The 1980s were a decade of turmoil for the music industry in America. The grunge movement was on the rise, and people were moving away from their former favorite genres including pop music, metal and hard rock and looking toward a more alternative way of life.
The 1980s were also a decade of change for popular American bands. Many big names like Duran Duran and Fleetwood Mac had disbanded or went on hiatus during the 1980s, but new groups started to appear that would soon fill their shoes.
Here are some of the most popular groups and bands of the 1980s:
Pixies
Pixies were an American rock band based in Boston, Massachusetts. The band was formed by bassist Kim Deal and guitarist/vocalist Black Francis, and they recorded their first album Surfer Rosa in 1988.
The frontman of the group, Black Francis, has such a soulful and emotive voice that you cannot help but question his sanity. Their songwriting is outstanding. The majority of their songs are catchy and unforgettable. The fact that Pixies decided to do the shorter pop song format also proved successful. Their most famous song is perhaps “Where is My Mind?”, which was used as part of the soundtrack for the 1999 movie “Fight Club”.
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band formed in Leyton, East London in 1975. They have sold over 200 million albums worldwide and have had several worldwide number one hits with their songs “The Number of the Beast”, “Run to the Hills” and “Hallowed Be Thy Name”.
Iron Maiden were one of the most popular metal bands during the 1980s. They were also known for their long-lasting career and longevity. Their songwriting skills were clearly evident from their songs that made it into rock radio charts during this decade.
The Smiths
The Smiths were a British alternative rock band formed in Manchester in 1982. The band was composed of singer Morrissey, bassist Andy Rourke, guitarist Johnny Marr, and drummer Mike Joyce. They released their debut album “The Smiths” in 1984 to critical acclaim and success, which led to them signing a record deal with the independent label Rough Trade Records.
The Smiths had one of the most unique sounds in the UK during this time period and they had an extremely large fan base that continued to grow during the 1980s. Their songwriting was also highly regarded by critics and fans alike because many fans consider them one of the most important bands of all time.
The Cure
The Cure was an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex. The band began in 1976 and consisted of, among others, Robert Smith as the frontman, Simon Gallup as the bassist, and Lol Tolhurst as the drummist and keyboardist.
The Cure had a unique sound which was known for their use of musical instruments such as session musicians and synthesizers. They were also one of the most influential bands during the 1980s. Their music ranged from punk rock to new wave to gothic rock and were also known for their highly emotional lyrics that are considered some of the best songwriting skills ever achieved by any musician.
