The Crate
Roxy Music
Avalon
Avalon is the eighth and final studio album by Roxy Music, released on 28 May 1982. It became the band’s most commercially successful studio record, topping the UK Albums Chart for three weeks and earning Platinum status in the United States. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avalon_%28Roxy_Music_album%29))
Recording History
Recording took place across 1981–1982 at Gallery Studios (Chertsey, UK), Compass Point (Nassau, Bahamas), and The Power Station (New York City). Producers were Rhett Davies and Roxy Music. The sessions began with song ideas at Gallery Studios, including use of a Linn LM-1 drum machine, before final overdubs and mixing at The Power Station with Bob Clearmountain. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avalon_%28Roxy_Music_album%29)) ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avalon_%28Roxy_Music_album%29)) ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avalon_%28Roxy_Music_album%29))
Chart Performance & Recognition
Avalon spent three weeks at No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart and remained on the chart for over a year. In the US, it peaked at No. 53 on the Billboard 200 and was certified Platinum by the RIAA. The album’s singles performed well in Britain and beyond: “More Than This” was a UK Top 10, “Avalon” reached the Top 20, and “Take a Chance with Me” reached the Top 30. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avalon_%28Roxy_Music_album%29)) ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avalon_%28Roxy_Music_album%29)) ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avalon_%28Roxy_Music_album%29))
Cultural Impact & Legacy
Avalon helped define the sophistipop era with its lush, polished textures and Bryan Ferry’s romantic lyricism, and remains Roxy Music’s most acclaimed studio work. Critics have lauded its refined craft, with AllMusic highlighting the album’s elegant arrangements. The title track and other songs have been widely covered or sampled, including 10,000 Maniacs’ 1997 US hit cover of “More Than This,” Emmie’s 1999 UK version, and Blondie’s earlier cover of the same song. The cover design by Peter Saville, featuring Lucy Helmore, is enduringly iconic. Remixed surround versions in 2003 and a 2024 Dolby Atmos release have brought Grammy recognition in immersive formats. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avalon_%28Roxy_Music_album%29)).