Top 100 Artists of the 80’s
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.
Top 100 Artists of the 80’s
1
1980 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
2
1980 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
3
1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1989
4
5
1980 | 1981 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988
6
Run-D.M.C.
7
1982 | 1984 | 1986 | 1988 | 1989
8
9
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1989
10
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1986
11
1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1988 | 1989
12
13
1983 | 1984 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
14
15
George Michael / Wham
1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988
16
1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
17
18
19
20
21
Rush
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1985 | 1986
22
23
24
1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987
25
1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
26
27
Genesis
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1986 | 1987
28
1983 | 1984 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
29
1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
30
31
32
Journey
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987
33
34
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
35
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1984 | 1985 | 1987 | 1988
36
Kool and the Gang
37
L.L. Cool J
38
1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1989
39
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1989
40
41
42
43
44
1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987
45
46
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1988
47
48
1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988
49
1980 | 1982 | 1983 | 1986 | 1987 | 1989
50
1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988
51
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
52
Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble
53
1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
54
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988
55
1980 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
56
1980 | 1981 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986
57
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984
58
Heart
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987
59
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987
60
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
61
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
62
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1984 | 1985 | 1987 | 1988
63
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1984 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988
64
1980 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988
65
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987
66
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987
67
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
68
69
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
70
The Go-Go’s
71
1980 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1989
72
73
1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1989
74
75
76
1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1989
77
78
79
80
Culture Club
1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986
81
Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine
82
83
1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
84
Chicago
1980 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
85
86
1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1989
87
88
89
90
91
1983 | 1985 | 1986 | 1988 | 1989
92
1980 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
93
94
95
1981 | 1982 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
96
1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
97
98
99
100
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.