Profiles Index
Michael Jackson - the Making of the King of Pop
Although already a major star in the music business, Michael Jackson became a pop superstar beyond measure during the '80s, taking popularity to never-before seen heights. As a result of his massive singles and especially [i]Thriller,[/i] the biggest-selling album of all time, Jackson cemented his title as the undisputed King of Pop during that decade.
Whitney Houston - Profile of the '80s Pop Diva
Here's a look at the career of one of pop music's most enduring talents, who burst onto the music scene in the '80s with hit single after hit single and became one of the most successful female pop singers in rock history.
Heart - Profile of '80s Pop Sister Act Heart
Consistently active for nearly two decades from the early '70s into the '90s, this American band led by sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson occupied a significant space in hard rock, classic rock, arena rock and, during the '80s, pure pop music. The group has proven itself influential over the years, especially on a new generation of female rockers.
Foreigner - Profile of an Arena Rock Band in Transition
Although its musical output was quite limited during the '80s, Foreigner produced some of the decade's most memorable songs, especially in the form of keyboard-heavy ballads. The band's slick, highly produced sound certainly had plenty of detractors, but music fans in rock, pop and adult contemporary circles found a lot to like in Foreigner's smooth delivery and big melodic hooks.
Profile of Female Rock Icon & '80s Solo Artist Joan Jett
Already a partial legend by the end of the '70s as a member of the seminal all-female rock band the Runaways, Joan Jett quickly established a successful '80s solo career that made her an icon. As a fiercely independent songwriter, producer and performer, Jett blazed a trail for women in rock and roll that's still revealing itself today, more than 35 years after she first burst on the scene.
Profile of Adventurous '80s Singer-Songwriter Joe Jackson
Singer-songwriter and master musician Joe Jackson was one of the most talented artists of the '80s, a composer and performer able to jump from rock and roll to pop to jazz with ease and fluidity. His output constantly challenged expectations and helped enrich the music of a decade already teeming with unacknowledged variety.
Profile of Synth Pop Pioneers The Human League
Seemingly out of nowhere, the Human League became one of the most visually recognizable and stylish synth pop acts of the early '80s. But the group's pop success emerged from years of blazing a trail for electronic pop, and ultimately the group reached far beyond its status as music video icons.
Profile of '80s Pop/Rock Fixtures INXS
One of the most consistent pop/rock artists of the '80s, Australian outfit INXS had to wait for most of the decade to pass before becoming true superstars. Still, the band enjoyed an interesting, dynamic stylistic arc during which it produced accomplished music of an eclectic nature.
Billy Idol - Profile of Original Punker Turned Mainstream Rock Star Billy Idol
One of the most recognizable icons of '80s pop culture, former punk rocker Billy Idol made quite a mark on the decade's music. Along the way, he proved that adjustments to promote commercial success don't always prevent an artist from following his own rebellious path.
Profile of Singer-Songwriter & '80s Soft Rock Standby Dan Fogelberg
The work of '70s and '80s mainstay Dan Fogelberg has always had a strong tendency to be overlooked and undervalued, perhaps because of the singer's often gentle, accessible sound. Still, Fogelberg was a major force as a singer-songwriter and quality soft rock artist during a turbulent, spotty decade for pop music.
Profile of Rocker & Piano Man Billy Joel
While Billy Joel has never been a critic's darling, he has certainly succeeded in presenting himself in various ways during his two decades of work as a pop/rock superstar. Despite a lack of critical endorsements, Joel put together a string of hit albums and singles during the late '70s and throughout the '80s, making a definite mark as one of the latter decade's most important and most successful pop artists.
Profile of the Go-Go's
The Go-Go's became one of the early-'80s most pleasantly surprising success stories, transforming from an L.A. punk band into new wave pop superstars. Along the way, the group cut a significant path for female musicians by attaining its success by maintaining independent artistic control. Here's a look at the impressive if brief career of one of the '80s most defining artists.
Profile of Huey Lewis & the News, '80s Mainstream Superstars
Like it or not, Huey Lewis & the News still stands as one of the '80s most iconic, emblematic and consistent pop/rock bands. The hits flowed freely for this Bay Area bar band for a large portion of the decade, and there were enough of them that such success cannot be explained by dumb luck. Nonetheless, Lewis and his supporting cast have always had to dodge slings and arrows from critics who thought the band wasn’t cool enough or good enough to deserve the success '80s pop radio supplied.