Outside of the 60s, the years found in the 1980s are considered to be the most influential 10 years of our time. You could still smoke on airplanes, and cabbage Patch Dolls were all the rage.
Technology took a leap towards the future with the Walkman, the cellphone, VCRs, video games, cable TV, and the introduction of the home computer by Apple. What was the music like? Here are our top albums of the 80s…
1. Thriller – Michael Jackson
2. Hysteria – Def Leppard
3. 1984 Van Halen
4. The Joshua Tree – U2
5. So – Peter Gabriel
6. Synchronicity – The Police
7. Pump – Aerosmith
8. Eliminator – ZZ Top
9. Born in the USA – Bruce Springsteen
10. Brothers in Arms – Dire Straits
11. Slippery When Wet – Bon Jovi
12. Black in Black – AC/DC
13. Hi Infidelity – REO Speedwagon
14. Sports – Huey Lewis and the News
Conclusions: There are three common characteristics of the albums on this list. First, each album provided a great MTV video single, which was critical to the overall marketing success of music back then. Secondly, the guitar rose as the premier instrument of rock and roll; consider the incredible number of guitar virtuoso’s that came out of the 80s. From Springsteen to AC/DC, to the acoustic REO, or the genius of Edge from U2, the electric guitar found its rightful home in the 80s. Finally, each album was a commercial success made for radio airplay.
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