The best rock bands of the 80s
The best rock bands of the 80s
The 1980s was a diverse and influential decade for music, with many different genres and styles emerging and gaining popularity.
One of the most iconic genres of the 1980s was new wave, which was a form of rock music that combined elements of punk, pop, and electronic music. New wave bands often had a distinctive look, with bright colors, big hair, and eclectic fashion sense. Some of the most famous new wave bands of the 1980s include Duran Duran, The Cure, and Depeche Mode.
Another popular genre of the 1980s was synth-pop, which was characterized by the use of synthesizers and electronic instruments to create a futuristic and polished sound. Synth-pop bands often had a more polished and commercial sound than new wave bands, and many of them achieved widespread success in the 1980s. Examples of synth-pop bands include Pet Shop Boys, New Order, and The Human League.
The 1980s was also a great decade for heavy metal, with many influential bands emerging and gaining popularity. Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth were among the most influential metal bands of the 1980s, and they helped to define the thrash metal genre with their fast and aggressive sound.
U2: U2 formed in Dublin, Ireland in 1976 and gained widespread popularity in the 1980s with their politically charged and emotionally charged music. Their albums "The Joshua Tree" and "Rattle and Hum" are considered among the greatest of all time.
Metallica: Metallica formed in 1981 and became one of the biggest and most influential metal bands of all time. They released their breakthrough album, "Master of Puppets," in 1986, which is considered a classic of thrash metal.
Guns N' Roses: Guns N' Roses formed in 1985 and became one of the biggest and most influential rock bands of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Their debut album, "Appetite for Destruction," is one of the best-selling albums of all time.
The Smiths: The Smiths formed in Manchester, England in 1982 and were known for their jangly guitar sound and the introspective and poetic lyrics of frontman Morrissey. They released a string of influential and critically acclaimed albums in the 1980s, including "The Queen is Dead" and "Strangeways, Here We Come."
The Cure: The Cure formed in 1976 and gained popularity in the 1980s with their distinctive blend of gothic rock and pop. They released several influential albums during this decade, including "Disintegration" and "Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me."
Heavy Metal Music in the '80
Heavy metal music had already been around for a few decades by the time the 1980s rolled around, but it continued to evolve and gain popularity during this decade. The 1980s are often considered the golden age of heavy metal, with many influential bands emerging and releasing classic albums.
One of the most influential heavy metal bands of the 1980s was Metallica, who formed in 1981 and released their breakthrough album, "Master of Puppets," in 1986. This album is considered a classic of thrash metal and helped to define the genre with its fast and aggressive sound. Metallica continued to be a dominant force in heavy metal throughout the 1980s and beyond.
Other influential heavy metal bands of the 1980s include Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax, who were all part of the "big four" of thrash metal along with Metallica. These bands helped to popularize the thrash metal sound and influenced many other metal bands that emerged in the 1980s and beyond.
In addition to thrash metal, the 1980s also saw the emergence of other sub-genres of heavy metal, including glam metal, power metal, and death metal. Glam metal, also known as hair metal, was characterized by its flashy and over-the-top stage presence and was popularized by bands like Motley Crue, Poison, and Warrant. Power metal, on the other hand, was characterized by its epic and often fantasy-themed lyrics and was popularized by bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. Death metal, which emerged in the late 1980s, was characterized by its extreme and aggressive sound and was popularized by bands like Death and Obituary.
Overall, the 1980s was a great decade for heavy metal, with many influential bands and sub-genres emerging and gaining popularity.
What are some popular genres of music that emerged in the 1980s?
Some popular genres of music that emerged in the 1980s include new wave, synth-pop, post-punk, and heavy metal.
Who are some of the most iconic musicians of the 1980s?
Some of the most iconic musicians of the 1980s include Madonna, Michael Jackson, Prince, and Bruce Springsteen.
What were some of the most popular music videos of the 1980s?
Some of the most popular music videos of the 1980s include Michael Jackson's "Thriller," Madonna's "Like a Virgin," and A-ha's "Take On Me."
What were some notable music festivals of the 1980s?
Some notable music festivals of the 1980s include Live Aid, which was held in 1985 and raised money for famine relief in Africa, and the Reading Festival, which is an annual music festival held in Reading, England.
What were some popular music TV shows of the 1980s?
Some popular music TV shows of the 1980s include "American Bandstand," "Top of the Pops," and "MTV Unplugged."
What were some of the biggest selling albums of the 1980s?
Some of the biggest selling albums of the 1980s include Michael Jackson's "Thriller," Whitney Houston's "Whitney," and Bon Jovi's "Slippery When Wet."