In 1985, the electrifying world of live rock and roll music reached unprecedented heights, captivating fans everywhere.

With the rise of MTV and the transformative music video revolution, iconic bands like Motley Crue, Dire Straits, and Iron Maiden skyrocketed to fame. These artists recognized the power of visuals in enhancing their performances, leading them to elevate their stage presence with extravagant outfits, stunning pyrotechnics, and innovative props. This shift transformed their concerts into unforgettable spectacles that fans simply couldn’t miss. Below, you’ll find an in-depth look at the 15 most groundbreaking tours of 1985, complete with video highlights whenever possible:

Motley Crue’s Dazzling Live Performances

Following the launch of their glam-rock masterpiece Theatre of Pain, Motley Crue kicked off a monumental 128-date tour on July 7, 1985, starting with a series of five electrifying shows in Tokyo. The tour featured opening acts like Loudness and Y&T, concluding with a grand finale in Paris on March 3. A standout moment of each performance was Tommy Lee‘s jaw-dropping solo, where he played on a drum kit that ascended vertically, allowing the audience a breathtaking bird’s-eye view. This unique spectacle is captured in the video below, starting at the 53-minute mark. Their show-stopping rendition of Elvis Presley’s “Jailhouse Rock” later became a beloved track on their 1987 album, Girls, Girls, Girls.

Phil Collins’ Unforgettable Tours and Chart-Topping Hits

Throughout the 1980s, Phil Collins effortlessly balanced his time between the legendary band Genesis and a thriving solo career, achieving remarkable success with multi-platinum albums and sold-out concerts. In 1985, he hit a remarkable peak with the release of No Jacket Required, which ultimately sold over 25 million copies globally. To celebrate this success, Collins embarked on an extensive five-month, 85-date tour, featuring a dynamic four-piece horn section that enriched his sound. A highlight from this tour was the May 29 performance in Dallas, which was filmed for the HBO special and home video release, No Ticket Required. During his travels, Collins creatively filmed segments for his “Take Me Home” music video against stunning backdrops of famous landmarks around the world.

Tina Turner’s Spectacular Comeback Tour

After making a triumphant return to the music scene with the iconic album Private Dancer in 1984, Tina Turner devoted 1985 to celebrating her success with fans through an extensive 185-show world tour. The tour attracted an estimated 2.5 million attendees and generated an impressive $40 million in box office revenue. Two unforgettable performances from Birmingham, England, were recorded and later released as the home video Tina Live: Private Dancer Tour, featuring special guest appearances by David Bowie and Bryan Adams.

Discover More: The Top 20 Hard Rock and Metal Albums of 1985

Dire Straits’ Unprecedented Tour Success

With their groundbreaking album Brothers in Arms and the massive hit “Money for Nothing,” Dire Straits became unexpected darlings of MTV in the spring of 1985. Seizing the moment, the band launched an ambitious 248-date tour that spanned from April 25, 1985, to April 26, 1986. The tour’s final performance was broadcast live, although it has yet to be made available on home video. Frontman Mark Knopfler ultimately disbanded the group in 1988, feeling that their soaring popularity overshadowed the music’s quality. They reunited briefly for one last album and tour before disbanding again in 1995, allowing Knopfler to pursue a more intimate solo career.

Rush’s Power Windows Tour: A Visual and Musical Feast

After a brief five-date warm-up earlier in the year, Rush officially launched their Power Windows tour on December 4 in Portland, Maine. This tour saw the band explore deeper into synths, bass pedals, and samplers, aligning with the sound of the album they were promoting. The performances dazzled audiences with stunning visual elements, including lasers and holograms, combined with engaging backing projection screens. Notably, live renditions of “Mystic Rhythms” and “Witch Hunt” from this tour were featured in the 1989 live album A Show of Hands.

AC/DC’s World Tour: Rocking the Globe

Despite the mixed reviews of their 1985 album Fly on the Wall, AC/DC delivered a powerful world tour from September 4, 1985, to February 16, 1986. The album featured standout tracks that were integrated into their live set, including the title track, “Shake Your Foundations,” and “Sink the Pink.” It’s noteworthy that “Playing With Girls” only made a brief appearance during one performance. Fans eagerly embraced the opportunity to witness the band’s energetic stage presence and classic rock anthems.

Kiss: A Stunning Stage Show and New Hits

Riding high on the success of their commercial comeback with the hit “Heaven’s on Fire,” Kiss quickly followed up with the release of Asylum in 1985, featuring the catchy single “Tears are Falling.” The band elevated their stage performance with vibrant neon outfits and the largest Kiss sign ever, towering 20 feet tall and capable of changing colors for the first time. The 95-date tour commenced on November 29, 1985, in Little Rock, Arkansas, and the setlist often included a cover of the Who’s “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” alongside their catalog of ’80s hits. Interestingly, this tour is one of the few that wasn?t professionally filmed, making bootleg recordings highly coveted by fans.

Ratt and Bon Jovi: A Rising Star Collaboration

During their 1985 Invasion of Your Privacy tour, Ratt had a notable surprise guest: Bon Jovi, who was still establishing themselves with the 7800 Fahrenheit album. Bon Jovi frequently opened for Ratt throughout the tour, and this partnership laid the groundwork for their future success. The subsequent release of Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet album solidified their status as headliners in the rock scene.

Sting’s Jazz-Infused Tour: A Bold New Direction

After stepping away from the Police during their peak popularity, Sting took a bold step into the jazz-influenced territory with his album The Dream of the Blue Turtles. This artistic shift was showcased during his tour, which featured a seven-piece band, including renowned jazz musicians like Branford Marsalis. The tour kicked off with three nights at the iconic Ritz in New York City in February 1985, and his journey was documented in the film Bring on the Night, along with a corresponding live album.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ Resilient Comeback

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers faced challenges while creating their ambitious 1985 album Southern Accents, famously marked by Petty breaking his hand in a moment of frustration. Despite this setback, he revitalized the album’s songs on stage, dedicating nearly half of his setlist to the new material during the opening night in St. Louis on June 6, 1985. A two-night stand in Los Angeles was recorded and filmed for the album and home video release, Pack Up the Plantation: Live!, showcasing the band’s resilience and talent.

Don Henley: A New Era in Solo Performances

Having achieved considerable success with his two hit albums?1982’s I Can’t Stand Still and 1984’s Building the Perfect Beast?former Eagles member Don Henley launched his first solo tour on June 18, 1985, in St. Louis. This 58-show tour was a significant transition for Henley as he shifted from drums to guitar, offering audiences a mix of his solo hits and timeless Eagles classics. While there seems to be a lack of live video recordings from this period, the tour marked a pivotal moment in his career.

Bryan Adams: From Stardom to World Tours

After the release of Reckless in late 1984, Bryan Adams quickly ascended to superstardom, leading to a massive 155-date world tour throughout 1985. The album’s success was further highlighted by the 2014 expanded edition of Reckless, which included a fifteen-song live album recorded during a concert in London on April 20th. This tour solidified Adams’ position as one of the leading rock artists of the decade.

Bruce Springsteen: An Unstoppable Force in Live Music

Following a successful tour in 1984, Bruce Springsteen continued to meet the overwhelming demand for tickets after the triumph of Born in the U.S.A.. He devoted a significant portion of 1985 to performing in sold-out arenas and stadiums, promoting the album. Springsteen reflected on the experience, noting that “our anthems were built to fill and communicate in places of this size,” and the tour was characterized by powerful performances that engaged audiences from Timbuktu to New Jersey. Almost half of Springsteen’s career-spanning box set, Live 1975-85, features songs recorded during this remarkable tour.

Iron Maiden’s Legendary World Slavery Tour

The stage production crafted by Iron Maiden for their 1984-1985 World Slavery tour is often hailed as their finest. The show featured an elaborate Egyptian theme inspired by their hit album Powerslave, complete with a massive mummified Eddie looming over the stage. This year-long, 189-date tour left the band physically drained but ultimately resulted in a classic live album and home video, Live After Death, forever capturing their legendary performances.

ZZ Top’s Innovative Stage Production and Unforgettable Performances

Thanks to the phenomenal success of their 1983 album Eliminator, ZZ Top was able to invest significantly in stage production for their tour in support of 1985’s Afterburner. The stage design transformed from the iconic dashboard of the Eliminator car to a futuristic control panel reminiscent of a space shuttle. Interestingly, this elaborate setup was originally designed for Loverboy. Notably, neither this tour nor the wildly ambitious Worldwide Texas Tour?characterized by a stage shaped like their home state with live cattle roaming the venue?was professionally filmed, raising questions about why these memorable performances weren’t documented.