The Iconic Bands of the 80s: The Era of Musical Excellence

Today we take a step back in time, more precisely in the 80s, when, in little more than 10 years, the world was turned upside down by innovations, such as the advent of the Internet and special effects, historical events (among the most important, we remember the fall of the Berlin wall) and the unforgettable victory of Italy in the World Cup.

A very young and irreverent Madonna burst into the music scene, the prince of Pop was destined to become King - Michael Jackson - and a new wind was starting to rise between the USA and the United Kingdom. In these years some musical personalities would really and forever change world music.

Some of them have dominated the charts against all expectations, others have managed to influence entire generations of artists and fans, many of them have shaped new sounds, exploring and experimenting with new skills and melodies.

Ladies and gentlemen, music lovers and not, we are talking about them, the legends of rock music of the 80s.

Ten years were enough, just one decade, to change the music world forever. There was a before them and there is an after, and from certain things, as we know, there is no turning back. With these huge rock sacred monsters, music changes its own sound, becoming eclectic, innovative, original.

Before we begin, we have created a collection that will blow your mind!

Visit LEGENDS OF 80'S MUSIC!

Queen

And what am I telling you to do!

Queen were one of the most innovative and versatile bands of the 80s. Born in London in 1970 from the ashes of a previous group, Smile, founded by Brian May and Tim Staffell. Roger Taylor joins them and only after does Mr Freddy Mercury enter, introduced to the others by Staffell.

Freddy Mercury himself changed the name of the group from Smile to Queen, who said in this regard "It is short, simple and easy to remember and then expresses what we want to be, majestic and regal".

The single that consecrates them on a global level is A Night at the Opera, contained in the album Sheer Heart Attack.

With their epic and theatrical music, Freddie Mercury and company have captivated audiences around the world. Songs like "Bohemian Rhapsody," "We Will Rock You," and "Under Pressure" have become generational anthems.

The band's iconic performance at 1985's Live Aid has been called one of the best live performances of all time.

This group combined rock, opera and pop in a unique and unmistakable way. Mercury left an indelible mark with his powerful voice and extraordinary charisma, and the original band continues to be celebrated as one of the greatest of all time.

Duran Duran

With over 185 million records sold, Duran Duran were one of the most influential bands of the 80s. They are also natives of the United Kingdom, specifically from Birmingham. They were formed in 1978, founded by John Taylor and Nick Rhodes, becoming the main architects of the second British invasion.

With a unique combination of dance music, new wave and pop rock, with songs like "Rio", "Girls on Film" and "Hungry Like the Wolf", the band dominated the charts around the world.

Duran Duran have redefined the standards of musical aesthetics, with their glamorous looks and cutting-edge music videos. Speaking of these, they were true pioneers of the music video.

The group helped define the pop-rock sound of the era, achieving enormous popularity in part due to their unique ability to create complex, multi-layered arrangements for their songs.

Great supporters of technological innovations, they are the first artists to sell one of their songs in download.

U2

The story of this other iconic complex begins in Dublin in 1976.

In their 47-year career, they are one of the few bands to have won the most Grammy Awards for a group with 22 awards, 2 Golden Globes and 2 Academy Award nominations.

With their engaging songs and magnetic stage presence, U2 became one of the most important and influential rock bands of the 1980s. Songs like "With or Without You," "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and "Pride (In the Name of Love)" tackled social and political issues with passion and wit. And it is civil rights issues that are particularly dear to the group. From the outset, in fact, the members have dealt with civil rights and the Irish question (nationalism and independence of Ireland).

Returning to the music, they are characterized by an energetic and engaging sound, almost in contrast with Bono's intimate voice. These characteristics made them a dominant force in the music scene of the time, just like their live performances.

At the beginning of 2023 their new album entitled Songs of Surrender is released. A project that contains 40 tracks divided into 4 volumes.

The Police

The Police's unique blend of reggae, rock and new wave made them one of the most popular and original bands of the 1980s. With Sting as the charismatic and talented frontman, the band produced hits such as "Every Breath You Take", "Roxanne" and "Message in a Bottle". Their catchy melodies and thoughtful lyrics have captured the attention of a large audience, also managing to inspire later artists thanks to the ability to mix different musical styles.

The Police were born in London in 1977.

They dissolved in 1984 and then reunited in 1986

Guns N' Roses

You will surely recognize the young gentleman above. He is Slash, guitarist of Guns N' Roses, in the memorable solo of the November Rain video.

And here we move to the USA, with the advent of transgressives, formed in 1985. The name is coined by L. A. Guns and Hollywood Rose, the two old groups from which the members came.

Though formed in the late 1980s, Guns N' Roses quickly took over the musical landscape with their rebellious and charismatic hard rock sound. Sounding tough and aggressive, the band took 80s rock 'n' roll to new heights of popularity.

Songs like "Sweet Child o' Mine", "Welcome to the Jungle" and, indeed, "November Rain" have become anthems for a rebellious generation.

With the charismatic frontman Axl Rose and the guitar skills of Slash, Guns N' Roses have left an indelible mark in the history of rock, also known for themes where heroin addiction and alcohol use, sadomasochism, crimes and prostitutes dominated verse after verse of their songs.

Ultimately, the 80s remain a golden age for music and these bands were the shining symbol of that. Duran Duran, Queen, U2, The Police and Guns N' Roses are just some of the iconic bands of that era, but their impact and status as musical icons are indisputable.

Whether their secret of success was innovation or the choice of iconic frontmen, where every live performance was pure entertainment, music history has been made in recent years.

No one else has ever managed, from the top of the charts, to remain indelible, being remembered with nostalgia. No one else has ever succeeded in the feat of imprinting in the mind certain passages like the ones quoted above. And if even today, in 2023, many of these are also known by the new generations and are considered milestones, there will be a reason…