Top 10 Greatest Artists and Bands of the 80s

The 1980s was a decade packed with musical energy, bold sounds, and a colorful mix of genres that defined the era. It gave rise to some of the most iconic artists and bands that still hold a special place in our playlists today. From synth-heavy new wave to arena rock anthems, the music of the 80s was all about pushing boundaries and creating something fresh, fun, and unforgettable.

Think back to the songs you couldn't stop humming, the music videos that glued you to MTV, and the albums that stayed on repeat. You'll find those artists here. Some might take you back to your first concert, while others could remind you of a forgotten favorite track. Dive into the nostalgia and decide which artists and bands truly made the 80s unforgettable.

The Top Ten

Michael Jackson

Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009) was an American singer, dancer, and songwriter. He passed away from cardiac arrest caused by acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication, which was ruled a homicide. Jackson is widely regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures... read more

Michael Jackson is the greatest and best music artist, philanthropist, humanitarian, and human being of all time and that ever lived. He is the King of Pop. I love him and I miss him so much always and forever. August 29th, 1958 - June 25th, 2009. Forever.

No single individual has had the impact that Michael Jackson has had on singers, dancers, producers, arrangers, and directors of live events. He set the benchmark - and then exceeded himself.

Michael is the greatest in any era. His music and stagecraft transcended the 80s and kept setting benchmarks in the 90s. Despite his death, This Is It did the same for the 21st century. Now that's longevity. That's greatness.
Spandau Ballet

Spandau Ballet is an English new wave band that was formed in Islington, London, in 1979. They achieved widespread success during the 1980s with chart-topping singles such as True and Gold. The band experienced several breakups and reunions over the years, with their influence on British pop music still... read more

The most amazing band of the '80s AND of all time! Music that continues to touch audiences through each decade since!

Awesome band. Too many people have forgotten how great they are. Front singer Tony Hadley's voice is better than ever!

100% agree their music is as fresh today as it's always been. Best vocalist in the business! Great overall sound live.
A-ha

A-ha is a Norwegian synth-pop band that was formed in Oslo in 1982. The band was founded by Morten Harket, Magne Furuholmen, and Pål Waaktaar-Savoy. They are best known for their hit single Take On Me, which became a global success.

One of the greatest groups of all time, not just of the '80s. Morten Harket's voice is absolutely amazing in its range and style. Songs like Out of Blue Comes Green, while never released as singles, could've cemented Pal Waaktaar's reputation as a great songwriter.
Unfortunately, being labelled a boy band and pigeonholed by the music industry damaged A-ha's chances to have their music heard and rated by a wider audience. Their reformation in the early 2000s gave the band new life, and their later music definitely rates as some of their best work.

One of the greatest bands of all time. Unfortunately, they're often written off as a boy band, but they've written some truly amazing songs like "Manhattan Skyline," "I've Been Losing You," and "Minor Earth, Major Sky."
If you've only heard "Take on Me," go check out some of their other stuff. They fully deserve their No. 2 spot. They should probably be at number 1, but there's no one quite like Michael Jackson (who, by the way, loved A-ha and invited them to his Neverland Ranch). And yes, they're better than Bon Jovi.
Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi is a hard rock and pop rock band formed in 1983. The original lineup consisted of lead vocalist Jon Bon Jovi, guitarist Richie Sambora (who left in 2013), bassist Alec John Such (who left in 1994), keyboardist David Bryan, and drummer Tico Torres.... read more

Bon Jovi may not be number 1, but he should be right under Michael Jackson. A-ha only has one song that people actually remember - Take on Me. I admit it's a pretty good song, but Bon Jovi had way more hits than A-ha: Livin' On A Prayer, You Give Love A Bad Name, Wanted Dead or Alive, Bad Medicine, and that's only their 80s hits!

Along with Queen, they ruled stadium anthems. It's incredible to listen to thousands at the same time singing Living on a Prayer or You Give Love a Bad Name.

They belong at number 1. They have done it all and kept smiles on people's faces while doing it.
Guns N' Roses

Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band from Los Angeles formed in 1985. The classic lineup, signed to Geffen Records in 1986, consisted of vocalist Axl Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKagan, and drummer Steven Adler. In addition to hard rock, they are also... read more

They are an iconic band that was set apart from all the others. They are one of the most popular bands ever and have repeatedly created great songs. I've seen them, and they were astonishing!

Most of these bands either made it big in the 70s and weren't as great in the 80s, or are just plain overrated. Guns N' Roses might have had the UYI albums in the 90s, which were pretty great also (in fact, UYI2 is probably my favorite album by them), but they were an 80s band through and through.

Slash is an awesome guitarist, definitely my favorite. My favorite band ever.
Queen

Queen is an English rock band formed in London in 1970. The original lineup was Freddie Mercury (lead vocals, piano), Brian May (guitar, vocals), Roger Taylor (drums, vocals), and John Deacon (bass guitar). Before Queen, May and Taylor had played together in a band named Smile. Freddie Mercury, a fan... read more

I have always loved Queen and have been listening to them my whole life. I don't think Under Pressure is the song that everyone knows by Queen. I think the songs they are most known for are We Will Rock You, We Are the Champions, and Bohemian Rhapsody. I even got to go to a concert this past summer in LA. I love how they wrote their songs. They just make me so happy and want to get up and dance!

Queen deserves this spot. They just never stopped making great songs (they have three greatest hits albums), not to mention they're practically a household name at this point.
But "Under Pressure" kills me. It's a great song, but for some reason, it's the only reason most people know Queen. "Hammer to Fall" is much better.
Madonna

Madonna Louise Ciccone, known professionally as Madonna, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. She has influenced many artists, including Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Beyoncé Knowles, and Britney Spears. Often referred to as the "Queen of Pop," she has played a significant... read more

Any list that doesn't have Madonna as the number one artist is suspect. She was dominant from the beginning of the decade to the end. Unlike Michael, she progressed as an artist, surprising us at every turn. For me, it's 1. Madonna, 2. Prince (think of all the songs he wrote for others like Sinead O'Connor, The Bangles, and Sheena Easton), 3. Michael Jackson, 4. The Police.

The '80s without Madonna would have been like a hamburger without the meat!

No one makes music for the ages like her. She is the sound of the generations she has performed for and will be.
Metallica

Metallica is an American heavy and thrash metal band formed in 1981. The original lineup included James Hetfield (vocals and rhythm guitar), Dave Mustaine (lead guitar), Lars Ulrich (drums), and Ron McGovney (bass). They first gained mainstream fame with their 1991 self-titled album (The Black Album... read more

They're in a class by themselves. Well, metal, yes, of course, but we're talking '80s - not so much '80s, but they are loved.

They are the best. But this list is obviously biased towards metal.
The Police

The Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. The lineup included Sting, Andy Summers, and Stewart Copeland for most of the band's existence. They're best known for songs like "Roxanne," "Message in a Bottle," "Don't Stand So Close to Me," "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic," and... read more

Sting, Stewart Copeland, and Andy Summers fused sounds that took the music industry by storm. Even in the short time they were together, they created classics.

They made great music and were on top for a bit. It really sucks that they broke up.

The best band ever! And Sting is great too. Listen to King of Pain, people!
Prince

Prince Rogers Nelson (June 7, 1958 - April 21, 2016) was an American musician, widely regarded as one of the most popular and influential artists of the 1980s. He was known for his eclectic musical style, flamboyant stage presence, and mastery of multiple instruments. Some of his most iconic songs include... read more

Before Prince, there was no such thing as Prince. There never was a Prince beforehand, and there's probably never gonna be another Prince later.

Prince was the top-charting artist of the '80s in the US, with 378 weeks on the Hot 100 chart. He was there the first week and the last week of the decade. He was also the top-charting artist worldwide, with 5 number one albums and 28 top 20 singles. He was the most prolific artist of that decade.
He wrote songs for and introduced artists such as Vanity 6, Sheila E, Morris Day and The Time, Wendy and Lisa, and Apollonia. He also wrote songs for Chaka Khan, Sheena Easton, and The Bangles. His work was covered by Tom Jones, Cyndi Lauper, Meli'sa Morgan, and The Pointer Sisters. A musician and songwriter extraordinaire.

The Newcomers

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‎Momoko Kikuchi
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‎Yasuyuki Okamura

The Contenders

Van Halen

Van Halen was an American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. From 1974 until 1985, the band's lineup consisted of guitarist Eddie Van Halen, vocalist David Lee Roth, drummer Alex Van Halen, and bassist Michael Anthony.... read more

Van Halen has to be one of the greatest bands of all time. Eddie rocked on the guitar, Alex was awesome, Diamond Dave was one of the most entertaining lead singers ever, and they didn't start as a boy band put together by executives to make money. They just rocked it out.

This has to be one of my very favorite bands. If you just listen to their songs, you will be blown away by the talent in this band!

The talentless pop artists in the top ten will never be better than Van Halen.
Ozzy Osbourne

John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne (December 3, 1948 - July 22 2025) was an English singer, songwriter, and television personality, often nicknamed "The Prince of Darkness." He rose to fame in the early 1970s as the lead vocalist of Black Sabbath.... read more
Heart

Heart is an American rock band that first found success in Canada before breaking through in the United States and internationally. Formed in the 1970s, the band is fronted by sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson. Heart is known for hits like Barracuda, Magic Man, and Alone.

Heart was very underrated, coming into a world dominated by male rockers where women were disco queens or dance artists. They blazed through the 70s, 80s, and 90s, leaving some great songs and guitar riffs.
Bryan Adams

Bryan Guy Adams is a Canadian singer, songwriter, record producer, guitarist, photographer, philanthropist, and activist. He gained international fame with hits such as Summer of '69 and (Everything I Do) I Do It for You. Adams is also known for his humanitarian efforts and has been involved in various... read more

Extremely talented and a personal favorite of mine, Bryan Adams manages to pull off some lively, rocky songs, e.g., "She's Only Happy When She's Dancing," "Summer of '69," and "Can't Stop This Thing We Started." He can also pull off very relaxed, slower songs such as "Star," "Heaven," and "Everything I Do, I Do It for You." So, whatever mood I'm in, I can turn on some Bryan Adams and I won't be disappointed.
With such a repertoire of fine rock music and slow, romantic songs, Bryan Adams has stood out for me as the greatest musician of the 80s and of all time. Honorable mentions definitely go to Def Leppard, Whitesnake, and Bon Jovi.

He is one of my all-time favorites! He sings a great variety of music!
AC/DC

AC/DC is an Australian hard rock band founded in November 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Bon Scott was the lead singer until his death in 1980 from alcohol poisoning. He was succeeded by Brian Johnson.
The band is known for its blues-influenced rock sound and enduring hits such as Highway... read more

What? AC/DC is one of the best bands ever, not to mention in the '80s. These guys should be first, with Rush second and Van Halen third.
Motley Crue

Mötley Crüe is an American metal band formed in Los Angeles, California on January 17, 1981. The group was founded by bassist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, along with lead vocalist Vince Neil and lead guitarist Mick Mars. They are known for their hedonistic lifestyle and iconic albums such as Dr... read more

These guys partied hard and knew how to rock and roll. Sex, drugs, and rock and roll is and was a lifestyle only a few people can survive.

Mötley Crüe should be in the top five bands of the '80s. Their music and style were unique, inspiring other bands to follow in their steps.

Best rock band to survive the '80s. Could have been much bigger but they were their own worst enemies.
Aerosmith

Aerosmith is an American rock band formed in Boston in 1970. The group consists of Steven Tyler (vocals), Joe Perry (guitar), Tom Hamilton (bass), Joey Kramer (drums), and Brad Whitford (guitar).
Their style, rooted in blues-based hard rock, also incorporates elements of pop rock, heavy metal... read more

I do believe there were better artists in the 80s, but Aerosmith isn't getting enough credit, especially for hanging on when they flopped in the music industry. They ended up making one of the hugest comebacks of the 20th century, topped only by Elvis. Most artists gave up when their music took a turn for the worse, and I respect Aerosmith because not only did they refuse to give up, but they also made some of the most classic rock songs of the 20th century in doing so.

They ruled in the '70s, but wait a minute! Aerosmith made fantastic music in the '80s too. Don't you like hits like "Janie's Got a Gun", "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)", "Angel", "Rag Doll", "Love in an Elevator", "Hangman Jury"? Come on, this band must be in the Top 10.
Def Leppard

Def Leppard are an English hard rock band formed in 1977 in Sheffield as part of the new wave of British heavy metal movement.
The band rose to international fame with albums like Pyromania (1983) and Hysteria (1987), the latter of which sold over 20 million copies worldwide. They were inducted... read more

How is Def Leppard not in the top 10? They're undisputedly my favorite band of all time, and they've had tons of hits. And yet, A-ha is in second place, even though the only song they have that could even compare to any Def Leppard song is Take on Me!

What the heck! You place one-hit wonders like Spandau Ballet and A-ha high on this list, while Def Leppard sits down here. Maybe they're both big overseas, but here, not so much.

Def Leppard is one of the greatest bands to rule the 80s. Everyone has heard a lot of their songs. Pyromania was one of the greatest albums of that decade!
Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band formed in Leyton, East London, in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Their most critically acclaimed period is widely considered to be from 1983 to 1989, during which they released landmark albums like Piece of Mind, Powerslave, Somewhere... read more
Whitney Houston

Whitney Elizabeth Houston was an American singer, actress, producer, and model. She holds the Guinness World Record as the most awarded female artist of all time, with over 400 career awards as of 2006, and was named the most awarded female act in 2009.... read more

The most beautiful and amazing woman to live on this planet!

She is the business. The best voice ever.

Queen of the eighties, if not pop!
Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen (born September 23, 1949) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and humanitarian. Known as "The Boss," he's the leader of the E Street Band.
He's celebrated for his poetic lyrics, working-class themes, political messages tied to his native New Jersey,... read more

He's called "The Boss" for a reason. He released numerous hits in the 80s and was always on the radio because he was as much a part of the 80s as Prince or Madonna.

The first time I saw him in concert in Barcelona, I was 14. Now at 42, I never get tired of going to his concerts whenever I can!

After the '60s (Beatles, Stones, etc.), Springsteen is the next biggest influence in rock music. In the '80s, he should rank number 1.
U2

U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk and gradually evolved to incorporate elements of alternative rock, electronic, and pop music. Known for their anthemic sound and use... read more

U2 made the biggest impact in the '80s and is still going strong. This list is a joke when Bono isn't ranked higher than Heart. He is one of the greatest songwriters of all time.

U2 deserves number 1. Forget Michael Jackson, his contribution to music was nothing compared to U2's.

Presence and passion. This is not even close! Time magazine's Band of the Decade.
The Cure

The Cure are an English post-punk and gothic rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex, in 1978. The band has undergone numerous lineup changes, with vocalist, guitarist, and principal songwriter Robert Smith remaining the only consistent member. They are known for hits such as Just Like Heaven and Lovesong... read more
Duran Duran

Duran Duran are an English new wave and synthpop band formed in Birmingham in 1978. They achieved major success in the 1980s and were a leading band in the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of the United States. The group is known for hits like "Hungry Like the Wolf," "Rio," and "Ordinary World."

I think one of the reasons why Duran Duran deserves a high spot is because they were the right band at the right time. They were a part of the New Romantic movement, which was a backlash to the UK's Punk scene during the late 70s. In this scene, everything was about being aggressive, looking torn up, and "play as fast as you can!"
The New Romantic movement was society's way of trying to be more innovative, elegant, and flamboyant, like, "Hey, it's a couple of straight guys trying to look all glamorous and be more reinventive (like back in the early 70's Glam scene)." It was literally a backlash against Punk. The only difference is that Duran Duran were the top dogs of the movement. They brought that scene to the mainstream and adapted it to the MTV generation. People wanted it, people loved it. They fell in love with it, it changed a lot of people's hearts and minds, and that was partly the sound of the 80s.
Journey

Journey is an American rock band formed in San Francisco in 1973. The founding members included former members of Santana and Frumious Bandersnatch.

With hits such as "Don't Stop Believin'," "Open Arms," "Lights," etc., how is Journey not on the list? I am guessing that every single person in the civilized world knows at least one song. Their songs have stood the test of time, and "Don't Stop Believin'" has become super popular again. They are one of the most distinguished bands of the 80s and are capable of such diverse sounds. They deserve a place on the list, if only for the insane range and beauty of their lead singer's voice. Steve Perry tips the balance, making this good band incredible.

#142? Are you kidding?!?! Based on record sales, concert attendance, longevity, recurrent popularity three decades later, Santana pedigree, popularizers of the power ballad, and innumerable copycat bands, this is one of the most successful and influential bands of all time. They have their haters for being too "corporate" and/or too "commercial," but Journey is clearly a top ten artist of the 1980s.