60s artists who made comebacks in the 80s

 

In the 80s there was plenty of room for 60s artists to make comebacks. Some came from even further back. Yes, we had our first Pop granny when it came to Tina Turner.

 

Aretha Franklin (RIP - 2018)

  

Believe it or not, she was 42 when she made her 80s comeback and had her biggest album. Only slightly younger than Tina Turner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Beach Boys 

 

Although the Beach Boys released albums in the 70s, there was a big gap between hit albums.  1989 was a bit of a comeback for them, although the comeback, was a brief one as it often was for these older bands.

Crosby Stills & Nash 

 

CSN of course made their mark at Woodstock and that was when they had their biggest success. But then they brought out an amazing gem called “Daylight Again” in 1982. They had re-invented themselves but their beautiful harmonies were still just as rich. 


RIP David Crosby - 2023

 

The Grateful Dead

  

This 60s/70s hippy band was popular up until around 1972 and saw little success until suddenly it was 1987 and they brought out “in the Dark” an album that would rival their 72 release “American Beauty”.

 

“A touch of grey” was on the radio and we were all told it was the Grateful Dead, a 70s band making a comeback. They hung around for a bit after that, although never had another hit single. 

 

Jefferson Airplane/Jefferson Starship/Starship

 

A controversial one as these all considered themselves separate bands even though the radios would say they had simply changed their name. “Starship” had a number of hit songs in the 80s and their biggest album “Knee Deep in the Hoopla”, which did better than any of the previous incantations’ albums did, even their Woodstock stuff. 

 

 

 

The Kinks

 

Had success in both the 60s and early 70s but also came back in the 80s with some successful albums including the huge hit single "Come Dancing". 

Roy Orbison (RIP - 1988)

 

Both on his own and with the Travelling Willburries, he had his greatest success in the 80s.

 

Tina Turner (RIP - 2023)

 

Tina made a name for herself in the 60s and 70s with her husband Ike, but only had moderate success as a solo artist. At least until 1984 when she released “Private Dancer”.  Then her success became huge and she was being heralded as rock’s hottest grandmother, bringing out hit after hit. Possibly one of the greatest comebacks ever in pop music. 

 

 

Van Morrison

  

In the early 70s Van Morrison made a name for himself, but then things kind of quietened down for him a bit.  Then suddenly in 1989 he hit the big times again with the hit single  “Have I told you lately that I love you”.  This re-energised his career. 

 

  

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