Greatest Bands from the '80s - Top Ten List - TheTopTens®
Greatest Bands from the '80s
RHCPfan
The Top Ten
1 Queen
Queen are a British rock group formed in 1970. Members were Freddie Mercury (Vocals and Piano), Brian May (Guitar, Vocals), Roger Taylor (Drums, Vocals), and John Deacon (Bass Guitar, Vocals). Before forming into Queen, Brian May and Roger Taylor had played together in a band named Smile. Freddie Mercury ... read more .
Great to see a list without Heart on it! Great band! - idolangelx13
With classic and timeless songs such as Bohemian Rhapsody, We Are the Champions, We Will Rock You, and Another One Bites the Dust, Astounding live performances, (Their Performance at Live Aid was seen by approximately 2 billion people) coupled with their influence on later bands and singers, (Lady Gaga took her name from the Queen song Radio Gaga) Queen is simply unbeatable and in my opinion is the greatest band to ever exist.
Queen is a 70's band. Their best work is from the 70's. So being put up this high in a 80's topic is rather generous. Other than Another One Bites The Dust and some live shows. They did nothing in the 80's to be this high.
queen rock no question about it - rockit(primejive)
Mostly a 70s and 80s band but I'm glad to see it at number 1 my favorite band last time I checked they were no.20 or not even top 50 so glad number 1 spot belongs to the 3rd greatest band of all time
(Led Zeppelin and the Beatles would be the top two but queen is still my favorite)
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2 Duran Duran
Duran Duran are an English new wave/synthpop band formed in Birmingham in 1978. They were a successful band of the 1980s and a leading band in the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of the US.
Let's vote because all we need is DD in the first place in this competition. Share on your page and spread the word! #DDNUMBER1
There is a contest running about the best 10 bands of the 80s. Which one I have voted on the first place? :-)
Easy to guess! :-) Duran Duran!
What is needed to be said? They were the best in the 80's and still are up to this day! Fantastic music!
One of my five all time favorite bands along with Yes, Spock's Beard, IQ. Their songs have a surprisingly strong lasting ability. I mean I can listen over and over and songs from twenty years ago I still hear things I never noticed (or forgot just as likely) but you must listen on headphones to really appreciate the subtlety and depth of their songs. Small changes in parts that seem to be repetitive when you first listen until you notice the subtle changes. To me there is a uniqueness in their songs that must come from their writing process. I don't know how to describe it except if you take other rock bands and compare them to paintings and you have ten rock songs that are the equivalent of a painting of a woman's body. Duran Duran's song would look like a collage of a woman's body. It's like they take this bit from here and that bit from there but what blows my mind is you only notice this upon close inspection. On the surface it sounds very simple but then every note and every ... more
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3 Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is a hard rock band formed in 1983, which had a streak of successful albums in the late 1980s. The band originally consisted of lead vocalist Jon Bon Jovi, guitarist Ritchie Sambora (left in 2013), bassist Alec John Such (left in 1994), keyboard David Bryan, and drummer Tico Torres. The band's ... read more .
Best band ever! I grew up on these guys, and I wasn't even born in the 80s! I know good music when I hear it, and they definitely create good music! I still listen to them, my favorite song of theirs is 'Living on a Prayer'
They are just Awesome so don't forget to listen to them 'cause they ROCK! I listen to them along with Van Halen all the time! Definitely THE BEST EVER! I can't believe they came 7th 7th!?!? Come on!
Their music does not only touch people's ears, but also their hearts. They have everything needed to be the best band from the 80s, and are still together as a band and the original members are there unlike most of the bands. People these days still listen to Bon Jovi, and go to their concerts and sing their hearts out with them. They are the very best.
Bon Jovi should not be on this list.
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4 Guns N Roses
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band from Los Angeles formed in 1985. The classic lineup, as signed to Geffen Records in 1986, consisted of vocalist Axl Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKagan, and drummer Steven Adler. Apart from hard rock they are also ... read more .
One of the bands who ruled the world - ronluna
Duran Duran? Really? Guns N' Roses Rocked the world. Up until Axl had his mental breakdown (s). However, they were a ten times greater band in their prime than Duran Duran. Guns N' Roses was SO talented not only did they make THEIR songs great, they made OTHER bands song even GREATER; Sympathy for the devil, Knockin' on heavens door, Altitude, Black leather, the list goes on and on. I mean if a band can make the Stones, Bob Dylan, the Misfits, and the Sex pistols sound better than they originally were, that's extreme talent. Just listen to the album "The spaghetti incident? " and you'll see. So in summary: Guns n' Roses has more talent in any one member (Axl, Slash, Tracy, Steven) than Duran Duran could ever imagine to have.
Guns N' Roses was a joke. How they are this high just shows the lack of intelligent life we have on this planet. A so called bad ass band has a keyboardist? These guys are as real as Dr. Dre. Now if you can understand. That this is about what these bands did in the 80's You will come to grips that the rage post holds no substance. Guns N' Roses produced 1 album that you can hang your hat on in the 80's. The rest of your ramble consist of songs from the 90's. When they had to start doing cover songs from greater bands.
No one can hate Guns N' Roses! Even those who believe Axl Rose wasted his talents on such rubbish acts may think upon their thoughts again 'cause this band's music is just too awesome and made a sound that no other band can imitate. There are people who don't know Duran Duran, but if someone who lived in the 80s doesn't know Guns N' Roses then he seriously has some issues with what he chose to entertain himself.
Axl Rose and Slash are just phenomenal
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5 Metallica
Metallica is an American Thrash Metal band formed in 1981 . The original lineup was James Hetfield (Vocalist and Rhythm guitarist), Dave Mustaine (Lead Guitar), Lars Ulrich (Drums), Ron McGovney (Bassist). The group came into mainstream from their Self-Titled album and the hit single "Enter Sandman". ... read more .
Metallica of the 80's was a great band. If not the greatest band of that era. The 4 albums during that era are elite from start to finish. They had some of the best musicians that have ever graced this earth. Burton and Mustaine prior to they're leave. Drove this band into greatness. Burton had much more influence than Dave, but his impact is not overlooked by me. Sadly when the real artist disappeared so did the great music. Chump fans never were around until Metallica went soft in the 90's with the commercially accepted music that they started spewing.
Metallica Has had multiple great songs and albums such as Fade to Black, Master of Puppets, and One to name some of my favorite. When I typed greatest bands from the 80's I thought that Metallica would be in the top 3. But it's 5? And AC/DC at 7th? What the hell
Metallica is the single most amazing band of all time specially with the album master of puppets that rocked the whole world plus the black album metallica for ever m/
One of the greatest Metal bands of all time.
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6 U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music. Throughout the group's musical pursuits, they have ... read more .
Some albums that are produced, you like one song here and there. U2 reminds me of Journey. Every song on the album is great... So there is no skipping, you just let it play on through from start to finish..
U2 is in a class of their own. No timeframe, no competition, their only competition is their ability to reinvent themselves, and their own imagination. The music keep getting better. Their respect for fans is unparalleled and their worldwide efforts unmatched.
It's bono... How could this not be the greatest 80s band? Let alone the greatest band of all time!
Great songs and amazing voices!
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7 AC/DC
AC/DC are a Australian hard rock band, formed in November 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young, who continued as members until Malcolm's illness and departure in 2014. They were fronted by Bon Scott until his untimely death due to alcohol poisoning in 1980, after which they hired Brian Johnson to ... read more .
acdc were briliant in the 80s especialy with back in black which went on to become the fourth most bought album in the u. s. - lezakattack
This world has no taste in music, I swear. The 80s weren't really the best years for ac dc other than back in balck it was more of the late 70s early to mid 90s were there year but ether way the #1 is a band I never even heard of, my generation sucks.
How is Duran Duran better than the raw power and energy that is post Bon Scott AC/DC? Case and point: For Those about to Rock or Thunderstruck vs Hungry Like the Wolf. The cannons of AC/DC blow the wolf to bits!
Half the bands on this list don't deserve to be here. AC/DC never fades.
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8 Van Halen
Van Halen is an American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. From 1974 until 1985, the band consisted of guitarist Eddie Van Halen, vocalist David Lee Roth, drummer Alex Van Halen, and bassist Michael Anthony.
How in god's name is Van Halen not in the top 3? There is no way that any of A-Ha's songs, no matter how inspiring, can top the raw force and sound of songs of Van Halen like Panama, Jump, Hot For Teacher, and so, so, so, many other greats! The combination of Eddie Van Halen's guitar, Alex Van Halen's and Michael Anthony's low and thudding drum beats and bass chords topped of with David Lee Roth's loud, energetic, excited, and forceful singing style absolutely kills every single song! Van Halen are a force and sensation of nature that is not to be reckoned with!
Agreed. There were a lot of different and interesting things going on with rock in the 80's (The Police, U2, etc. ) but Van Halen was to 80s metal what Nirvana was to Grunge--except Van Helen was even more influential. The entire decade, MTV--everything would have different if there were no Van Halen. They set a template that was emulated for most of a decade and a half. Even today, there plenty of young guitar players finding inspiration from Eddie Van Halen and he is still considered a highly sought after endorser of music gear.
Eddie van halen is my favorite and one of the top ten greatest guitarist. Van Halen put out albums all throughout the 80s and sold out stadiums (and still do). Guns n roses were good too. Metallica's best albums were from the 80s but they weren't really popular until the 90s. A-ha seems to be more popular now looking back.
Van Halen is a top 3 band without question. Chart topping albums, sold out concerts, best guitarist ever, two great eras with two great front men and not to mention Michael Anthony's backing vocals. I like the 80's one hit wonders but there is absolutely no way they should be ahead of the great Van Halen. One Hit wonder bands shouldn't be on the list because they don't have the long standing history of bands like Van Halen.
Van Halen taught the late '70s and ALL of the '80s and into the '90s how to enjoy " folk music at high velocity"! To put them at 9 is crap!
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9 Journey
Journey is an American rock band that formed in San Francisco in 1973, composed of former members of Santana and Frumious Bandersnatch.
Journey is a classic... They were great back then and I still love their music! Timeless classic if you ask me
My favorite band of the 80's - Classic songs and Steve Perry's voice! !
In my humble opinion, Journey is the best band of all time, and Steve Perry's voice is the best voice I have ever heard. They have written so many classics, beautiful love songs such as Patiently and Sweet And Simple, and rock songs such as Mother Father, Line Of Fire and Edge Of The Blade. The vocals are always incredible impressive, and unlike most rock singers, Perry can sing in a rock style while still making the music beautiful. This is something I enjoy immensely, since the point of music is beauty.
Simply amazing, Steven Perry's voice is god like. This band deserves #1.
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10 Tears for Fears
Tears for Fears are an English pop/rock band formed in 1981 by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith. Founded after the dissolution of their first band, the mod-influenced Graduate, they were initially associated with the new wave synthesizer bands of the early 1980s but later branched out into mainstream rock ... read more .
Tears for Fears should be on top... They want to rule the world :D
Tears for Fears are perhaps the greatest british import band in the known universe. Curt and Roland work hard to make sure that their fans are kept happy.
They are an amazing band, their music is so meaningful. I truly love them as musicians and as people. They are brilliant, the music that comes out of their imagination is unbelievable. As far as we know they never did drugs. Roland has said that he has never smoked. You couldn't be that good of a musician and do drugs! They are really sweet people.
This is my all time favorite band and for them to be in 10 is stupid I'm 13 and I listen to the 80s all the time and no band can beat this one. I am head over heels about this band.
The Contenders
11 The Police
The Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. For the majority of their history, the band consisted of Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland.
The whole band were special as musicians, but Sting was truly gifted as a songwriter and arranger! He had to emerge from the Police as a solo artist because of this incredible talent... All of their albums were great, but Ghosts and Synchronicity were two of finest records EVER released!
Quality of songwriting matched with excellent playing by all... I saw them live at the Cow Palace and despite the terrible acoustics... They were stellar.
Every breath you take gives me chills... I know its actually not a love song and is full of hate... but its just amazing, perhaps even more for portraying such contempt so beautifully. Love the breathy vocals and nice bass line!
Sting, Stewart Copeland, and Andy Summers were an amazing band and worked great as one unit. They pioneered a new genre of musicand definitely made their in the 80s!
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12 The Cure
The Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex, in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member.
By FAR the greatest band of the 80's. Robert Smith is an absolute legend.
This band is the best and will remain the best no vote can tell me other wise, the cure is a band of heart and they play their music with their souls, no one can out beat them, they are the best of the best and nor this website or anyone else can tell me other wise
The Cure don't sound like they belong in any decade. Their music is unique and timeless and constantly altetnative from what is happening in the music scene and for this reason its hard to describe them as an 80's band, they just happened to be the best band that existed in the 80's. Robert Smith has more genius in his crows nest bonnet than any of his so-called contemporaries.
The Cure just has a really good sound
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13 R.E.M.
R.E.M. was an American rock band from Athens, Georgia, formed in 1980 by lead singer Michael Stipe, lead guitarist Peter Buck, bassist/backing vocalist Mike Mills, and drummer Bill Berry.
Lists are crap, sure, but REM was certainly one of the most important bands from the eighties. This list seems to have been voted on by fans of hair metal and the most mainstream of the new-wave. Of course saying this band was better than that band or this group was more important than that group is a fool's errand, but it is fun.
I have heard every REM album, from chronic town to Collapse Into now, almost every song, from Wolves, Lower, to Oh My Heart. Every song is different, but they all are great (besides Lightning Hopkins. ) they are one of my favorite bands, easily in my top three. In fact, my top three from best to worst is U2, REM, and The Police. Anyway, great band, great songs.
Brilliant... It took some time for Michael Stipe to find his confidence as a vocalist and a lyricist (although he was always "good"), but when he did no one could touch this band. Again, they were TRUTH TELLERS both musically and lyrically... Stipe exposed the Matrix as a prison and revealed our own power from within! Just an incredible band, one of the finest ever!
Michael Stipe is one of the best lyricists of all time - VaticanCameos
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14 Motley Crue
Mötley Crüe was an American metal band formed in Los Angeles, California on January 17, 1981. The group was founded by bassist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, lead vocalist Vince Neil and lead guitarist Mick Mars.
Motley Crue is absolutely the best back in the 80's. From the punk early 80's with Too Fast for Love (which they originally produced themselves)thru Shout at the Devil. On to more commercial Theatre of Pain and sinfully Girls, Girls Girls till Dr. Feelgood. They kicked ASS and maintained their debauchery with booze, drugs, women and have the tattoos to prove it!
Motley is the best representation of that "Glam Metal" Era in which many bands like Poison formed part of it, but Motley In my opinion takes the prize, mainly because it has the best drummer (Tommy Lee), a great guitar player that plays with powerful harmonics (Mick Mars), the best bass player (Nikki Six) and an awesome lead voice (Vince Neil).
Can't believe it ain't way up there kinda sad! But it's still my favorite band.. I'm a fourteen year old girl who loves old rock music..
Motley should be further up there I agree! They by far put on the best shows, best talent and most interesting band of its time. not to mention best looking! Love the Crue!
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15 Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band formed in Leyton, East London, in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. They were known for some big hits such as The Trooper, and The Number of the Beast, and as of 2015, the band sold over 90 million albums.
I see no good reason why Iron Maiden is not in the top ten. I could see how some would view this group as "too heavy" for their liking, but (unlike most metal bands then and now) you can actually understand Bruce Dickinson. He is a very high quality vocalist. The guitarists (Adrian Smith and Dave Murray) are also high quality and properly complement Dickinson's vocals to make a heavy, yet pure and complete sound. Just listen to "Run to the Hills" "The Trooper" or "Number of the Beast" and you will find my words do not do it justice.
For me iron maiden is number one. People think iron maiden are heavy and hardcore but they wrong from all metal bands that ever existed in this planet iron maiden is the most melodic with a lot guitar harmonys and of course operatic vocals from Bruce Dickinson (he and Geoff Tate from queensryche are very underrated vocalist) except iron maiden I like bands like Bon jovi, Van Halen, definitely Leppard, dio ozzy Black Sabbath, Aerosmith, judas priest, motley Crüe, scorpions, survivor, Led Zeppelin, deep purple, ac/dc, Pink Floyd, Foreigner, Phil Collins genesis, kiss, a-ha, Michael Jackson(only 80s), Guns n roses, Jimi Hendrix, queensryche, prince, Journey, Queen, REO speedwagon, Rod Stewart, Saxon, dire straits, Skid row, sting the police, Toto and more...
Why are they not in Top 10? They are more than a metal band! It's strange that some people think Iron Maiden must have only done some screaming and stuff like that, but their music is never confined to anything. It has melodies, it's really catchy despite the fact their sound may be quite heavy at times, and Bruce's vocal is amazing. I don't think people are appreciative of the great innovation that this band has created which disappoints me.
This band should be in the top 3. But that's music, created to be heard for everyone, not just a headbanger.
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16 Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
The E Street Band is an American rock band, and has been musician Bruce Springsteen's primary backing band since 1972. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.
What can you say about BRUCE? While Born to Run and Darkness were two of the finest records ever released, he has continued to come close through EVERY DECADE since... The River was breathtaking, as were The Wild, The Innocent and the E Street Shuffle, Nebraska and Magic! One of the finest songwriters ever, and such a great band to play with!
Wow just wow 4 albums in the 80's including Born in the USA and perhaps one of America's best singer/songwriters ever not on this list? Unreal.
I've seen the Boss 10 times since The Rising Tour in 2002, most recently in April of this year. He and the E Street Band are the BEST!
His music is absolutely beautiful, his lyrics are encompassing of the American worker. And his name is The Boss. How does one beat that?
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17 Dire Straits
Dire Straits were a British rock band formed in 1977 by Mark Knopfler, his younger brother David Knopfler, John Illsley, and Pick Withers.
The absolutely gifted Mark Knopfler was not only one of the finest guitar players ever, but one of the best songwriters music has ever witnessed! Their first album, Making Movies, Love Over Gold and Brothers In Arms represent four of the finest albums ever recorded! Absolutely brilliant band... Love Over Gold is the pathway to our own personal FREEDOM! Go back and re-read the lyrics to this song!
Dire Straits is a band who's music is timeless! Every one of there songs can be appropriately played anytime from the 80's (BEST ERA EVER) through the 90's, and on through modern musical times. And it will never get old. In the 2080's it will still be some of the coolest music ever! I just wish I could be around for the 2080's
Definitely the best of a all, why isn't this number one? Vote Dire Straits!
What I love about the Dire Straits is that both musically and lyrically, their work is pure poetry. I love the 80's, but almost all the rest of classic rock is power chords and schmaltzy lyrics. Dire Straits are truly a gem, some of the most sophisticated, emotional music ever, with words that actually mean something. I'm sorry to see them wallowing down here at #17 :).
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18 Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode are an English electronic and synth-pop band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan, Martin Gore, Andy Fletcher, and Vince Clarke.
No one had even dared to have a concert at the Rose Bowl. The promoters warned the band that they wouldn't fill the stadium and it would be a negative mark against them. They went forward with the decision to have a concert there. The concert sold out in hours and they were the first group since the Beatles to sell out the stadium! This group deserves to be in the top 5 of the 80's along with U2 and The Pet Shop Boys. They weren't just a group with a successful album; they had album after album that were huge! They were the kings of "alternative" or "new wave" music during the 80's and into the 90's.
Depeche Mode is the greatest 80s/90s band of all time with their 48 singles and brilliant minds. Most of their songs are gold, and people just don't get that. I don't think that they are underrated but they are better than a lot of other bands on the website, up there with Duran Duran, Journey, Queen, AC/DC, Metallica, Bon Jovi, and others. Definitiely better than the Beatles, who were only popular because of their unusual way of doing things.
An amazing, underrated band with brilliant songs
Early tunes were ace, saw them play at Abu Dhabi, crowd wondered what with all the later stuff...think the drugs obscured the vision...
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19 INXS
INXS were an Australian rock band, formed as The Farriss Brothers in 1977 in Sydney, New South Wales.
I'm absolutely stunned that INXS didn't even crack the top 5. They were a phenomenon is there own way. Creating a 'new wave' sound that worked to impress people is an incredible feat. Michael being the superstar that he was teaming up with Andrew to create incredible songs. One of the greatest and most underestimated bands the world has ever seen. My top band.
It is absolutely ridiculous that this band is listed at 28 on this list. Was the person who made this list alive and a teenager in the 80s? If not, that explains it. If so, I'm not sure what rock they were living under. It didn't get much bigger than INXS during their "Kick" phase. And Michael Hutchence... Go back and watch his performances. One of the best front men of all time then and always. Any list that doesn't have them AT LEAST in the top ten is a joke...
Looking back now and seeing such similarities that Michael Hutchence had in common with Jim Morrison and how also the keyboard player also wrote most the melody. Musically both really far apart from each other. You have to recognize that they made a impact and for the time when the 80's Alternative wave of music from overseas to the United States. I have to put them at number 3 behind U2 and Duran Duran!
Completely dumbfounded as to why they're not number one! Or even in the top five! I'm only 16 and I listen to them on repeat and they are by far the biggest band from the 1980's! I'm currently doing an assignment on them in history as they were a massive asset to our country! What the heckk!
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20 Hall & Oates
Daryl Hall and John Oates, known more commonly as Hall & Oates, are an American musical duo from Philadelphia.
So many great songs by Hall & Oates! Why aren't they in the top 10 at least? Sara Smile, Rich Girl, You Make MY Dreams Come True, and Maneater! All great songs!
Brilliant songwriters and along with Todd Rundgren, the best representation of the Philly sound! Their songs were perfect R&B tracks, even if they were "white"...
How is hall and oats number 46
Best band or close to it in the 80's
Some of the most recognizable sounds from the '80s.