Illustration of the Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones are a British rock band that have been releasing albums and touring since they formed in 1962. Their 12th British and 14th American studio album was released with the title It’s Only Rock and Roll in 1974. The cover art for the album was created by Belgian painter Guy Peellaert. The band was painted descending down a temple staircase being worshipped by young girls and women in Grecian clothing. It reached number one in the United States and number two in the UK.

Illustration that is the album cover for run for the hills

The British heavy metal band Iron Maiden released their third album, The Number of the Beast, in 1982. The album's first single, "Run to the Hills," explored the conflict between Native American tribes and European settlers. It continues to be one of the band's most popular songs, ranking fourteenth on VH1's list of the Greatest Hard Rock Songs. The illustrated cover for the single, featured on this button, showcases British artist Derek Rigg's depiction of the band's well-known mascot Eddie using a tomahawk to battle Satan.

Illustration from the album cover for Iron Maiden.

The illustrated character on this button is known as "Eddie" and is visible on the cover of every Iron Maiden studio album. Properly named "Edward the Head", he was created by artist Derek Riggs, based on a mask that was used in the backdrop and would squirt fake blood during live shows. This initial version of Eddie appeared on Iron Maiden's 1980 debut studio album, entitled Iron Maiden. Riggs was solely responsible for the artistic renditions of Eddie until 1992, when the band began also using numerous other artists, including artist Melvyn Grant. Along with t-shirts, posters and other band-related merchandise, Eddie is also featured in the band's video game and role-playing game. Eddie received the Icon Award at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards in 2008. 

Iron Maiden, a heavy metal band, was formed in 1975 in London. Still active as of 2016, the band's discography has grown to include thirty-eight albums, and the group is considered to be one of the most successful heavy metal bands in history. 

Illustration of a white skull and bone with feathers on a blue sky background with white clouds and an outer red edge and yellow text

The Grateful Dead is an American rock band, formed in 1965, and known for its eclectic style, live performances and devoted followers known as "Deadheads". The illustration on this button is known as the cyclops skull, and was featured artwork in the liner notes of the band's 1977 studio album, Terrapin Station. The album was met with mixed reviews; some thought it was overproduced and a departure from the band's typical free-form style, while others believed it to be one of the best musical achievements of The Grateful Dead. 

Terrapin Station was recorded by founding members Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann, along with newer members Mickey Hart and husband and wife, Keith and Donna Jean Godchaux, and was the band's ninth studio album. The Grateful Dead performed for nearly 30 years with its core members, along with a number of other musicians, and skulls and dancing terrapins are some of the symbols most frequently associated with the band. 

Illustration of a person with orange-yellow hair and large white teeth wearing a red and white checkered shirt and holding an what looks like an ice cream cone to their forehead on a light blue background

Released in 1972, Europe '72 is a live triple album of performances by the band, Grateful Dead. Recorded during the bands tour of Western Europe, the album is one of the bands most popular releases, having since been certified double platinum. As was the case with other releases by the band, the cover art was created by artists Alton Kelley and Stanley Mouse. The front cover illustrates a large boot stepping  across the Atlantic Ocean towards Europe. The back cover, meanwhile, depicts a young boy smashing an ice cream cone against his head. In 2011. a second album titled Europe '72 Volume 2 was released with Stanley Mouse returning to illustrate the cover art which features the same ice cream boy from the original album.

Photograph of the band Girlschool with pink text in front of a blue background

The British heavy metal band Girlschool released their third album, Screaming Blue Murder, in 1982. The album marked the departure of founding bassist Enid Williams, who was replaced by Ghislaine 'Gil' Weston in the all-female band. Screaming Blue Murder only reached No. 27 on the United Kingdom Album Chart and received mixed reviews from critics.

Red text inside a red triangle on a black background

Founded in 1977, Def Leppard is a heavy metal rock band from Sheffield, England that has redefined the sound of UK rock. Its members Joe Elliott (lead vocalist), Phil Collen (guitar), Rick Savage (bass), Rick Allen (drums), and Vivian Campbell (guitar) are responsible for popular hits like "Rock Ages," "Love Bites," and "Pour Some Sugar on Me." The band's career started to reach success in the early '80s when they released their sophomore album "High 'n' Dry." On that album, the single "Bringin' on the Heartbreak" became one of the first music videos to debut on MTV in 1982.

Pinkish text on a striped background

The Commodores, an American R&B group, released their fifth album self-titled “Commodores” in 1977. The album spent eight weeks at the top of the R&B/soul chart and was their first in the top 5 pop chart. The group dedicated this album to Kathy Faye LaPread, bass guitarist Ronald LaPread's wife, who had recently died of cancer.

The members of the Commodores met in 1968 as freshman at Tuskegee Institute. They first became popular touring for The Jackson 5 in the 70s, and in 1972 signed a contract with Motown Records. Their most successful period was in the early 80s when Lionel Richie was co-lead singer. In 1986 they won their first Grammy for the song “Nightshift.”

Photograph of the band Bow Wow Wow near a river and trees

Bow Wow Wow are an English new wave group formed in 1980. The band has seen many reformations and a total of 17 members traded in and out. The group currently consists of original Leigh Gorman, Chloe Demetria, Zachary Thorne, and Les Warner. Gorman is the only current member who was part of the original lineup. 

Photograph of Bon Scott with red text across the bottom

Bon Scott was the Australian born lead singer of the rock band AC/DC from 1974 until his death in 1980. He was the lead singer and co-songwriter for three of the band’s early albums: High Voltage, Powerage, and Highway to Hell. Scott died after a night of heavy drink in February 1980. He remains so popular to this day that the National Trust of Australia has placed his gravesite on the list of classified heritage places. AC/DC fans from around the world raised money to have a life size bronze statue made of Scott. It was unveiled in Bellies Brae Car Park in Kirriemuir, Australia in April 2016.