The band faced several challenges in writing their second album, October . On an American leg of the Boy Tour, Bono’s briefcase containing in-progress lyrics and musical ideas was lost backstage during a March 1981 performance at a nightclub in Portland, Oregon . The band had limited time to write…
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In August 1981 Cold Chisel began work on a fourth studio album, Circus Animals (March 1982), again with Opitz producing.
The band had by then caught the attention of AC/DC producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange , who agreed to work on their second album, High ‘n’ Dry , released on 6 July 1981.
The new lineup released two albums on Irving Azoff ‘s Full Moon label, distributed by Warner Bros. Records . These releases included Grand Funk Lives (July 1981) and What’s Funk? (January 1983). Neither album achieved much in the way of critical acclaim or sales; but the single “Queen Bee” was…
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With Cain joining as the new keyboard player, the band entered Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, California, in late 1980, releasing their seventh studio album, Escape , in July 1981. Escape became their most successful album, charting at number one in the United States. The album had a clutch of hit…
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In July 1981, Benatar released her third album, Precious Time , which became her first album to hit number one on the Billboard 200. In Canada, it was certified double Platinum and peaked at number 2 on the album chart. It was also Benatar’s first to chart in the UK,…
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Nevertheless, the album reached the lower region of the Billboard 200 in July.
The band’s debut album, Duran Duran , was released on the EMI label in June 1981. The first single, ” Planet Earth “, had reached the United Kingdom’s top 20 at number 12 in February. A follow-up, ” Careless Memories “, released in April, stalled at number 37. The third…
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Harrison rewrote the lyrics of his song ” All Those Years Ago ” in Lennon’s honour. With Starr on drums and McCartney and his wife, Linda , contributing backing vocals, the song was released as a single in May 1981.
The group were booed off stage after a lacklustre performance in Dayton, Ohio in May 1981 opening for Ted Nugent .