 was a strange and transformative year. New Wave gave way to post-punk synthpop bands like A-Ha, Tears for Fears, and Thompson Twins. Classic Rock was transforming into Corporate Rock with Foreigner, Survivor, Huey Lewis, and Night Ranger. Not a good transition…

1985 also had a feeling of temporary separation; it was a time when the front men for rock’s biggest bands went out on their own. We had Jagger, but no Stones. David Lee Roth, but no Van Halen. Sting, but no Police. The aforementioned Phil Collins, but no Genesis. Both Don Henley and Glenn Frey, but no Eagles.  Interesting that all of those guys went back to their bands!