5. Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi released Slippery When Wet in 1986 on Mercury Records. The album reached number one on the Billboard chart and stayed there for several weeks. It earned multi platinum certification quickly after launch.
The band followed with New Jersey in 1988, which also topped the US album chart. Combined sales for their 1980s studio releases passed fifteen million units in the United States.
- Year: 1986
- Label: Mercury Records
- Chart Peak: US #1
- Sales: 15M+ combined (Slippery When Wet & New Jersey)
6. Guns N’ Roses
Guns N’ Roses issued Appetite for Destruction in 1987 through Geffen Records. The album eventually reached number one on the Billboard chart after a slow start. It sold more than eighteen million copies in the United States.
The record featured multiple hit singles that received heavy MTV rotation. Their follow up Lies also charted well and added to the band’s rapid commercial growth by the end of the decade.
- Year: 1987
- Label: Geffen Records
- Chart Peak: US #1
- Sales: 18M+ in the US
7. Van Halen
Van Halen released 1984 in 1984 on Warner Bros. The album reached number two on the Billboard chart and produced the hit Jump. It earned multi platinum status within months.
The band had already established strong sales with earlier 1980s releases like Diver Down. Their consistent presence on rock radio and video channels kept album sales steady through the middle of the decade.
- Year: 1984
- Label: Warner Bros
- Chart Peak: US #2
- Sales: Multi-platinum within months
8. Metallica
Metallica released Master of Puppets in 1986 on Elektra Records. The album reached the top thirty on the Billboard chart despite limited mainstream radio support at the time. It later achieved multi platinum status.
The band followed with…And Justice for All in 1988, which climbed to number six. Their growing live audience and word of mouth helped push vinyl and cassette sales higher each year.
- Year: 1986
- Label: Elektra Records
- Chart Peak: US Top 30
- Sales: Multi-platinum (later certified)
Besides founding Festivaltopia, Luca is the co founder of trib, an art and fashion collectiv you find on several regional events and online. Also he is part of the management board at HORiZONTE, a group travel provider in Germany.
