1987 news seemed to be bad news on the back of bad news. Terry Waite the special envoy of Archbishop of Canterbury was kidnapped in Beirut. The ferry disaster at Zebrugge saw 180 passengers drown. We then had the Hungerford Massacre where Michael Ryan killed 16 people before turning on himself. 11 people were killed by the Provisional IRA at a Remembrance parade in Enniskillen. We then heard of the 31 people who lost there lives in the Kings Cross fire on the London Underground.
Storms then hit the UK and was worst in the south of England where 31 people lost there lives and then 2 days later we had the Black Monday when the stock market levels fell in New York then around the world in mass panic.
House music gained its first UK number one when American Steve Harley hit gold with jack your body despite no radio play and the dance theme continued with M/A/R/R/S pump up the volume at the end of the year which was to give a taste of things to come. However, more traditional avenues were still selling well. the older generation were still making an impact. Aretha Franklin duet with George Michael (I knew you wee waiting), Ben E King (stand by me) and the Bee Gees (you win again) all graced the top. Also Aretha's god daughter Whitney Houston also scored a number one with the huge catchy disco number I want to dance with somebody.
1987 saw two artists have two number ones with Madonna tracks of La isla Bonita and Papa Don't Preach and the Pet Shop Boys with Its a Sin and Always on my mind. A novelty was in between those none other than The Firm with Star Trekin in tribute to Star Trek.
Stock Aitken and Waterman were beginning to dominate the charts and 2 of there acts enjoyed stays at the top, first of all Mel and Kim with Respectable and tea boy Rick Astley Never gonna give you up which went on to be the biggest selling single of 1987.
Following his split from Culture club Boy George continued the success with everything I own. Ferry Aid also went top with the old Beatles classic Let it Be to raise funds for the Zebrugge disaster.
Movie themes had an influence on two number ones with Starship nothing gonna stop us now (Mannequin) and Los Lobos with the self titled film La Bamba.
To Finish 2 ballads hit the top with Michael Jackson Cant Stop loving you and Shropshire finest T'pau with china in your hand.
Did You Know?
Mel and Kim were the only British girl group to achieve a number one in the 1980s.
The Simpsons cartoon debuts on the Tracey Ullman show.
Def Leppard Hysteria album is the longest rock album ever released.
Irish man Johnny Logan was the first artist to win the Eurovision twice.
Deaths in the music industry saw the flamboyant pianist Liberace pass away and Reggae musician Pete Tosh gunned down in his own home during a bungled raid.
The album charts saw solo artists enjoy great success with Kate Bush (The whole story) and Paul Simon (Graceland) starting the year off. The middle of they year saw Whitney Houston (Whitney) and Terence Trent Darby (Introducing the hardline according to...) and then towards the end of the year The Boss (Tunnel of Love), Sting (Nothing like the sun), George Michael (Faith) and New boy Rick Astley (Whenever you need somebody).
The HITS V NOW battle still raged on with HITS 6 enjoying 2 spells at the top and NOW 9 and 10 assuming the customary role at the head of the pile.
Some older artists made a steady return to the top with Fleetwood Mac legendary Tango in the night, Def Leppard highly awaited Hysteria and Michael Jackson biggest selling album of the year BAD.
New talent was to freshen things up and none bigger than Curiosity killed the cat keep your distance, swing out sister Its better to travel and T'pau bridge of spies.
1987 also saw the battle of the stadium rockers. U2 released the Joshua Tree to critical acclaim and Simple Minds Live in the city of light received likewise applause.
Recommended Listening/Purchasing
The Joshua Tree - U2
Hysteria - Def Leppard
Tango in the Night - Fleetwood Mac
Faith - George Michael
Bad - Michael Jackson
Keep Your distance - Curiosity killed the cat
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