EP. 82 40 Years Later: The Albums That Defined 1985

The Ben Maynard Program

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Four decades can pass in the blink of an eye, especially when the soundtrack is this good. Take a musical journey back to 1985, a year that delivered some of the most influential albums in rock history, now incredibly turning 40 years old. From commercial juggernauts to artistic breakthroughs, these fifteen albums helped define not just a year, but an entire musical era.
The mid-80s represented a perfect moment where artistic expression and commercial viability created generation-defining masterpieces. Phil Collins' "No Jacket Required" dominated airwaves with five hit singles and 25 million copies sold worldwide. Dire Straits' "Brothers in Arms" revolutionized production standards while moving 30 million units globally. And who could forget Heart's self-titled comeback that delivered four top-10 hits despite the Wilson sisters' later misgivings about their glamorous image makeover?
This episode also celebrates remarkable career revivals—John Fogerty returning triumphantly after a decade with "Centerfield," Aerosmith reuniting their classic lineup on "Done With Mirrors" to launch their massive comeback, and Simple Minds capitalizing on "The Breakfast Club" success with "Once Upon A Time." We explore how MTV's growing cultural dominance shaped these albums' trajectories, helping transform bands like Mötley Crüe, INXS, and Mr. Mister into household names. And discover why The Outfield's perfect power-pop debut "Play Deep" deserves more recognition beyond their hit "Your Love." Whether these albums formed your teenage soundtrack or you're discovering them for the first time, their influence remains undeniable. Subscribe to the Ben Maynard Program wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube, and help us reach 500 subscribers this year!

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Chapters

1. EP. 82 40 Years Later: The Albums That Defined 1985 (00:00:00)

2. Show Introduction and Housekeeping (00:00:08)

3. 1985: Albums Turning 40 This Year (00:08:49)

4. MTV's Influence on 80s Music (00:18:21)

5. Mötley Crüe to Phil Collins (00:25:10)

6. Heart and John Fogerty's Comebacks (00:38:10)

7. Mellencamp to Dire Straits (00:52:30)

8. Mr. Mister to INXS (01:08:24)

9. The Outfield's Debut and Final Thoughts (01:22:15)