The music of the 80s would not have been what it was without the artists and the formations that were part of it. It was a musical decade that many of us still remember as unique, with songs that have gone down in history and they still sound today on all music stations.
Many fans and admirers of the music of the 80s consider this one of the best decades in the history of music. In it, many musical genres were formed, such as techno or electro-pop, with a lot of influence on the music we listen to today.
What artists marked the music of the 80s?
The list is very long, but there are some that are essential, due to their high impact worldwide: The Police, Duran Duran, Bon Jovi, Queen, Michael Jackson, Madonna, George Michael, Whitney Houston, U2, Genesis, Depeche Mode, Bruce Sprinsteen, Bryan Adams, Elvis Costello, REM, Van Halen, The Cure, Phil Collins, and many others.
Madonna
One of the great stars of the musical firmament. Although many others left their mark on the music of the 80s, Madonna it laid the foundations to be recognized as the "queen of pop" in all the following years. An excellent artist, with a style that continually surprises, innovative and complete, which accompanies her image and personality to the music.
Michael Jackson
The popularity of Michael Jackson, his music, his way of dancing, made him an icon around the world. Today he is still considered by many to be the greatest artist of all time. In addition, his album "Thriller" is the best-selling in history.
Prince
Prince is another of the great characters of the music of the 80s, among other things thanks to his great charisma and his versatility in the world of music. It is said that it would have occupied the first position of pop worldwide, if Michael Jackson had not existed.
Whitney Houston
There are many female stars of 80s music besides Madonna. Among them stands out Whitney Houston. His refined vocal technique, along with his wonderful voice, They justified the platinum records that he got.
Queen
A band formed in the 70's, but that had its best moment throughout the 80's. Freddie Mercury and Queen are still with us today, in many cases turned into authentic hymns.
U2
The Irish were born as great stars of what was alternative music at that time. The passage of the years was transforming, from a rock style mixed with punk, to a dynamic, electronic pop, full of social and political messages.
Musical movements of the music of the 80s
The group "College Rock" called themselves "independent music", playing on university radios. This genre would later be what we have known as Alternative Rock.
The sound of synthesizers was being very important in the music of this time. Around this instrument, a style known as Sinth Pop was created, and groups such as Depeche Mode, New Order, The Buggles, Ultravox y Alphaville among many others.
Another powerful musical movement that began to form in the 80s is Heavy Metal. Since the 70s they arrived with force Led Zeppelin y Black Sabbath. They were joining Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, Motorhead y Judas Priest among others.
The sound "Thrash" started with their guitars and double bass drums mounted. A clear example of this is Metallica with his album "Kill 'Em All”, Published in 1983.
The new era of music video and MTV
With a few music videos alternating over and over again, the mighty MTV hit the scene in the '80s.
MTV opened its doors to the world one day 1 August 1981 and first video you saw the light was "Killed The Radio Star", By the band"The Buggles".
It was the image associated with music, a major contribution of popularity for many artists, bands and record labels. It was about using the image for success, new marketing proposals and many times even new ways of composing music.
Spain and the music of the 80s. The Madrid scene
Democracy had come to Spain and with it the freedom to compose and to express oneself. The influence of the best international bands of the moment impacts on many newly formed Spanish groups, such as Kaka de luxe, Alaska and the Pegamoids, (later Alaska and Dinarama), Radio Futura, Nacha Pop, The Secrets, and many others.
This Spanish movement crossed the musical spectrum, reaching any type of art whether it was cinema, literature, photography, television or painting.
Essential songs of the time
Year 1980
Pecos, "Tell me about yourself"
Andy Gibb, "Desire"
Tequila, "Tell me you love me"
Miguel Bosé, "Dying of love"
Year 1981
Queen, "Another One Bites To Dust"
Tequila, "Salta"
Tino Casal, "Egg Shampoo"
Year 1982
Imagination, "Just an Illusion"
Alaska and the Pegamoids, "Dancing"
Mecano, "I sneaked into a party"
The Alan Parsons Project, "Eye In The Sky"
Year 1983
Mike Oldfield, "Moonlight Shadow"
Tino Casal, "Bewitched"
Mecano, "Ship to Venus"
Year 1984
La Unión, "Wolf-man in Paris"
Michael Jacson, "Thriller"
Stevie Wonder, "I Just Called to Say I Love You"
Alaska and Dinarama, "How Could You Do This To Me"
Pimpinela, "Forget me and turn around"
Year 1985
Men G, "Venezia"
Alaska and Dinarama, "Neither You nor Nobody"
Miguel Bosé, "Bandit Lover"
Baltimora - "Tarzan Boy"
David Bowie and Mick Jagger - "Dancing In The Street"
Year 1986
Europe, "The Final Countdown"
Ana Belén and Víctor Manuel, "La Puerta de Alcalá"
Alaska and Dinarama, "Who Cares"
Lionel Richie, "Say You, Say Me"
Caligari Cabinet - "The warmth of love in a bar"
Year 1987
The wolves, "La Bamba"
U2, "With or Without You"
Desireless, "Voyage Voyage"
Rick Astley, "Never Gonna Give You Up"
Duncan Dhu, "Rose Garden"
Year 1988
Duncan Dhu, A street in Paris "
Men G, "Let go of your hair"
Tino Casal, "Eloise"
Pet Shop Boys, "Always on My Mind"
Alex and Christina, “Chas! And I appear by your side "
Year 1989
Loquillo and the Troglodytes, "Solitary Cadillac"
Kaoma, "Lambada"
The Refrescos, “Here There Is No Beach”
Madonna, "Like A Prayer"
Technotronic featuring Felly, “Pump Up the Jam”
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