Greatest Bands from the 80's

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The Top Ten

1Duran Duran

Let�'s vote because all we need is DD in the first place in this competition. Share on your page and spread the word! #DDNUMBER1

There is a contest running about the best 10 bands of the 80s. Which one I have voted on the first place? :-)
Easy to guess! :-) Duran Duran!

What is needed to be said? They were the best in the 80's and still are up to this day! Fantastic music!

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2Queen

Great to see a list without Heart on it! Great band!

idolangelx13

With classic and timeless songs such as Bohemian Rhapsody, We Are the Champions, We Will Rock You, and Another One Bites the Dust, Astounding live performances, (Their Performance at Live Aid was seen by approximately 2 billion people) coupled with their influence on later bands and singers, (Lady Gaga took her name from the Queen song Radio Gaga) Queen is simply unbeatable and in my opinion is the greatest band to ever exist.

queen rock no question about it

rockit(primejive)

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3A-ha

TAKE ON ME IS NOT tHEIR BEST SONG by any meaning,90% OF THEIR MUSIC IS FULL OF DARK AND/ OR MELANCHOLY, WHILE TAKE ON ME IS AMONG THE COMMERCIAL 10%(THAT STUPID SONG doesn't REALLY SHOW THE GREATNESS OF A-HA'S LEGACY), and those ignorants saying that they have only one song, you can't be more ridiculous and ignorant, so do yourself a favour and go to check their 9 albums! They sure are one of the best bands ever(not only in the 80s)if not the best, because apart of their unique sound, also every song sounds different, and they have a plus that any other band has, morten's voice.. That is really the best voice I've ever heard. They haven't only made "perfect pop songs" but also "perfect rock songs", as they've always changed their style while time pass. And their songs have more complexity than what you can find in many others bands, so stop believing in the "gods of music" that magazines like The rolling stones loves to invent, overrating some artist, and underrated some others like a-ha, wich for that magazine is a one hit wonder, so that shows how much they know about music.. Here are some examples of their fantastic songs(but the list is endless):scoundrel days, mother nature goes to heaven, rolling thunder, cosy prisons, summer moved on, out of blue comes green, hunting high and low, the sun always shines on T.V. , I've been losing you, the bandstand, lifelines, you wanted more, minor earth major sky, how sweet it was, locust, foot of the mountain, manhattan skyline, did anyone approach you, shadowside, etc

This band is number one because of songs like Hunting High And Low, Scoundrel Days, East Of The Sun West Of The Moon, Stay On These Roads, I call your name, Sycamore Leaves, There's never a forever thing... The list is long because every a-ha Song is unique, Morten is one of the best voice on earth, Pal is one of the best Songwriters of all time and all three Band Members are real musicians. They have many so called "Perfect Pop Songs" in every Album. Just hear Hunting High And Low and you know what I mean. There is no one in the music scene who could sing this song in the way Morten can do. A-ha is the most underrated Band of all times because of their good looks and lack of scandals. If someone asks "how a-ha could be number one", then he/she should go and hear some more songs of them, Take On Me was not their only song (and it was one of their weakest songs and nevertheless brilliant).

A-ha were a great band. They existed for 25 years until ending it in 2010 and have actually released the majority of their music after the 80's. In the US sadly only their first single got duly noted, but Europe had the pleasure of getting to hear them in the media for a longer time. The thing to know about a-ha is, that their music doesn't reveal all on first listen. It may seem deceptively simple, but as Chris Martin from coldplay once noted to a-ha's keyboardplayer: "Your music seems simple, but when you give it a try, it's almost impossible to play. You've always got some bleeding weird chord. We've got three chords; you've got thirty. "

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4Bon Jovi

Their music accompanies generations of young people now for over 29 years and each new album is simply amazing! Each of the components is a great musician and a great composer and they are still the way to remain "human"
and helping others

Best band ever! I grew up on these guys, and I wasn't even born in the 80s! I know good music when I hear it, and they definitely create good music! I still listen to them, my favorite song of theirs is 'Living on a Prayer'

They are just Awesome so don't forget to listen to them 'cause they ROCK! I listen to them along with Van Halen all the time! Definitely THE BEST EVER! I can't believe they came 7th 7th!?!? Come on!

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5Guns N Roses

one of the bands who ruled the world

ronluna

Their album that released in 1987, Appetite for Destruction was definitely greatest hard rock album of all times. Go GNR go! Sweet Child O' Mine, Welcome the Jungle and Paradise City is enough to say!

Why is duran duran ont the top Guns N' Roses change my life and duran made take a nap this band is iconic and duran duran is used in lame shows like glle

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6U2

Some albums that are produced, you like one song here and there. U2 reminds me of Journey. Every song on the album is great... So there is no skipping, you just let it play on through from start to finish..

It's bono... How could this not be the greatest 80s band? Let alone the greatest band of all time!

U2 is in a class of their own. No timeframe, no competition, their only competition is their ability to reinvent themselves, and their own imagination. The music keep getting better. Their respect for fans is unparalleled and their worldwide efforts unmatched.

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7Metallica

Metallica Has had multiple great songs and albums such as Fade to Black, Master of Puppets, and One to name some of my favorite. When I typed greatest bands from the 80's I thought that Metallica would be in the top 3. But it's 5? And AC/DC at 7th? What the hell

Metallica is the single most amazing band of all time specially with the album master of puppets that rocked the whole world plus the black album metallica for ever m/

If Metallica was one god, they would be the holy creation between Christian god and Zeus if they had a baby

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8Journey

Journey is a classic... They were great back then and I still love their music! Timeless classic if you ask me

My favorite band of the 80's - Classic songs and Steve Perry's voice! !

Jounery is one of the best 80's band today. There viedos were fun to watch as well. When I think of the 80's I think of jounery.

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9The Police

No other band on this list has as many hits as the Police had during their 5 year reign. The only other band on this list that comes close is U2. The Police were awesome live and their originality still puts them in a league of their own to this day.

Stewart is my hero. Sting solo pales in comparison to The Police. And it is because of Stewart.

Quality of songwriting matched with excellent playing by all... I saw them live at the Cow Palace and despite the terrible acoustics... They were stellar.

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10AC/DC

This world has no taste in music, I swear. The 80s weren't really the best years for ac dc other than back in balck it was more of the late 70s early to mid 90s were there year but ether way the #1 is a band I never even heard of, my generation sucks.

How is Duran Duran better than the raw power and energy that is post Bon Scott AC/DC? Case and point: For Those about to Rock or Thunderstruck vs Hungry Like the Wolf. The cannons of AC/DC blow the wolf to bits!

I loved AC/DC when I was a kid. And I still do. Wonderful band! They ruled the music world back then in my opinion. Their songs were really awesome on back in black. Rock and roll has the best sound of the world!.

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The Contenders

11Tears for Fears

Last time they were in Manila (Aug 10 and 11), we were visited by a big typhoon which devastated the land. A lot of lives were lost, and property to damage was high. TFF then donated all the proceeds of their shirts and merchandise from their 2 day concert here to red cross to help the people out.
It just goes to prove that TFF is not only a band that performs for their fans, but cares for them as well ^_^

Tears for Fears should be on top... They want to rule the world :D

Tears for Fears are perhaps the greatest british import band in the known universe. Curt and Roland work hard to make sure that their fans are kept happy. :)

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12Van Halen

Eddie van halen is my favorite and one of the top ten greatest guitarist. Van Halen put out albums all throughout the 80s and sold out stadiums (and still do). Guns n roses were good too. Metallica's best albums were from the 80s but they weren't really popular until the 90s. A-ha seems to be more popular now looking back.

Its Great van Halen has been the most influential group in the 80's
Especially David lee Roth will be the best rock singer that there ever was

Van Halen is the best ever. I would die if they diddnt exist. Literally. I love them so much I want to marry eddie and have kids with him, literally I love them I am obsessed with them and I will love them forever! If you don't like them you should die.

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13R.E.M.

R.E.M. is one of the greates bands ever how are they not even in the top ten here? Duran Durna? Really?!

REM #1... Dumb ass list.

14Depeche Mode

Depeche Mode is the greatest 80s/90s band of all time with their 48 singles and brilliant minds. Most of their songs are gold, and people just don't get that. I don't think that they are underrated but they are better than a lot of other bands on the website, up there with Duran Duran, Journey, Queen, AC/DC, Metallica, Bon Jovi, and others. Definitiely better than the Beatles, who were only popular because of their unusual way of doing things.

Best band full stop. Also the most underrated band! Better than the beatles without a doubt

An amazing, underrated band with brilliant songs

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15Heart

I consider Heart to be mostly a 70's group, but since it was on the list, I voted for it. There music is still played all the time on classic rock stations: Magic Man, Barracuda, Crazy On You, Heartless and more.

Very underrated great band, with very talented musicians

I love Heart! Awesome band and I loved them"

16Motley Crue

Can't believe it ain't way up there kinda sad! But it's still my favorite band.. I'm a fourteen year old girl who loves old rock music..

Motley Crue is absolutely the best back in the 80's. From the punk early 80's with Too Fast for Love (which they originally produced themselves)thru Shout at the Devil. On to more commercial Theatre of Pain and sinfully Girls, Girls Girls till Dr. Feelgood. They kicked ASS and maintained their debauchery with booze, drugs, women and have the tattoos to prove it!

Epitome of rock n roll. Enough said.

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17The Cure

By FAR the greatest band of the 80's. Robert Smith is an absolute legend.

18Talk Talk

Define all that is great about 80s music.

19Def Leppard

Def Leppard is the greatest band ever, releasing so many songs that
A-ha just looks stupid. Only stupid losers would try to disagree.

Definitely leppard is like the greatest band ever and whoever says otherwise is dumb. Definitely leppard was the greatest band during the eighties and in the world at the time. Everyone should vote for them.

They should be in the top 10. Their record sales top 65,000,000. Wasn't A-ha a one hit wonder band? Some of these groups listed higher than DL make me laugh. This is really a stupid list

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20The Smiths

I may not know much about the 80's era, considering that I wasn't even alive at the time, but I do know that the songs of The Smiths are of great quality simply because of their awesome melodies and addicting metaphors in their lyrics. It's a whole different world when you're listening to their songs and when you're reading their lyrics. You just never get tired of them.

The Smiths are an amazing band. I understand that they're not in the top ten because they're only popular in the UK but A-Ha sure as hell do not deserve to be number 1! Morrissey's lyrics are so meaningful. Johnny Marr's guitar playing skills are always underlooked (like most indie guitarists). Peace and love.

Best band of the 80s by far. Morrissey/Marr had the special quality of putting poetry to music and not just any poetry - genius comedic gems.

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21The Bangles

I THINK WHAT IS THE BEST BANG OF GIRLS OF ALL TIMES

22Chicago

23Pet Shop Boys

24Nirvana

Nirvana is one of my favorite bands. But they didn't take place in the 80s...

25Eurythmics

26Kiss

Lol these guys should be at the top of the list! Cause more than half of the bands up here have been in some shape or form inspired from KISS.

They're the ones who started the whole make-up and drag thing and really took it to the nest level, go check it out for your self many bands have admitted that they were HUGE fans of KISS and that KISS was the reason they created their band. KISS are like the forefathers of GLAM/metal rock.

No one deserves the top spot more than them! 70s 80s 90s 2000s it doesn't matter these guys KILLED it in EVERY ERA!

It's so awesome 40 years of entertaining the people did you know over 200,000,000 like/liked kiss (including the dead ones and present kiss fans)

SmoothCriminal

Oya man, they rocked the 70's, 80's, 90's, and still rocking the world

SmoothCriminal

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27The Go-Gos

28Red Hot Chili Peppers

RHCP have rocked the world since their inception in 1984. Give It Away.

Brilliant live an amazing sound and quality

They are so diverse

29Twisted Sister

30The Who

31Spandau Ballet

You know this band is TRUE

This band needs to be number 1!

32Iron Maiden

For me iron maiden is number one. People think iron maiden are heavy and hardcore but they wrong from all metal bands that ever existed in this planet iron maiden is the most melodic with a lot guitar harmonys and of course operatic vocals from Bruce Dickinson (he and Geoff Tate from queensryche are very underrated vocalist) except iron maiden I like bands like Bon jovi, van halen, definitely Leppard, dio ozzy black sabbath, Aerosmith, judas priest, motley Crüe, scorpions, survivor, led zeppelin, deep purple, ac/dc, pink Floyd, Foreigner, Phil Collins genesis, kiss, a-ha, Michael Jackson(only 80s), Guns n roses, Jimi Hendrix, queensryche, prince, Journey, Queen, REO speedwagon, Rod Stewart, Saxon, dire straits, Skid row, sting the police, Toto and more...

C'mon guys?! This is one of the best bands of all times. I don't know why they are not in top 10?! They are Awesome!

Maiden slays all of these in 2012. For 30 years 2000 concerts and still as good as 1984. No one else on this list reps the 80s right now like Maiden.

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33Travelling Wilburys

The most amazing supergroup of all-time: Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, George Harrison.

34Whitesnake

They Rock my socks!

35INXS

Had some big hits and where very good live.

I swear I don't know what you guys are thinking! INXS should be top of this list

Amazing band, one of Australia's finest.

36Aerosmith

I'm extremely confused, I thought A ha were 1 hit wonders :/, well Aerosmith deserves to be *1 not A ha, because steven's voice can reach levels like no one else's

Aerosmith is best, should be number 1. Love in an Elevator is one of the best songs I have ever heard, A ha should not even be on this list

Aerosmith is one of the greatest and iconic band of the generation..

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37The Scorpions

Never had a chance to see them live, but I agree, they eare the most energetic, coolest band of all time, great music this guys made! LOVE THEM!

the scorpions are amazing! they should undoubtedly be in the top 10! and A-ha is crap! who in their right mind would vote for A-ha?!

The greatest band who had lots of unbeatable hits! Fabulous outrageous thrill! The most energetic in stage performance!

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38Adam and the Ants

Nothing fashioned an era such as videos Stand and Deliver, and Prince Charming did. The Blue Black Hussah rocks. RR-X

Adam was my first love. What an amazing and truly original sound the Ants had, those drums were just astonishing. I learned so much from the songs about art, sex, tribes, pirates and the list goes on. Adam was all about style and somehow fused punk and the new romantics effortlessly. A true one off.

The Man Is A Legend... His Fans Are 2nd To None!...
& He Has Worked His Socks Off With Tour After Tour For The Last Few Years...
It's A Heck Of A Lot To Deal With When You Have An Illness Like Adam's...
Here's To A Legend Who Has Brought So Much Happiness To His Fans... Young & Old-ish...

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39Radiohead

40D'erlanger

At first they sounded speed metal like x-japan and their drummer tetsu changed their style for the better

ronluna

41Culture Club

Unique BOY GEORGE's voice and energy, beautiful melodies and lyrics that touch the heart! George was the most photographed person in the world along with the Pope and Princess Diana! CULTURE CLUB they were the first in the world with hit DO YOU REALLY WANT YOU HURT ME and CARMA CHAMELEON. They are a legend...

In my on opinion Culture Club should be in the top 10. The group had a short period in the limelight, but in that time they had a string of hit singles and two top twenty albums.

Really listen to music again - and not so much how Boy George looks - this band was pretty darn good

42Green Day

Are you KIDDING me?! How are they NOT at the top?!?!

43Rush

I grew up with Rush... Never afraid to march to their own rhythm. Rush was never pop rock and should be praised for that, in the least.

A band that has endured the test of time. Sound as vibrant and fresh today as they did back then.

Most talented band of them all.

44Hall & Oates

45B'z

46X Japan

amazing band. just give them a chance. listen to Sadistic desire. also if the intro to some of their songs are quiet and slow, wait a couple seconds and it will speed up to speed metal. like Kurenai and silent jealousy and rose of pain.

47Dire Straits

48A Flock Of Seagulls

Let's not forget their ever awesome "space age love song".

If I had a photograph of you

49Poison

This right here they should be first they were awsoume
Rate 100

50Ratt

51Cheap Trick

52REO Speedwagon

Kevin Cronin has to be one of the best songwriters in rock history, in my humble opinion.

Loved them back when and love them now!

53The Rolling Stones

HOW CAN YOU NOT SEE THAT THE ROLLING STONES HAVE BEEN DOING WELL EVEN AT THE BAD TIMES FOR EXAMPLE DIRTY WORK MANAGED TO HOLD A BIT GOOD QUALITY IN MUSIC SURE MICK didn't GIVE MUCH ATTENTION TO THE ALBUM WORK BUT THEY MANAGED TO PULL IT OFF AND WE CAN NOT FORGET ABOUT ALBUMS EMOTIONAL RESCUE, TATTOO YOU AND STEEL WHEELS THEY SHOULD BE AT LEAST AT NO. 12

THE ROLLING STONES IS THE GREATEST BAND OF ALL TIME ESPECIALLY IN ROCK BANDS AS FOR THIS THE ROLLING STONES TRUE RANK IS LIKE AT NUMBER 2 OR 3 OF GREATEST ROCK BANDS OF THE 80S WITH QUEEN AT NUMBER 1 AND THERE's OTHERS AND IF THERE's MUSIC LASTING THROUGH YEAR I WOULD RANK THE BEATLES AT NUMBER 3 OR 4 WITH THE ROLLING STONES AND LED ZEPPELIN TO BE HIGHER THAN THEM THE ROLLING STONES AND LED ZEPPELINS MUSIC IS SO ALIVE AND A BIT UNEXPECTED THE BEATLES HAVE ONLKY 10 YEARS OF MUSIC WHILE THE ROLLING STONES NOW HAVE RELEASED A TOTAL OF 29 STUDIO ALBUMS WITH 2 UNRELEASED STUDIO RECORDINGS AND THE ROLLING STONES HAS DONE 4 LIKE 5 WORLD TOURS WHILE THE BEATLES HASN'T DONE A GREAT TOUR THE BEATLES MAY HAVE DOMINATED THE 60S BUT THE ROLLING STONES IS BETTER AT LIVE CONCERTS that's WHERE THE ROLLING STONES OUTMATCHES THE BEATLES AND OVERCOMES EVERYONE ELSE EXCEPT FOR MICHAEL JACKSON AND ELVIS PRESLEY

54The Cars

This band epitomized everything about the 80's. Like everything else about airtime on the radio, disc jockeys got a few of there songs out there, but many of there best songs were never given any airtime. A classic band with much talent. One of my all time favorite bands. Should be much higher, at least top 10!

55Run-D.M.C

56Wham

George was the best singer and songwriter then and still is now

George Michael is a very talented singer and songwriter. Underrated and should be higher on the list.

57The B-52's

58New Order

59Echo & the Bunnymen

The killing moon is THE song of the 80's!

60The Smashing Pumpkins

One of the best bands I have ever heard. That drummer was awesome

61Air Supply

Simply the best... Still rocking' until these days... They should be in the top list..

62Boston

Listening to this group so takes me back to high school and cruising around in my '76 Camaro with the volume cranked up as high as it would go. I loved them then and still do. Brad Delp had such an awesome voice.

63The Fixx

64Roxette

65Curiosity Killed the Cat

66Hue & Cry

67Toto

Africa, Hold the Line, 99, Rosanna, Stop Loving You, and home of the brave are their best.

What about Toto? Why on earth is Toto not of the first ten rock bands?! They are one of the most extraordinary rock bands of the 80's that ever existed! They are perfect! I like almost every song of them. I swear that I have heard them even before I was born! They are extraordinary!

68Huey Lewis and the News

Huey Lewis is most definitely an 80'star.

69Infected Mushroom

70Yokosuka Saver Tiger

kyo isono hiroshi was a vocalist here

ronluna

71Stone Temple Pilots

They should be number 1

72Novecento

73Sade

74Modern Talking

L have to say that these Disco king guy�'s really touched "my heart and my soul! " every single song was and still is absolutely Great!... 80�'s would not been nothing with out them! :)...

They were the best band of 80s with many many giga hits like -you can win if you want, sos for love, brother loui, you are my heart you are my soul and many more. They were the best of their era.

75Tesla

Best Hard Rock Group from the 80's. Unfortunately, they were pigeon holed with the Hairbands of early. Their music is straight up rocking blues - no fillers or manufactured music by the label! Long live TESLA!

Tesla is the best 80s band. That's a fact

76Thin Lizzy

77Styx

My generation would agree Styx is among the best in their era. Dennis De Young and Tommy Shaw are great musician. Their songs are meaningful. Styx must be among the top ten

78The Human League

Love this band. One of the greatest eighties bands. All I can say is "don't' you want me baby"

79Erasure

80Japan

A band not happy with the commercial side of the music industry but what a live act.

81The Housemartins

An underrated but good-fun band from the 1980s. It's also what helped Norman Cook's career

pennylagwaberurier

82Michael Learns to Rock

This is an amazing band. Even today their songs are extremely famous in the world. I loved 'The Actor' and 'Sleeping Child'. They bring back sweet memories for me!

This is my favourite band

83Loverboy

Working for the weekend!

84Talking Heads

They clearly are number 1

85Sublime

86Soundgarden

87Dokken

88Joan Jett & the Blackhearts

89Frankie Goes to Hollywood

90Simply Red

91ABC

92Yazoo

93Bananarama

94Bros

Bros is definitely one of the most talented groups during the 80's. Their talent deserves mention given the song writing, singing and voice quality of the goss brothers.

95Marc-Almond

96Minutemen

One of a very very small number of the bands on this list that actually belong on this list.

97Buck-Tick

98Luna Sea

99The Offspring

100Quiet Riot

QUIET RIOT IS AWESOME! WHY AREN'T THEY NUMBER 1 ON THE LIST? I MEAN, SERIOUSLY!

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List Info

This list was created 4 years, 288 days ago and has been voted on over 5,000 times. This top ten list contains 158 items, has been remixed 8 times.

Updated Monday, June 17, 2013

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