If anyone wants to initiate a conversation about the most passionate musicians of the ’80s, then ask them who’s in the top ten of the world’s best artists. You have been able to recite at least 50 names with enough time since so much falls to different tastes. Fortunately, since so many of us have expressed our views, we may say which vocalists are more popular and must be considered. The basic point is that each singer listed below is almost immeasurable in 1980, which created a huge sensation among people at this time, and they are still reviving in the heart of their followers. And if you think that most of these singers would also feature in the top ten of the world’s richest performers, then let us tell you that only a few do!
Who is the best music artist of the 1980s?
Michael Jackson
What were 2 of the popular songs of the 1980s?
- “Close to Me” by the Cure.
- “Modern Love” by David Bowie.
So without further ado, let’s count down the list of the best singers of all time.
10. Billy Joel
Born: | May 9, 1949 (age 71) |
Genres: | Rock, Pop, soft rock, pop-rock |
Instruments: | Vocals, Piano |
Years active: | 1964-present |
Labels: | Columbia, Family Productions, Sony Classical |
Associated acts: | The Echoes, The Hassles, Attila, Billy Joel Band, Elton John |
The American musician, songwriter, and composer “William Martin Joel” was born on May 9, 1949. Commonly named as the “Piano Man,” he had led a commercially active career since the 1970s, after his first big hit, the signature song of the same name, and recorded 12 albums for the studio from 1971 to 1993. He is a bestselling musician with more than 150 million albums sold globally. Greatest Hits Vol. 1 & 2, his 1985 compilation album, is one of the US’s most successful albums. Singer-songwriter Billy Joel’s 7th album, Glass Houses, was released on March 12, 1980. It contains Joel’s first top hit in No. 1, “It’s all rock and roll to me,” in the Billboard list for Pop Songs. In 1981, Joel received the Grammy Award for his work in glass houses for “Best Male Rock Vocal Performance.”
9. Bon Jovi
Established: | 1983 |
Genres: | Glam metal, hard rock, arena rock, pop-rock |
Instruments: | Singer Jon Bon Jovi, drummer Tico Torres, keyboardist David Bryan, bassist Hugh McDonald, and guitarist Phil X. |
Years active: | 1983–present |
Labels: | Island, Mercury, Vertigo |
Associated acts: | Bon Jovi, Scandal |
Bon Jovi is a 1983 hard rock band, which in the late 1980s had successful albums. The band originally featured Jon Bon Jovi, leading vocalist, Ritchie Sambora guitar player (left in 2013), Alec John Such (left in 1994), David Bryan, the keypad, and Tico Torres, a singer. The band has several hit songs, as ‘You give love a bad name,” Livin’ On A Prayer,’ or ‘Wanted Dead Or Alive,’ and the group’s most successful album is “Slippery When Wet.” In the 1990s & 2000s, the band continued its popularity, and the band continues to produce music to this day. Worldwide, they have sold some 83 million songs. Glam Metal and hard rock genres were combined by the four first albums of the band.
8. Whitney Houston
Born: | August 9, 1963 |
Genres: | R&B, pop, soul, gospel, dance |
Instruments: | Piano |
Years active: | 1977–2012 |
Labels: | Arista, RCA |
Associated acts: | Jermaine Jackson, Bobby Brown, Mariah Carey |
This American singer and actress “Whitney Elizabeth Houston, has earned the Guinness World Records certificate as the most bestowed female artist of all time and is one of the highest-selling recording artists. Houston published seven studio albums and two soundtrack albums, all certified by the US Recording Industry Association as diamond, multi-platinum, silver, or gold (RIAA). A few African American female singers were influenced in their crossover appeal to mainstream music charts and their MTV popularity. The 2012 Grammy Awards coincided with her death announcement and were heavily covered in world newspapers. In 2020, Houston was brought to the Hall of Fame of Rock and Roll.
7. Bruce Springsteen
Born: | September 23, 1949 |
Genres: | Rock, Americana, Heartland rock |
Instruments: | Vocals, guitar, harmonica, piano |
Years active: | 1964–present |
Labels: | Columbia |
Associated acts: | E Street Band, Little Steven, Warren Zevon, Steel Mill, Tom Morello, Miami Horns, The Sessions Band, Southside Johnny & the Asbury JukesUSA for Africa, Pete Seeger |
This American actor, songwriter, and guitarist Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen is also a single artist and the E Street Band leader. Springsteen is renowned for his poetic, socially aware lyrics and powerful stage shows, often up to four hours long, over a five-decade career. The designation “The Boss” was given to him. His songs also address the American working class’s views and hardships, and he records rock albums and works that are folk-oriented. Springsteen has sold over 150 million records globally and over 64 million albums in the United States among the album age’s influential events, making it one of the world’s most widely selling recording artists. Including a 20 Grammy Award, two Golden Globes, and a Tony Award, he has won several honors for his work (for Springsteen on Broadway).
6. U2
Established: | 1976 |
Genres: | Rock, alternative rock, post-punk |
Instruments: | Bono (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), Adam Clayton (bass guitar), The Edge (lead guitar, keyboards, and backing vocals), and Larry Mullen Jr. (drums and percussion). |
Years active: | 1976–present |
Labels: | Island, Interscope, Mercury, CBS, Ireland |
Associated acts: | Virgin Prunes, Brian Eno, Daniel Lanois |
U2 is a Dublin-based Irish Rock band founded in 1976. Bono, Adam Clayton, the Edge, and Larry Mullen Jr. form the group. The band originated as Mount Temple Full School members and rose as teenage students with little musical skills. They signed their debut album Boy with Island Records in four years (1980). U2 became known as a progressive and socially aware band for its first few albums, the UK number one war (1983), the singles Sunday Bloody Sunday and Pride (In the Name of Love). In 1985, in the Irish group Clannad, Bono recorded the song “In a Lifetime.” The Edge recorded a solo music album for Captive, released in 1986 and with Sinéad O’Connor.
5. Prince Rogers
Born: | June 7, 1958 |
Genres: | Pop, R&B, funk, rock, Minneapolis sound, soul, progressive soul |
Instruments: | Vocals, guitar, keyboards, piano, bass guitar, drums |
Years active: | 1975–2016 |
Labels: | Warner Bros., Paisley Park, NPG, EMI, Columbia, Arista, Universal |
Associated acts: | 94 East, The Time, Vanity 6, Apollonia 6, The Revolution |
Prince Rogers Nelson was among the most popular and influential musicians of the 80ies, with songs such as ‘Purple Rain,’ ‘Little Red Corvette,’ ‘1999,’ and ‘When Doves Cry,’ and was recognized as an American musician (June 7, 1958 – April 9, 2016). It was the backlash for what was going on in the 1980s, when it all came about excessively, particularly with the pop music, which mostly was super flashy, massive dance numbers, and so on. Prince was America’s best 80s musician(with 378 weeks in the Hot 100 chart). He was the world’s leading charts performer with five #1 albums and top 20 songs. He was also the most productive artist of the decade. The artists’ presentation in his songs includes Sheila E, Time, Wendy & Lisa, and Apollonia.
4. Queen
Established: | February 1971 |
Genres: | Rock |
Instruments: | Freddie Mercury (lead vocals, piano), Roger Taylor (drums, vocals), Brian May (guitar, vocals), and John Deacon (bass) |
Years active: | 1971–present |
Labels: | EMI, Parlophone, Elektra, Capitol, Hollywood, Island, Virgin EMI |
Associated acts: | Smile, Queen + Paul Rodgers, Queen + Adam Lambert |
In 1970 Queen was formed in London as an English rock band. Freddie Mercury (leading vocals, piano), Brian May (guitar, vocals), Roger Taylor (drum, vocals), and John Deacon were the original line-up (bass guitar, vocals). Brian May and Roger Taylor also performed in a band called Smile since joining the Queen. In 1970, he joined the band and proposed “Queen” for his name as a new band. John Deacon also hired the line-up. They had universal acclaim in 1975 with their release of the album “A Night at the Opera.” Their album “News of the World,” released in 1977, included “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions.” By the beginning of the 1980s, Queen was one of the world’s leading arena rock artists. Queen received the “Best Band of the 80s” award and has a Hollywood-based star.
3. Elton John
Born: | 25 March 1947 (age 73) |
Genres: | Rock, pop-rock, glam rock, soft rock |
Instruments: | Vocals, piano, keyboards |
Years active: | 1962–present |
Labels: | Philips, Congress, DJM, Uni, Paramount, MCA, Geffen, Rocket, Island, Mercury, Island Def Jam |
Associated acts: | Eric Clapton, Kiki Dee, John Lennon, George Michael, Queen, Tim Rice, Bernie Taupin, Stevie Wonder, Lady Gaga |
Hercules Sir Elton John CH Kt CBE is a songwriter, pianist, and songwriter from England. John has sold around 300 million records and lyricist Bernie Taupin, one of the best-selling musical artists of all time, on over 30 albums since 1967. He has top 40 albums in the UK plus seven numerals in the UK and nine in the United States, and seven straight number one albums in the United States’ Singles Chart and US Billboard Hot 100. John has won five grants, 5 British Awards, including a Superior Contribution for Music; 2 Golden Globes; a Tony Award; a Disney Legends Award; and an Honorary Kennedy Center. Rolling Stone ranked him 49th in 2004 among 100 leading rock and roll musicians.
2. Madonna
Born: | August 16, 1958 (age 62) |
Genres: | Pop, electronic, dance |
Instruments: | Vocals, guitar |
Years active: | 1979–present |
Labels: | Sire, Warner Bros., Maverick, Interscope |
Associated acts: | Breakfast Club, Emmy |
This American singer, songwriter, and playwright, Madonna Louise Ciccone, is considered the most famous popular music figure, dubbed as the “Queen of Pop.” Madonna’s continuous reinvention and flexibility in the making of music, songs, and artistic performance are notable. She is also known for challenging the limits of creative creativity in popular music and being personally responsible for all her work variations. She has generated critical acclamations and controversy through her work, including social, policy, sexual, and religious themes. Madonna is also referred to by other musicians as an inspiration. Madonna’s success has been strengthened by appearances like Dick Tracy (1990), Their League (1992), and Evita in films like Desperately Seeking Susan (1985).
1. Michael Jackson
Born: | August 29, 1958 |
Genres: | Pop, soul, funk, rhythm and blues, rock, disco, post-disco, dance-pop, new jack swing |
Instruments: | Vocals |
Years active: | 1964-2009 |
Labels: | Steeltown, Motown, Epic, Legacy, Sony, MJJ Productions |
Associated acts: | The Jackson 5 |
Born in Gary, Indiana, on August 29, 1958, and dying on June 25, 2009, Michael Joseph Jackson is a great American singer, dancer, and songwriter. He (at least) contributed an astonishing $500 million to charities. He owns the fastest-selling album ever, Thriller (1982), which earned 30 platinum prizes in early 2016. His other albums, Bad, Dangerous, and History, are also among the highest charts ever, and all have reached the top spot in the USA charts. Jackson was the first black artist with an MTV video (Billie Jean), which broke a racial barrier to the music industry with this performance. He revolutionized the world of pop singers with his music and music videos. His signature dance movements are well known around the world. He is also one of the top-performing soloists of all time, following the Guinness Book of Records.
Conclusion!
The 1980s was a huge rock dominance, with hair metal, glam rock, and modern waves that opened doors for new bands and inspired some previous ones. Technology played in the rock formation, too, as the experiments with electronic keys that began to bear fruit in the seventies spread as digital synthesizers, programmable drum machines, and sequencers became ubiquitous.