MUSIC
The 1980s saw the emergence of electronic dance music and new wave, also known as Modern Rock. As disco fell out of fashion in the decade's early years, genres such as post-disco, Italo disco, Euro disco, and dance-pop became more popular. Rock music continued to enjoy a wide audience. Soft rock, glam metal, thrash metal, shred guitar characterized by heavy distortion, pinch harmonics, and whammy bar abuse became very popular. Adult contemporary, quiet storm, and smooth jazz gained popularity. In the late 1980s, glam metal became the largest, most commercially successful brand of music worldwide.
The 1980s saw the emergence of electronic dance music and new wave, also known as Modern Rock. As disco fell out of fashion in the decade's early years, genres such as post-disco, Italo disco, Euro disco, and dance-pop became more popular. Rock music continued to enjoy a wide audience. Soft rock, glam metal, thrash metal, shred guitar characterized by heavy distortion, pinch harmonics, and whammy bar abuse became very popular. Adult contemporary, quiet storm, and smooth jazz gained popularity. In the late 1980s, glam metal became the largest, most commercially successful brand of music worldwide.
The most popular genres of the 80's are:
Soft rock --> Soft rock, also known as light rock and adult-oriented rock, is a derivative form of pop rock that originated in the late 1960s in the U.S. region of Southern California and in the United Kingdom. The style smoothed over the edges of singer-songwriter and pop rock, relying on simple, melodic songs with big, lush productions. Soft rock was prevalent on the radio throughout the 1970s and eventually metamorphosed into a form of the synthesized music of adult contemporary in the 1980s. |
Glam metal --> Glam metal, also known as hair metal, is a musical subgenre of heavy metal that combines sonorous aspects of traditional heavy metal, hard rock, punk and pop, with the visual appearance of glam rock. Influenced mostly by American hard rock bands of the 1970s, the first glam artists appeared in the late 1970s and early 1970s at nightclubs on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles. In the 1980s, glam metal was ranked as one of the best-selling styles in major world markets.
Most popular artists and songs of the 80's
Michael Jackson was an American singer, songwriter and dancer. Dubbed the king of pop, his contributions and recognition in the history of music and dance for more than four decades, as well as his publicized personal life, made him an international figure in popular culture. His music includes a wide range of genres such as pop, rhythm and blues (soul and funk), rock, disco and dance, and is recognized as the «most successful musical artist of all time» by the Guinness World Records. |
U2 is an alternative rock band from Dublin (Ireland), formed in 1976 by Bono (vocals), The Edge (guitar, keyboard and vocals), Adam Clayton (bass), and Larry Mullen Jr. (drums). The initial sound of U2 had its roots in post-punk, but later they will incorporate elements of other genres into their music: "His songbook is extensive and full of variations: from the most classic rock to the most round pop, through flirting with electronics or tributes to gospel". |
Popular songs
Billie Jean (Michael Jackson) -->
With Or Without You (U2) -->
La isla bonita (Madonna) -->
History of the 80'S
1980
John Lennon is shot and dies.
The popular video arcade game "Pac-Man" is released.
Ronald Reagan is elected as the President of the United States.
The United States boycotts the 1980 Olympics in Moscow.
1981
Lady Diana Spencer and Charles the Prince of Wales are married.
The cable network MTV (Music Television) is launched.
The AIDS virus is identified in the United States by scientists.
Anwar Sadat, the Egyptian President, is assassinated.
Sandra Day O'Connor is nominated as the first female Supreme Court Justice by President Reagan.
1982
"The Computer" is named Time Magazine's Man of the Year.
Disney World opens the EPCOT ( Experimental Community of Tomorrow ) park.
The FIFA World Cup is held in Spain and Italy wins the title.
Japan begins selling the first CD players.
Late Rock n' Roll star Elvis Presley's home "Graceland" is opened to the public as an attraction.
1983
Sally Ride becomes the first American woman in space.
Motorola introduces the first mobile phones to the United States in 1983.
Microsoft releases "Word" their word processing program.
The Swiss company "Swatch" introduces their watches and they become a fashion craze.
The I.R.A. bombs the popular London department store Harrods.
1984
India's Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, is assassinated.
Band Aid records "Do They Know It's Christmas?" a charity single to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia.
The Soviet Union boycotts the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Summer Games.
MTV begins the "Video Music Awards" or VMAs.
1985
The iconic Route 66 is removed from the highway system in the United States.
In what many consider one of the worst marketing moves, Coca-Cola introduced "New Coke" and were forced to return to the old formula only months later due to backlash.
The first version of Microsoft Windows is released.
1986
The Chernobyl nuclear reactor explodes in the USSR.
The Space Shuttle Challenger disaster takes place when the space shuttle disintegrates after being launched, killing all on board.
Spain and Portugal are added to the EEC.
1987
"The Simpsons" make their debut on the Tracy Ullman Show.
The Fox television network begins operations.
Construction begins on the Channel Tunnel.
1988
The Soviet Union withdraws their troops from Afghanistan.
George H.W. Bush is elected as the U.S. President after defeating Michael Dukakis.
1989
The Berlin Wall is torn down at the end of the Cold War.
Pro-Democracy protests take place at Tiananmen Square in China.