Pick a Day

Music History Events: Debut Albums

May 14, 1991 Primus' major label debut (and eventual commercial breakthrough), Sailing the Seas of Cheese, is released. The album spawns the alt-rock classics "Jerry Was a Race Car Driver," "Tommy the Cat," and "Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers."

April 1, 1991 School of Fish release their eponymous debut album, featuring their lone hit "3 Strange Days."

November 13, 1990 At the Off Ramp in Seattle, Temple of the Dog play their only show. Comprised of members of Soundgarden and what would become Pearl Jam, the group was formed as a tribute to Mother Love Bone singer Andrew Wood, who died of a heroin overdose.

June 26, 1990 Nelson release their debut album After the Rain, which sells over 2 million copies thanks to the #1 single "(Can't Live Without Your) Love and Affection." Nelson is the duo of Gunnar and Matthew, the twin sons of Rick Nelson.More

April 10, 1990 A Tribe Called Quest release their debut album, People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, drawing comparisons to the mellow grooves of De La Soul. It doesn't do much damage on the charts but ages well, with the songs "Can I Kick It?" and "Bonita Applebum" earning a place as hip-hop classics.

February 7, 1990 Primus release their first studio album, Frizzle Fry. Their mashup of progressive, punk and alternative is a winner, earning them an ardent fanbase that takes to affectionately screaming "Primus Sucks!" at concerts.

January 1, 1990 Ween release their debut full-length album, GodWeenSatan: The Oneness, on Twin/Tone records. The album contains 26 songs, some of which had appeared on the six cassette tapes the band had self-released in the late '80s.

June 15, 1989 The Offspring's self-titled debut album is released only on vinyl. A CD and cassette reissue are eventually released in 1995.

January 24, 1989 Skid Row release their self-titled debut album. Two days later, they join Bon Jovi on the New Jersey Syndicate tour. The album, which includes "18 And Life" and "Youth Gone Wild," goes on to sell over 5 million copies in America.

October 11, 1988 Sarah McLachlan releases her debut album, Touch, through Nettwerk Records. The album would be re-mixed and re-released the following year.

September 13, 1988 N.W.A founder Eazy-E releases his debut solo album, Eazy-Duz-It.

August 30, 1988 Danzig, fronted by former Misfits lead singer Glenn Danzig, release their self-titled debut album, produced by Rick Rubin. The song "Mother" becomes a minor hit when it is re-released five years later.

August 9, 1988 Edie Brickell & New Bohemians release their debut album, Shooting Rubberbands At The Stars, the title a reference to their longshot chances of making it big. The first single is the easygoing, introspective "What I Am," which stands out from the dance music and hair metal on the charts and becomes a surprise hit.

August 1, 1988 Mudhoney's first-ever single is released: "Touch Me I'm Sick" b/w "Sweet Young Thing Ain't Sweet No More," via Sub Pop Records.

July 4, 1988 Kylie Minogue releases her debut album, Kylie, featuring her hit cover of "The Loco-Motion." The album marks a rebirth of disco, a genre Minogue proudly embraces.

May 2, 1988 Living Colour's debut album, Vivid, is released. It takes almost a year to catch on, as the band slowly builds a following through tours, radio play and MTV.

December 4, 1987 16-year-old Alison Krauss releases her debut album, Too Late To Cry, backed by her band Union Station.

June 2, 1986 Randy Travis releases his debut album, Storms Of Life. Thanks to the #1 Country hits "On The Other Hand" and "Diggin' Up Bones," it goes on to sell over 3 million copies, establishing Travis as a star.

June 1, 1985 A-ha release their debut album, Hunting High and Low, including their breakthrough hit, "Take On Me."More

April 29, 1985 Freddie Mercury releases his solo album Mr. Bad Guy. Although it sells okay in the UK, in the US it doesn't make even the top 150.

April 25, 1985 Exodus release their first studio album, Bonded By Blood.

January 10, 1985 Chris Isaak releases his debut album, Silvertone. The LP is named after his three-piece backup band.

October 15, 1984 The Judds, a mother-daughter duo from Kentucky, upend the "Urban Cowboy Movement" with their throwback debut album, Why Not Me. It yields three #1 Country singles: "Girls' Night Out," "Love Is Alive," and "Why Not Me."More

June 12, 1984 Howard Jones' debut album, Human's Lib, is released in the US.

May 29, 1984 Comic rap group the Fat Boys release their self-titled debut album. By the end of the '80s, they have four Gold albums (including their debut) and star in the movie Disorderlies.

May 7, 1984 Roger Waters releases his first solo album, The Pros And Cons Of Hitch Hiking. His band, Pink Floyd, fractured the previous year.

December 11, 1983 Whodini release their debut album, one of the first rap LPs on a major label (Jive). The song "Magic's Wand" inspires their name, which is a play on the name of magician Harry Houdini.

October 14, 1983 Cyndi Lauper, formerly a member of the group Blue Angel, issues her first solo album, She's So Unusual. With the MTV hits "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" and "Time After Time," it becomes an '80s touchstone.

July 25, 1983 Metallica release their debut album, Kill 'Em All, three months after parting ways with guitarist Dave Mustaine.More

July 5, 1983 Suicidal Tendencies release their self-titled debut album. The album spawns the band's biggest hit to date, "Institutionalized."