Friday, July 24, 2020

59. History of Pop Music: 4. 1980s, ACJ Music Academy


How are you?

Following the last week, I am going to start my 59th lecture.

The lecture topic for this week is “Pop Music in 1980s”. It is a summary of the contents of “59th ACJ Music Academy, History of Pop Music: 4. 1980s”, which was introduced on August 27, 2016.

The 1980s was a time when dance music and new wave appeared, and the popularity of disco gradually disappeared, and post-disco, Euro disco and dance-pop became popular. 

In the 1980s, Michael Jackson and Diana Ross reappeared in their new styles, and Michael Jackson released the album "Thriller" in 1982, which was sold over 100 million records worldwide. 

Album "Thriller", Michael Jackson

Also at this time, the group Prince became a big star, and Madonna, Whitney Houston and Janet Jackson appeared and succeeded. Madonna, who was the most successful female artist at the time, released her third studio album “True Blue” in 1986, and she was recorded as the female singer who sold the most albums in the 1980s. Her song “Like a Prayer”, released in 1989 was also praised by Rolling Stone magazine as "a song close to art that pop music can express." 

True Blue, Madonna

Another female artist who sold many albums in the 1980s was Whitney Houston, and she was the female singer who sold the most albums after Madonna at the time. 

Whitney Houston

In the late 1980s, the genre of 'teen pop' became popular, and in this genre, teen idol stars such as New Kids on the Block, Debbie Gibson and Tiffany were born. 

New Kids on the Block

In the mid-1980s, Cyndi Lauper was described as the “Voice of the MTV Generation in the 80s” and made a big hit with a different visual style among teenagers around the world. 

Cyndi Lauper

In the 1980s, hard rock also revived, and the bands such as AC/DC, Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe, Twisted Sister, Poison and Cinderella were popular. Also at this time, the wild hard rock band Guns N' Roses appeared. 

Def Leppard

Some female musicians also gained popularity in the hard rock field in the 1980s, especially Pat Benatar was a representative example of the female musicians who has been successful in the hard rock field since the late 1970s. 

Pat Benatar

Arena Rock, which began in the 1970s, has continued its popularity with the bands including Styx, Rush, Journey, Foreigner and REO Speedwagon.

REO Speedwagon

For country music, pop-influenced country music was the most popular in the genre in the 1980s with leading singers such as Kenny Rogers, Eddie Rabbitt, Crystal Gayle, Anne Murray and Dolly Parton

Kenny Rogers

The film “Urban Cowboy”, released in 1980, starred John Travolta and Debra Winger. The soundtrack of the film includes many pop-influenced country music including "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" by The Charlie Daniels Band, "Could I Have This Dance" by Anne Murray and "Love the World Away" by Kenny Rogers. The soundtrack made a great success, resulting in the boom of pop-influenced country music in the early 1980s.

Urban Cowboy Soundtrack

The Charlie Daniels Band

You can also review this lecture from following media.


Next week, I will lecture 5th topic of “History of Pop Music” for "1990s."

Thank you.


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