These Rock Albums are Turning 40 in 2026 - Page 2

Rock history turns the page to 2026, as a wave of albums from 1986 officially hits the 40-year mark. It was a year when arenas got louder, guitars got bigger and rock ruled radio, MTV and the road.

RELATED: 20 Songs Turning 40 Years Old in 2025

From hard rock and metal to new wave, college rock and radio-friendly staples, 1986 delivered albums that shaped playlists, influenced generations and still sound amazing decades later. These records didn’t just define a moment — they helped define rock’s identity.

RELATED: ROCK MOMENT – Bon Jovi ‘Livin’ On A Prayer’

As these classics turn 40, it’s the perfect time to revisit the albums that dominated turntables, cassette decks and CD players everywhere. Here are 50 rock albums from 1986 turning 40 in 2026.

Jan. 28: ‘Seventh Star’ by Black Sabbath featuring Toni Iommi

The 12th studio album by Black Sabbath, Seventh Star was originally supposed to be a Toni Iommi solo record, hence his name on the billing. Label pressure led to “Black Sabbath” being credited for the record, despite bassist Geezer Butler departing the band two years earlier.

Feb. 3: ‘Mean Business’ by The Firm

The second studio album by The Firm, Mean Business marked the supergroup’s final release.

Feb. 10: ‘The Ultimate Sin’ by Ozzy Osbourne

The fourth studio album by the late, great Ozzy Osbourne, The Ultimate Sin features a musical shift from a straight heavy metal sound to elements of glam metal for the Prince of Darkness’ band.

Feb 18: ‘Lives in the Balance’ by Jackson Browne

The eighth studio album for Jackson Browne, Lives in the Balance was featured on Rolling Stone‘s list of the best 100 albums of the 1980s, placing at No. 88.

Feb. 21: ‘King of America’ by Elvis Costello

The 10th studio album from Elvis Costello, King of America features a mostly acoustic sound, differing from the English singer’s previous records.

March 3: ‘Master of Puppets’ by Metallica

The third studio album from thrash metal pioneers Metallica, Master of Puppets remains of the icons’ biggest releases to date. Selling 8 times platinum, it was thrash metal’s first record to achieve platinum status. It was the final album to feature bassist Cliff Burton.

March 3: ‘Balance of Power’ by Electric Light Orchestra

The 11th studio album by Electric Light Orchestra, Balance of Power marked the final appearance by founding drummer Bev Bevan, and the last significant contribution on a record from keyboardist Richard Tandy. It’d be their last record until 2001’s Zoom.

March 24: ‘5150’ by Van Halen

The seventh studio album by Van Halen, 5150 was the first release without David Lee Roth, and the featuring frontman Sammy Hagar. The record marked a shift to more of a serious tone for the band, devoid of Roth’s tongue-in-cheek brand of humor, but this didn’t stop the band from reaching new commercially-successful heights, as it was the first of four No. 1 U.S. albums on the Billboard 200.

March 24: ‘Dirty Work’ by The Rolling Stones

The 18th studio album by the Rolling Stones, Dirty Work paints a picture of where the band was in the mid 1980s. Primary songwriters Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were at the height of their feud over the direction of the band, and it was apparently rare for all five Stones to be in the studio at one time during the record’s recording. As a result of this, there was no tour to support the album. Dirty Work is regarded as a critical flop

March 27: ‘Like a Rock’ by Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band

The 13th studio album for Bob Seger and his Silver Bullet Band, Like a Rock is best remembered for its title track, which became a staple in Chevrolet truck commercials during the 1990s and 2000s.

April 7: ‘Turbo’ by Judas Priest

The 10th studio album from Judas Priest, Turbo saw the English heavy metal band shift to a more commercially-popular glam metal sound.

April 21: ‘Raised on Radio’ by Journey

The ninth studio album by Journey, Raised on Radio was the first album not to feature founding bassist Ross Valory. Drummer Steve Smith was replaced during the record’s recording by Larrie Londin. Despite the lineup changes, Raised on Radio reached No. 4 on the Billboard 200.

April 28: ‘Strength in Numbers’ by 38 Special

The seventh studio album by 38 Special, Strength in Numbers was met with mixed reviews, but the second single, “Somebody Like You” was a hit.

May 15: ‘Top Gun’

Released along with the release of the film Top Gun, starring Tom Cruise, Top Gun is best remembered for the iconic Kenny Loggins track, “Danger Zone.”

May 19: ‘So’ by Peter Gabriel

The fifth studio album by Peter Gabriel, So became the English singer’s best solo release of his career.

May 23: ‘Look What the Cat Dragged In’ by Poison

The debut album for glam metal band Poison, Look What the Cat Dragged In featured a few hit singles, including “I Want Action,” “I Won’t Forget You” and “Talk Dirty to Me.”

May 26: ‘Who Made Who’ by AC/DC

The soundtrack album for the Steven King film Maximum Overdrive, Who Made Who rose to No. 33 on the Billboard 200, despite the film being a flop.

June 2: ‘A Kind of Magic’ by Queen

The 12th studio album by Queen, A Kind of Magic was a massive hit in the U.K. it marked the last Queen record with Freddie Mercury to be supported by a tour, as the singer would be diagnosed with AIDS the following year.

June 9: ‘Invisible Touch’ by Genesis

The 13th studio album from Genesis, Invisible Touch remains the band’s most-successful release. It sold over 7.2 million copies between the U.S. and U.K., with the title track earning Genesis their first and only Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 single.

June 9: ‘Night Songs’ by Cinderella

The debut album for hard rock band Cinderella, Night Songs shot the band into stardom. Rising to No. 3 on the Billboard 200, Night Songs‘ “Nobody’s Fool” landed at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album achieved 3x platinum status.

June 16: ‘The Queen is Dead’ by The Smiths

The third studio album by the Smiths, The Queen is Dead achieved a lot of critical claim. Rolling Stone featured the album on its 2020 list of their “500 Greatest Albums of All Time,” landing at No. 113.

June 23: ‘Every Beat of My Heart’ by Rod Stewart

The 14th studio album by Rod Stewart, Every Beat of My Heart was released as Rod Stewart in the U.S.

June 23: ‘Solitude/Solitaire’ by Peter Cetera

The second studio album by Peter Cetera, his first since leaving the band Chicago, Solitude/Solitaire saw two singles reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100; “Glory of Love” and “The Next Time I Fall.”

June 30: ‘Back in the High Life’ by Steve Winwood

The fourth solo album from Steve Winwood, Back in the High Life achieved 3x platinum status in the U.S., his most-successful record to date. Winwood earned his first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 with “Higher Love.”

July 7: ‘Eat ‘Em and Smile’ by David Lee Roth

The debut solo studio album for David Lee Roth, Eat ‘Em and Smile was a big hit for the former Van Halen frontman. The record reached No. 4 on the Billboard 200, and was often compared favorably to Van Halen’s 5150.

July 25: ‘The Bridge’ by Billy Joel

The 10th studio album from Billy Joel, The Bridge featured a pair of singles that peaked at No. 10 on the charts; “A Matter of Trust” and “Modern Woman.”

July 28: ‘Lifes Rich Pageant’ by R.E.M.

The fourth studio album from R.E.M., Lifes Rich Pageant saw producer Don Gehman direct the band’s sound to more of a hard-rock inspired one.

Aug. 1: ‘Crowded House’ by Crowded House

The debut album by New Zealand-Austrailain band Crowded House, the self-titled record achieved platinum status in the U.S., and 6x platinum in Australia.

Aug. 2: ‘Vinnie Vincent Invasion’ by Vinnie Vincent Invasion

The debut album from Vinnie Vincent Invasion, the self-titled record is often regarded as among the best glam metal records of the 1980s.

Aug. 8: ‘Can’t Hold Back’ by Eddie Money

The sixth studio album from Eddie Money, Can’t Hold Back features “Take Me Home Tonight,” which peaked at No. 4 on the charts.

Aug. 18: ‘Slippery When Wet’ by Bon Jovi

The third studio album by Bon Jovi, Slippery When Wet is a landmark glam metal album for several reasons. To start, it was the first record in the sub genre’s history to have three top-10 singles. The album achieved 15x platinum status in the U.S.

Aug. 20: ‘Fahrenheit’ by Toto

The sixth studio album by Toto, Fahrenheit was the first to feature frontman Joseph Williams, as Fergie Frederiksen was fired in 1985.

Aug. 20: ‘Fore!’ by Huey Lewis & the News

The fourth studio album by Huey Lewis and the News, Fore! earned the band five top-10 singles, including “Stuck with You” and “Jacob’s Ladder,” which reached No. 1.

Sept. 15: ‘Blood & Chocolate’ by Elvis Costello & the Attractions

The 11th album by Costello, his ninth with the Attractions, Blood & Chocolate was a return to the standard Costello sound after King of America. The record was recorded during a time of heightened tensions between the singer and the Attractions. This led to most of the tracks being recorded quickly in live first takes.

Sept. 22: ‘Constrictor’ by Alice Cooper

The ninth studio album by Alice Cooper, Constrictor marked a return to prominence for the shock rocker after a nearly three-year hiatus from the music industry.

Sept. 24: ‘Third Stage’ by Boston

The third studio album by Boston, Third Stage marked the first album for the band since 1978’s Don’t Look Back. The record marked a major comeback for Boston, as it went 4x platinum in the U.S.

Sept. 24: ‘Dancing Undercover’ by Ratt

The third studio album by Ratt, Dancing Undercover managed to rise to No. 26 on the Billboard 200, later achieving platinum status.

Sept. 25: ‘Peace Sells… but Who’s Buying?’ by Megadeath

The second studio album by Megadeath, Peace Sells… but Who’s Buying? is often regarded as a classic thrash metal record. It went platinum in the U.S. and Canada.

Sept. 29: ‘Somewhere in Time’ by Iron Maiden

The sixth studio album by Iron Maiden, Somewhere in Time was the first record from the band to feature synthesizers. The record went platinum in the U.S., and was a focus of the band’s 2023 “The Future Past World Tour.”

Sept. 29: ‘Brotherhood’ by New Order

The fourth studio album by New Order, Brotherhood features “Bizarre Love Triangle,” the single that made for a commercial breakthrough in the U.S. and Australia.

Spet. 29: ‘Chicago 18’ by Chicago

The 15th studio album (18th overall) by Chicago, Chicago 18 is the first album without Peter Cetera, who was replaced by bassist and vocalist Jason Scheff. The record features an updated version of the band’s classic song, “25 or 6 to 4.”

Oct. 20: ‘Reign in Blood’ by Slayer

The third studio album by Slayer, Reign in Blood was the first collaboration for the band with producer Rick Rubin. Rubin’s input on the record helped the band’s sound evolve for more of a mainstream metal audience. This led to the album landing on the Billboard 200, a first for Slayer, and is often regarded as one of the greatest heavy metal records ever.

Oct. 20: ‘Get Close’ by The Pretenders

The fourth studio album from the Pretenders, Get Close features two No. 1 hits on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart; “Don’t Get Me Wrong” and “My Baby.”

Oct. 20: ‘Whiplash Smile’ by Billy Idol

The third studio album by Billy Idol, Whiplash Smile received mixed reviews from critics, but it still mandated to go platinum in the U.S.

Oct. 20: ‘Whispering Jack’ by John Farnham

The 12th studio album by John Farnham, Whispering Jack was a massive success in Australia, having been certified 24x platinum, making it the third-best selling record in the country’s history. It’s also the most-successful album in Australia from an Australian artist.

Oct. 24: ‘To Hell with the Devil’ by Stryper

The third studio album by Christian metal band Stryper, To Hell with the Devil was the first Christian metal album to achieve platinum status.

Oct. 28: ‘Power’ by Kansas

The 10th studio album released by Kansas, Power was the first record after the band returned from hiatus with a new lineup. Phil Ehart and Rich Williams we joined by the returning founding vocalist, Steve Walsh, along with guitarist Steve Morse and bassist Billy Greer.

Nov. 11: ‘Heartbeat’ by Don Johnson

The debut studio album for actor and singer Don Johnson, the star of Miami Vice, Heartbeat found its way to No. 17 on the Billboard 200. Its title track landed at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Dec. 8: ‘Mechanical Resonance’ by Tesla

The debut studio album for Tesla, Mechanical Resonance features classic songs like “Modern Day Cowboy” and “Little Suzi.” It peaked at No. 32 on the Billboard 200, and achieved platinum status in 1989.

Dec. 16: ‘Live ?!*@ Like a Suicide’ by Guns N’ Rose

The debut EP for Guns N’ Roses, Live ?!*@ Like a Suicide isn’t a real live album – it’s a faux live recording. The band intended to record a live record, but upon realizing how expensive it’d be to record one, they opted to make the record sound as if it was live, with the crowd noised added in the studio. The EP features four songs.