The 25 best Classic Rock albums of 1986

19 May 2026, 08:00

Radio X takes a trip through the year of Invisible Touch, Slippery When Wet, A Kind Of Magic and Master Of Puppets.

By Radio X Classic Rock

@xclassicrock

1. Ozzy Osbourne - The Ultimate Sin: release date 10th February 1986

   The former Black Sabbath frontman's fourth solo album included the hit Shot In the Dark and Lightning Strikes.

   

2. Elvis Costello - King of America: release date 21st February 1986

   Credited to "The Costello Show", the songwriter's tenth album included a cover of Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood and the originals Brilliant Mistake, Indoor Fireworks and Lovable.

   

3. Metallica - Master Of Puppets: release date 3rd March 1986

   The metal titans released their third album and the last to feature their original bassist Cliff Burton, who died later that year.

   

4. Van Halen - 5150: release date 24th March 1986

   The first album to feature David Lee Roth's replacement Sammy Hagar on vocals included the singles Love Walks In, Dreams and the UK Top 10 hit Why Can't This Be Love.

   

5. Bruce Hornsby & The Range - The Way It Is: release date 1st April 1986

   The debut album from the Virginia-born pianist gave the world the massive hit The Way It Is; other singles were Mandolin Rain and Every Litte Kiss.

   

6. Bonnie Tyler - Secret Dreams & Forbidden Fire: release date 7th April 1986

   The sixth studio from the Welsh singer included Holding Out For A Hero, her biggest hit since 1983's Total Eclipse Of The Heart, plus the singles Loving You's A Dirty Job But Somebody's Gotta Do It and If You Were A Woman (And I Was A Man).

   

7. Journey - Raised On Radio: release date 21st April 1986

   The ninth album from the hard rock legends included the tracks Be Good To Yourself, Girl Can't Help It, I'll Be Alright Without You and Suzanne.

   

8. Peter Gabriel - So: release date 19th May 1986

   Gabriel's fifth solo album was his first to feature an actual title (his first four were all untitled!) and was a huge hit, spawning the singles Don't Give Up, Big Time and the classic Sledgehammer.

   

9. AC/DC - Who Made Who: release date 26th May 1986

   Acca Dacca recorded some new songs for the trucks-on-the-loose Stephen King movie Maximum Overdrive, including the raucous title track; the soundtrack also included the classic You Shook Me All Night Long, Hell's Bells and For Those About To Rock (We Salute You).

   

10. Europe - The Final Countdown: release date 30th May 1986

    The Swedish rockers had a huge international hit with the title track to their third studio album, which also included the singles Rock The Night and Carrie.

    

11. Queen - A Kind Of Magic: release date 2nd June 1986

    The band's twelfth album was their first post-Live Aid outing and included the hit title track, One Vision, Friends Will Be Friends and Who Wants To Live Forever (written for the soundtrack to the movie Highlander).

    

12. Genesis - Invisible Touch: release date 9th June 1986

    The prog rock pioneers' thirteenth album was their poppiest yet, and included the singles In Too Deep, Tonight Tonight Tonight and Land Of Confusion.

    

13. Steve Winwood - Back In the High Life: release date 30th June 1986

    The fourth solo album from the former Spencer Davis Group and Traffic musician included the hits Higher Love and Back In The High Life Again.

    

14. David Lee Roth - Eat 'Em And Smile: release date 7th July 1986

    At the peak of Van Halen's success, singer Roth decided to jump ship and build his own band around ace guitarist Steve Vai, bassist Billy Sheehan and drummer Gregg Bissonette. Singles included Yankee Rose, Goin' Crazy, I'm Easy and a cover of the Frank Sinatra standard That's Life.

    

15. Poison - Look What The Cat Dragged In: release date 16th August 1986

    The US glam metal band had a hit with their debut album, which included the singles Talk Dirty To Me, Cry Tough and I Want Action.

    

16. Bon Jovi - Slippery When Wet: release date 18th August 1986

    The New Jersey rock band's third album was a huge worldwide hit and included the tunes Wanted Dead Or Alive, You Give Love A Bad Name and Livin' On A Prayer.

    

17. Paul Simon - Graceland: release date 1st September 1986 (UK release)

    Simon's adaptation of South African street music was controversial, but a huge hit and a commercial comeback for the songwriter. Singles included Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes, The Boy In The Bubble and You Can Call Me Al.

    

18. Talking Heads - True Stories: release date 15th September 1986

    The seventh album from David Byrne's art rockers was the soundtrack to the film of the same name and included the singles Wild Wild Life, Love For Sale and Radio Head, which is a great name for a band.

    

19. Megadeth - Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? Release date 19th September 1986

    The second album from the thrash metal legends included the singles Wake Up Dead and Peace Sells.

    

20. Iron Maiden - Somewhere In Time: release date 29th September 1986

    Maiden's sixth album included the singles Stranger In A Strange Land and Wasted Years, both written by guitarist Adrian Smith.

    

21. Billy Idol - Whiplash Smile: release date 20th October 1986

    The third album from the former Generation X man included the singles To Be A Lover, Don't Need A Gun and Sweet Sixteen.

    

22. Slayer - Reign In Blood: release date 20th October 1986

    The third album from the thrash metal pioneers was their first for the Def Jam label and their first to be produced by Rick Rubin. Tracks included Portmortem and Criminally Insane.

    

23. The Pretenders - Get Close: release date 20th October 1986

    The fourth studio album from Chrissie Hynde and co included the singles Don't Get Me Wrong, My Baby and Hymn To Her.

    

24. Iggy Pop - Blah Blah Blah: 23rd October 1986

    The Igster had his first ever UK hit when his cover of the rock 'n' roll standard Real Wild Child (Wild One) made Number 10 in November '86. Bowie co-produced and co-wrote some of the album, alongside former Sex Pistol Steve Jones.

    

25. Eric Clapton - August: release date 24th November 1986

    Old Slowhand's tenth album gave us the hit single Behind The Mask, plus Tearing Us Apart and It's In The Way That You Use It.