Rootsy Guitar Pop Artist Nick Lowe a Major If Not Fully Acknowledged '80s Music Legend

In the course of composing material for this site, I've often stopped to consider carefully just what makes a group or individual an '80s artist rather than merely one who happened to release music during that decade. I've toyed with several ways to examine that central question, but more often than not my attitude tends to hinge on influence or, to use a more vivid image, the amount of ripple each artist creates within the vast '80s music pond and with which other artists' ripples said impact overlaps. Following that approach, British pub rock legend, punk/new wave producer extraordinaire, and singular roots pop singer-songwriter Nick Lowe continues to resonate quite noticeably in the crowded passageways of '80s music history.

A major contributor to movements as disparate as punk rock, new wave, college rock, post-punk, alternative rock, power pop, roots rock and Americana, Lowe has earned a lengthy spotlight that has never quite been awarded to him. I doubt he cares one way or another about any perceived shortage of accolades, instead focusing on continuing to grow a nearly 40-year music career. Nonetheless, feel free to join me in showering some attention upon this consummate pop/rock craftsman and performer. The '80s would have been far less musically interesting without him.

• Nick Lowe Profile
• Top 7 Nick Lowe Songs of the '80s
• Compare prices on Nick Lowe CDs here.
• Official Nick Lowe Website