United Kingdom

1985
Napalm Death asked to join as drummer

Mick Harris (a local fan) was asked to join as drummer in December 1985.

The Rolling Stones Ian Stewart death

In December 1985, Ian Stewart died of a heart attack.

Pulp (band) With the eventual addition of bassist Peter “Manners” Mansell and

With the eventual addition of bassist Peter “Manners” Mansell and occasional keyboardist/engineer Tim Allcard, this new incarnation of Pulp survived a number of ill-fated gigs (including one at a rugby club at Brunel University which ended in a riot ) before Allcard left to be replaced on keyboards by Doyle’s…
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The Smiths A legal dispute with Rough Trade had delayed the album by almost

A legal dispute with Rough Trade had delayed the album by almost seven months (it had been completed in November 1985), and Marr was beginning to feel the stress of the touring and recording schedule. He later told NME , “I was extremely ill. By the time the tour actually…
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Uriah Heep (band) Totally exhausted and having serious voice problems, Goalby left in

Totally exhausted and having serious voice problems, Goalby left in November 1985 after an Australian tour. “I loved and believed in Uriah Heep but it kicked the shit out of me in the end”, were his parting words. Then John Sinclair quit, deciding to join Ozzy Osbourne, and keyboardist Phil…
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The Clash released the album Cut the Crap

In November 1985, they released the album Cut the Crap ; it includes the single ” This Is England “, which charted at number 24 in the UK Singles Chart. Strummer later noted: “CBS had paid an advance for it so they had to put it out”. Dave Marsh later…
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Napalm Death recorded Hatred Surge

The four-piece line-up recorded Hatred Surge (the band’s fifth demo recording) on 23 October 1985

Iron Maiden The tour was physically gruelling for the band, who demanded six

The tour was physically gruelling for the band, who demanded six months off when it ended (although this was later reduced to four months). This was the first substantial touring break in the group’s history, including the cancellation of a proposed supporting tour for the new live album, with Bruce…
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Genesis (band) reconvened at The Farm

Genesis reconvened at The Farm in October 1985 to start work on Invisible Touch , which lasted for six months. They continued their method of songwriting used on Genesis by developing material from group improvisations. Banks remembered the time as a strong period creatively for the band, with ideas “flowing…
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Depeche Mode The Singles 81→85

In October 1985, Mute released a compilation, The Singles 81→85 ( Catching Up with Depeche Mode in the US), which included the two new non-album hit singles ” Shake the Disease ” and ” It’s Called a Heart “, with the US version also including their B-sides (“Fly on the…
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