Remember 1986?

Hands Across America unified more than 5 million people forming a human chain for charity. Halley’s Comet made its second visit to the solar system in the 20^th century. The movies Top Gun, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Stand by Me became massive hits. The Space Shuttle Challenger disintegrated over the Atlantic Ocean, and the Soviet nuclear reactor at Chernobyl exploded. Oprah Winfrey’s daytime talk show debuted. Microsoft held its first public offering. Mike Tyson became the youngest heavyweight boxing champion, and the National Football League adopted instant replay.

And through it all, there was the unforgettable music that defined the moment and became the soundtrack to our lives.

The best-performing single on the charts was “That’s What Friends Are For” by Dionne and Friends. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted its first class. Freddie Mercury performed with Queen for what would be the last time, and a bus accident involving Metallica took the life of bassist Cliff Burton. New Kids on the Block were molded to release their debut album. The Run-D.M.C./Aerosmith hit “Walk This Way” effected a rapprochement between Black rap and white rock. Large-scale concerts featuring U2, Peter Gabriel and Lou Reed raised funds for Amnesty International.

In On Record “Vol. 8: 1986”—the eighth title in his award-winning series—acclaimed music journalist G. Brown transports readers back to one of the most vibrant years in music history. Through vivid storytelling and striking imagery, Brown shares his decades of exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews and an archive of nearly 15,000 rare editorial photographs. Through his incisive writing and historical perspective, On Record “Vol. 8: 1986” captures the energy, innovation and cultural shifts that defined the era.

Explore On Record “Vol. 8: 1986” for a comprehensive record of musical legacies:

• Chart dominance by Bon Jovi (Slippery When Wet) and artists like Madonna (True Blue) and Janet Jackson (Control)
• Hit singles reflecting ‘60s rock vocabulary such as the Bangles’ “Walk Like an Egyptian” and the Pretenders’ “Don’t Get Me Wrong”
• Pivotal hip-hop recordings from Run-D.M.C. and Beastie Boys, and Slayer’s metal opus
• Paul Simon’s landmark Graceland release and essential albums from superstars Prince and Genesis
• Alternative college-radio favorites such as R.E.M. and the Smiths
• The year’s top releases in hip-hop, classic rock, country, jazz and new age genres

On Record “Vol. 8: 1986” brims with visual narratives that inspire, educate and entertain—an essential guide to the extraordinary music of that year.

Meticulously edited and beautifully designed, this oversized edition is printed to the highest standards, making it a stunning gift or centerpiece for your living room, music room, man cave or creative space—wherever the soundtrack to your life plays loudest.