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.

Photograph of Bob Seger

American rock singer Bob Seger released Stranger in Town, his tenth studio album and his second with the Silver Bullet Band, in 1978. The album, which was primarily written by Seger, was certified platinum less than a month after its release in the United States. It was also Seger's first album to chart in the United Kingdom. The album's second single, "Hollywood Nights," has appeared in the games Guitar Hero World Tour and Grand Theft Auto V.

Purple text on an orange background with a photograph of the band underneath

It may be hard to believe, but the original name of the band that would become Black Sabbath was the Polka Tulk Blues Band. They went through several band member line-ups, and another name change before finally choosing the name of Black Sabbath in 1969. A heavy metal band from England, their music largely featured occult themes and horror inspired lyrics. Alcohol and drugs heavily influenced the band, so much so that lead singer Ozzy Osbourne was fired due to abuse. Critics and radio stations largely shunned the band however they sold over 70 million records worldwide and were inducted into both the UK Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Image from the Never Say Die album cover

The image on this button was designed by Storm Thorgerson for the cover of British rock band Black Sabbath's eighth studio album, Never Say Die! Thorgerson was a member of London-based art design group Hipgnosis, which specialized in creating cover art for musicians, including Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Styx, Def Leppard and AC/DC. The group dissolved in 1983, but Thorgerson continued working on album cover designs until his death in 2013. 

Never Say Die!, released in 1978, was the last Black Sabbath album to feature the band's original vocalist, Ozzy Osbourne. The album was criticized for being scattered, and at the time it was recorded, all members of the band were involved in drug and alcohol use. The Never Say Die! concert tour, with American band Van Halen opening for Black Sabbath, ran from May to December of 1978.  

Illustration of a white brick wall with red text

The British rock band Black Sabbath released Mob Rules, their tenth studio album, in 1981. The album, which received mixed reviews from critics, was the first to include new band member Vinny Appice on drums, who replaced the original drummer Bill Ward. The album cover for Mob Rules was an adaptation of artist Greg Hildebrandt's artwork from 1971 entitled Dream 1: Crucifiers.

Photograph of Adam Ant

Adam and the Ants, a British rock band active between the late 1970s and early 1980s, released their third and final album, Prince Charming, in 1981. The album included the title track “Prince Charming,” which was the fifth biggest hit single of the year. The single was well known for an accompanying music video that featured Adam Ant styled as a male Cinderella. Following the release of Prince Charming, Adam and the Ants disbanded, and Adam Ant launched his solo career.

Red text and a red lightening bolt on a black background

Founded by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young in 1973, AC/DC is a rock and roll band from Australia that is currently comprised of four members: Angus Young, Chris Slade, Axl Rose, and Stevie Young. The name of the band was originally inspired by Margaret Young, the sister of Malcolm and Angus Young, when she noticed the initials AC/DC on a sewing machine which meant "alternating current/direct current." Being that the meaning of AC/DC was an electricity reference, the band decided to incorporate a lightening bolt in it to symbolize the band's energy. Their first album "High Voltage" debuted in 1975, which set the tone for their future success that led them to release over a dozen albums within their career. Black Ice (2008), Back in Black (1980), and BallBreaker (1995) are some of their most popular works.  

Image from the single Modern Love is Automatic

The British new wave band A Flock of Seagulls released their third single "Modern Love is Automatic" in 1981. Written by band members Mike Score, Ali Score, Frank Maudsley and Paul Reynolds, the song was re-released in 1982 as part of an EP including five tracks. It was also later included on the band's debut album, eponymously titled A Flock of Seagulls. Notably, an independent film was named after the song in 2009.