80’s at 8: January 13, 2023- Judas Priest & Rainbow

The first track that I rocked in tonight's 80's at 8 is from Judas Priest's tenth album Turbo titled "Locked In." The album was released in 1986 and is known for the band's change to a commercial glam metal sound, which had them using synthesizers for the first time.

Following the success of their previous album, Defenders of the Faith, Judas Priest initially recorded a double album that was intended to be released under the title Twin Turbos, half of which would be more commercial and the other half would be aggressive heavy metal. This idea was scrapped. Instead, the material was split up, with the more commercial songs appearing as the album Turbo. The lyrical content on Turbo was markedly different from previous Judas Priest albums, with more emphasis on grounded subjects such as love and romance rather than the band's usual sci-fi and fantasy themes.

The album was certified Gold in the US in 1986 and Platinum in 1987. It reached #17 on the Billboard 200 album chart making it a commercial success and its highest chart position until 2005's Angel of Retribution. The music videos supporting "Turbo Lover" and "Locked In" enjoyed heavy rotation on MTV, furthering the success of the album commercially.

You can check out the music video for Locked in by Judas Priest here:

The second track is from Rainbow's sixth album Right Between The Eyes from 1982 titled "Death Alley Driver." This track lives up to the title with its racing beats and guitars. The title of the album The title allegedly came from a phrase from Jeff Beck, describing Jimi Hendrix to Richie Blackmore.

Rest in Peace Jeff Beck. The album reached # 30 on the Billboard 200 album chart and in 2022 the album was named #5 of 'The 25 greatest rock guitar albums of 1982' list in Guitar World magazine. Videos were shot for the songs "Stone Cold" and "Death Alley Driver", which featured Sega's 1981 arcade video game Turbo. They were occasionally still aired on VH1's Metal Mania program, but have not been aired since 2005.

You can check out the music video for Death Alley Driver by Rainbow here:

Jeff Beck was a one-of-a-kind icon that was admired and respected by rock's biggest names. If you needed proof, look no further than the tributes to him that are still coming in.

Beck died suddenly on January 10 at age 78 after contracting bacterial meningitis. His death has moved the rock world in a massive way as evidenced by the heartfelt tributes that can be viewed below.

"I am very sad to hear about Jeff’s passing. He was a brilliant guitar player. On the occasions we got to play together, we had a ball. 'Let’s do this more often', we said! Jeff was a great guy and will be missed by all. My heartfelt condolences to his family."

"This is tragic news. Hard to take in. Jeff always appeared timeless, ever-evolving. He embraced project after project with limitless energy and enthusiasm. He surfaced in an extraordinary time. He took his place side by side with the virtuosos of the period, his mates. The scene was on fire, he introduced a cool template moving from Yardbird to Bolero to Truth, Beck Ola with Rod the perfect foil. The singer and guitarist syndrome. Plenty of sparks, great results. He cooked up magic through all the passing eras, always up for the next, unknown, unlikely collision, back in time to homage Cliff Gallup, forward to Johnny Depp. His gift was enormous. He was funny, challenging and eager. My feelings are with Sandra today."

"I was so saddened to hear that Jeff Beck had died. Jeff Beck was a lovely man with a wicked sense of humour who played some of the best guitar music ever to come out of Great Britain. He was a superb technician and could strip down his guitar and put it back together again in time for the show.

His unique style of playing was something that no one could match, and I will always remember the great times we had together. He would come over to dinner at our place or he and his wife, Sandra, would host an evening at their house.

Jeff had immaculate taste in most things and was an expert at rebuilding his collection of cars. His no nonsense attitude to the music business was always so refreshing and I will cherish forever the moments we spent together.

Jeff Beck has left the building and it is a lonelier place without him.

God bless Jeff and his family."

"The loss of our friend Jeff Beck is crushing. All our love and prayers go out to his family, his friends, and his fans around the world. Until we meet again, Jeff."

"Always and ever."

"Jeff Beck was the Salvador Dali of guitar, to see him play was to hear the ultimate 6 string alchemist create magic in a world of its own. With his passing, the world is a poorer place. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to Sandra. We share your sorrow."

"Jeff Beck was a genius, a stunning original. He was an astounding guitar player with more ways to make you go, “WTF was that?” than anybody else. He was profoundly talented, and never stopped innovating on the instrument.

He had an enormous impact on my guitar playing, my musicianship and my soul. When I was a beginner, I would spend hours trying to jam along with his solo albums. I found his approach to the instrument so inspiring. I was fascinated with his unusual arrangements and his aggressive guitar tones. He always stood out as a unique player: He was always, purely “Jeff Beck”.

His solo albums were all groundbreaking, “ahead of their time”, and paved the way for me and so many other guitarists around the world. And they were fun to listen to, over and over again.

I had the pleasure of saying hello to Jeff a few times, once when Chickenfoot went to see him play at the Fox Theater in Oakland, and a second time when we were all playing at the BosPop Festival in The Netherlands. We all had a fun jam backstage that day.

Unfortunately, I didn’t ever get to really know him. I hope he knew how much I admired, revered and respected him. When I finish writing this I will go and listen to Jeff’s “Where Were You” a few times and thank him for giving us so much beautiful music.

My deepest condolences to his family and close friends. R.I.P. Jeff"

"I met Jeff Beck when I was 17 and I was glad to know a guy like that, a guy who was able to show me how this guitar playing thing should be approached and that’s still very much the case. Jeff was a wondrous soul and we already miss him tremendously."

"We mourn the loss of Jeff Beck, a brilliant musician and friend. Our tours with Jeff were delights from both personal and sonic perspectives. We're thankful that we were privileged to share so many stages with him over the years and will truly miss his artistry and personality."

"Jeff was in touch with something other worldly when he played and was in a league of his own. On the'Truth' album Jeff and Rod Stewart set the bar for the next 50 years of rock & Roll. Beyond sad to loose him from this world but he left us the gift of his music forever. RIP my friend. Deep condolences to his Sandra, family, friends and fans. - Paul"

"The guitar heroes guitar hero has gone off to join all the best players. A true and loyal friend. I’ll love you always Jeff."

"Rest in peace @jeffbeckofficial. Jeff was a tremendous talent and hugely influential to me and millions of guitar players. The expression and emotion he wrenched from the guitar with his signature tone from way back in the Yardbirds to his recent work with Ozzy and everything in between was so beautiful and awe inspiring. I jammed along with Blow By Blow and Wired for endless hours, losing myself in his brilliance. His work on the Roger Waters album Amused To Death is also just transcendent. Just now I’m listening to him and Rod Stewart’s spiritual version of “People Get Ready” and giving thanks to have lived in the time of this absolute maestro."

"OMG!!!…Jeff Beck passed away yesterday! One of the greatest and most influential blues rock guitarists in history! My prayers go out to his family & friends…I was lucky enough to see him perform and meet him (my idol) about 9-years ago at the Iridium Club in NYC! Another Rock Icon moving up to rock n roll Heaven! May he R.I.P.! I feel such a loss right now, I can’t verbalize my emotions!"

"With Jeff Beck`s passing, a huge and tangible void has been left in the world of music. Thankfully through his profound influence on an astronomical number of musicians, his sweet notes will continue to ring loudly, for generations to come.

"When I was 16 years old, The Spiders, who became the original Alice Cooper band, opened for the Yardbirds. That night I experienced the greatest guitar player I had ever heard. Half a century later Jeff Beck is still the greatest guitarist, PERIOD….The greatest of all time. He was a friend, and there will NEVER be another Jeff Beck. Ever."

"Peace and love, Jeff Beck."

"From early Stray Cats shows to the very last one, Jeff was there. We shared a common interest in hot rods and rockabilly. He helped me through days of uncertainty and our mutual bouts of tinnitus. He was one of the greatest guitarists to ever walk the stage. Gonna really miss him."

"Jeff Beck was, in every sense of the word, a legend, and Motörhead loved him. Our deepest condolences to Jeff's family and friends...and we're sure that Lemmy's already asked if he wants to jam! Rest In Power."

"We are saddened to hear of the passing of our dear friend and guitar legend Jeff Beck. Jeff's incredible musicianship and passion for guitar has been an inspiration to us all. He was a true innovator and his legacy will live on through his music. Rest in peace, Jeff."

"In Memoriam: Two-time Inductee Jeff Beck's dynamic, feedback-drenched guitar shaped the sound of rock and roll in the 1960s and beyond. From the Yardbirds to the Jeff Beck Group to fame as a solo artist, his dazzling fretboard technique, mastery of atmospheric effects,and volcanic, expressive musical phrasing were unmatched. Beck's unique mix of improvisation, innovation, and continued musical exploration throughout his career made him one of the most beloved and influential musicians of all time."