Profiles Index
Profile of KISS, Theatrical Hard Rock Survivors
'70s hard rock band KISS survived plenty of stumbles to make a generally successful if tenuous transition into the '80s. After dropping its signature makeup and several years of instability in personnel, the band rebounded by the middle of the new decade to regain stardom in the midst of the period's pop metal phenomenon.
The Police - Profile of '80s New Wave Superstars the Police
Here's a look at one of rock's greatest bands, an eclectic trio of masterful musicians that produced some of the decade's most original and popular music. Sadly, tension between bandmembers and individual ambitions cut short the worthy reign of this talented and influential band.
Loverboy - Profile of '80s Arena Rockers Loverboy
Few '80s acts are more visually and sonically representative of the decade than Loverboy, the Canadian arena rock outfit that danced along the genre lines of hard rock, new wave and pop to become one of the era's most popular bands. Here's a look at the relatively brief but fruitful career of these sensitive mainstream rockers.
Profile of Rocker & Singer-Songwriter Tom Petty
A shining beacon of classic rock and a singer-songwriter of the highest order, Tom Petty has been a major contributor to pop music for an impressively long time. In addition, the quality of his music during various eras has always remained high, stretching across genres as different as heartland rock, folk rock and plain old rock and roll.
Kenny Loggins - Profile of Sensitive Soft Rocker Kenny Loggins
Already a major star in pop music by virtue of his successful partnership with Jim Messina, soft rock journeyman Kenny Loggins enjoyed his most pronounced solo success during the '80s. As a writer and performer of pop/rock ballads and anthems well-suited for the silver screen, Loggins maximized his mainstream appeal enough to reach legendary status in some pop circles.
Profile of Heavy Metal Godfather & '80s Hard Rock Icon Ozzy Osbourne
One of the key founders of heavy metal through his work with Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne found a distinct second life during the '80s with a more stylish, image-based solo career. As such, his legendary presence across four rock and roll decades and his domination of at least two of them place him among the form's elite icons and artists.
Psychedelic Furs - Profile of British Post-Punk Mainstays Psychedelic Furs
Despite the name that evokes late-'60s American rock, the Psychedelic Furs emerged as a thoroughly modern British post-punk band and laid a foundation during the '80s for all alternative music to follow. As one of the decade's most consistent artists, the group enjoyed far more impact on the music landscape than mainstream success within it. But that's one of the ultimate calling cards of a genuine post-punk legend.
Nick Lowe - Profile of British Pub Rocker & Early Punk/New Wave Icon Nick Lowe
Though foremost an eclectic, highly original singer-songwriter and roots rocker, Englishman Nick Lowe is probably better known as a driving force in the British punk scene of latter half of the '70s. Both as a pub rock trailblazer and producer du jour, Lowe exerted tremendous influence on the sounds of much punk and new wave. Nonetheless, his own music has always been consistent if not always fully heard or appreciated, and for that reason Lowe remains an important '80s music figure.
Profile of Original Glam Metal Trailblazers Motley Crue
As one of pop metal's most prominent and trashiest prototypes, L.A.'s Motley Crue consistently lived up to a fearsome reputation for self-destructiveness and rock and roll excess. However, at the same time the band also somehow became one of the few truly reliable hard rock acts of the '80s, remaining active and successful throughout the decade.
Night Ranger Profile
Though sometimes vilified for being too much of its time and a blatantly commercial rock band, '80s mainstay Night Ranger made quite a mark on the era's music with its special blend of hard rock and power ballads.
Poison Profile
Poison may have represented some of the '80s worst excesses, but there's no denying the quintessential L.A.-based pop metal band was one of the era's most important and popular artists. Despite a relatively brief shelf life cut short probably by the early-'90s onset of grunge, the band sold a lot of records and undoubtedly defined '80s hard rock.
Profile of Kool & the Gang, Soul-Funk Pioneers & '80s Pop Hitmakers
'70s funk legends Kool & the Gang made their mark during the '80s with a smooth pop/soul sound that secured the group a string of Top 10 singles. Through the years, the band's ability to integrate disparate musical styles from jazz to soul, R&B, funk and pop helped reserve a vital space for the group on the vast pop music scene.
Cyndi Lauper - Profile of an '80s Icon & Singular Talent
Exploding onto the scene in 1983 as a palatable, feminized version of punk and new wave, Cyndi Lauper successfully rode the MTV wave to multiplatinum status and a permanent spot as a central icon of the decade. She evolved into a serious songwriter and well-rounded pop performer and has since continued to advance an eclecticism as both an actor and recording artist.
George Michael: '80s Pop Master Craftsman
Both as the primary creative force in the hitmaking duo Wham! and as a wildly successful solo artist, George Michael ruled the '80s like few artists could dream of. Though a highly capable singer in various pop styles, Michael particularly distinguished himself as a songwriter of great talent and versatility.
John Mellencamp
A profile of one of music's finest and most successful practitioners of heartland rock and one of the '80s biggest stars.
The Pretenders, Torchbearers of a Too-Brief Flame
The Pretenders were one of the most eclectic and talented bands to come out of the punk and new wave movements. In the group’s initial phase, the quartet may have been one of the rock era’s best bands period. However, when two tragic deaths struck within a year’s time, the band’s charismatic leader, Chrissie Hynde, persevered to reinvent and revitalize the group for pop audiences.