80's at 8: January 27, 2023- Def Leppard & Black Sabbath

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 29: Inductee Joe Elliott of Def Leppard performs at the 2019 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony – Show at Barclays Center on March 29, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images For The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)

The first track in tonight's 80's at 8 is from Def Leppard's 1980 debut album On Through The Night titled "Wasted."

"Wasted" is a powerful and emotionally charged ode to the struggles of addiction, and its lyrics are a testament to the band's songwriting prowess. The song is a perfect example of Def Leppard's ability to craft a powerful and meaningful message in a catchy and memorable rock song.

The Rockturnal Request Zone

The album reached #51 on the Billboard 200 album chart and #15 on the Uk album chart."Wasted", "Hello America" and "Rock Brigade" were released as singles. However, the version of "Wasted" that appears on the single is a different recording from that of the LP, as is its B-side, "Hello America."

Most of the songs on the album were dropped from the band's live setlists after 1983, although "Rock Brigade" and "Wasted" would see periodic revivals after 2000. Unused promotional videos for "Wasted" and "Rock Brigade", filmed in London in the fall of 1979, surfaced on YouTube in 2009 when they were uploaded by the director of the clips.

You can watch the music video for "Wasted" by Def Leppard here:

The second track is from Black Sabbath with Ronnie James Dio on lead vocals. It's from Sabbath's first album
with Dio from 1980 titled Heaven and Hell.

The track I rocked was Neon Knights, it was the last song written for the album by the band. The lyrics were written by Ronnie James Dio. It was quickly written and recorded at Studio Ferber in Paris during January 1980 simply to fill time on the album's first side.

It features a driving guitar riff and a memorable chorus. The lyrics are filled with religious imagery, which gives the song an epic and timeless quality. The song is also known for its powerful guitar solo, which is often cited as one of the best solos in rock music.

"Neon Knights" was number 22 on the UK charts, but failed to chart in the US or anywhere else. The album was a commercial success, particularly in the United States, where it reached number 28 on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified platinum for one million sales.

You can watch the music video for Neon Knights by Black Sabbath here:

Many of the albums that turn 10 in 2023 were major hits for some of the biggest bands in rock today. Among those artists were Avenged Sevenfold, Five Finger Death Punch, Volbeat and more. Additionally, a number of classic artists released hit LPs in 2013. Some of those artists included Black Sabbath, The Stooges and Pearl Jam.

Scroll below to see which albums turn 10 in 2023!