March Madness: The Sweet 16 of ’80s Rock Albums

As the excitement of our March Madness bracket continues, 16 iconic rock albums from the ’80s have emerged victorious from the first round, ready to face even fiercer competition in the Sweet 16. These albums have not only shaped the decade but also left an indelible mark on music history.

Round One Results

The first round showcased some intense battles, with several albums demonstrating their dominance. Below are the results of the initial match-ups:

• AC/DC’s Back in Black defeated the Talking Heads’ Remain in Light – 86% to 14%
• Phil Collins’ No Jacket Required defeated Kiss’ Creatures of the Night – 64% to 36%
• Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet defeated the Cars’ Heartbeat City – 57% to 43%
• Ozzy Osbourne’s Blizzard of Ozz defeated David Bowie’s Let’s Dance – 68% to 32%
• Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the U.S.A. defeated R.E.M.’s Murmur – 72% to 28%
• U2’s The Joshua Tree defeated Iron Maiden’s Powerslave – 59% to 41%
• Tom Petty’s Full Moon Fever defeated Paul Simon’s Graceland – 78% to 22%
• The Police’s Synchronicity defeated Genesis’ Invisible Touch – 73% to 27%
• Guns N’ Roses’ Appetite for Destruction defeated Rush’s Permanent Waves – 62% to 38%
• Prince’s Purple Rain defeated Judas Priest’s Screaming for Vengeance – 60% to 40%
• ZZ Top’s Eliminator defeated Motley Crue’s Shout at the Devil – 57% to 43%
• Journey’s Escape defeated Peter Gabriel’s So – 64% to 36%
• Dire Straits’ Brothers in Arms defeated Neil Young’s Freedom – 84% to 16%
• Def Leppard’s Hysteria defeated Billy Idol’s Rebel Yell – 72% to 28%
• Van Halen’s 1984 defeated the Rolling Stones’ Tattoo You – 79% to 21%
• Metallica’s Master of Puppets defeated Aerosmith’s Pump – 61% to 39%

The Road Ahead

With the first round in the books, the competition heats up as we move into the second round of our tournament. Here are the key dates for the remaining rounds:

• Round Two: March 24-27
• Round Three: March 28-30
• Final Four: March 31-April 3
• Championship: April 4-7

Get Involved!

Now is your chance to participate! Cast your votes for the Best ’80s album in the eight second-round match-ups. Voting is open once per hour until March 27 at 11:59 PM ET.

The winners of this round will be announced the day after voting closes, and a new round of voting will commence on the same day!

Conclusion

The first round of our March Madness bracket has set the stage for a thrilling second round. With legendary albums facing off, every vote counts in determining which ’80s rock album reigns supreme. Don’t miss your chance to make your voice heard!

FAQs

What is the format of the tournament?

The tournament follows a bracket format, with head-to-head match-ups in each round. Fans vote for their favorite albums, and the winners advance to the next round.

How can I vote?

You can vote once per hour during the voting period. Visit the tournament page to participate!

When will the results be announced?

Results from each round will be announced the day after the voting period closes.

Can I vote for multiple albums?

You can only vote for one album in each match-up, but you can cast votes for different match-ups as they occur.

What happens in the final rounds?

The tournament will culminate in the Final Four and Championship rounds, where the top albums will compete for the title of Best ’80s Album.