To think this album almost never came to be, this is of course due to the band suffering a major setback during its production when their original frontman Bon Scott died of a drug overdose. Fortunately, the band soldiered on with Brian Johnston as their new front man and released this album where it became their most successful in their career. It's an album that four decades later, the band is still yet to top.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
You shook me all night long #8
Rock and roll ain't noise pollution #7
Well, this is the album many of Kiss's former fans cried sellout to given how they like so many other bands and artists of the day, decided to cash in on the disco trends for commercial success. It does remain their most popular album in their career even though many will tell you that their earlier material is much better, however it's clear that this was the peak of their popularity regardless.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
I was made for loving you #2
Sure know something #4
While this is far from Pink Floyd's most successful album, it is by far their most iconic as evidence by its own theatrical adaptation a few years after its initial release starring Bob Geldof in the role of the albums narrator. This album also has the distinction of spawning a rare hit single for the band as "Another brick in the wall" became a huge chart topper for them upon its initial release worldwide.
Peak position #1x4
Hit singles
Another brick in the wall #2
If you're wondering why ELO decided to name this album what they did, that's because it's a pun because the band found themselves "discovering" disco with this release which means that this album was cashing in on the disco craze of the decade. Like many artists dipping their toes into the genre, they did so respectfully which is why the tracks on this album remain staples on oldies stations to this day.
Peak position #1x6
Hit singles
Shine a little love #14
Don't bring me down #6
Midnight blue #48
Although their previous album Breakfast at sweethearts did put these guys on the map, it was this album which made Cold chisel a household name thanks to the raw vocal delivery of Jimmy Barnes in addition to how catchy their pub rock instrumentation remains to this day. It's a shame that the band would only last a few more years together as their popularity only continued to grow after this albums success.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Choir girl #14
Cheap wine #8
My baby #40
This was the debut album for a band that would eventually name themselves after said album, yes before they were Icehouse, Iva Davis and company were known as Flowers before they were forced to change it to avoid confusion with another band with that name who was also set to make it big internationally (wonder whatever happened to them.) This international interest led to their second album being a moderate success in the UK of all places.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Can't help myself #10
We can get together #16
Walls #20
Even though his music was critically acclaimed even at the time of its initial release, many people complained that Billy Joel was little more than an artist made for the soccer mums of the world. Although they were often proven wrong by his highly diverse fanbase, Billy took this criticism to heart with this album where he expanded his sound to include harder rock which proved to be a huge success for him.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
You may be right #28
It's still rock and roll to me #10
This was the biggest album of Stevie Wonder's career in Australia, it's fitting that his final decent album according to his diehard fans would be the one which finally allowed us Aussies to reward him for his genius music he created throughout the 70's. For what it's worth, he did achieve moderate success here throughout the decade even with Countdown giving us an allergic reaction to funk and soul.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Master blaster #2
Lately #17
Happy birthday #31
This was the final album to be released in John Lennon's lifetime, it's unfortunately impossible not to bring up how John Lennon's life ended when talking about this album as it was a large factor into its success despite there being plenty of evidence to suggest that it would've been decently successful had he lived to see the end of its album cycle. At the very least, it's grammy win for album of the year was understandable.
Peak position #1x10
Hit singles
Just like starting over #1
Woman #4
Walking on thin ice #18
Watching the wheels #45
There were many success stories in the first year of the 80's in Australia, one of the more notable ones was Australian crawl who scored a massive hit with their debut album following the buzz they received from its advanced singles coming from the previous decade. While their next album would be their magnum opus, this remains a fan favourite for the band due to how iconic the singles remain.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Beautiful people #22
Boys light up #22
Downhearted #12
I'm not exactly sure how this album from Willie Nelson managed to find an audience in Australia two years after its initial release, after all it's not like he was among the more successful country stars outside his native America, nor was this album used to promote anything worthwhile (that I'm aware of that is.)
Peak position #5
There's an unfortunate truth about the music of the Police, namely that despite him being an English teacher originally, Sting isn't what you'd call a skilled lyricist as evidence by some of the lyrics that can be found on this album in particular. That said, the album more than makes up for this shortcoming by having great instrumentation from the three members as well as Sting being a dynamic vocalist.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Don't stand so close to me #3
De do do do do da da da #6
One of the more critically acclaimed films of the late 70's was the biopic of Janis Joplin called the Rose, the film is notable for being Bette Midler's theatrical debut as she plays a character loosely based on the pioneer for female rock and roll and the ups and downs she had in her lifetime. As the film has several live performances throughout its runtime, this technically serves as a live album from Bette Midler as well as its soundtrack.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
The rose #6
These guys were rising stars in the Australian and NZ music scene throughout the 70's, so for them to enter the 80's with and album that would become one of the most successful in both countries must have been a bit of a joy for the band in question. The true success of this album came when its lead single was among the first to be played on MTV when it launched nearly two years after its initial release.
Peak position #1x10
Hit singles
I got you #1
I hope I never #18
Compared to the rest of their discography, this feels like an outlier in Fleetwood Mac's catalogue, mainly due to it being their one double album as well as it being more in line with a prog album compared to the rest of their work. As a result, it wasn't quite as successful as their other albums, however it was still a massive success for them regardless.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Tusk #3
Sara #11
Although they achieved sound success with their debut album Outlandos d'amour, this was the album which made Sting and company a household name due to how inescapable the two singles from the album were in their native UK. They would go on to achieve massive success with their blend of new wave and reggae, something I just realised not many other bands and artists achieved back in the day.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Message to a bottle #5
Walking on the moon #9
This remains the biggest album in Barbra Streisand's career in Australia, presumably due to the involvement of the Brothers Gibb throughout its production (Barry even appears on the cover art with her.) This is her only successful album to not be affiliated with her acting career in any way as the rest of her discography consists of soundtrack from her films as well as her covering songs from Broadway productions.
Peak position #1x6
Hit singles
Woman in love #1
Guilty #37
For nearly thirty years, this was the final album that the Eagles released in their catalogue, although I doubt they were planning for this to be their final album given what was in store for them during its promotion. They were supposed to give a concert in their native California to with a government official in the audience, and yet the behind-the-scenes drama got so out of control that they ended up embarrassing themselves during the show.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
Heartache tonight #13
This is the first of three albums that MJ made with Quincy Jones, and while it's easily the most dated of the three due to it being primarily a disco album as opposed to the other two with more timeless elements to them, it didn't stop it from succeeding during a time where disco was becoming a bad word in the music industry. This even revived the careers of his family act the Jackson five in Australia.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Don't stop till you get enough #1
Rock with you #4
She's out of my life #17
If you're looking for the campiest film ever to be made, then may I recommend this film made by the Village people which produced a highly successful soundtrack that arguably serves as their biggest album in their catalogue. It's got terrible performances from the band members, a laughably pretentious leading man played by Steve Guttenberg and a ton so cheesy and awful that you'll find yourself laughing your ass off at how bad it is.
Peak position #1x9
Hit singles
Can't stop the music #1
This likely wouldn't have been a success in Australia had it not allowed Christopher Cross to sweep the Grammys, after all having him win the big five at the award ceremony at a time where it was seen as the most prestigious awards for music did give it a huge endorsement. Fortunately, the album was well received and even spawned a bunch of radio hits that permeate on oldies stations to this day for the soft rocker.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Ride like the wind #25
Sailing #46
Never be the same #42
This was another album that took its sweet time in finding success here in Australia, although at least it was a success unlike in the bands native America where they didn't have any success until their comeback from the late 80's. It's little wonder this appealed to Australians as it's the type of wacky throwback rock from the 50's that was all the rage at the time, that and appearing on Countdown also did the trick.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Planet Claire #43
Rock lobster #3
You'd think this would be the album where Gene Simmons and company would you know, unmask themselves. That wouldn't come until much later in their discography as this was simply a continuation of their previous album where they appealed to a more mainstream audience with their pop friendly rock tracks. This was their last successful album in most parts of the world, as such they were spared from the sight of seeing what these guys looked like without the makeup on.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Shandi #5
Talk to me #39
I bet you weren't expecting to see Janis Ian have one of the most successful albums of the year, indeed she saw massive success with this album likely due to her appearing on Countdown to perform the lead single which helped it become a huge hit in the southern hemisphere. She would prove to be a one album wonder with this entry as she wasn't able to find any success with her subsequent follow ups.
Peak position #11
Hit singles
Fly too high #7
The other side of the sun #44
This was a greatest hits package from Kenny Rogers that was released exclusively here in Australia and NZ, as such it was a huge hit for the country legend in both countries and even prompted him to give us a slightly altered version of his international greatest hits package the following year when he topped the charts with "Lady" on Billboard. This was one way of beginning the 80's and a positive one at that.
Peak position #4
David Bowie has seen plenty of ups and downs throughout his career, however this album did help those ups remain as such for at least half a decade as his next album would be the more pop friendly Let's dance which was his most successful in his career. I'm guessing this connected with audiences due to the lead single, specifically the video where he cosplays as the Tinman from the Wizard of Oz.
Peak position #1x5
Hit singles
Ashes to ashes #3
Fashion #28
What better way to end the decade than with an album overlooking the success you achieved throughout it? Rod Stewart decided not to release a new studio album once the 70's ended which might have costed him his success throughout the 80's as he wouldn't have a bestselling album again until 1991's Vagabond heart.
Peak position #1x5
Much like Bob Seger, Boz Scaggs also seemed set in having a success decade as he entered it with a highly successful album in his catalogue. Unfortunately, he too was also unable to adapt to the MTV era which resulted in him being seen as yesterday's news soon after the album left the charts.
Peak position #11
One of the most infamous films to be made, Xanadu at least has the redeeming factor of having some of the best music to come from its star Olivia Newton John and ELO which allowed the soundtrack to be a huge success upon its initial release. A common misconception is that the film was a box office flop, while it underperformed, it was a huge success likely due to the music and its co star Gene Kelly.
Peak position #1x6
Hit singles
Magic #4
I'm alive #27
Xanadu #2
Suddenly #37
This was the debut album from the Pretenders and one that opened up many doors for bands just like them as we hadn't seen many male bands with a female vocalist see success prior to them breaking through with this album. This was popular enough to even crossover to America which was another rare feat for a band who broke through prior to the rise of MTV this decade.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Brass in pocket #2
Well, this was an album that was released exclusively in Australia and NZ following the surprise success of Willie Nelson's album Stardust the previous year, I'm guessing to help us Aussies and kiwis discover the back catalogue of the country legend which we absolutely did because this was a huge hit in the southern hemisphere for him.
Peak position #4
This was released at the tail end of the 70's to commemorate how far the Brothers Gibb had come from their previous greatest hits album from a decade prior, they made a habit of doing this once a decade as they would release another greatest hits package in 1990 despite not having much success in the 80's.
Peak position #1x3
There weren't any signs of the Rolling stones slowing down in the mainstream, even with the fact that they were still incorporating disco into their sound during what was meant to be the dark ages of disco. Of course, their next album would be even bigger as that was a return to form with their sound, indeed it even spawned their biggest hit here in Australia to give you an idea of how much we loved their original work.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Emotional rescue #8
She's so cold #49
We have another successful album from George Benson following his breakthrough success with Weekend in L.A from two years prior, this time he incorporates some disco into his sound which helped it stand out from the rest of his discography by producing a hit single for him in the form of the title track.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Give me the night #10
Well, he might not have had the level of success he had with his partner in crime Bernie Taupin during their time apart, however that doesn't mean that Elton John wasn't among the more popular artists during this period as evidence by this album being a huge success for him worldwide. Indeed, had he had the magic of Bernie during this period, it would've seemed like his popularity never decreased from the mid 70's.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Little Jeannie #9
Although she had moderate success throughout the 70's in Australia, this was the first album that we Aussies took notice of from Joan Armatrading likely due to her voice finally clicking with us this year. Of course, she would find even bigger success later in the decade where she was finally able to score a hit single here, but this was a good introducing to her in the mainstream and for the 80's.
Peak position #13
Hit singles
Me myself I #24
It looked like Cheap trick weren't going to find any crossover success here in Australia given how their live album At Budokan failed to become a success for them over here like it was throughout the rest of the world, however due to a rather memorable Countdown performance with the title track of this album, they were able to finally score mainstream success here which set them up for much success throughout the 80's.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Dream police #5
Bob Seger was certainly off to a good start this decade when this became a huge success for him, although unfortunately for him it appears that he wasn't able to adapt to MTV's rise in popularity as his next album wouldn't see anywhere near the level of success he had from around this time.
Peak position #6
ELO was another band who released a greatest hits package just as the 70's was coming to an end, this really was a time to celebrate the accomplishments of the biggest names of the decade given how many of them found success with these albums. They also managed to gain some mileage going into the 80's thanks to their sustained popularity.
Peak position #1x4
Anne Murray is by all means a one hit wonder here in Australia with "You needed me," however it appears that song was popular enough for this greatest hits package she released two years later to become a massive success for her over here to help fans rediscover her back catalogue they ignored prior to that song's release.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Could I have this dance #29
The Eagles might have been no more going into the 80's, however their fans were clearly shocked at their sudden breakup enough to make this live album from their final tour at the time a success months after it came to an end.
Peak position #3
This is the one and only album to be released from Racey, naturally it was a massive success here in Australia given how it managed to spawn three of the bigger hits during the final stretch of the 70's here, which makes you wonder why they never even attempted to release a second album given how successful they were going into the 80's.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Lay your love on me #1
Some girls #1
Boy oh boy #12
One of the first noteworthy films to come out of the 80's was Fame, a film centering around a group of musically gifted students looking navigating their day to day lives in the (then) modern day New York. It led to a TV show that's been described as the 80's version of Glee which became a cultural juggernaut throughout the decade, although in Australia it began with the film as its soundtrack as a success this year.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Fame #3
I'm a bit surprised this guy didn't see much success here in Australia back in the day, mainly because of how fondly remembered he remains in the music industry if his presence on oldies stations is anything to go by. This was his biggest album here, likely suggesting that the 80's was going to be the decade he becomes a mainstream megastar but didn't due to the rise of MTV.
Peak position #6
Following the breakthrough success of Parallel lines in their native America, Blondie no longer had any issues with finding success worldwide with their subsequent follow ups including this album which managed to rebound on our charts here in Australia when they released their theme to the Richard Gere flick American gigolo at the start of the 80's, meaning this became a success twice down under.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Atomic #12
This was the second greatest hits album that Kenny Rogers had success with in as many years in Australia and NZ, although this time it was the one he released in his native America so it makes sense why it would be a success in the southern hemisphere as it contained his first Billboard chart topper as a bonus track.
Peak position #10
Hit singles
Lady #16
I'm a bit surprised this wasn't an even bigger success for Barbra Streisand given how it contains her feminist duet with Donna Summer among the track listing, perhaps we Aussies were only interested in Donna's transition towards female empowerment throughout the 80's as Barbra's next album would see her working with the brothers Gibb with a heavy theme towards love.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
No more tears #8
This was released eight years after the band called it quits, by this stage they had already released a greatest hits package to help fans cope with the fact they were no longer together which was a modest success back in the day. Here they released another best of album exclusively here in Australia where it became a huge success a decade after their biggest hits.
Peak position #1x2
This was a direct sequel to Paul McCartney's solo debut album from a decade prior, technically it is his second solo album as Ram was a collaboration he made with his wife Linda and the rest of his output from the 70's was with her band Wings. Indeed, most of Paul's solo material would be duets with other people, notably people of colour as both Stevie Wonder and MJ collaborated with him multiple times in the 80's.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Coming up #2
Waterfalls #31
This was a live rendition of a show that Supertramp gave in Paris from the previous year, as these guys were well known for their live performances, this became a massive success for them going into the 80's.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Dreamer #39
After two albums that had her working with country and adult contemporary, Linda Ronstadt decided to shake things up yet again in her career by following the new wave trends that had just exploded in popularity around this time. It wasn't an inescapable success like her previous two albums, but it was noteworthy enough to be a worthy experiment in her discography.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
How do I make you #19
They may have never found success in their native America with their debut album; however, it became a huge success here in Australia and in NZ thanks to the band being discovered by Countdown presenter Molly Meldrum while overseas trying to interview bigger celebrities at the time. They were invited to appear on the show which they did which resulted in this and the lead single becoming a huge success.
Peak position #13
Hit singles
Total control #7
This was the first album that the Angels released that managed to score them a hit single on our charts, sure their previous albums were more successful throughout the 70's, however it was this album that finally put them in the same leagues as many of their contemporaries from around this time. This set them up for having a highly successful decade in the 80's and even led to them sticking around in the 90's.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
No secrets #8
This was a bit of a surprise hit for Roxy music given how this was a hit before their compelling tribute to John Lennon which became their first hit here in Australia, I'm guessing we suddenly remembered that Bryan Ferry was the lead singer of the band and that we wanted to hear more from him when this came out. In any case, their popularity exploded on their next album, which also happened to be their final album.
Peak position #10
Hit singles
Over you #45
Same old scene #35
One of the wackier bands to make it big through Countdown was Mi-sex, this is largely due to the antics of their lead singer as well as their unconventional song topics ranging from aliens to the rise in videogaming. While this was a sleeper hit for the band, it did set them up for a ton of success here and in their native NZ that they sadly never ended up having after their second album.
Peak position #16
Hit singles
But you don't care #25
Computer games #1
In 1978, the members of Kiss each released a solo album which went largely ignored due to them being best known as a unit even at the time, however thanks to the success of their earlier entries on this list, their label decided to commission this album which pulled the best tracks from their individual releases which proved to be a modest success here in Australia for the band.
Peak position #13
There weren't that many successful prog albums back in the day in Australia, one of the lucky few to make it big with this genre is the British/Australian group Sky who scored two massive albums this year with their brand of prog rock. Naturally they didn't trouble the singles charts too much which is perhaps why they aren't as fondly remembered as other prog legends.
Peak position #10
It was a new decade and Neil Diamond was able to find success with another one of his albums in Australia, although it's worth noting that aside from his appearance in the Razzie award winning Jazz singer remake, he didn't find much success worldwide after this album due to failing to adapt to MTV.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
September morn #23
Kenny Rogers saw massive success in Australia throughout the 80's, not to the extent that he saw success in his native America of course but for a country artist, he made quite the impact during the height of the disco and MTV era. This was his first album of the decade which set him off to a good start proving that there was still some niche room for country music around this time.
Peak position #15
Hit singles
Coward of the county #6
Paul Simon entered the 80's with this album which did decently well for him upon its initial release, obviously he would see much bigger success as the decade went on both solo and with his reunion with his former partner in crime Art Garfunkel.
Peak position #15
Hit singles
Late in the evening #34
There were quite a number of bands and artists from the 70's finding success with their greatest hits packages around this time, these guys were one of them as they closed out the decade with a huge chart topper worldwide which encouraged them to release this album to remind their fans of their biggest moments up until this point.
Peak position #3
One of the funniest movies to ever be made was the Life of Brian, a satire about the story of Jesus Christ (or perhaps more accurately Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ superstar) that was infamously banned in several religious countries for its depictions of blasphemy. This serves as both a soundtrack and comedy album as while there were songs in the film, it's largely known for its sketches that still resonate with audiences to this day.
Peak position #11
Hit singles
Always look on the bright side of life #9
Boney M indeed were one of the biggest bands of the 70's, as such it was inevitable that their greatest hits package would be a success given how it serves as yet another reminder from this year of all the biggest success that came in the music industry from the previous decade.
Peak position #3
This was an excellent year for the Angels given how they scored their first hit single from their album from earlier on this list, as such they released this greatest hits album to commemorate their achievement which was able to help fans discover their back catalogue.
Peak position #5
Following the success of their debut album from the previous year, Mi-Sex quickly capitalised off their newfound fame by releasing this album which continued with their sci fi theme that their earlier work had established for them. Although this was more of an immediate success for the band both here and in their native NZ, it proved to be less successful overall suggesting their novelty was quickly wearing off.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
People #6
Space race #28
Well, if you couldn't tell from the name, this was indeed an album that was made out of contractual obligation from the Monty python crew which nonetheless managed to become a huge hit here in Australia likely due to the success of their soundtrack from earlier on this list.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
I like Chinese #32
This was only barely a success here in Australia for Rod Stewart, likely due to name recognition as it didn't have that much presence here back in the day which is strange given how inescapable he was at the end of the 70's.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Passion #16
I'm not sure why this album sat on shelves largely ignored for over a year in Australia, however once MJ was able to make it big with his album from earlier on the list his family had little issues with following suit in making it big with this album. Like MJ, the band had continued success into the 80's, making this the second album on here to be a comeback for his career.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Blame it on the boogie #4
This was the other successful album Sky had this year, again it wasn't among the most popular albums of the year here or in their native UK, however it did spawn a single that almost became a hit meaning there was potential for these guys to be big in the mainstream here.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Toccata #22
Following the commercial disappointment of Lionheart, Kate Bush was able to bounce back with her third album thanks to how quirky the lead single was and remains to this day. It proved to be far more popular here in Australia than in her native UK which in turn allowed the album to also find more success here than it did in her homeland.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Babooshka #2
These guys had an impressive run throughout the 70's, however they decided to call it quits after one failed album throughout the 80's which likely failed to them preemptively releasing a greatest hits package going into the new decade to overlook their success from the previous decade.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Over the border #32
It seems a bit strange that one of the most popular albums from Queen's catalogue would be such a sleeper hit back in the day considering how it contains two of their biggest hits, indeed this only became a hit down under once the fourth single from the album became a surprise hit which allowed it to rebound on our charts in order to make it a success for them.
Peak position #11
Hit singles
Crazy little thing called love #1
Another one bites the dust #5
This was a modest success for Bruce Springsteen here in Australia, it saw a resurgence in popularity later in the decade when he embarked on a world tour for his Born in the U.S.A album, however it was nonetheless decently successful at the start of the decade and was able to retain the success of his previous two albums from the 70's.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Hungry heart #33
Ever wanted to know if the female vocalist on Meat Loaf's iconic Bat out of hell album had her own catalogue worth checking out? It turns out she does as this was her debut album following the positive reception she received with her contributions to her earlier work. Sadly, this was the full extent of her popularity here in Australia, likely due to the downward spiral Meat loaf and company went through at the time.
Peak position #13
Hit singles
We belong to the night #15
This was released at the bookend of the 70's following the massive success of her (then) most recent album Bad girls, it surprisingly underperformed here in Australia likely due to the lead single also being included on Barbra Streisand's earlier entry and thus failing to promote this album over that release.
Peak position #16
Hit singles
No more tears #8
On the radio #36
Given the success that these guys had with their second entry on this list, their debut album was finally able to find massive success here in Australia given how it failed to spawn them a hit down under despite the lead single being one of their more iconic in their catalogue. In a way, they had the same start to the 80's as the Jacksons did given how this was also released two years prior and how it became popular here,
Peak position #15
Hit singles
Roxanne #34
This is the first compilation album to find success here in Australia in quite some time (there was one or two of them that found success throughout the 70's) although this was more of a recap release that would be synonymous with the Smash hits franchise that would begin in 1987 more than a seasonal compilation.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Turning Japanese #1
Brass in pocket #2
The boys light up #22
We are glass #15
Cheap wine #8
Geno #44
Tired of toeing the line #1
Crazy little thing called love #1
You’ve lost that loving feeling #2
Ride like the wind #25
Same old girl #6
Total control #7
The rose #6
All out of love #9
Love at first night #6
How do I make you #19
Working my way back to you #12
Together we are beautiful #20
These guys were coming off a highly successful decade, so it makes sense they would begin the 80's with a greatest hits package which while successful, spelt the end of their success here in Australia despite finding massive success in their native UK throughout the decade.
Peak position #14
These guys were taking a big gamble when they released this album as they had yet to appear on Countdown to promote their earlier entry on this list, indeed this was far less successful here in Australia than their debut even if their performance was well received to the point where the lead single became a hit over here. This would be the last we hear from them until the tail end of the decade.
Peak position #12
Hit singles
Private Idaho #11
This is the final album that Neil Young had any sort of success within his career, mainly because he was unable to adapt to the 80's in a way that could satisfy his fans which led to his overall popularity going downhill from here on out.
Peak position #10
This was the Third album from the Sports, it wasn't as successful as their previous entry for reasons I can't ascertain as it was more of the same pub rock that made that album a huge success the year prior. They would release one more album which was a massive flop and prompted them to call it quits.
Peak position #13
Hit singles
Strangers on a train #22
This was a bit of a comeback for Leo Sayer here in Australia given how the lead single became a surprise chart topper for the crooner this year, it may have failed to live up to the overwhelming success of his peak throughout the 70's, however it did allow him to stick around a little while longer in the 80's as his next album was a modest success here as well.
Peak position #12
Hit singles
More than I can say #1
Given how the Jackson five no longer had any issues with finding success here in Australia, it makes sense that their first album of the decade would be an instant success here as well as its lead single even though this was released during what was supposed to be the dark age of disco. It was even a moderate success in their native America where the disco backlash had the most effect on the mainstream.
Peak position #13
Hit singles
Can you feel it #10
Given how he was one of the biggest names in Australian music throughout the 70's, you'd think that Jon English would begin the decade with one of the biggest albums in his catalogue. Alas, this wasn't the case despite it spawning some of his more notable singles in his catalogue, although it did better than anything he released after this came out.
Peak position #17
Hit singles
Hot town #11
Carmilla #27
This was the only successful album from Judie Tzuke, one of the lesser-known soft rock artists from the UK who scored a surprise hit form the album here in Australia due to her performing it on Countdown. Indeed, she was far more popular here than in her homeland likely due to the show’s endorsement of her, although that endorsement didn't translate to her later releases.
Peak position #15
Hit singles
Stay with me till dawn #8
Well, this was one way to begin the 80's, here we have a live album from Little river band which I would've thought had done better considering how inescapable they were not just here but throughout the rest of the world throughout the previous decade.
Peak position #18
It's strange that this album underperformed here in Australia back in the day considering how iconic the second single remains on our oldies stations to this day, then again there will be plenty of albums on these lists that you'd swear were inescapable in their day but were in fact sleeper hits at best here. Even so, we Aussies clearly had enough love for his brand of heartland rock to make this a success to some degree.
Peak position #15
Hit singles
Refugee #24
This is the only album from the Clash I'll be featuring on this side of my site as it was sadly their only album to find any kind of success here in Australia, although they would score a massive hit on their next album with "Rock the casbah" which likely helped them find a more mainstream audience throughout the rest of the world due to how big it was here.
Peak position #16
Hit singles
London calling #28
Apparently, James Galway was a famous British flutist who managed to score a hit with this greatest hits package this year, evidently there were a ton of flutists to were popular in the music scene throughout the twentieth century likely due to the success of Jethro Tull.
Peak position #18
This is the first compilation album to find success since the midpoint of the 70's, I guess the transition from the 70's to the 80's was a momentous enough event that the general public of Australia decided to mass buy this album collecting all the biggest hits from that time period.
Peak position #18
He's my number one #4
Space invaders #3
Fly too high #7
Escape #3
I don't like Mondays #1
Hot town #11
Computer games #1
Girls talk #9
Love will find a way #39
Choir girl #14
I got you #1
Money #11
Driver's seat #13
Strangers on a train #22
Dream police #5
Little sister #39
Confrontation #36
Shape I'm in #22
I'm a bit surprised this album from Diana Ross wasn't more of a success here in Australia given how inescapable its lead single was, I guess we Aussies were a bit hot and cold on her catalogue given how what became popular here from her was random if you were to comb through her discography on our charts.
Peak position #17
Hit singles
Upside down #1
I'm coming out #40
My old piano #25
There won't be a lot of representation from punk bands on this site, one of the lucky few to make it big down under from the genre is the Specials who snuck onto this list due to their notoriety in the UK where this was among the biggest albums of the decade.
Peak position #20
Hit singles
A message to you rudy #29
The Dugities were another Australian band that failed to find success here despite being regulars on Countdown, likely because they couldn't compete with the likes of Cold chisel or Australian crawl from earlier on this list which resulted in their breakthrough being botched with this album.
Peak position #22
Hit singles
In your car #34
I should give a warning that Pat Benatar didn't find that much success here in Australia back in the day, admittedly most of her albums will be appearing on my site, however none of her albums barring her live album from 1983 made much of an impact on our charts for whatever reason despite her being beloved on oldies stations.
Peak position #25
Hit singles
We live for love #28
Given how he had a hit this year with the lead single of this album, it makes sense that this album from Steve Forbet managed to become a moderate success here in Australia even if it was the only dent he made on our charts throughout his career.
Peak position #22
Hit singles
Romeo's tune #13
One of the few Aussie punk bands to find any sort of success back in the day was the Radiators, this was their debut album which was a decent success likely due to the lead single being a huge radio hit despite it (somehow) bombing on the charts. They would have another successful album later in the decade before they fell into obscurity.
Peak position #22
Hit singles
Coming home #33
This is the last album that Status quo found any success with here in Australia, it’s curious their popularity didn't continue into the 80's like it did in their homeland given how inescapable they were in the UK as recently as the early 90's.
Peak position #22
Hit singles
Whatever you want #22
This may surprise you to see how low it is on my list considering how many hits it managed to spawn here in Australia back in the day, let alone how this is the album which broke Air supply into the American market after the title track became a surprise international hit for them at the start of the decade. Alas, we Aussies weren't that interested in this album as was the case for the rest of their catalogue.
Peak position #21
Hit singles
Lost in love #13
All out of love #9
Every woman in the world #8
This managed to make the cut due to how inescapable the lead single was throughout the rest of the world, if this had have been released even six months later, it likely would've been twice as big here in Australia due to it being slightly ahead of the curve when it comes to new wave trends of the 80's.
Peak position #24
Hit singles
Cars #9
This will be the only appearance from Styx on my site, mainly because this was a success due to its lead single taking the world by storm when the 70's became the 80's worldwide. Like many other American bands, they had far more success on Billboard as the decade went on due to trends working in their favour over there that didn't translate throughout the rest of the world.
Peak position #21
Hit singles
Babe #3
No comments:
Post a Comment