Top 20 Artists of the 80s - Part 2 10-1

Not much to say here. Continuing the previous post.

Top 20 Artists of the 80s - Part 2 10-1

10. Alabama - "Why is there a fucking country band on this list?". Alabama were really my first musical memory besides the Beach Boys. It was the 80s, and my parents listened to Country music. In the 80s Alabama WAS Country music.There is arguably no more influential Country artist in my lifetime. They made Country more mainstream, even if it did lead to Garth Brooks.
9. John Mellencamp - from Uh-Huh to Big Daddy he was HUGE! By all account he was an asshole, and did things his own way. He played a style of Pop/Rock that was very unfashionable in the days of New Wave and Dance Pop. Interesting how that stuff sounds dated, and his doesn't. That is because it is REAL.
8. The Police - Really stood tall in the early 80s. Not many were much bigger worldwide. The definitely went out with a bang, releasing Synchronicity in '83. In my opinion, Every Breath You Take is one of the greatest songs of all time (another list down the road).
7. Duran Duran - in the years since The Beatles, no band created the type of frenzy that was seen with Beatlemania. That all changed when these English chaps landed here. They were larger than life. Before I discovered Hair bands, I wanted to be Simon Le Bon. In the 80s (not now), they were my favorite non Hair band.
6. INXS - they put Australia on the map for me as a kid. Michael Hutchence, along with Simon Le Bon, were the COOLEST Rock Stars in the world when I was a kid. He had one of the most powerful voices ever. Another band that actually made me want to play saxophone.
5. REM - I didn't discover REM until '87 when Document was released. The older I get, the more I love REM, and the more they influence me as a songwriter. REM gets the distinction of being one of the greatest AMERICAN Rock bands of all time with me (yes, another list). I can only imagine what I would have been like as a musician, had I heard REM earlier.
4. The Smithereens - I didn't "discover" The Beatles for myself until around '92. Until then, these Jersey boys were my only exposure to Brit Pop. Huge, huge vocal harmonies, big guitars, and songs about heartbreak and alienation. What's not to love for an impressionable young kid. Also, my introduction to Riff Rock. They weren't pretty, but they sure as hell could ROCK!
3. Bryan Adams - I really can't remember going more than a day without hearing him on the radio growing up. EVERYONE likes BA, even if they won't admit it. He is the type of Pop songwriter, ALL Pop songwriters should aspire to be. Becomes more of an influence on my the older I get. Strangely enough, I like him MORE the older I get (and I have ALWAYS been a BIG fan).
2. U2 - the BIGGEST band of my generation. There is no bigger band to form since 1970, except for maybe AC/DC. You can argue that until you are blue in the face, but you would be dead fucking wrong. Deal with it. I can and will counter EVERY point you make as to why U2 are not what I say they are.
1. Crowded House - Remember, these are MY top artists of the 80s. I don't follow what everyone else thinks, I tend to swim upstream a lot, avoid the flock, and in general, despise the herd mentality. I remember hearing these guys in the mid 80s very briefly. The only had 2 hits in the U.S. I "rediscovered" them probably in '97 or '98, and they have since become my favorite band of all time. Are they the best? Surely not. Some of the things I really like about them, are they are a bit quirky, their massive Pop sensibilities, smart lyrics, and beautiful sonic landscapes. If you have never heard anything besides Don't Dream It's Over, go check them out. They are the epitome of smart Pop Rock to me.


Everyone, feel free to comment. If there is enough interest, I will continue to post new content. I can do this shit forever!