1983
1983 saw the release of their first and self-titled album, Jon Butcher Axis, featuring a Johanna Wild revision of "(It Takes) A New Man". Other notable tracks included "Ocean in Motion" and "Walk Like This". This album reached No. 21 in the Billboard Pop Albums chart and Jon Butcher Axis' video "Life Takes a Life" became one of the first videos by a black artist to receive airtime on MTV. At that time, the only two black artists enjoying MTV coverage were Jon Butcher Axis and Michael Jackson. The band's second album, Stare at the Sun (1984), with title derived from Hendrix "Axis Bold as Love" album cover which depicts Hendrix standing in front of a blazing sun, reached No. 55 on the Billboard album chart. The result of these two albums' successes afforded further growing popularity for the band, which added the opportunity to tour with Rush and Def Leppard.
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