hitman531ph Posted January 18, 2006 Author Share Posted January 18, 2006 (edited) THE BIBLE The Bible was formed in 1986 in a Cambridge, England record shop; there struggling singer/songwriter Boo Hewerdine, a Cambridge native just returned from an unsuccessful foray in London, performed a couple of his compositions for store clerk Tony Shepherd, who agreed to play keyboards and drums on a planned demo. The resulting tapes soon appeared as the Bible's debut LP, Walking the Ghost Back Home; the record won considerable press acclaim for such tracks as "Graceland" and "Mahalia," and quickly the group was signed to Chrysalis.After swelling to a four-piece with the inclusion of drummer Dave Larcombe and guitarist Neill MacColl (brother of singer Kirsty), the Bible began working on their major-label debut; unsatisfied with their first attempts, they recruited Steve Earle to produce the record, a more subtle and sophisticated effort titled Eureka. Released in early 1988, the LP failed to find an audience, and a pair of strong singles, "Crystal Palace" and "Honey Be Good," quickly dropped from sight. With new bassist Leroy Lender, the Bible toured and began work on a third album; however, the finished songs were rejected by label chiefs, who instead insisted upon re-issuing older material (resulting in belated Top 40 status for "Honey Be Good"), and the band dissolved. In the years that followed, Hewerdine cut a 1989 effort, Evidence, with Texas performer Darden Smith, and also made a proper 1992 solo debut with Ignorance. In December 1993 the Bible reformed for a series of live performances which proved so successful that the group soon reunited to begin working on new material. An EP followed in 1994, but the band again fell apart before a full-length release could be completed; the few finished tracks were later issued as part of the 1996 Hewerdine solo record Baptism Hospital. Edited January 18, 2006 by hitman531ph Quote Link to comment
hitman531ph Posted January 18, 2006 Author Share Posted January 18, 2006 THE PALE FOUNTAINS A leading proponent of the "quiet pop" movement of the early 1980s, the Pale Fountains formed in Liverpool, England in 1981. Led by singer/songwriter and guitarist Michael Head, the group -- which also included bassist Chris McCaffrey, drummer Thomas Whelan and former Dislocation Dance trumpeter Andy Diagram -- debuted in 1982 on the Operation Twlight label with the single "(There's Always) Something on My Mind," which generated such a posititve buzz that they were immediately signed by Virgin for the then-staggering sum of 150,000 pounds. However, their label debut, the lavish "Thank You," failed to crack the U.K. Top 40, despite a heavy promotional push. After an intense year in the studio, the Pale Fountains' first LP, the bossa nova-inflected Pacific Street, finally appeared in 1984; after such a relatively long absence from the limelight, the group had lost its status as media darlings, and the record fared poorly. Producer Ian Broudie was brought in to helm 1985's ...from across the kitchen table, but again success was not forthcoming; in the wake of considerable acrimony amongst the band and their label, the Pale Fountains soon split, with Head returning to Liverpool to form Shack with his brother John. In the Philippines, the underground new wave raved with "Palm of My Hand", "Reach" and "...From Across the Kitchen Table" Quote Link to comment
hitman531ph Posted January 18, 2006 Author Share Posted January 18, 2006 AMERICAN TOP 40 No. 1 SINGLE OF THE YEAR: 1980 - Call Me - Blondie1981 - Bette Davis Eyes - Kim Carnes1982 - Physical - Olivia Newton John1983 - Every Breath You Take - The Police1984 - Say Say Say - Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson1985 - Careless Whisper - WHAM! featuring George Michael1986 - That's What Friends Are For - Dionne and Friends1987 - Walk Like An Egyptian - The Bangles1988 - Faith - George Michael1989 - Look Away - Chicago Quote Link to comment
hitman531ph Posted January 18, 2006 Author Share Posted January 18, 2006 (edited) Billboard's No. 1 Albums of the 80s: 1980 - The Wall - Pink Floyd1981 - Hi-Infidelity - REO Speedwagon1982 - Business As Usual - Men At Work1983 - Thriller - Michael Jackson1984 - Purple Rain soundtrack - Prince and The Revolution1985 - Miami Vice - Original TV Soundtrack (Various)1986 - Whitney Houston - Whitney Houston1987 - Dirty Dancing - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Various)1988 - Faith - George Michael1989 - Forever Your Girl - Paula Abdul Edited January 18, 2006 by hitman531ph Quote Link to comment
hitman531ph Posted January 18, 2006 Author Share Posted January 18, 2006 Top 10 One Hit Wonders of the 80s 1. Toni Basil - Mickey 19832. USA for Africa - We Are The World 19853. Tommy Tutone - 867-5309 (Jenny, Jenny) 19814. M/A/R/R/S - Pump Up the Volume - 19885. Jan Hammer - Miami Vice Theme - 19856. Dexy's Midnight Runners - Come On Eileen" 19837. Icicle Works - Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream) 19848. Lipps, Inc. - Funkytown - 19809. After the Fire - Der Kommissar - 198210. Double - The Captain of Her Heart - 1986 Quote Link to comment
hitman531ph Posted January 20, 2006 Author Share Posted January 20, 2006 THE ANNUAL MTV VIDEO AWARDS BEGAN IN 1984. AND THESE ARE THE MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDEES FROM 1984-1989: 1984 Best Video of the Year: The Cars, "You Might Think"Best Male Video: David Bowie, "China Girl"Best Female Video: Cyndi Lauper, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun"Best Concept Video: Herbie Hancock, "Rockit"Best Group Video: ZZ Top, "Legs"Best New Artist in a Video: Eurythmics, "Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)"Best Special Effects in a Video: Herbie Hancock, "Rockit"Best Direction in a Video: ZZ Top, "Sharp Dressed Man"Video Vanguard Award: The Beatles, David Bowie, Richard LesterViewer's Choice Award: Michael Jackson, "Thriller" 1985 Best Video of the Year: Don Henley, "The Boys Of Summer"Best Male Video: Bruce Springsteen, "I'm On Fire"Best Female Video: Tina Turner, "What's Love Got To Do With It"Best Concept Video: Glenn Frey, "Smuggler's Blues"Best Group Video: USA for Africa, "We Are The World"Best New Artist in a Video: Til Tuesday, "Voices Carry"Best Special Effects in a Video: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, "Don't Come Around Here No More"Best Direction in a Video: Don Henley, "The Boys Of Summer"Video Vanguard Award: David Byrne, Kevin Godley & Lol Creme, Russell MulcahyViewer's Choice Award: USA for Africa, "We Are The World" 1986 Best Video of the Year: Dire Straits, "Money For Nothing"Best Male Video: Robert Palmer, "Addicted To Love"Best Female Video: Whitney Houston, "How Will I Know"Best Concept Video: a-ha, "Take On Me"Best Group Video: Dire Straits, "Money For Nothing"Best New Artist in a Video: a-ha, "Take On Me"Best Special Effects in a Video: a-ha, "Take On Me"Best Direction in a Video: a-ha, "Take On Me"Video Vanguard Award: Madonna and Zbigniew RybeznskiViewer's Choice Award: a-ha, "Take On Me" 1987 Best Video of the Year: Peter Gabriel, "Sledgehammer"Best Male Video: Peter Gabriel, "Sledgehammer"Best Female Video: Madonna, "Papa Don't Preach"Best Concept Video: Peter Gabriel/Stephen Johnson, "Sledgehammer"Best Group Video: Talking Heads, "Wild Wild Life"Best New Artist in a Video: Crowded House, "Don't Dream It's Over"Best Special Effects in a Video: Peter Gabriel, "Sledgehammer"Best Direction in a Video: Peter Gabriel, "Sledgehammer"Video Vanguard Award: Julien Temple and Peter GabrielViewer's Choice Award: U2, "With Or Without You"Best Video from a Film: Talking Heads, "Wild Wild Life" (True Stories) 1988 Best Video of the Year: INXS, "Need You Tonight / Mediate"Best Male Video: Prince, "U Got The Look"Best Female Video: Suzanne Vega, "Luka"Best Concept Video: Pink Floyd, "Learning To Fly"Best Group Video: INXS, "Need You Tonight / Mediate"Best New Artist in a Video: Guns N' Roses, "Welcome To The Jungle"Best Special Effects in a Video: Squeeze, "Hourglass"Best Direction in a Video: George Michael, "Father Figure"Video Vanguard Award: Michael JacksonViewer's Choice Award: INXS, "Need You Tonight / Mediate"Best Video from a Film: Los Lobos, "La Bamba" (La Bamba)Breakthrough Video: INXS, "Need You Tonight / Mediate" 1989 Best Video of the Year: Neil Young, "This Note's For You"Best Male Video: Elvis Costello, "Veronica"Best Female Video: Paula Abdul, "Straight Up"Best Group Video: Living Colour, "Cult Of Personality"Best New Artist in a Video: Living Colour, "Cult Of Personality"Best Special Effects in a Video: Michael Jackson, "Leave Me Alone"Best Direction in a Video: Madonna, "Express Yourself"Video Vanguard Award: George MichaelViewer's Choice Award: Madonna, "Like A Prayer"Best Video from a Film: U2 with B.B. King, "When Love Comes To Town" (U2 Rattle and Hum)Breakthrough Video: Art of Noise, featuring Tom Jones, "Kiss"Best Rap Video: D.J. Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, "Parents Just Don't Understand"Best Dance Video: Paula Abdul, "Straight Up"Best Metal/Hard Rock Video: Guns N' Roses, "Sweet Child O' Mine" Quote Link to comment
hitman531ph Posted January 20, 2006 Author Share Posted January 20, 2006 THE BUGGLES Trevor Horn (b. 15 July 1949, Durham, England) and Geoff Downes (b. August 1952, Stockport, Cheshire, England) met in 1977 while working as session musicians. After a stint backing singer Tina Charles, they formed The Buggles, with Horn providing the vocals, fretless base and guitar and Downes playing keyboards and synthesizers. They produced two albums -- The Age of Plastic (1980) and Adventures in Modern Recording (1981). While it was a Top Ten hit in countries overseas, the song "Video Killed The Radio Star," from their debut album, never really caught on in the U.S. (It was, nonetheless, Island Record's first #1.) The Buggles never toured, and the band was short-lived; both Horn and Downes were recruited into the progressive rock band Yes, replacing the departing Rick Wakeman and Jon Anderson. (Rumor has it that they approached Yes with a song they wanted the band to record.) Downes didn't linger long with Yes, however; within a year he'd moved on to form the band Asia. That band's self-titled debut album, thanks largely to the hit single "Heat Of The Moment," was named Billboard's #1 album of 1982. Horn co-founded the synth-pop band Art of Noise and went on to become a successful producer and founder of ZTT Records, guiding the band Frankie Goes to Hollywood to fame in the mid-Eighties. The Buggles earned a place in the history books (not to mention Trivial Pursuit) because the video for "Video Killed The Radio Star" was the first to be aired by MTV, when the music channel was launched 1 August 1981. The song was oddly prophetic -- the music video fundamentally changed the industry. Quote Link to comment
Cain N Moko Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 PRETTY IN PINK Soundtrack STING Dream of the Blue Turtles TEARS FOR FEARS Songs From The Big Chair HUEY LEWIS & THE NEWS Sports WHAM! Make It Big SIMPLE MINDS Once Upon A Time JOHN LENNON Double Fantasy A-HA Hunting High and Low DON HENLEY Building the Perfect Beast THE POLICE Synchronicity AC/DC Back in Black Quote Link to comment
Cain N Moko Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 MADONNA Like A Virgin Quote Link to comment
Cain N Moko Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 LEVEL 42 World Machine MEN AT WORK Business As Usual NEW ORDER low life DIRE STRAITS Brothers In Arms PURPLE RAIN Soundtrack THE ALARM Strength INXS Kick DONALD FAGEN The Nightfly RICK ASTLEY Whenever You Need Somebody BILLY JOEL An Innocent Man TOTO IV THE CURE The Head On The Door THE HUMAN LEAGUE Dare! Quote Link to comment
Cain N Moko Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 HUEY LEWIS & THE NEWS Fore! THE PRETENDERS Learning To Crawl VAN HALEN 1984 MADONNA True Blue SPANDAU BALLET True FOOTLOOSE Soundtrack CULTURE CLUB Colour By Numbers BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN Born in the U.S.A. MIAMI VICE Soundtrack DURAN DURAN Rio Quote Link to comment
Cain N Moko Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 VAN HALEN 5150 THE CLASH Combat Rock BEVERLY HILLS COP Soundtrack ORCHESTRAL MANOEUVRES IN THE DARK Crush ARCADIA So Red The Rose U2 The Joshua Tree STARSHIP Knee Deep in the Hoopla DURAN DURAN Seven and the Ragged Tiger TINA TURNER Private Dancer Quote Link to comment
hitman531ph Posted January 21, 2006 Author Share Posted January 21, 2006 SISTER SLEDGE Best known for their work with Chic in the late '70s, siblings Debbie, Kim, Joni, and Kathy Sledge -- collectively Sister Sledge -- reached the height of their popularity during the disco era but had been recording since the early '70s and were still active in the late '90s. The group was formed in Philadelphia in 1971, when the sisters' ages ranged from 12 to 16, and they recorded their first single, "Time Will Tell," for the Philly-based Money Back label. (For the first few years, the group called itself Sisters Sledge.) In 1972, Sister Sledge signed with Atco and recorded its second single, "Weatherman," which was followed by the Jackson 5-like "Mama Never Told Me" in 1973.Sister Sledge's first national hit came in 1974, when "Love, Don't You Go Through No Changes on Me" reached number 31 on the R&B charts and the Philadelphians recorded their debut album, Circle of Love. Their second album, Together, was released in 1977 and contained the number 61 R&B hit "Blockbuster Boy." It wasn't until 1979, when Chic leaders Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards produced We Are Family, that Sister Sledge really exploded commercially. "He's the Greatest Dancer" and We Are Family's title song both soared to number one on the R&B charts, and the latter (a number two pop smash) was adopted as a theme by the World Series-winning Pittsburgh Pirates. Sister Sledge's next album, Love Somebody Today (1980), was also produced by the Rodgers/Edwards team, and the single "Got to Love Somebody" became a number six R&B hit. In 1981, Sister Sledge switched producers and worked with Narada Michael Walden, who produced 1981's excellent All American Girls. The title song was a number three R&B hit, and in 1982, Sister Sledge had a number 14 R&B hit with a cover of Mary Wells' "My Guy" that appeared on The Sisters. But after that, the foursome's popularity faded, and it never had another Top 20 hit in the U.S. -- although 1985's "Frankie" (a number 32 R&B hit in the States) became a pop number one hit in England. Sister Sledge left Atlantic for good in 1985, but its members kept busy in the 1990s. Epic released Kathy's debut solo album, Heart, in 1992, and 1997 found the sisters recording a risk-taking date, African Eyes, arguably one of the finest albums they ever recorded Quote Link to comment
joeyboy252003 Posted January 21, 2006 Share Posted January 21, 2006 ROXY MUSIC- AVALON MIKE & THE MECHANICS-- Quote Link to comment
hitman531ph Posted January 23, 2006 Author Share Posted January 23, 2006 THE NUMBER 1 HITS OF 1984 01/21/84 "Owner Of A Lonely Heart" - Yes (2 weeks)The progressive rock group had a lot of success on the AOR charts, but this was their only song that even made the top 10 on the pop charts. 02/04/84 "Karma Chameleon" - Culture Club (3 weeks)The distinctive look of lead singer Boy George garnered the band a lot of attention. This was their only number one song, although 6 of their singles charted in the Top 10. 02/25/84 "Jump" - Van Halen (5 weeks)1984 was Van Halen's last album with David Lee Roth, and this was their only number one song. 03/31/84 "Footloose" - Kenny Loggins (3 weeks)The king of movie soundtracks had several hits throughout the '70s and '80s, but this was his lone number one. 04/21/84 "Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)" - Phil Collins (3 weeks)Collins had an amazing streak of 13 consecutive top 10 singles from 1984 to 1990. This was the first of 7 solo number ones. He also has several top 10s and a number one single with Genesis. 05/12/84 "Hello" - Lionel Richie (2 weeks)Another one of the 5 chart toppers Richie had in the '80s. 05/26/84 "Let's Hear It For The Boy" - Deniece Williams (2 weeks)This was the second number one single for Williams, who also topped the charts in 1978 with "Too Much, Too Little, Too Late." 06/09/84 "Time After Time" - Cyndi Lauper (2 weeks)Lauper vaulted into the public consciousness with her debut album She's So Unusual. It had four Top 5 singles, including this one that made it all the way to the top. 06/23/84 "The Reflex" - Duran Duran (2 weeks)Their Seven And The Ragged Tiger album spawned 3 top 10 songs, including their first number one. 07/07/84 "When Doves Cry" - Prince (5 weeks)Between his hit movie Purple Rain and the album of the same name, 1984 was a big year for Prince. This was his first number one song. 08/11/84 "Ghostbusters" - Ray Parker, Jr. (3 weeks)Who you gonna call? Ray Parker, Jr. took this movie theme to the top of the singles chart. It was his only number one. 09/01/84 "What's Love Got To Do With It" - Tina Turner (3 weeks) Turner resurrected her career with her Private Dancer album in 1984. This single was one of 3 from that record that made the Top 10. 09/22/84 "Missing You" - John Waite (1 week)This was Waite's only solo number one. He also topped the charts in 1989 as the lead singer of Bad English with "When I See You Smile." 09/29/84 "Let's Go Crazy" - Prince (2 weeks)The only artist with 2 number one's in 1984. 10/13/84 "I Just Called To Say I Love You" - Stevie Wonder (3 weeks)The 8th number one for the brilliant singer/songwriter from Michigan. 11/03/84 "Caribbean Queen (No More Love On The Run)" - Billy Ocean (2 weeks)The former Leslie Charles had 3 number one singles in the '80s, and this was his first. 11/17/84 "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" - Wham! (3 weeks)The duo of George Michael and Andrew Ridgely had 3 number one singles in a row in 1984 and 1985. This was the first. 12/08/84 "Out Of Touch" - Daryl Hall & John Oates (2 weeks)The 6th and final number one hit for the Philadelphia duo. 12/22/84 "Like A Virgin" - Madonna (6 weeks)One of the best-selling and most successful female artists ever, Madonna's fourth single was the first to top the charts. Quote Link to comment
hitman531ph Posted January 23, 2006 Author Share Posted January 23, 2006 THE NUMBER 1 HITS OF 1983 01/15/83 "Down Under" - Men At Work (4 weeks)The second and final number one for the Australian band. 02/05/83 "Africa" - Toto (1 week)The band's only number one, although they did hit number 2 with 1982's "Rosanna." 02/19/83 "Baby Come To Me" - Patti Austin with James Ingram (2 weeks)The only song that ever hit the Top 40 for Austin. Ingram would make it to number one again in 1990 with "I Don’t Have The Heart." 03/05/83 "Billie Jean" - Michael Jackson (7 weeks)The first of two number one's from his Thriller album, the best-selling album of all time. 04/23/83 "Come On Eileen" - Dexy's Midnight Runners (1 week)A true one-hit wonder. The British group never even cracked the Top 80 again. 04/30/83 "Beat It" - Michael Jackson (3 weeks)The guitar solo on this song was played by Eddie Van Halen. 05/21/83 "Let's Dance" - David Bowie (1 week)His second and final number one song (The other was 1975's "Fame"). 05/28/83 "Flashdance..What A Feeling" - Irene Cara (6 weeks)Her only number one song, although she had two other top 10s. One was "Fame" from 1980. The other is the mostly forgotten "Breakdance" from 1984. 07/09/83 "Every Breath You Take" - The Police (8 weeks)The biggest hit of 1983 and the first of three top 10 singles from their final studio album, Synchronicity. It was also their only number one single. 09/03/83 "Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)" - Eurythmics (1 week)The duet of Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart topped the charts with their debut single. They had two other top five songs, but no more number ones. 09/10/83 "Maniac" - Michael Sembello (2 weeks)Another one hit wonder, although Sembello had a very successful career as a session musician and producer. 09/24/83 "Tell Her About It" - Billy Joel (1 week)The only number one single from his Innocent Man album that spawned two other top 10 hits. 10/01/83 "Total Eclipse Of The Heart" - Bonnie Tyler (4 weeks)The Welsh singer had a very distinctive voice caused by an operation to remove throat nodules. This was her only number one single. 10/29/83 "Islands In The Stream" - Kenny Rogers with Dolly Parton (2 weeks)The country superstars crossed over to the mainstream with this monster hit. 11/12/83 "All Night Long" - Lionel Richie (4 weeks)Part of his run of an amazing 13 consecutive Top 10 singles in the '80s. 12/10/83 "Say Say Say" - Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson (6 weeks)After topping the charts in 1982 with Stevie Wonder ("Ebony and Ivory"), McCartney returned to number one with another duet. This was Jackson's third number one of 1983 Quote Link to comment
hitman531ph Posted January 23, 2006 Author Share Posted January 23, 2006 THE NUMBER 1 HITS OF 1982 01/30/82 "I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)" - Daryl Hall & John Oates (1 week)One of the most successful acts of the '80s, this was their 4th number one song, and 3rd of the decade. 02/06/82 "Centerfold" - J. Geils Band (6 weeks)They had 2 top 5 hits in 1982 ("Freeze-Frame was the other). 03/20/82 "I Love Rock And Roll" - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts (7 weeks)Her only number one song and tied for the most weeks at number 1 in 1982. It was also the number one song of 1982 by virtue of spending more time on the charts than "Ebony And Ivory." 05/08/82 "Chariots Of Fire" - Vangelis (1 week)A rare instrumental number one hit. The Greek composer never had another song hit the charts. 05/15/82 "Ebony And Ivory" - Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder (7 weeks)Two of the most talented artists of all time team up for a huge hit. 07/03/82 "Don't You Want Me" - The Human League (3 weeks)The first of two number one songs for the British synth-pop group. 07/24/82 "Eye Of The Tiger" - Survivor (6 weeks)This song is forever intertwined with the movie Rocky III. It was Survivor's only number one, although "Burning Heart" from Rocky IV made it to number 2 in 1985. 09/04/82 "Abracadabra" - Steve Miller Band (2 weeks)After several hits in the '70s this was the last hurrah for the Steve Miller Band. 09/11/82 "Hard To Say I'm Sorry" - Chicago (2 weeks)The successful group had hits from the '70s to the '90s and this was their first number one of the '80s. 10/02/82 "Jack and Diane" - John Cougar (4 weeks)This was his only number one hit, although he had top 20 hits under 3 different names: John Cougar, John Cougar Mellencamp and John Mellencamp. 10/30/82 "Who Can It Be Now" - Men At Work (1 week)The Australian group took America by storm in 1982 and 1983 with a string of hits. This was the first of 2 number one's. 11/06/82 "Up Where We Belong" - Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes The theme from the movie An Officer And A Gentleman was Cocker's only number one. Warnes would have another number one movie duet in 1987 with "(I've Had) The Time Of My Life." 11/27/82 "Truly" - Lionel Richie (2 weeks)A hugely successful artist in the '80s, this was Richie's first solo number one. He had previously topped the charts with the Commodores and a duet with Diana Ross. 12/11/82 "Mickey" - Toni Basil (1 week)One of the biggest one hit wonders of all time, the choreographer would never come close to the Top 40 charts again. 12/18/82 "Maneater" - Daryl Hall & John Oates (4 weeks)The only artist to have more than 1 number one song in 1982. Quote Link to comment
hitman531ph Posted January 23, 2006 Author Share Posted January 23, 2006 THE NUMBER 1 HITS OF 1981 01/31/81 "The Tide Is High" - Blondie (1 week)Even though it only spent one week at the top of the chart, this was Blondie's longest lasting single, staying on the charts for 26 weeks. 02/07/81 "Celebration" - Kool And The Gang (2 weeks)From 1973 to 1987 the band had a string of hits. This was their only number one, although 1983's "Joanna" and 1985's "Cherish" both made it to number two. 02/21/81 "9 To 5" - Dolly Parton (2 weeks)Her first number one song, from the movie of the same name, in which she also starred. 02/28/81 "I Love A Rainy Night" - Eddie Rabbitt (2 weeks)Back to back country artists had number one hits in February of 1981. This was Rabbitt's only number one along with three other songs that made the top 10. 03/21/81 "Keep On Loving You" - REO Speedwagon (1 week)Their first song to hit the Top 40 chart, and the first of two number ones for the quintet from Champaign, Illinois that was named after a type of fire truck. 03/28/81 "Rapture" - Blondie (2 weeks)The 4th and final number one song Blondie had in the '80s, and their second of 1981. 04/11/81 "Kiss On My List" - Hall and Oates (3 weeks)The first number one of the '80s for the duo from Philadelphia. They previously hit the top of the charts with 1977's "Sara Smile," and would have several hits throughout the '80s. 05/02/81 "Morning Train (Nine To Five)" - Sheena Easton (2 weeks)The sexy Scot's first single went all the way to number one and would be her only chart topper. She did have 6 other top 10 hits in the '80s. 05/16/81 "Bette Davis Eyes" - Kim Carnes (9 weeks)The number two song of 1981 was written by the legendary Jackie DeShannon. Carnes was a former member of the New Christy Minstrels in the late '60s. Her only other top 10 song was 1980's duet with Kenny Rogers, "Don’t Fall In Love With A Dreamer." 06/20/81 "Medley" - Stars On 45 (1 week) This novelty song had Dutch session singers redo classic songs from the '60s. They released three other Medley singles, but none even cracked the Top 40. 07/25/81 "The One That You Love" - Air Supply (1 week)The only number one song for the Australian balladeers. They had seven consecutive top 5 singles from 1980 to 1982. 08/01/81 "Jessie's Girl" - Rick Springfield (2 weeks)1981 was a great year for Australians, with 3 different artists reaching number one. Springfield played Dr. Noah Drake on the hit soap opera General Hospital in the early '80s. This would be his only number one song, but he also had 4 other singles hit the top 10. 08/15/81 "Endless Love" - Diana Ross & Lionel Richie (9 weeks)The title song for the movie starring Brooke Shields became a wedding staple and was Ross' final number one. It was Richie's first. 10/17/81 "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" - Christopher Cross (3 weeks)The second movie theme in a row to top the charts in '81, it was Cross' second and final number one. 11/07/81 "Private Eyes" - Hall and Oates (2 weeks)Another one of their 6 number one singles. 11/21/81 "Physical" - Olivia Newton-John (10 weeks)The number one song of the year, and the song spending the most weeks at number one in the decade of the '80s. In addition to 10 weeks at number one, it spent a total of 21 weeks in the Top 40. Quote Link to comment
hitman531ph Posted January 23, 2006 Author Share Posted January 23, 2006 THE NUMBER 1 HITS OF 1980 1/5/80 "Please Don't Go" - K.C. & The Sunshine Band (1 week)K.C. & The Sunshine Band were one of the biggest bands of the disco era with 4 previous number one singles: "Get Down Tonight," "That's The Way (I Like It)," "(Shake, Shake, Shake) Your Booty" and "I'm Your Boogie Man." This was their last number one song, and they had only one more song that made the Top 40 chart, 1983's "Give It Up," which made it to number 18. 1/19/80 "Rock With You" - Michael Jackson (4 weeks)The most successful artist of the '80s, this was already Jackson's third number one single, following 1972's "Ben" and 1979's "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough." 2/16/80 "Do That To Me One More Time" - The Captain & Tennille (1 week)This was the last charting single for Daryl "The Captain" Dragon and his wife, Toni Tennille, who had a string of hits in the '70s. 2/23/80 "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" - Queen (4 weeks)This was the groups third Top 10 single and their first number 1 hit. 3/22/80 "Another Brick In The Wall (Part II)" - Pink Floyd (4 weeks)Pink Floyd was one of the best selling rock acts of the '70s and '80s. Their 1973 album Dark Side Of The Moon spent a record 591 consecutive weeks on the Billboard Album Chart. Their only singles that made the charts were "Money" from that album and "Another Brick In The Wall (Part II)" from The Wall. 4/19/80 "Call Me" - Blondie (6 weeks)This was the number two single for 1980. It was also Blondie's second number one single, following 1979's "Heart Of Glass." 5/31/80 "Funkytown" - Lipps, Inc. (4 weeks)One of the most mispronounced band names of all time. It's "lip-synch," not "lips ink" or "lips incorporated." This one-wonder group was from Minneapolis and was made up of multi-instrumentalist Steven Greenberg with vocals from Cynthia Johnson. 6/28/80 "Coming Up (Live At Glasgow)" - Paul McCartney & Wings (3 weeks)After having dozens of number 1 singles with the Beatles, this was McCartney's 6th and final number one song with Wings. The others were "My Love," "Band On The Run," "Listen To What The Man Said, "Silly Love Songs" and "With A Little Luck." 7/19/80 "It's Still Rock And Roll To Me" - Billy Joel (2 weeks)This was Billy Joel's first number one single. The piano man would go on to have a string of hits in the '80s and early '90s. 8/2/80 "Magic" - Olivia Newton-John (4 weeks)From 1974 to 1984 Olivia Newton-John was one of the biggest stars in pop music. She was also an actress, starring in the movie Grease in 1978. "Magic" was her fourth number one song. 8/30/80 "Sailing" - Christopher Cross (1 week)Cross had a short but very successful pop career. He won the Best New Artist Grammy in 1980 and "Sailing" was his first number one single. 9/6/80 "Upside Down" - Diana Ross (4 weeks)After having a string of hits with The Supremes in the '60s and 3 solo number one's in the '70s, Ross continued her success into the '80s. 10/4/80 "Another One Bites The Dust" - Queen (3 weeks)Queen was the only group to have 2 number one singles in 1980. This song also spent more time on the charts, 31 weeks, than any other number one song of 1980. 10/25/80 "Woman In Love" - Barbra Streisand (3 weeks)Also an Academy Award winning actress, Streisand had five number one singles, and this was her final one. 11/15/80 "Lady" - Kenny Rogers (6 weeks)This was the number one song of 1980 and Kenny Rogers most successful pop song ever. His previous singles "Lucille," "She Believes In Me," "You Decorated My Life," "Coward Of The County" and "Don't Fall In Love With A Dreamer" all were Top 10 hits. 12/27/80 "(Just Like) Starting Over" - John Lennon (5 weeks)Tragically murdered on 12/8/80, this song hit number one just a few weeks later. It was his final number one single, although the follow-up songs "Woman" and "Nobody Told Me" made it into the top five. Quote Link to comment
orlychio Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 wow full of info Quote Link to comment
hitman531ph Posted January 23, 2006 Author Share Posted January 23, 2006 FIVE STAR This family quintet from Britain featured lead vocalist Deniece, plus Stedman, Doris, Lorraine, and Delroy Pearson. Their RCA debut single, "All Fall Down," reached 16 on the R&B charts, while "Let Me Be The One" started a string of Top 10 hits. It was their biggest, reaching number two; "Love Take Over", "Rain or Shine" and "Can't Wait Another Minute" were the others. They also landed "If I Say Yes" and "Are You Man Enough" in the Top 20. The released a comeback LP in 1994, and continued recording into the new millennium Quote Link to comment
hitman531ph Posted January 23, 2006 Author Share Posted January 23, 2006 THE JETS Eighties teenyboppers the Jets came from an extremely large family (17 children overall) and were comprised of eight of the family's brothers and sisters -- Leroy, Eddie, Eugene, Haini, Rudy, Kathi, Elizabeth, and Moana Wolfgramm (their parents originally emigrated to the U.S. from the South Pacific nation of Tonga, in 1965, but their offspring were raised in Minneapolis). From 1986 though 1989, the Jets enjoyed several dance-pop hits (tops being "Crush on You" and "You Got It All"), as well as several full-length albums, two of which (their 1986 self-titled debut and 1987's Magic) obtained gold and/or platinum certification. But like all past bubblegum acts, the Jets' shelf life proved to be fleeting, as the hits dried up shortly thereafter (the first member to leave the group was Eugene, who split in 1988 to form Boys Club with Joe Pasquale, going by the name Gene Hunt). Although little was heard from the Jets during the early '90s, most of the group had re-formed by the latter part of the decade as a more gospel-oriented outfit, issuing such albums as 1997's Love Will Lead the Way. By the dawn of the 21st century, the other brothers and sisters of the family who were too young to join in on the fun during the '80s had formed their own group, imaginatively called...the Jetts Quote Link to comment
hitman531ph Posted January 23, 2006 Author Share Posted January 23, 2006 BOMB THE BASS Bomb the Bass' Tim Simenon is a sampladelic British hip-hop producer who also co-produced a pair of massive international hits: Neneh Cherry's "Buffalo Stance" and Seal's "Crazy." Born in Brixton of Malaysian and Scottish parentage, Simenon grew interested in dance production after studying studio engineering and DJing at London's Wag Club, a Mecca for fellow breakbeat mavens like S-Express' Mark Moore and Coldcut's Jonathan More and Matt Black. In 1987, Simenon constructed a pastiche of a DJ record titled "Beat Dis" which incorporated samples from Public Enemy to Ennio Morricone to classic television shows Dragnet and The Thunderbirds. Packaged to resemble a white-label import from America, the track became an underground hit and, after its reissue on Rhythm King, a surprising number two smash on the British charts in early 1988. (Coldcut's "Doctorin' the House" and S-Express' "Theme From S-Express" both followed "Beat Dis" into the Top Ten.) Later that year, Simenon followed with an LP (Into the Dragon) featuring an expanded Bomb the Bass lineup: producer Jonathan Saul Kane (who later recorded as Depth Charge) and vocalists Maureen Walsh and Lauraine Macintosh. Two singles from the album, "Megablast" and an inventive cover of the Burt Bacharach-Dionne Warwick classic "Say a Little Prayer," hit the British Top Ten as well. Also in 1988, Simenon co-produced two tracks for the debut of Neneh Cherry, step-daughter of free jazz trumpeter Don Cherry. Both singles, "Buffalo Stance" and "Manchild," became British Top Ten hits. After completing work on his own studio, he also produced a track for Adamski ("Killer") and mixed a single named "Crazy" for an Adamski protégé, Seal. With all the outside recording commissions, it took nearly three years for Simenon to ready a follow-up to the first Bomb the Bass LP. Unknown Territory finally dropped in 1991, led by another Top Ten single, "Winter in July," and sporting a mid-tempo hip-hop aesthetic that would only earn critical attention several years later after being dubbed trip-hop. He also produced a range of acts, from Eternal to Sinead O'Connor during the early '90s, and more fruits of his collaborative nature arrived in 1995 with the third Bomb the Bass album, Clear. The album featured vocal tracks featuring O'Connor, Justin Warfield, Bernard Fowler, Bim Sherman, and Leslie Winer, as well as the instrumental input of Tackhead/On-U Sound compatriots Keith LeBlanc, Doug Wimbish, and Skip McDonald. Simenon again turned to outside work during the late '90s, remixing and producing for David Bowie, Depeche Mode, U2, Gavin Friday, Curve, Booth & The Bad Angel, and Hardfloor Quote Link to comment
hitman531ph Posted January 24, 2006 Author Share Posted January 24, 2006 SIMPLE MINDS Best known in the U.S. for their 1985 number one hit "Don't You (Forget About Me)" from the film The Breakfast Club, Scotland's Simple Minds evolved from a post-punk art rock band influenced by Roxy Music into a grand, epic-sounding pop band along the lines of U2. The band grew out of a Glasgow punk group called Johnny and the Self-Abusers, which featured guitarist Charlie Burchill and lead singer Jim Kerr. The inaugural 1978 lineup of Simple Minds featured a rhythm section of Tony Donald on bass and Brian McGee on drums, plus keyboardist Mick McNeil; Donald was soon replaced by Derek Forbes. Their early albums leaped from one style to another, with Life in a Day consisting mostly of dense, arty pop songs; critical acclaim followed the darker, more experimental art rock of Reel to Real Cacophony and the Euro-disco of Empires and Dance. The group began a transition to a more accessible pop style with the albums Sons and Fascination and Sister Feelings Call, originally issued together and subsequently split up. New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) became their first chart album in the U.S., and the tour-shy McGee quit owing to burgeoning popularity, eventually being replaced by Mel Gaynor. Following the Steve Lillywhite-produced Sparkle in the Rain, Jim Kerr married Pretenders lead singer Chrissie Hynde (the two groups had toured together). After Bryan Ferry rejected the opportunity to sing "Don't You (Forget About Me)," Simple Minds almost did so as well; Kerr was dissatisfied with the song's lyrics, which he regarded as formulaic. His change of heart gave Simple Minds their only American chart-topper, and the song later became an international hit as well; however, Kerr's feelings about the song remained ambivalent, and it did not appear on the follow-up album, Once Upon a Time. This album went gold and reached the U.S. Top Ten, in spite of criticism for its bombastic, over-the-top approach. A live album and the uncompromisingly political Street Fighting Years squandered Simple Minds' commercial momentum, however. By the time the group returned to more personal themes and its straightforward, anthemic rock on 1991's Real Life, personnel changes and audience loss left the group's future viability in doubt. But they weren't totally deterred, however. Kerr and Burchill trudged on, releasing Good News From the Next World in 1995 while the single "She's a River" received moderate airplay. A short tour of North America soon followed, but Simple Minds' direction also quickly faded. They needed a break to clarify their own personal stance in music. Derek Forbes returned for 1998's Néapolis, but that, too, wasn't strong enough to sustain Simple Minds' newfound creativity. Their famed pop songs had diluted a bit; however, the new millennium proved poignant. Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill signed to Eagle Records in early 2001 and constructed their first covers album, Neon Lights, later that fall, paying tribute to Patti Smith, Neil Young, David Bowie, and others. In summer 2002, Kerr and Burchill issued Cry, Simple Minds' first batch of new material since 1995's Good News From the Next World. Our Secrets Are the Same, an album that was intended for release in 2000, saw official release in 2003 Quote Link to comment
hitman531ph Posted January 24, 2006 Author Share Posted January 24, 2006 CACTUS WORLD NEWS The Irish band Cactus World News received a boost from one of their compatriots before they even recorded their first album. In 1985, the group sent a demo tape to Bono of U2 and he promptly brought the band into the studio to record their EP The Bridge. Formed in Dublin, Ireland, Cactus World News would've received comparisons to U2 even without Bono's connection with the group. Eoin McEvoy's moody, passionate vocals and Frank Kearns' soaring electric guitars were reminiscent of U2's early work, especially on anthems like "Worlds Apart" and "The Bridge" from Cactus World News' first album Urban Beaches. Released in 1986 on MCA Records, Urban Beaches was predicted to be a breakthrough debut. However, despite much press attention and even a performance on MTV, Cactus World News was unable to sell records in the U.S. Once touted as the next big thing, Cactus World News' popularity couldn't extend beyond the frequency range of college radio stations. In 1989, Cactus World News released a second album called No Shelter. Unhappy with the commercial potential of the LP, MCA immediately deleted it before it was distributed. Many fans doubted its existence until copies of it were passed around on the Internet. Cactus World News disbanded in 1990 Quote Link to comment
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