The 1980s saw the rise of pop music and heavy metal and the beginnings of rap. Check out these top artists and bands of the 80s dude!
Def Leppard
Formed: November 1977, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Members: Joe Elliott (vocals), Rick Savage (bass), Pete Willis (guitar, 1977-82), Tony Kenning (drums, 1977-78), Frank Noon (drums, 1978), Rick Allen (drums, 1978-present), Steve Clark (guitar, 1978-91), Phil Collen (guitar, 1982-present), Vivian Campbell (guitar, 1992-present)
Genres: Hard Rock, NWOBHM, AOR, Glam Metal, Pop Rock, Heavy Metal
Mudhoney
Formed: January 1988, Seattle, WA, United States
Members: Mark Arm (guitar, vocals, harmonica, organ), Steve Turner (lead guitar), Dan Peters (drums), Matt Lukin (bass, 1988-2000), Guy Maddison (bass, 2001-present)
Genres: Grunge, Garage Rock, Garage Punk, Alternative Rock, Noise Rock, Psychedelic Rock
Michael Jackson
Check Out Our History of the Jackson Five
Born: August 29, 1958, Gary, IN, United States
Died: June 25, 2009, Los Angeles, CA, United States
Member of: Jackson 5, The Jacksons, U.S.A. for Africa
Notes: Father of Paris Jackson; brother of Janet Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Rebbie Jackson, La Toya Jackson, Jackie Jackson, Tito Jackson and Randy Jackson; uncle of the members of 3T. Formerly married to Lisa Marie Presley [1994-96].
Genres: Pop, Contemporary R&B, Dance-Pop, Pop Soul, Disco, Soul
Tears for Fears
Formed: 1981, Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom
Members: Roland Orzabal (vocals, guitar, keyboards, programming), Curt Smith (vocals, bass, keyboards, 1982-90, 2000-present), Manny Elias (drums), Chris Hughes (drums, 1982-88), Ian Stanley (keyboards, 1982-88)
Genres: Synthpop, Pop Rock, New Wave, Art Pop, Sophisti-Pop, Psychedelic Pop
Bruce Springsteen
Check Out Our Introduction to Bruce Springsteen
Born: September 23, 1949, Freehold, NJ, United States
Currently: Rumson, NJ, United States
Member of: The Rogues, The Castiles, Child, Steel Mill, Dr. Zoom & the Sonic Boom, Sundance Blues Band, The Bruce Springsteen Band, U.S.A. for Africa
Related Artists: E Street Band, The Max Weinberg 7
Also Known As: Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen [birth name], The Boss
Genres: Rock, Heartland Rock, Singer/Songwriter, Pop Rock, Contemporary Folk, Americana
Public Enemy
Formed: 1982, Roosevelt, NY, United States
Members: Chuck D (MC), Flavor Flav (MC), Terminator X (turntables, 1986-98), Professor Griff (MC, 1986-89, 1994-present), DJ Lord (turntables, 1999-present)
Genres: East Coast Hip Hop, Political Hip Hop, Conscious Hip Hop, Hardcore Hip Hop, Film Soundtrack, Hip Hop
Prince
Birth name: Prince Rogers Nelson
Also known as: Jamie Starr, Christopher, Alexander Nevermind, The Purple One, Joey Coco, Prince logo.svg, The artist formerly known as Prince
Born: June 7, 1958 (age 56), Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Genres: Funk, R&B, rock, pop, new wave, Minneapolis sound, synthpop
Instruments: Vocals, guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, drums, saxophone, harmonica, Linn Drum
Years active: 1976–present
Labels: Warner Bros., Paisley Park, NPG, EMI, Columbia, Arista, Universal
Madonna
Born: August 16, 1958, Bay City, MI, United States
Member of: Breakfast Club, Emmy
Also Known As: Madonna Louise Ciccone [birth name], Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone
Genres: Pop, Dance-Pop, Electropop, Art Pop, Downtempo, Film Soundtrack
Megadeth
Formed: July 1983, Los Angeles, CA, United States
Members: Dave Mustaine (guitar, vocals), David Ellefson (bass, 1983-2002, 2010-present), Greg Handevidt (guitar, 1983-84), Dijon Carruthers (drums, 1983), Lee Rausch (drums, 1984), Gar Samuelson (drums, 1984-87), Chris Poland (guitar, 1984-87), Chuck Behler (drums, 1987-88), Jeff Young (guitar, 1987-88), Nick Menza (drums, 1989-98), Marty Friedman (guitar, 1990-99), Jimmy DeGrasso (drums, 1998-2002), Al Pitrelli (guitar, 2000-02), Glen Drover (guitar, 2004-07), James MacDonough (bass, 2004-06), Shawn Drover (drums, 2004-14), James LoMenzo (bass, 2006-10), Chris Broderick (guitar, 2008-14)
Also Known As: Fallen Angels [1983]
Genres: Thrash Metal, Heavy Metal, Speed Metal, Hard Rock, Technical Thrash Metal, Acoustic Rock
Metallica
Formed: October 28, 1981, Los Angeles, CA, United States
Currently: San Rafael, CA, United States
Members: Lars Ulrich (drums), James Hetfield (guitar, vocals), Hugh Tanner (guitar, 1981), Lloyd Grant (guitar, 1981), Ron McGovney (bass, 1981-82), Dave Mustaine (guitar, 1982-83), Cliff Burton (bass, 1982-86), Kirk Hammett (guitar, 1983-present), Jason Newsted (bass, 1986-2001), Robert Trujillo (bass, 2003-present)
Also Known As: The Four Horsemen [1985], Frayed Ends [1988], The Lemmy’s [1995], Spun [2002], Dehaan [2013]
Genres: Thrash Metal, Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, Alternative Metal, Symphonic Metal, Speed Metal
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