Huge artists who first made a name for themselves in the 80s

Bon Jovi

Never liked these guys in the 80s, but have come to love "Livin' on a prayer". 

Bryan Adams

Not really a fan of any of his music, but he made his mark on the 80s.

Cyndi Lauper

Cyndi was mainly an 80s sensation, but boy was she sensational and has continued to win many awards for her music.  Her debut album in 1983 “She’s so unusual” made her an instant star. 

She appeared on Celebrity Apprentice and came across as a real sweetheart.

Crowded House

New Zealand’s most successful band at this point. Neil Finn left Split Enz to start his own band with a couple of Aussies. The rest is history. 

Def Leppard

They gained success quickly and were at their peak in 1987 with “Hysteria”, 

Duran Duran

These guys were like the Beatles of the 80s, they were that popular. However their popularity waned quite a bit in the late 80s. 

The Eurythmics

This weird looking woman, Annie Lennox seemed to do everything right in the 80s. They were a little bit different. 

Gloria Estefan

Started off in Miami Sound Machine, but then it became Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine so that she could be nominated for awards, which she was. She made latin music popular. 

Guns N Roses

There debut album in 1987 “Appetite for Destruction” has become one of the biggest selling albums ever. Despite only having released a handful of albums in the 80s and early 90s, they have always gone platinum. 

Huey Lewis & the News

My earliest memories of this band were in the early 80s as I travelled to and from school in the bus. I think no trip ever went by without a Huey Lewis song being played. They had 4 really good albums before they started to wane in popularity in the early 1990s. 

Human League

These guys had that classic 80s sound. I never thought much of them at the beginning, but they ended up becoming one of my favourite 80s bands. 

INXS

I loved their first real big hit "Original Sin" and it has continued to be my favourite of their's. 

Iron Maiden

This is the heavy metal band that defines heavy metal for most fans. 

 Janet Jackson

Janet was the only Jackson apart from Michael to hit the big times. Latoya, Marlon and Jermaine gave it a crack in the 80s, but failed. (They still had their chance though!)

Joan Jett & the Blackhearts

Kylie Monogue

Yes, the 80s is where even an Aussie soap star can become a huge hit. She would possibly be the only 80s sensation who would lose their popularity in the 90s and then make a massive comeback later, producing even bigger albums than before. (2000s). 

Lionel Ritchie

Leaving the Commodores behind him in 1982, Lionel decided to go solo and it turned out to be a great move. Instant success and his 2^nd album, “Can’t slow down” even went diamond due to a string of hits including “All night long”, “Running with the night”, “Hello”, “Penny Lover” and “Stuck on You”.  Of course, like with many artists, once the 80s came to an end his popularity began to wane, even though he continued to produce successful albums. 

Madonna

What needs to be said about Madonna, possibly the most successful female artist ever? Certainly in the 80s, when successful female soloists were few. Her string of diamond and platinum albums continues to this day. 

 
Metallica

I wish I could say something good about these guys, but I can't stand them!

Midnight Oil

Hugely successful down under. A great heavy rock sound. Lead singer Peter Garrett is one bizarre chap, with the way he dances and sings, but he's great. 

Ozzy Osbourne

One of my old friends used to rave about Ozzy in the mid 80s, however I was unfamiliar with any of his music and I was no Black Sabbath fan.

Pat Benatar

Pat always seemed to be on the charts with one hit or another. Yet another artist from the 80s that went no further than the 80s.

Pet Shop Boys

These guys seemed to come out with hit after hit from the mid to late 80s. 

Phil Collins

Phil, was the lead singer of Genesis when he released his first solo album, “Face Value” in 1981, an album which would far surpass the greatness of any Genesis album up until that point.  His success as a solo performer then seemed to impact the success of Genesis. Phil was always on the radio (either on his own or with Genesis) throughout the 80s. Perhaps that is why when the 90s arrived his popularity waned. Nevertheless, his albums have all sold well despite that.

Simply Red

Was this a band or a solo performer? Yep, it was a band who were supposed to be known as simply "Red" until a misprint was made on one of their posters. 

Spandau Ballet

I remember a friend telling me, "Hey, listen to this new song! It's great". And "True" came on the TV. I didn't like it at all to being with. However it quickly became one of my favourites of all time, the band included. 

The only band I have seen twice in concert

U2

U2 released their first album “Boy” in 1980 and from then on had huge album after huge album. Since 1987’s, “The Joshua Tree”, all but their previous two albums have reached number 1 in the majority of countries.

UB40

In 1980 I fell in love with their debut single... "Food for Thought". It was my favourite song for weeks and weeks and even now is my favourite song of all times.

Van Halen 

Oddly, this band did not do all that well Down Under at the time they were big. "Jump", "You really got me" and "Why can't this be love" are the only songs I ever remember being played on the radio back in the 80s.

I have now come to appreciate their other music including the awesome "Panama". These guys had the perfect look and sound for an 80s rock band and always looked like they were having a blast when doing their performances. 

RIP Eddy Van Halen.