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- Michael Jackson. 1980 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989.
- Prince. 1980 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989.
- Madonna. 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1989.
- U2. 1987 | 1988 | 1989.
- U2
- Talking Heads
- Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
- R.E.M
- Poison
- Twisted Sister
- Ratt
- The Smiths
- AC/DC
- Guns N’ Roses
Even today, these four lads from Ireland are creating beautiful music. But it’s thanks to such career-defining albums as Boy, War, and The Joshua Tree that U2 became one of the most successful ’80s bands. The Joshua Treealbum was especially significant in the achievement of their rock sound, also providing songs for the ages with tracks like “With ...
Talking Heads were unique in the way that they were able to reach mainstream audiences but hold onto their authenticity, something which music critics liked. Their trademark new wave sounds incorporated elements of punk rock, funk, and even world music. Despite their blend of genres, they still managed to appeal to a wide range of listeners and ear...
Although Jersey-born Bruce Springsteen emerged during the ’70s, his work in the ’80s was huge commercially. Known for his marathon shows and hard work ethic, the ’80s saw his album Born in the U.S.A smash the charts and produce seven top ten singles on the BillboardHot 100. Also, his artistically praised albums The River and Nebraskaproved that The...
Formed in 1980, this band from Georgia is often considered one of the ancestors of the alternative rock genre. Their debut album, Murmur, instantly received acclaim and made a name for themselves. Because of Michael Stipe’s hard-to-decipher singing and Peter Buck’s distinctive guitar style, critics praised them from the beginning. College radio sup...
Bret Michaels was among the countless rockstars that MTV helped to produce. After leaving Pennsylvania for Hollywood’s Sunset Strip, Poison built a cult following after the release of their debut album Look What the Cat Dragged In. With the help of controversial interviews and late-night brawls, the group earned a wild reputation. However, their un...
Before even signing their first record, Long Island’s Twisted Sister went through countless lineup changes in the span of a decade. Currently, Dee Snider is the face of Twisted Sister, however founding member Jay Jay French founded the band in 1972 with Mell Star, the brother of Bob Marley guitarist Al Anderson. By the mid-’80s, Twisted Sister caug...
Another classic ’80s band that emerged from Los Angeles. After performing as Firedom, Crystal Pystal, and Mickey, the band finally settled on the name Ratt. They took Sunset Strip by storm in the early ‘80s. Lead guitarist Warren Demartini, who was only 18 years old at the time, helped the group’s debut album receive airplay on MTV. The group’s suc...
When discussing the British indie scene and alternative rock, its likely that The Smiths will be mentioned. In a decade of heavy synth usage played on the radio, The Smiths emerged from the underground with their guitar-driven sound, providing some different to synth-pop. With Morrissey and Johnny Marr at the heart of the band’s songwriting, The Sm...
Although AC/DC’s days with Bon Scott produced some of their greatest work, it’s their body of work with Brian Johnson that put them on the list. Featuring signature tracks like “You Shook Me All Night Long” and “Back in Black,” their album of the same name became one of history’s best-selling albums. The Aussies further proved they were one of the ...
This California band stormed the music scene with their melodic hard rock, as gathered from their smash-hit record Appetite for Destruction, which went on to become America’s biggest-selling debut album of all time. With a reputation that earned them the title of “the world’s most dangerous band,” Guns N’ Roses were a must-see act in the ’80s if yo...
- Mötley Crüe. If there was ever a band that defined the 1980s, Mötley Crüe is the poster child. Billing themselves as the “World’s Most Notorious Rock Band,” the Crüe formed in 1981 in Los Angeles.
- Bon Jovi. Next up, Bon Jovi is a band formed by a couple of New Jersey natives who managed to see arena rock success after their formation in 1983. Featuring Jon Bon Jovi, David Bryan, Tico Torres, Phil X, and Hugh McDonald, they released their first two albums in 1984 and 1985, but their third album, Slippery When Wet, catapulted the band into superstardom.
- Van Halen. Though formed in the early 1970s, Van Halen had become a successful band by the time the 1980s rolled in. With their bad-boy reputation, they became known for live shows filled with energy thanks to lead singer David Lee Roth.
- Guns N’ Roses. You can’t talk about rock bands in the ‘80s without mentioning Guns N’ Roses. This band was a vision of the future of rock and roll. Gritty, grimy, and full of life, GNR was a glimpse into rock’s next phase: grunge.
- Queen. 12,331 votes. Undoubtedly, Queen ruled the world of rock music throughout the '80s with their captivating stage performances and larger-than-life anthems.
- AC/DC. 7,957 votes. AC/DC's explosive fusion of blues-inspired rock and high-voltage energy catapulted them to international stardom in the '80s, firmly establishing their place as one of the era's most influential bands.
- Journey. 7,631 votes. Solidifying their status as titans of arena rock, Journey captivated audiences throughout the '80s with soaring vocals and anthemic melodies that resonated with fans from all walks of life.
- Van Halen. 7,369 votes. Van Halen burst onto the music scene in the '80s with their innovative blend of hard rock and exceptional musicianship, accompanied by an unrivaled stage presence.
- Queen. 480 votes. With a charismatic frontman and unparalleled vocal range, this group soared above the rest with their unique blend of opera and rock, creating an entirely new genre.
- AC/DC. 461 votes. This Australian powerhouse is known for its electrifying guitar riffs, distinct vocal style, and high-energy stage presence that defined a generation's sound.
- Guns N' Roses. 434 votes. With a raw edge and unapologetic attitude, this group burst onto the scene and quickly became synonymous with the rebellious spirit of rock 'n' roll.
- Van Halen. 455 votes. Innovative guitar techniques and explosive stage presence are hallmarks of this groundbreaking group that revolutionized hard rock music.
Aug 15, 2023 · 39. Twisted Sister. The New Jersey heavy-metal band Twisted Sister captured two of the major trends of 80s rock – makeup usage and anti-authoritarianism and exaggerated them to almost cartoonish levels. The result was a string of back-to-back hits that should earn them a place in any top-80s-band list.
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Mar 5, 2024 · 18. The Cure. Phil Thornalley, Porl Thompson, Robert Smith, Andy Anderson and Lol Tolhurst of The Cure in 1984. Redferns. As one of the most prolific bands during the 1980s, The Cure helped shape ...
