80s Music

Introduction Eddie Money was an American rock singer-songwriter and musician who attained fame during the 70s and the 80s oldies…

Formed in West Bromwich, England in 1969, Judas Priest is a heavy metal band that is often hailed as one…

Formed in Chicago, Illinois, in 1967. Chicago was a rock band that was originally named Chicago Transit Authority. They began…

Formed in 1977 in Los Angeles, California, Toto is a rock band that is currently composed of David Paich on…

Formed in New York, City in 1981, Sonic Youth was a rock band that was composed of Kim Gordon on…

Born as John Michael Osbourne in 1948, Ozzy Osbourne is an English songwriter, actor, and singer who rose to fame…

Born Anna Mae Bullock, Tina Turner is the iconic singer, songwriter, and actress who was responsible for the hit songs…

Born on May 16, 1966, Janet Damita Jo Jackson or more popularly known as Janet Jackson is a songwriter, singer,…

It seems like ever since the Beatles became famous, almost every decade started to produce a special group of boys…

A musician, record producer, singer, and songwriter, Stevie Ray Vaughan was one of the most influential musician that revived blues…

Formed in 1986 in Long Island, New York, Public Enemy is a hip hop group that consists of Flavor Flav,…

Formed in Leyton, East London in 1975, Iron Maiden is a heavy metal band that released over thirty-nine albums throughout…

Formed in New York City in 1981, the Beastie Boys was a hip hop group that is composed of Adam…

Formed in Los Angeles, California in 1981, Motley Crue is a rock band that is composed of Tommy Lee on…

Formed on 1965, Scorpion is a German rock band that is composed of Rudolf Schenker on rhythm guitar, Herman Rarebell…

Cynthia Ann Stephanie Lauper or popularly known as Cyndi Lauper is a singer, songwriter, and actress who has been in…

Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine is an American band that plays Latin-influenced music. The band was formed in 1975…

Luther Vandross was a singer-songwriter and record producer. He started his career as an in-demand background vocalist for several well-known…

Born on February 13, 1950, Peter Brian Gabriel or popularly known as Peter Gabriel, is an English singer, record producer,…

Formed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1986, Pixies are an alternative rock band that was composed of Joey Santiago on lead…

Formed in Champaign, Illinois in 1967, REO Speedwagon is a rock band that gained popularity in the United States during…

Simply Red is a band that was formed in 1983 in Manchester. The band’s frontman, Mick Hucknall was the only…

Formed in Los Angeles, California in 1978, The Go-Go’s is an American new-wave band that became famous in the early…

Steve Winwood was born as Stephen Laurence Winwood on May 1948. He is an English singer and musician who played…

The crime movies of the 80s shifted the film industry and inspired the coming generation of films in almost all…

Back in the early 80s, when the new wave movement eschewed blues and rock ‘n’ roll and brought about new…

Robert Barisford Brown or more popularly known as Bobby Brown is a singer-songwriter, dancer, actor, and occasional rapper. He was…

Formed in the South Bronx of New York City in 1978, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five was a hip-hop…

Most of us probably remembered DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince as the musical duo that launched the music…

Formed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1976, The Cars were a new wave rock band comprising of Ric Ocasek (rhythm guitar,…

Tracy Chapman is a singer-songwriter that was best known for her hit songs “Give Me One Reason”, “Fast Car”, and…

This iconic hip-hop girl group was formed in 1985 and it consists of Salt or Cheryl James, DJ Spinderella or…

Sade is an English band that was formed in 1982 in London whose music features the elements of sophisti-pop, quiet…

The Thompson Twins was a British new wave/ mainstream pop group that was formed in 1977. They gained popularity in…

N.W.A or N Wit Attitudes was a hip-hop group that originated from Compton, California. They were one of the first…

During the 1980s, alternative music meant anything that mainstream radio would not play, which was mostly anything back then. If…

Billy Idol was one of the first pop/rock artists that gained massive success from the 80s music scene. He started…

Kenny Loggins is a singer-songwriter and guitarist who used to be a part of the duo Loggins and Messina. But…

Although they never had a mainstream hit, Eric B. and Rakim were almost universally recognized as the premier DJ/MC team…

De La Soul is a hip-hop trio that was formed in Amytiville, Long Island, New York in 1987. They are…

Born as Leslie Sebastian Charles, Billy Ocean is a  singer who had several R&B international hit songs during the ‘70s…

Hip-hip is the music genre that is known for short-lived careers, but one rapper proved that he was an exception…

Robert Palmer was an English musician that was born in January 1949. He was also a record producer known for…

Before music videos took up residence on Youtube, there was a time when they ruled the TV landscape and that’s…

The ‘80s was the decade that gave birth to the sub-genres of hair metal and thrash metal among the many…

Formed by former Deep Purple member, David Coverdale in 1978, Whitesnake was an English rock band that is consist of…

Formed in Pasadena, California in 1972, Van Halen is a hard rock band that is composed of David Lee Roth…

Formed by British musicians Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith in 1981, Tears for Fears was founded after Smith’s and Orzabal’s…

Formed in Hereford, England in March of 1978, The Pretenders is an American-British rock band that is composed of Chrissie…

Formed in Manchester in 1982, The Smiths are composed of Steven Morrissey as their vocalist, Johnny Marr as their guitarist,…

Formed in Sheffield, England in 1977, The Human League is an English synth-pop band that rose to fame because of…

Originally known as the Farris Brothers in 1977, INXS (pronounced as “in excess”) is an Australian band that is consist…

Formed in 1976 in Crawley, West Sussex, The Cure is an English rock band that experienced a lot of line-up…

Formed in 1977 in Glasgow, Simple Minds is a Scottish rock band that is currently composed of Jim Kerr on…

Considered to be one of the most successful pop artist of the 80’s, Wham! Is an English duo composed of…

Formed in Islington, London in 1979, Spandau Ballet is one of the successful bands that came out during the New…

Formed in 1975 in New York City, Talking Heads was an American rock band that is comprised of David Byrne…

The Police was a British rock band from London that was formed in 1977. They played a style of rock…

Formed in London in 1981, Pet Shop Boys is an English synth-pop duo that is consist of Chris Lowe and…

Formed in 1981 in Los Angeles, California, Metallica is a heavy metal band that was started by James Hetfield and…

Olivia Newton-John is an English- Australian singer that was born on September 26, 1948. Olivia Newton-John is a talented actress,…

Formed in Queens, New York, Run-DMC is an American hip-hop group that is composed of Darryl McDaniels, Jazon Mizell, and…

Formed in Georgia in 1980, R.E.M is an American rock band that is composed of Bill Berry as the drummer,…

Formed in 1980, New Order is an English rock band that was composed of Stephen Morris on drums, Bernard Summer…

Formed in 1979, Men at Work are an Australian rock band with Colin Hay on lead vocals, Ron Strykert on…

History and Career AC/DC is one of the most influential hard rock bands from the 70’s, they are one of…

Bryan Adams is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, activist, producer and photographer. He was born on November 5, 1959 in Ontario,…

Culture Club was an English new wave band that is composed of Boy George on lead vocals, Jon Moss on…

Def Leppard is an English rock band formed by a group of teenagers from Sheffield England in 1977. The band…

Formed in Basildon, Essex in the 80’s, Depeche Mode is an electronic band that had more than 50 songs that…

Formed in London in 1977, Dire Straits is an English rock band that is composed of  David Knopfler on rhythm…

This British duo consists of Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart was formed  in the New South Wales city of…

Also known as GNR, Guns N’ Roses is an American rock band that was formed in Los Angeles, California. They…

Formed in San Francisco, California, Huey Lewis and the News had several hits during the 1980’s and early 1990’s. They…

Formed in Birmingham in 1978, Duran Duran is a new wave synthpop band that quickly grew from being alternative sensations…

Originally formed in 1980, Flock of Seagulls is an iconic English new wave band that was led by vocalist and…

Born in Southhampton on February 23, 1995, Howard Jones is a British singer and songwriter. He was once described as…

Sheena Shirley Orr, or more popularly known as Sheena Easton, is a Scottish singer, songwriter, and actress. Her first project…

The Pointer Sisters are an American versatile pop and R&B singing group who came from Oakland, California. It was during…

Kenneth Ray Rogers or more popularly known as Kenny Rogers is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur.…

Introduction to Classic Rock The 1960s: Rock Music Comes of Age The 1970s: Rock vs. Disco The 1980s: John Lennon,…

Introduction Michael Jackson (August 29, 1958-June 25, 2009) is one of the most famous superstars in the world. The “King…

John Mellencamp is a musician and singer-songwriter from Indiana who is one of the few but notable artists who brought…

Survivor is an American rock band formed in the late 1970s in Chicago by core members Frankie Sullivan and Jim…

  A-Ha, the synthpop group from Oslo, Norway, achieved brief popularity in the 80’s music era with “Take On Me”…

Introduction USA for Africa was the all-star one hit wonders famous for their charity single “We Are the World” during…

Introduction U2 is an Irish rock band formed Dublin. Led by lead vocalist Bono, the band transformed themselves from a…

Introduction Bobby McFerrin is an American singer known for his late 80s music era hit, the very catchy “Don’t Worry,…

Introduction Toni Basil is an American singer-songwriter, actress, dancer, choreographer and director whose song “Mickey” became a hit during the…

Introduction Dexys Midnight Runners are best known as one hit wonders especially in the United States, through their single “Come…

Introduction Lipps Inc. is a short-lived R&B and disco group who scored a hit single and now-oldies music classic tune…

Introduction Vangelis is a Greek pianist, composer and arranger who received an Oscar for his score in the blockbuster movie…

  Introduction Nena was a German classic rock, post-punk and new wave group hailing from Berlin. The band was fronted…

Introduction Prince (born Prince Rodgers Nelson) is an American singer-songwriter and musician, known for his groundbreaking, eclectic style and flamboyant…

Introduction George Michael was an English singer-songwriter who rose to fame during the 80s music scene. His catchy post-disco dance…

Introduction Whitney Houston was an American singer, actress, film and record producer. She first rose to fame during the 80s…

Introduction Lionel Richie is one of the most successful artists from the 80s music era, only to be eclipsed by…

Introduction Phil Collins (born in London, England, 1951) is an English singer-songwriter and drummer, who were one of the most…

Introduction Jon Bon Jovi is an American rock and pop singer, songwriter and musician who is also the frontman of…

Introduction Daryl Hall & John Oates aka Hall and Oates were one of the most popular acts during the late…

Introduction Madonna is an American singer, songwriter, musician, actress, producer and businesswoman who became one of the iconic figures of…

Introduction to Sonny Charles Born Charles Hemphill in 1940 in Indiana, Sonny Charles is an American soul singer. He was…

  Introduction to Marty Balin Marty Balin (born Martyn Jerel Buchwald in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1942) is an American singer-songwriter…

J. Geils Band’s career in a summary The J. Geils Band is an American rock group best known for their…

Introduction Kim Carnes is an American country and rock singer known for her raspy, throaty singing style, as well as…

Who are the Buggles? The Buggles are British new wave duo, best known for their hit single “Video Killed The…

  Don Henley’s success with the Eagles and his own solo career Don Henley (born Donald Hugh Henley in Gilmer,…

The band’s early days Heartland rock pioneers Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers formed in Gainesville, Florida in the mid-1970s. The…

Introduction Heart have remained one of the most commercially enduring groups in history, with sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson maintained…

Introduction Primarily known for their hit single “My Sharona”, four-piece new wave band The Knack were particularly active in the…

First, a little about “The Boss” Bruce Springsteen is the rare kind of musician that is commercially successful on a…

Introduction to Larry Graham Larry Graham is an American bass player and soul singer who is credited with the slapping…

Introduction Billy Joel is a known pianist and singer-songwriter known for the hit pop classics such as “The Piano Man”,…

Early life and career, and as member of Simon and Garfunkel Paul Simon was born in Newark, New Jersey in…

Introduction Journey is an American rock band who started their career during the 70s but achieved astronomical success during the…

Early days The roots of the ZZ Top originated in Houston Texas. During the late 1960s, guitarist Billy Gibbons formed…

Cetera’s career at a glance Peter Cetera (born in Chicago, Illinois in 1944) is an American singer-songwriter known as one…

Introduction to one of successful rock bands in history Genesis are a British classic rock and pop band formed in…

Introduction Pat Benatar is an American rock and pop singer whose operatic voice brought many hits include “Hit Me With…

Introduction to one of the few successful all-girl rock acts The Bangles are an American all-girl rock group who won…

Introduction to one of the most successful rock groups of all time As one of the most successful soft rock/arena…

Introduction to Air Supply Air Supply is a soft rock duo consisting of Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock formed in 1975…