European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - January 5, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse Park and a restaurant. Other men in the news Michael Jackson told All or so he claimed in his autobiography Moonwalk and Bruce Springsteen Shook the fans with news of his divorce from Julianne Phillips and his Liaison with e Street band backup Singer Patti Scialfa Ireland s u2 continued its reign As most popular band. 1988 saw the release of the part live part studio double album rattle and hum and the accompanying film documentary of the group s recent North american concert tour. In March u2 picked up two grammy awards for the Joshua tree becoming the first Rock group to take top honors in the recording Industry. Also in Rock Bon Jovi returned in full Force in 1988 with new Jersey an album which some critics have complained is packed with Bruce Springsteen isms others have lauded it for its maturity. Van Halen proved without a doubt that life can go on without David Lee Roth As Singer Sammy Hagar helped propel ou812 to the top of the charts although Van Halen s monsters of Rock tour of the United states did t fare As Well As promoters had expected. And inns had a big year As kick went Multi Platinum. One of the most popular newer acts in hard Rock was guns n roses who snagged the no. 1 spot on billboard s Best new artist Chart in 1988, As Well As mtg s Best new artist award. The album appetite for destruction yielded several hit singles in 88. Rap entered the mainstream commercial music world in Earnest in 1988. Run dec the rap Kings of Queens n.y., returned after a two year hiatus with tougher than leather which hit the top 10 on the album charts. But by then a slew of acts had entered the rap race. Two of the most popular in 88 were do Jazzy Jeff and the fresh Prince who brought rap to Middle America with he s the do i m the rapper and the self professed prophets of rage Public enemy whose it takes a nation of millions to hold us Back was one of the year s biggest Selling rap albums. Reggae received a boost in 1988. Ziggy Marley son of the late reggae legend Bob Marley introduced a new generation of listeners to the music with his debut album conscious party. And Britain s ub40 hit the american charts after 10 years with a revival of the 3-year-old song red red wine., 1988 was a mixed year for comebacks. Many of the albums received critical acclaim but failed in the sales department. Hall and Gates got Back together again but the duo s reunion album ooh yeah fell far Short of previous smash releases. Crosby stills Nash and Young s first studio album in 18 years american dream was denounced As resembling geezers hard at work trying to recapture something Long lost while Beach boy founder Brian Wilson s first album after two decades of seclusion was critically acclaimed but failed to attract buyers. Former Punk godmother Patti Smith released the much praised dream of life after nine years but it too failed to sell. Olivia Newton John s Rumour did t sell either. Pat Benatar s first album in two years wide awake in dreamland garnered Good reviews and hit the top 40. Southern Rock saw some comebacks in 1988 sex Allman Brothers Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts both released albums. Several 70s acts returned Steve Forbert released streets of this town Graham Parker had the Mona Lisa s sister and Little feat came out of retirement to record let it Roll. Following the failure of the firm two years ago former led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page returned with outrider and rolling Stone guitarist Keith Richards stepped Forward with his first Solo album talk is cheap. The most successful comeback came for Roy Orbison but it was a Short lived one. The Rock n Roll legend died in december of a heart attack while still on the charts. Orbison had collaborated with Bob Dylan George Harrison Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne on an album under the name the travelling wilbury. Another album Orbison recorded in 1988, containing new material is scheduled for release in Early 89. Guitarist Roy Buchanan was found hanged by his own shirt in jail in an apparent suicide guitarist Hillel slovak of the red hot Chili peppers died of a herein overdose Dave Prater of Sam and Dave was killed in an automobile Accident and pop Star Andy Gibb and velvet underground Singer Nico died of heart problems. And that s the Way it was in 1988. Roy Orbison left who had returned to the studio died late in the year Ziggy Marley gave reggae a boost. Do Jazzy Jeff and the fresh Prince left were hit rappers George Michael was 1988 s top Selling pop artist. 1988 readers poll below is for the fourth annual stars and stripes readers poll. Let us know your favorite performers bands albums or cd and songs of 1988 whether it s country soul jazz or Rock n Roll. Ideally the responses should include Only bands and performers who made some kind of Impact in 1988, or albums cd or songs that were released that year. Just fill out the ballot Cut it out and mail it to readers poll stars and stripes Apo 09211 or to the German address readers poll stars and stripes Postrach 11 14 37,6100 Darmstadt 11, West Germany. Entries must be postmarked no later than Jan. 25. Results will be announced in february. Best Overall performer favorite song favorite band favorite hew act male performer favorite comeback female performer favorite concert favorite album or cd least favorite performer january 5, 1989 stripes Magazine
