The 1980s was a decade of significant changes in music. Many new genres emerged, as well as music legends and then some one hit wonders who we will never forget. This article lists the top 10 best British bands of the 1980s.
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1) The Cure
The Cure is an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1978. The band went through several lineup changes, with vocalist, guitarist and lead songwriter Robert Smith being the only permanent member. The Cure first began releasing music in the late 1970s with their debut album, Three Imaginary Boys (1979).
After the release of the singles “Killing an Arab” and “Boys Don’t Cry”, The Cure released their debut album, Three Imaginary Boys, in May 1979. In the 1980s, the band’s musical style became increasingly dark and gothic – this change reached its zenith. their first concept album, Pornography (1982). The Top (1985)—after which they took a hiatus until 1992 when they returned to the scene. The Cure has released 13 studio albums, two EPs, more than 30 singles, and has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide.
2) Duran Duran
Duran Duran are an English rock band formed in Birmingham, England, in 1978. The band grew from alternative sensations in 1982 to mainstream pop stars by 1984. By the end of the decade, membership and music style changes challenged the band before a resurgence in the early 1990s. The group was a leading band in the MTV-driven “Second British Invasion” of the US.
Duran Duran have sold more than 100 million records worldwide
3) The Human League
The Human League is an English synth-pop band formed in Sheffield in 1977. After signing to Virgin Records they released two albums and a string of singles before attaining commercial success with their third album Dare (1981). The album contained four hit singles, including ‘Don’t You Want Me?’ which hit number one in 17 countries, including the UK where it became the band’s only UK number-one single. It topped the US Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks and was Billboard’s biggest selling single of 1981. It has sold over 5 million copies worldwide. It became the best-selling single in British music history.
4) Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello is a British singer-songwriter and record producer. He began his career as part of London’s pub rock scene in the mid-1970s and later became associated with the independent record label, Stiff Records. His critically acclaimed debut album, My Aim Is True, was released in 1977. Shortly after recording it he formed the Attractions as his backing band. His second album, This Year’s Model, was released in 1978, and was ranked number 11 by Rolling Stone on its list of the best albums from 1967–1987. His third album, Armed Forces (1979), featured his biggest UK hit single “Oliver’s Army”. His first three albums all appeared on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. In 1986 Costello and his Attractions toured behind King of America; it became one of his most successful albums, reaching No. 2 in the UK and No. 15 in the US.
5) Phil Collins
Philip David Charles Collins, commonly known as Phil Collins (born 30 January 1951), is an English drummer, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Known as the vocalist and drummer of the rock band Genesis, Collins achieved great commercial success with his solo albums and won a Grammy Award.
The song “Another Day in Paradise”, which was included in the 1989 album …But Seriously, drew attention to the problems of the homeless and the people living on the street, and won the 1991 Grammy Award from Phil Collins and the producer of the album, Hugh Padgham. In addition, Collins won an Oscar and a Golden Globe Award for the soundtrack to the movie Tarzan.
6) Peter Gabriel
Peter Brian Gabriel (born 13 February 1950) is an English singer-songwriter and activist who rose to fame as the original lead singer and flutist of the progressive rock band Genesis. After leaving Genesis in 1975, Gabriel launched a successful solo career with “Solsbury Hill” as his first single. His 1986 album, So, is his best-selling release and is certified triple platinum in the UK and five times platinum in the U.S., while his 1977 album Peter Gabriel has sold more than 15 million copies worldwide.
7) Joe Jackson
David Ian “Joe” Jackson (born 11 August 1954) is an English musician and singer-songwriter Having spent years studying music and playing clubs, he scored a hit with his first release, “Is She Really Going Out with Him?”, in 1979. It was followed by a number of new wave singles before he moved to more jazz-inflected pop music and had a top 10 hit in 1982 with “Steppin’ Out”. Jackson is associated with the 1980s Second British Invasion of the US. He has also composed classical music. He has recorded 20 studio albums and received five Grammy Award nominations.
8) Billy Idol
William Michael Albert Broad (born 30 November 1955), better known by his stage name Billy Idol, is an English rock musician. Born and raised in London, Idol first achieved fame in the punk rock era as a member of the band Generation X. Although his initial career was brief, Idol became a successful solo performer on both sides of the Atlantic with hits including “White Wedding”, “Rebel Yell” and “Eyes Without a Face”. In the mid-1980s, he re-emerged as a glam metal superstar, notably as frontman of the band Billy Idol and his bandmates from Generation X in their early days: guitarist Steve Stevens, bassist Tony James, and drummer Paul Cook.
Idol’s music has been influenced by many musicians including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, Marc Bolan, and T. Rex. His trademark look during his music career of bleached blonde hair and black leather outfits was an influence on goth fashion.
9) The Fixx
The Fixx is a British new wave band formed in London in 1979. The band consists of Cy Curnin (vocals), Jamie West-Oram (guitar), Rupert Greenall (keyboards), Adam Woods (bass), and Adrian Oxaal (drums). The Fixx gained international success with the hit singles “One Thing Leads to Another” and “Stand or Fall”.
The band’s debut album, Shuttered Room, was released in 1981. It reached number 10 on the UK Albums Chart, was certified platinum by the BPI for sales exceeding 300,000 copies, and achieved a silver certification from the Syndicat National de l’Édition Phonographique (SNEP) for sales exceeding 200,000 copies. The Fixx released five more albums during their career before disbanding in 1991.
10) Tears for Fears
Tears for Fears are an English pop/rock band formed in Bath, Somerset in 1981 by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith. Founded after the two met at the University of Bath, they were initially associated with the new wave synthesizer bands of the early 1980s but later branched out into mainstream rock and pop. They are best known for their 1983 Top 10 hit songs “Mad World” and “Pale Shelter”.
FAQ
Who was the biggest band in the 80s UK?
The biggest band in the 80s UK was Queen.
Who was the most successful British male artist in the 80s?
The most successful British male artist in the 80s was Elton John.
