Top 100 Artists of the 80's - Top40weekly (original) (raw)
The top 100 artists of the 80s, champions of a vibrant decade, revolutionized the music scene with their groundbreaking sounds.
Crafted from chart achievements, video rotations, radio popularity, and cultural impacts, this list offers a nostalgic journey through an era rich with innovation and style. Delve into the legacy of artists who not only captured the spirit of the 80s but also shaped the future of music.
You can find more 80s content at the bottom of this page including these TOP40Weekly Tribute collections; Romantic Sax, Piano By Candlelight, 25 Great Love Songs, 40 Best of the ’80s.
1
Michael Jackson
1980 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
2
Prince
1980 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
3
Madonna
1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1989
4
U2
5
Bruce Springsteen
1980 | 1981 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988
6
Run-D.M.C.
7
Van Halen
1982 | 1984 | 1986 | 1988 | 1989
8
Public Enemy
9
Billy Joel
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1989
10
The Police
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1986
11
Phil Collins
1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1988 | 1989
12
Guns N’ Roses
13
Def Leppard
1983 | 1984 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
14
Janet Jackson
15
George Michael / Wham
1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988
16
Whitney Houston
1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
17
Metallica
18
N.W.A
19
Dire Straits
20
AC/DC
21
Rush
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1985 | 1986
22
Iron Maiden
23
Judas Priest
24
Lionel Richie
1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987
25
Bon Jovi
1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
26
Talking Heads
27
Genesis
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1986 | 1987
28
R.E.M.
1983 | 1984 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
29
Duran Duran
1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
30
Motley Crue
31
The Cure
32
Journey
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987
33
John Mellencamp
34
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
35
REO Speedwagon
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1984 | 1985 | 1987 | 1988
36
Kool and the Gang
37
L.L. Cool J
38
Tina Turner
1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1989
39
Queen
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1989
40
Beastie Boys
41
Ozzy Osbourne
42
The Smiths
43
Huey Lewis and the News
44
Bryan Adams
1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987
45
Hall & Oates
46
Pat Benatar
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1988
47
Eric B. & Rakim
48
Billy Idol
1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988
49
Peter Gabriel
1980 | 1982 | 1983 | 1986 | 1987 | 1989
50
INXS
1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988
51
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
52
Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble
53
Eurythmics
1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
54
The Cars
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988
55
Aerosmith
1980 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
56
ZZ Top
1980 | 1981 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986
57
The Rolling Stones
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984
58
Heart
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987
59
David Bowie
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987
60
Elton John
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
61
Rod Stewart
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
62
Foreigner
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1984 | 1985 | 1987 | 1988
63
Stevie Wonder
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1984 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988
64
Toto
1980 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988
65
Bob Seger
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987
66
The Pointer Sisters
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987
67
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
68
Salt-N-Pepa
69
Fleetwood Mac
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
70
The Go-Go’s
71
Paul McCartney
1980 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1989
72
Pet Shop Boys
73
Don Henley
1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1989
74
Paul Simon
75
Tracy Chapman
76
Cyndi Lauper
1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1989
77
Depeche Mode
78
Sonic Youth
79
Pete Townshend
80
Culture Club
1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986
81
Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine
82
De La Soul
83
Luther Vandross
1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
84
Chicago
1980 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
85
The Bangles
86
Thompson Twins
1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1989
87
Yes
88
Men at Work
89
Pixies
90
Pink Floyd
91
Robert Palmer
1983 | 1985 | 1986 | 1988 | 1989
92
Kenny Loggins
1980 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
93
Whitesnake
Sade
95
Steve Winwood
1981 | 1982 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
96
Billy Ocean
1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
97
Tears for Fears
98
Bobby Brown
99
Scorpions
100
Simply Red
What artists were popular in the 80s?
In the 80s, the music scene was vibrant and diverse, with 80s artists spanning a variety of genres. Iconic 80s bands like Queen and U2 soared in popularity.
Pop sensations and 80s singers such as Michael Jackson and Madonna were dubbed the King and Queen of Pop, respectively.
Additionally, bands of the 80s like The Police and Duran Duran left a lasting impact. A comprehensive 80s bands list alphabetically would feature a mix of rock bands, pop icons, and solo artists who defined a decade of innovative music.
What musicians were popular in the 1980s?
The 1980s bands were known for their distinctive sounds and cultural influence. 80s music artists such as Prince and Whitney Houston became household names. Bands from the 80s like Metallica and Guns N’ Roses revolutionised the rock genre.
Furthermore, popular 80s bands such as Bon Jovi and Def Leppard dominated the charts with their anthemic hits. The decade also witnessed the emergence of influential 80s groups in other genres, including hip-hop and new wave.
Who was the biggest selling artist of the 80s in the UK?
In the UK, the title of the biggest selling artist of the 80s often sparks debate. Among the 80s pop stars, George Michael and his band Wham! achieved immense success.
However, 80s pop bands like Duran Duran and The Cure also saw significant sales. It’s important to note that 80s male singers, including Elton John and David Bowie, had a strong presence in the UK market.
The 80s bands list would certainly highlight many of these UK favorites based on their record sales.