by Jonathan Stilley

Created on: July 09, 2007

As someone who graduated from high school in 1983, I remember fondly the decade of MTV, Reaganomics and the advent of the compact disc. Speaking of compact discs, there was a lot of really good music from the 80's like Quarterflash, Kajagoogoo, and other one hit wonders. But that could be another article for another time. For the time being, let's focus on my 10 picks for Essential 80's albums.

10) Tattoo You - The Rolling Stones. In my mind, this is the last truly great album the Stones recorded. You had the rockers like "Start Me Up" and "Slave"; yet you also had the blues numbers like "Black Limousine". In fact, former Stones bassist Bill Wyman liked the album so much that he actually played on all 11 songs.

9) In Step - Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble. This was SRV's first studio album after finding sobriety. Sadly, this was the last one the Texas bluesman recorded before his tragic death in 1990. He dealt with his addictions in songs like "Wall Of Denial" and with the pressures of fame in the song "Tightrope". The last song on the album, "Riviera Paradise", could have been a sign of tings to come had he lived.

8) Hi Infidelity - REO Speedwagon. If ever you wanted an album that screamed arena rock with a pinch of power ballads, this is it. I still have visions of people waving lighters in the air when they hear "Keep On Loving You".

7)Appetite For Destruction - Guns 'n' Roses. This album was the perfect antidote for the power ballads and syrupy rock that was served up by the likes on bands like Bon Jovi. Go to any sporting event and you can still hear "Welcome To The Jungle". Other notables include "Sweet Child O' Mine" and "Paradise City".

6)War - U2. This is the 1983 release that really broke the Irish quartet in the USA. What can I say other than I wish they still did songs like "New Year's Day" and "Sunday Bloody Sunday"? It is still more relevant than stuff they spew out like "Vertigo".

5) Synchronicity - The Police. The band certainly went out on a high note with this CD. There were the Top 40 hits like "King Of Pain" and "Wrapped Around Your Finger" and of course the #1 "Every Breath You Take". But one of my favorites is actually "Synchronicity II'.

4)Purple Rain - Prince. This album was the soundtrack to The Purple One's musical biography about playing in Minneapolis. How can you go wrong with songs like "Let's Go Crazy", "I Would Die 4 U" and the song that Tipper Gore loves to hate, "Darling Nikki"?

3) 1984 - Van Halen. The last album with David

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