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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.
- Mötley Crüe
- Bon Jovi
- Van Halen
- Guns N’ Roses
- Metallica
- Foreigner
- Journey
- ZZ Top
- The Bangles
- Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers
If there was ever a band that defined the 1980s, Mötley Crüeis the poster child. Billing themselves as the “World’s Most Notorious Rock Band,” the Crüe formed in 1981 in Los Angeles. Made up of members Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee, Mick Mars, and Vince Neil, the group quickly made a name for themselves in the LA metal club scene, which led to a record dea...
Next up, Bon Joviis 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. ...
Though formed in the early 1970s, Van Halenhad 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. The band’s 1984 album release, aptly named 1984, led to their only #1 hit single, “Jump,” and three other hits. The album so...
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. Led by the unique vocal talents of singer Axl Rose, the band was formed in Los Angeles in 1985, with a record deal from Geffen Records...
Long before Stranger Things brought Metallicaback to the cultural zeitgeist, the band was already famous. Formed in Los Angeles in 1981, Metallica brought a different sound to rock and roll. Many consider the band one of the pioneers of the heavy metal genre, focusing on hard guitar licks, meaty drums, and the gravelly voice of singer/lead guitaris...
Up next is Foreigner, arena rock personified. With enough hard rock and ballads in their catalog, the band could make a living off the nostalgia circuit for decades to come. Foreigner was formed in New York City in 1976 with Mick Jones, Ian McDonald, and Lou Gramm at the forefront. Their first self-titled album was released in 1977, becoming an ins...
Yet another arena rock band that found tremendous success in the 1980s is Journey, largely thanks to the vocals of lead man Steve Perry. Formed in San Francisco in 1973, the band released seven albums to varying degrees of modest success until 1981’s Escape. Escapebecame the band’s most successful album at the time thanks to “Don’t Stop Believin’,”...
While they were formed in 1969 by Billy Gibbons, Frank Beard, and Dusty Hill, ZZ Topachieved popularity during the decade of excess thanks to their very unique style. With long beards, sunglasses, and spinning guitars, ZZ Top crafted a look tailor-made for the MTV generation. With three albums released during the 1980s — El Loco, Eliminator, and Af...
We cannot have this list without some girl power. The Banglesformed in Los Angeles in 1981 — crazy how so many of these bands came out of the City of Angels — with four women headlining the group. The Bangles soon made waves across California thanks to their lineup and musical stylings. In 1984, the band had a hit written by Prince called “Manic Mo...
Next, we have Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, who formed in 1976 with singer-songwriter-guitarist Tom Petty at the forefront. With sounds inspired by Bob Dylan, Petty’s group hit musical heights with four album releases in the 1980s. With hits like “You Got Lucky,” “Change of Heart,” and “Don’t Come Around Here No More,” Petty and the band had gre...
- U2. 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.
- Talking Heads. 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.
- Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. 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 Billboard Hot 100.
- R.E.M. 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.
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 ...
- 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.
Mar 9, 2023 · Aerosmith is widely recognized as one of the most successful and influential rock bands of the 1980s. The band achieved success with a string of top 10 singles, including “Dream On,” “Sweet Emotion,” and “Walk This Way.”. Aerosmith’s albums Toys in the Attic (1975) and Rocks (1976) are seen as two of the greatest classic rock ...
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2 days ago · The 1980s were a golden era for rock music, with a slew of unforgettable bands rising to fame. From glam rock to heavy metal, the best '80s rock bands left a lasting mark on music history. Whether you were headbanging in your room or rocking out at a concert, these bands provided the soundtrack to an entire decade.
