Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Billy Squier’s sophmore album, Don’t Say No, was released 45 years ago on April 13, 1981. A record with a heavy rock sound featuring strong guitar licks and catchy choruses was perfectly timed to become a hit all on its own. But when it collided with the other musical benchmark of the decade-the premiere of MTV four months later on August 1, 1981-it put Squier front and center to become one of its earliest stand out artists. His simple performance videos showed us all how his sound looked. And as a young Gen Xer at the time, I can attest that Squier was not bad on the eyes, which only added to his MTV appeal.

By September 1981, the album peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200. It stayed on the chart for over two years, an astounding 111 weeks. The record produced four big songs, one of which became a Top 20 hit, and was featured in the 2007 masterpiece, “Blades of Glory”, during Chazz Michael Michaels’ “tsunami of swagger”.

On Day 68 of my Lockdown Countdown, I shared my love for Squier-a Wellesley, Massachusetts native-who will celebrate birthday #76 on May 12. He has released nine studio throughout his career but it is his second album that remains a classic rock staple and a tremendous moment in music history when seeing the music mattered as much as hearing it.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

My 45 of my favorite Squier song. (Image by me.)

Another album released 45 years ago in April 1981 is Dedication by Gary U.S. Bonds. He co-produced it along with Bruce Springsteen, Steven Van Zandt & Rob Parissi. The record consisted of 10 songs with three written by Bruce including the first single, one written by Van Zandt, two co-written by Bonds, a Cajun traditional song, a Beatles cover (It’s Only Love”), a Dylan cover (“From A Buick 6”) & a Jackson Browne cover.

This was a labor of love for Springsteen and Van Zandt who were fans of Bonds from his early rock & roll hits like “New Orleans”, “School’s Out” and “Quarter To Three” which was released 65 years ago in May 1961. It was performed by Springsteen at the 1979 NYC “No Nukes” concerts and featured in the 1980 film by the same name.

Bonds-born Gary Levone Anderson on June 6, 1939 in Jacksonville, Florida-enjoyed a career resurrgence with Dedication, which peaked at #27 on the Billboard 200 in 1981. It also gave him a Top Twenty hit with the first single, the opportunity to duet with Springsteen for the second single and a chance to collaborate with The E Street Band. They all joined forces together again on Bonds’ next album, On The Line, released in June 1982.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The E Street Band, Bruce Springsteen & Gary U.S. Bonds (L to R): Garry Tallent, Max Weinberg, Springsteen, Bonds, Clarence Clemons, Miami Steve Van Zandt, Roy Bittan and Danny Federici circa 1981. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

My own 45 of the album’s first single. (Image by me.)

I also own the second single. (Image by me.)

I still have my mom’s 45 of Bonds’ 1961 hit. (Image by me.)

Journey released two albums in 1981. Captured-the band’s first live record-was released in January of that year. It was co-founder & keyboard player Gregg Rolie’s final album with the band. My favorite track & the only single released is the only song recorded in the studio which was written by lead singer, Steve Perry.

Seven months later Escape was released July 1981. Rolie’s successor, keyboardist & songwriter Jonathan Cain left the English band, The Babys, to join Journey. He co-wrote all 10 tracks on the album which produced five singles, including two of the band’s biggest songs, “Don’t Stop Believing” and “Open Arms”. My favorite song by the band is the first single which I wrote about in my October 7 2024 post.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I still have the 45 of my favorite Journey song. (Image by me.)

The 45’s flip side. (Image by me.)

Billy Squier:  “In The Dark” (1981, written by Billy Squier).

Billy Squier: “The Stroke” (1981, written by Billy Squier).

Billy Squier: “Lonely Is The Night” (1981, written by Billy Squier).

Gary U.S. Bonds: “This Little Girl” (1981, written by Bruce Springsteen).

Gary U.S. Bonds: “Jole Blon” (1981, traditional; arranged by Moon Mullican).

Gary U.S. Bonds: “The Pretender” (1981, written by Jackson Browne).

Journey: “The Party’s Over (Hopelessly in Love)” (1981, written by Steve Perry).

Journey: “Who’s Crying Now” (1981, written by Jonathan Cain and Steve Perry).

Stay safe & well.