1980s Rock Music History

The 1980s were a time of great change in the music industry. The decade ushered in new sounds and genres, as well as a shift from vinyl to digital media. It’s a time when the legendary artists of today started to make their mark on the world.

The important events in music history 1980s is a decade that brought many important changes to the music industry. Some of these changes were technological, while others were cultural. The decade also saw many new genres and sub-genres being created.

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Welcome to 1980s Rock Music History! In this blog, we will explore the history of popular music during the decade of the ’80s. We’ll take a look at how people listened to music in the 80s and what kinds of music genres were popular at the time. We hope you enjoy reading our blog and learning about this important period in music history!

The artists that shaped rock music in the 1980s

The 1980s was a decade of great change for rock music. New genres and subgenres emerged, while others fell by the wayside. Artists experimented with new sounds and production techniques, often pushing the boundaries of what was considered acceptable. This led to some truly groundbreaking music being made during the decade.

Some of the artists that shaped rock music in the 1980s include:

-David Bowie: One of the most influential musicians of all time, Bowie was constantly innovating and experimenting throughout his career. In the 1980s, he embraced new wave and electronic music, resulting in some of his most iconic work, like “Ashes to Ashes” and “Let’s Dance”.

-Roxy Music: Another hugely influential band, Roxy Music were known for their experimental approach to pop music. They combined elements of glam rock, art rock, and even classical music to create a unique sound that was ahead of its time. In the 1980s, they released two more albums (Avalon and Flesh + Blood) which cemented their place as one of the most innovative bands of all time.

-Joy Division: One of the pioneer bands of post-punk, Joy Division combined dark lyrics with an atmospheric sound that was both deeply unsettling and strangely beautiful. Their album Unknown Pleasures is now considered one of the classics of the genre. Following lead singer Ian Curtis’s tragic suicide in 1980, Joy Division became New Order who went on to have huge success in their own right with hits like “Blue Monday”.

-The Smiths: The Smiths were one of Britain’s most successful bands in the 1980s thanks to their perfect blend of jangly guitar pop and wry wit. Led by Morrissey’s distinctive vocals and Marr’s inventive guitar playing, The Smiths produced a string of classic singles like “How Soon Is Now?” and “This Charming Man”. They remain one of the most beloved British bands to this day.

The different ways people listened to music in the 1980s

In the 1980s, people could listen to music in a variety of ways. Some people bought cassette tapes and listened to them on their Walkman or in their car. Others went to see live bands play at clubs and concerts. And some people just listened to the radio.

There were many different genres of music popular in the 1980s, from new wave to hair metal. And there were many different artists making great music, from Madonna to Prince. So no matter what kind of music you liked, there was something for you to enjoy in the 1980s.

The various music genres that were popular in the 1980s

The 1980s was a decade of great change in the music industry. Artists and bands began to experiment with new sounds and styles, resulting in a wide variety of genres that were popular during the decade. Some of the most popular genres of music during the 1980s include:

Pop: Pop music became increasingly popular during the 1980s, as artists such as Madonna and Michael Jackson rose to prominence. This genre is characterized by catchy melodies and simple lyrics, often about love or other personal themes.

Rock: Rock music also saw a resurgence in popularity during the 1980s, thanks in part to the rise of hair metal bands like Guns Nufffd Roses and Def Leppard. This genre is characterized by heavy guitars and drums, often with distorted sound effects.

Hip hop: Hip hop began to emerge as a new genre in the late 1970s, but it really came into its own in the 1980s. This type of music is characterized by rhyming lyrics set to a repetitive beat, often with samples from other songs or speeches mixed in.

Dance: Dance music became increasingly popular in the 1980s, as clubs began to play host to DJs who played this type of music all night long. Dance songs are typically upbeat and have simple lyrics that are easy to dance to.

Alternative: Alternative rock also emerged as a new genre in the late 1970s/early1980s, led by bands such as The Cure and Joy Division. This style of music is usually darker than other genres, with more complex lyrics that deal with personal or political topics.

The most iconic album covers of the 1980s

1. Michael Jackson ufffd Thriller

2. Madonna ufffd Like a Virgin

3. Prince ufffd Purple Rain

4. Bruce Springsteen ufffd Born in the U.S.A.

5. Whitney Houston ufffd Whitney Houston

6. Guns Nufffd Roses ufffd Appetite for Destruction

7. Metallica ufffd ufffdAnd Justice for All

8. AC/DC ufffd Back in Black

9. Nirvana ufffd Nevermind

10. Pearl Jam ufffd Ten

The biggest music scandals of the 1980s

The 1980s were a scandalous decade for music, with many of the biggest names in the industry being embroiled in one controversy or another. Here are some of the most shocking scandals that rocked the music world in those 10 years.

1. Madonna’s Sexy Videos: Madonna was no stranger to pushing boundaries and shocking people with her provocatively sexualized image and behavior. But she really stirred up trouble in the early 1980s with her videos for “Like a Virgin” and “Material Girl,” which were both criticized for being too sexy for MTV’s daytime rotation. Madonna responded by upping the ante even further with her video for “Like a Prayer,” which featured burning crosses and stigmata, among other religious imagery. The Vatican condemned the video, and it was banned from many television stations around the world.

2. Michael Jackson’s Hair-Raising Incident: Michael Jackson was already a superstar when he debuted his signature look – a single white glove – during a performance on Motown 25 in 1983. But it was his hair-raising incident at the 1984 Grammy Awards that really made people sit up and take notice. Jackson’s hair caught fire while he was filming a Pepsi commercial, resulting in second-degree burns on his scalp. He underwent surgery and extensive rehabilitation, but luckily made a full recovery.

3 Prince’s Purple Reign: Prince was one of the most groundbreaking artists of the 1980s, fusing together R&B, rock, pop, and funk to create his own unique sound. He also shocked audiences with his sexually charged lyrics and performances, as well as his flamboyant fashion sense – which included everything from frilly shirts to bikini briefs (worn underneath skin-tight pants, of course). Some critics accused him of promoting bestiality after he appeared onstage with a live dove during one particularly raunchy show. Needless to say, Prince didn’t care what anyone thought – he continued to be one of the most popular artists of the decade (and beyond).

4 George Michael Comes Out: In 1988, George Michael made headlines when he came out as gay in an interview with CNN’s Larry King. It wasn’t exactly news to those who had been paying attention – after all, many of his songs contained thinly veiled references to his sexuality – but it was still considered somewhat controversial at the time. Nevertheless, Michael continued to enjoy success both as a solo artist and as part of Wham!, until he finally went public with his relationship with Kenny Goss in 2006.

5 Milli Vanilli Lip-Syncing Scandal: German duo Milli Vanilli won Best New Artist at the 1990 Grammy Awards on the strength of their debut album Girl You Know It’s True… or so everyone thought. It later emerged that neither Fabrice Morvan nor Rob Pilatus had actually sung on any of the tracks; instead, they had lip-synced over prerecorded vocals by studio musicians Charles Shaw (later revealed to be Frank Farian), John Davis Jr., Brad Howell, Darryl Pearson and Darrell Farris . The pair were stripped of their award , but not before they had sold millions of albums and become international superstars .

The best music festivals of the 1980s

The 1980s saw the rise of some of the most iconic music festivals in history. From Woodstock to Live Aid, these events defined a generation and continue to be talked about to this day. Here are just a few of the best music festivals of the 1980s:

Woodstock: One of the most famous music festivals of all time, Woodstock was held in 1969 but continued to be popular throughout the 1970s and into the early 1980s. The festival featured some of the biggest names in music at the time, including Jimi Hendrix, The Who, and Janis Joplin.

Live Aid: Held in 1985, Live Aid was a massive concert event that raised money for relief efforts in Ethiopia. It featured an incredible lineup of musical acts from all over the world, including Queen, Madonna, U2, and Mick Jagger.

Glastonbury: Another one of the most well-known music festivals today, Glastonbury began in 1970 and continues to be held every year. Some of the biggest acts to play at Glastonbury throughout its history include David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Radiohead, and Beyonce.

The most influential music videos of the 1980s

The 1980s was a decade that saw the rise of music videos as a major force in the music industry. MTV, which launched in 1981, quickly became the go-to destination for music fans to watch their favorite artists and bands perform. Many of the most influential music videos of the decade were produced by MTV and helped to define what would become known as “MTV culture.”

Some of the most iconic music videos of the 1980s include Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” Madonna’s “Like a Prayer,” and George Michael’s “Freedom! ’90.” These videos were not only hugely popular with audiences, but also had a significant impact on pop culture at large. They helped to shape how people thought about music, fashion, and art, and influenced subsequent generations of musicians and filmmakers.

The biggest comebacks in 1980s rock music

The 1980s was a decade of big comebacks in the rock music world. Some of the biggest names in music made their triumphant return to the charts and the concert stage after years away from the spotlight. Here are some of the most notable comeback stories from 1980s rock music.

Led Zeppelin: After a seven-year hiatus, Led Zeppelin reunited for a one-off concert at London’s O2 Arena in 2007. The show was a massive success, with over 20 million people applying for tickets via a lottery system. The band played hits like “Stairway to Heaven” and “Whole Lotta Love” to an ecstatic crowd, proving that they were still one of the biggest bands in the world despite their long absence.

The Who: Another legendary band that made a huge comeback in the 1980s was The Who. The band hadn’t toured since 1982 due to drummer Keith Moon’s death, but they decided to hit the road again in 1989 with new drummer Kenney Jones. They toured extensively throughout Europe and North America, playing sell-out shows at stadiums and arenas around the world. The Who proved that they were still one of rock’s greatest live acts, even without their original drummer.

David Bowie: After almost 10 years without releasing any new music, David Bowie made his grand return with his album “Let’s Dance” in 1983. The album was an instant hit, spawning several chart-topping singles including “China Girl” and “Modern Love”. Bowie followed up “Let’s Dance” with another successful album, 1985’s “Tonight”, before taking another break from recording new music until 1993. Even though he wasn’t as active in the 80s as he had been in previous decades, Bowie remained one of rock’s most popular and influential artists throughout the decade.

These are just some of the biggest comebacks in 1980s rock music history. There are many other stories of bands and artists who made successful returns after years away from the spotlight. It just goes to show that there is always room for comebacks in the ever-changing world of rock music

The “80s music artists alphabetical” is a blog post that lists the top 40 most popular artists in the 1980s. The article includes an alphabetical list of all of the 80s music artists, as well as their year they were popular and how many times they made it into the top 40.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did 80s rock come from?

Popular bands in the genre often originated in the UK and the L.A. Sunset Strip music scene. To create their own sound, hair metal bands drew inspiration from heavy metal, punk rock, and classic rock music. Songs have appealing choruses and a pop sensibility in the lyrics.

What influenced music in the 1980s?

People were influenced by pop music icons like Michael Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, and Madonna throughout the 1980s. This coexisted with the emergence of danceable electronic music as well as influential genres like hair metal, synth-pop, new wave, rap, hip-hop, and synth-pop.

Why was 1980s music so important?

The Origin of Contemporary Genres The intricacy of 80s music probably contributes to its popularity. They were filled with talented artists who had fresh ideas. Little did these musicians understand that they were laying the groundwork for pop music.

What defines 80s rock?

Electronic dance music and new wave, often known as modern rock, came into being in the 1980s. Early in the decade, disco was out of style, giving way to other genres as post-disco, Italo disco, Euro disco, and dance-pop. A large audience remained interested in rock music.

How did music in the 1980s affect society?

The 1980s saw an increase in wealth inequality, and the emphasis on luxury was mirrored in the music during the time. Numerous new musical subgenres also emerged, such as hip hop, new wave, and hair metal, all of which have had an impact on contemporary music.

What’s the 80s known for?

Extreme trends from the “eighties” like “big hair,” New Wave, punk rock, funk, or preppies are also well-known. Rap music originally gained popularity in the 1980s and was often paired with breakdancing during those times, now referred to as the “old school” era.

What happened in the 80s pop culture?

The suits, shoulder pads, and lady ties spread throughout popular culture as well, appearing in films like 9 to 5 (1980) and Working Girl (1988), as well as TV shows like Dynasty (1981–89) and Moonlighting (1985–89), all of which had strong female leads who helped the power dressing trend gain even more notoriety.

Who was the biggest 80s rock band?

Here is our ranking of the top 80s bands: gun n roses Guns N’ Roses, who are from Los Angeles, California, are unquestionably among the most significant American rock bands in history. Metallica. Vander Halen R.E.M. Jovi Bon. ZZ Top, Mötley Crüe Chili Red Hot Peppers.

Why was 80s rock so popular?

Many ’80s music aficionados believe that the decade’s music was considerably more intricate than music today. The lyrics and music of the 1980s often had more depth and variety in terms of style. The bands’ and lead vocalists’ abilities were unmatched, as was the breadth of what they offered.

What was the 80s era called?

Generation X remembers a lot of the 1980s collectively. Whatever it’s known as today—the “Me-First Decade,” the “Decade of Greed,” the “Yuppie Decade,” the “Reagan Decade”—it was a special moment to be alive.

Why is 80s nostalgia so popular?

It’s simple to make movies and TV series set in the 1980s since the decade has such a distinct aesthetic. Anyone viewing will probably be able to quickly recognize the decade. Consider the popular TV series Stranger Things.

External References-

https://www.britannica.com/art/rock-music/Rock-in-the-1980s-and-90s