Substance Over Style: A Merit System for '80s Lead Singers

Something about scarf-twirling, preening, cymbal-wielding or high-jumping lead singers in rock bands has always vexed me considerably. There's something fraudulent, I think about members of bands who contribute only their pipes (usually very mediocre ones, at that) to the musical group they always seem to get the most recognition for. So, in a continuing quest to reveal the true substance beneath the glossy veneer of '80s pop music, allow me to roll out my list of the Top 10 '80s Lead Singers Who Also Played an Instrument Most of the Time. Of course, there have always been a significant number of frontmen mostly who pretend to play instruments while on stage, so I had to watch out for that sinister faction while compiling the list. But I made it through the wilderness, I suppose, and I sincerely hope you enjoy the fruits of these labors. Oh, there will always be a place for the charismatic lead singer capable of mesmerizing audiences with only his or her vocals, persona or simple gravity as a performer. That place just doesn't happen to be here.