Summer 2023 Part 5

 

 

The 1980's Pop and Rock Music

The music of the 1980's was about experimentation and the usage of new technologies (like synthesizers, CDs, the voice box, etc.) to expand the influence of music globally. The racist backlash against disco caused disco to not be shown in the mainstream that much until the 1990's. Yet, house music was born in Chicago to promote that creative essence of music. Societies in the world were dominated by conservative governments in America, the UK, etc. Laissez faire capitalism and the free market were glorified by many people as the cure to economic problems, but time reveals that not to be the case at all. The AIDS Epidemic was very widespread in the 1980's, and the beginning of the end of the Cold War existed. The Soviet Union was ending because of overextended wars, dictatorships in various Eastern Bloc areas, political instability, a weakened society, and other economic issues. There were progressive actions in that decade like Live Aid, protests to end apartheid, protests to end the existence of more nuclear weapons, and the growth of other social movements. Major wars happened and the birth of Al-Qaeda existed. Musically, the 1980's saw the births of BET and MTV expanding rock, pop, R&B, gospel, hip hop, country, jazz, and other forms of music worldwide. Music videos became more common place. Worldwide, popular acts reached into another level with legends like Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Duran Duran, Prince, Cyndi Lauper, Poison, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, KISS, Queen, Madonna, etc. Rock genres like metal, new wave, and punk were commonplace. We saw drum machines, synthesizer sounds, and drum reverb flourish in the 1980's. Thriller became the bestselling R&B album of all time. Hip hop music was more in the mainstream by 1989 with Public Enemy, LL Cool J, EPMD, Rakim, Roxanne Shante, N.W.A., etc. There was new style of alternative rock with U2, REM, etc. that used political and social messages in their music (not just music about love and romance). The Live Aid concert in 1985 helped to give aid to Ethiopia where human beings were suffering from a major famine. The music of the 1980's was about fun, experimentation, growing concepts into another level, and delving into political matters relevant to us as human beings. We are human beings with a complex social culture, and music (utilized in the right way) is one of many ways where we can comprehensively enhance the development of our civilization in general. 

Plentiful Ballads

By the time of the early 1980's, the game has changed in early rock and roll and pop music. Ballad songs dominated early 1980's music in general. By January of 1980, Michael Jackson's song of Rock with You was topping the charts a lot. The song was Jackson's third number hit as a solo artist and the first of his many 1980's top hits. Rock with You was music about Michael Jackson showing love for a woman that he's in love with. At the same time, the song of Brass in Pocket by The Pretenders (a group from the UK led by American singer/songwriter Chrissie Hynde) was a popular song. This era saw Canadian rock band Rush have their album Permanent Waves with their biggest album to date. Their song of Spirit of the Radio was a more radio-friendly sound. The New York City punk pioneers of The Ramones released their fifth studio album of End of The Century. Detroit, Michigan rocker Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band have their first and only #1 album with Against The Wind. Both the title track and second single "Fire Lake" hit the US Top Ten. The album would go on the sell over five million copies (5X Platinum). By March 1980, Queen was already a UK rock veteran group. Bohemian Rapsody is a movie about the life of Freddie Mercury and Queen. Their 8th album was called The Game with a new synthesizer sound for the first time. They had songs like Crazy Little Thing Called Love and Another One Bites the Dust. The UK progressive rock group of Genesis (with Phil Collins) released their 10th album called Duke. It would be their first number-one album in the UK. By this time, rock artists like Dan Fogelberg, Iron Maiden (with its debut album of Iron Maiden), and Judas Priest made successes. New wave band Blondie had their hit of Call Me by April of 1980. American punk music grows with the group X having their album called Los Angeles. The Clash or punk pioneers had the song of Train in Van. Peter Gabriel from Genesis had his breakthrough album called Melt with songs like Games Without Frontiers. The Jams was a new wave band with music like Going Underground. Minneapolis, Minnesota disco band Lipps Inc. hit #1 US, #2 UK with the single "Funkytown" from their debut album. The song is written by band member and producer Steve Greenberg, with vocals by Cynthia Johnson.

Joy Division had the singer Ian Curtis who committed suicide. Bette Midler had the song of The Rose. Roxy Music, Bill Joel, and Ultravox had made music too. This time saw new wave and punk music expanding in its evolution. Australian singer and actress Olivia Newton-John had the song Magic from the film Xanadu. AC/DC, The Rolling Stones, and other groups expressed their musical abilities to the world. The first Monsters of Rock festival is held at Castle Donington UK and attracts a crowd of 35,000 rock fans to see Rainbow, Judas Priest, Saxon, Scorpions, April Wine, Riot and Touch. The concert would become an annual event for the next fifteen years (by August of 1980). Sailing was the popular song made by Christopher Cross (who is from San Antonio, Texas) including Ride Like the Wind. Pete Townshend from the Who made many singles like Let My Love Open the Door, etc. By September 1980, Diana Ross made a super comeback with her 11th album of Diana. Her song of Upside Down was made with help from Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards. Diana Ross by the 1980's was further cherished and appreciated by a younger generation too in seeing her evolution as an artist. Diana Ross became a close friend to Michael Jackson too. Kurtis Blow (a hip hop icon) released the album of Kurtis Blow at the same time. The single The Breaks are from his debut album of Kurtis Blow. The Breaks is the first hip hop song to be certified Gold by the RIAA. Ozzy Osbourne left Black Sabbath and had his debut album of Blizzard of Ozz in September 1980. The UK band of The Police had their album of Zenyatta Mondata. Their popular song Don't Stand So Close To Me was popular in America and the UK. Lep Zeppelin drummer John Donham died from pulmonary issues after heavy drinking. The band quits. The Dead Kennedys Debut album existed. Music from Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Rogers, ABBA, Motorhead, REO Speedwagon, Steve Winwood, The Clash, and Pat Benatar made music. In December 1980, John Lennon was shot to death outside his Manhattan apartment by a deranged person. The murderer signed an autograph earlier. Lennon just released his first album in five years called Double Fantasy in November of 1980. John Lennon was one of the members of the Beatles who helped to cultivate modern rock music. His influence in music and politics were widespread from his anti-war activism (Nixon and the FBI wanted Lennon to be deported to the UK because of his social activism) to his solo songs. 

By January 1981, John Lennon's Double Fantasy album posthumously was number one in America and in the UK. One single of the album was Woman. Blondie had their single of The Tide is High as a reggae cover of the same song by The Paragons in 1965. Blondie's song of Rapture was the first U.S. hit to have rap vocals. Blondie and Fab Five Freedy were friends and worked to bridge the UK band Adam & The Ants hit #1 UK, #44 US with their second album Kings Of The Wild Frontier. With a new band and a new sound featuring the Burundi Beat the album generates three UK Top Ten hits including "Antmusic" #2 and "Dog Eat Dog" #4 UK. Jersey City, New Jersey funk, R&B, and disco band Kool & The Gang, recording since the late 60's, have their first US #1 single with "Celebration." Working with Brazilian musician and producer Eumir Deodato, the album of the same name reaches #10 US. Eddie Rabbitt had the song of I Love a Rainy Night. Phil Collins had the hit of In The Air Tonight. It was part of his solo album. He was part of Genesis for years. Dolly Parton was a country singer and actress part of the movie 9 to 5 that wanted to expose sexual harassment and sexism in the workplace. The song 9 to 5 by Dolly Parton focused on the same subject matter. The Who released the album of Face Dances in March of 1981. Eddie Van Halen (a famous rock musician from Van Halen) married TV star Vallerie Bertinelli (they divorced in 2007). Smooth Jazz pioneer Grover Washington Jr. teams up with Bill Withers for the single "Just The Two Of Us." The single reaches #2 US and drives Washington's eleventh album Winelight to #5 on the US Top 200, #2 US R&B, and #1 US Jazz. Chicago, Illinois rock band Styx hit #3 US with their single "The Best Of Times". The song is from the band's eighth album Paradise Theatre which reaches #1 US, #8 UK. The album's second single "Too Much Time On My Hands" hits #9 US. Scottish singer Sheena Easton had the song of Morning Train (9 to 5) as a big hit. Bob Marley passed away in May 1981. He was a Jamaican reggae pioneer who had melanoma. He worked with The Wailers since 1965. He also had a solo career promoting justice, peace, Pan-African unity, and love. Bob Marley risked his life, so we could live on this Earth and express our gifts. Kim Carnes, Billy Squier, the British ska revival band The Specials, Kim Wilde, and Smokey Robinson made music in 1981 too. 

Beatles guitarist George Harrison has his first US Top Ten hit since 1973 with the single "All Those Years Ago" #2 US, #13 UK. Harrison wrote the lyrics as a tribute to John Lennon and all three remaining Beatles participated in this recording. This was in July 1981.  The popular song of Jessie's Girl was made by Australian musician and actor Rick Springfield. The country band of Oak Ridge Boys made the crossover hit of Elvira. By July 1981, Diana Ross worked with Lionel Richie with the single Endless Love. It was Motown's best-selling single ever. Diana Ross signed with RCA Records later for $20 million. By August of 1981, MTV was launched on cable. It would be a 24-hour-a-day music cable network influencing culture immediately. Early on, MTV had to be forced to show a diversity of black music (not just rock) because some in MTV had the racist notion that non-rock black artists would scare Middle America. The fact is that people of every color love music among many genres. Black music always matters. 1980's anthems from Don't Stop Believing from Journey in September 1981, Stevie Nicks, and the Simon and Garfunkel Concert at Central Park were historic times. Rick James made the song Super Freak in September 1981. Rick James was from Buffalo, New York. He did funk, R&B, and rock music. He was loved, and he was controversial. He had the single of Give It To Me Baby.  Juice Newton, Sof Cell, Laurie Anderson, The Go Go's, Bow Wow Wos, Fear, Altered Images, Motley Crue, and The Police made music. Queen and David Bowie had the hit of Under Pressure. Human League, AC/DC, Olivia Newton-John (with the song of Physical), Rod Stewart, and Tina Turner outlined rock and roll's power. 

1982 had some of the funkiest music of the 1980's. Let's Groove was a classic from Earth, Wind, and Fire. This was the Chicago-based funk/disco band. This was from their 11th album Raise! which used synthesizers and keyboards in the album. Hall of Oates had the song of I Can't Go For That. Artists like Foreigner, Bucks Fizz, The Cars, Quarterflash, and J. Geils Band had songs released. Joan Jett made the anthem of I Love Rock n Roll. It grew massively by March of 1982. She was a former guitarist and vocalist for The Runaways. Later, she would be an actress. John Belushi passed away from a drug overdose in March 1982. He was a veteran of Saturday Night Live. Also, he was a famous comedian and worked with Dan Akroyd in The Blues Brothers film. Both of them had a number-one album called Briefcase Full of Blues. In March of 1982, Teddy Pendergrass had his injury. Teddy Pendergrass was the most popular R&B singer of that time. He was once part of Harold Melvin and the Blues Notes. Teddy Pendergrass was paralyzed from the chest down via a car accident. There are many questions about the accident, and Teddy Pendergrass would later be a born-again Christian and live a greater life until his passing. Run to The Hills was from Iron Maiden in March 1982. The new wave band from Los Angeles called The Go-Go's had the anthem of We Got the Beat (from their album Beauty and the Beat). Planet Rock was the popular song from Afrika Bambaataa (I don't agree with his actions, but this is a historic reference). Rock music journalist Lester Bangs died in NYC on April 1982 from an accidental drug overdose. Duran Duran had music and Tommy Tutone. Roxy Music and Asia had albums and singles. Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder had the song of Ebony and Ivory promoting the ideal of racial harmony. In July 1982, Toto had songs like Rosanna and Africa plus Survivor had the song of Eye of the Tiger. The Australian band INXS had the son of The One Thing as part of their third album Shabooh Shoobah. Judas Priest released the song of You Got Another Thing Comin' and Fleetwood Mach had the single of Hold Me. By August 1982, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five had the song of The Message. That song changed hip hop forever as it was a mixture of conscious hip hop and hip hop outlining the environment of the streets. These artists were from the Bronx. 

By this time, The Motels, John Mellencamp, and Dexy's Midnight expressed rock music. Woodstock veterans Crosby, Stills & Nash release their fourth album Daylight Again #8 US. The single "Wasted On The Way" gives them their second US Top Ten single at #9. The album's second single "Southern Cross" reaches #18 US. The first US Festival is held Labor Day weekend in San Bernadino, California in 110-degree heat. With daily crowds of 200,000 enjoying The Ramones, The Police, Tom Petty and Fleetwood Mac. The festival was financed by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak. One of the great funk songs was You Dropped a Bomb on Me by the Tulsa, Oklhaom funk group of The Gap band. Musical Youth had the song of Pass the Dutchie. The group members used reggae as part of Birmingham, UK. A New generation of groups like Men at Work, Culture Club, Berlin, Flock of Seagulls, etc. responded with various forms of music. Adam Anti had his debut album in 1982. Lionel Richie had the song of Truly. UK singer Joe Cocker and American singer Jennifer Warnes team up for a #1 single "Up Where We Belong" #7 UK. The song is produced for the hit film An Officer and A Gentleman and won a Grammy and an Academy Award. Toni Basil, The Jam, the UK artist Joe Jackson, and The Stray Cats had tons of music. By November 1982, pop music changed forever. This was when Michael Jackson released Thriller. Thriller was the best-selling album of pop and R&B music in history. It caused Michael Jackson to reach new heights of popularity, and it caused African American contributions to music in general to grow. Quincy Jones and other people were involved in the album. It had ballads, romance songs, and funky music too. Its music videos helped to modernize how music videos exist in our time. 

By  1983, new wave, post punk bands like Modern English had the hit of Melt With You. The Canadian singer and songwriter Bryan Adams had his U.S. breakthrough with his third album of Cuts Like a Knife. Many hits on the album were Straight from the Heart and other songs. By January of 1983, theUK rockers The Clash have their first and only US Top Ten hit with the single "Rock The Casbah" #8 US, #30 UK. It is the third single released from their fifth album Combat Rock. The album charts at #7 US, #2 UK and also features the single "Should I Stay Or Should I Go." Marvin Gaye's Sexual Healing song was very popular by January of 1983. Marvin Gaye was with Columbia by this time (after recording for Motown). It was Number 3 in Billboard in America and Number 1 in U.S. R&B. It was Number 4 in the UK charts. This song was from Gaye's 17th studio album called Midnight Love. Marvin Gaye proved once again of his iconic music with that album. Sheffield, UK heavy metal band Def Leppard release their third album Pyromania and breakthrough in the US reaching #2, #18 UK. The album brings two US Top 20 singles "Photograph" and "Rock of Ages". It is their second album with producer Mutt Lange of AC/DC, Foreigner fame. On February 1, 1983, some sad news was the 1970's superstart Karen Carpenter died from complications related to anorexia nevosa. She sturggled with that illness for years. Carpenter was the drummer and lead vocalist in the popular singing duo The Carpenters along with her brother Richard. Produced by Nich Rhodes of Duran Duran, UK new wave band Kajagoogoo hit #1 UK with their debut single "Too Shy". The song would hit #5 US in July with the help of heavy MTV rotation for the video. Unlike in the US where they remain one hit wonders, the band has two more UK Top Ten hits. Michael Jackson's sixth album of Thriller was number one in the country by February 1983. It would be the best selling album of his career. 

By February of 1983, U2 released their 2nd album of War with songs like Sunday Bloody Sunday which is a call to end the conflict in Northern Ireland among Protestants and Catholics. There were songs from the Houston, Texas blues rock band of ZZ Top showing music. Golden Earring and Violent Femmes released music. R.E.M. from Athens, Georgia released their debut album of Murmur back in April 1983. R.E.M. was one of the earliest bands part of the new movement called alternative rock music. Radio Free Europe was the lead song on the album of Murmur. The UK band of Der Kommissar had the song of De Kommissar. David Bowie had the number one song of Let's Dance which celebrated dancing movements in musical culture. The song is the title track from his fifteenth studio album produced by Bowie and Nile Rogers. The album reaches #1 in the UK, #4 US. The single "China Girl" also charts at #2 UK and #10 US. Greg Kihn had the song of Jeopardy. Prince's single of Little Red Corvette further pushed him into international superstardom. That song was part of his 5th album of 1999. 

The song of Flashdance...What a Feeling was released by Irene Cara. Irene Cara was a great vocalist and songwriter. This song was from the soundtrack of the hit movie of Flashdance (about a working class woman trying to have a great dance career). The soundtrack album goes 6X platinum in America. Bath, England duo Naked Eyes give the new wave synth treatment to the Hal David / Burt Bacharach song "Always Something There To Remind Me" and break into the US Top Ten at #8. The song had previously been a #1 UK hit for Sandie Shaw in 1964. Chicago, Illinois jazz keyboardist Herbie Hancock has a #71 US pop hit with the instrumental "Rockit". The song features hip hop style scratching combined with synthesizer and drum machine. The video for the song, created by Godley & Creme, receives heavy MTV rotation. That was in June of 1983 along with Stevie Ray Vaughan's debut album of Texas Flood with his band Double Trouble.  

The Police had the hit song of Every Breath You Take, Madness had Our House song, Eddie Grant had the single Electrive Avenue, and The Kinks had the song Come Dancing found in July 1983. UK duo The Eurythmics release their second album Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) #3 UK, #15 US and score a worldwide hit with the title track which hits #1 US, #2 UK. The song is accompanied by a strong video which receives extensive play on MTV. The Rolling Stones in August 1983 signed a new $28 million contract with Columbia Records (the largest recording contract at that time). Birmingham, England reggae band UB40 release the album Labour Of Love featuring cover versions of favorite songs. Their reggae version of Neil Diamond's 1968 song "Red, Red Wine" tops the UK charts and hits #1 US five years later in 1988. Men Without Hates had the song of Safely Dance.  The UK group of Culture Club's Karam Chameleon was a hit in America and in the UK. Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler collaborates with Meatloaf producer Jim Steinman who writes and produces the single "Total Eclipse of the Heart" for Tyler. The song is a #1 single in both the US and UK. Tyler had previously hit the Top Ten in 1977 with the single "It's A Heartache." Talking Heads (the NYC new wave band) had the song of Burning Down the House and Kiss had their album of Lick It Up by October of 1983. Lionel Richie had his hit All Night Long (All Night). It was more pop, but it was a catch song. The Fixx and Quiet Riot had music. There was the song of Uptown Girl by Billy Joel. Michael Jackson had the song of Say Say Say with Paul McCartney by December of 1983. California bands Metallica and Slayer release debut albums in 1983 with a new sound in heavy metal music, later termed "thrash" metal. The faster, aggressive sound is pioneered by Anthrax, Slayer, Metallica and Megadeth in the US and influenced by UK bands Venom and Motorhead. This existed by December of 1983.  

1984

By January of 1984, the Romantics had the song of Talking In Your Sleep. The Sayreville, New Jersey ban of Bon Jovi had their self-titled album back in January 1984. Van Halen had the hit of Jump with synthesizers. They are from California. California comedic singer "Weird Al" Yankovic has his first US Top 20 hit with his parody of Michael Jackson's hit song "Beat It" #12 US. The video is a shot-for-shot recreation of the Jackson video featuring Yankovic in a fat suit. Producer Rick Derringer (The McCoys) plays the lead guitar solo (in the song Eat It). The Smiths from the UK, Scorpions from Germany, and the Film This is Spinal Tap (a funny movie about a fictional rock band) existed. New York vocalist Cyndi Lauper hits #2 in the US and UK with her debut single "Girls Just Want To Have Fun". Lauper's debut album She's So Unusual generates four US Top Ten singles including the #1 single "Time After Time" and goes 6X Platinum (by March of 1984). The music video of Thriller existed by March of 1984. It was directed by John Landis with dancing zombies. Since America was a much more conservative nation, Michael Jackson put a disclaimer in the video saying that he doesn't personally endorse the occult. People are People is the hit form the UK electronic synth band Depeche Mode. The Queens New York City hip hop group of Run DMC had their debut album which was self-titled in March of 1984. It had songs like It's Like that and Hard Times. It was the first hip hop album to go gold. One of the most tragic events in music history was the death of the Motown singer and songwriter Marvin Gaye. His father shot him to death after Marvin Gaye defended his mother when his parents were fighting. This was in Los Angeles. Marvin Gaye Sr. was charged with manslaughter, and he cited self-defense in his excuse of killing Marvin Gaye. This was in March of 1984. American singer songwriter Kenny Loggins hits #1 US, #6 UK with the single "Footloose" the title track from the musical film and soundtrack album which also hits #1 US. Loggins scored hits with other movie soundtracks including Top Gun and Caddyshack among others. Oakland, California siblings The Pointer Sisters score the first of four US Top Ten hits from their tenth album Breakout with the song "Automatic"#5 US, #2 UK. The album charts at #8 US and #6 UK and also features the hits "Neutron Dance" #6,  "Jump (For My Love)" #3 and "I'm So Excited" #9 US. This was in April of 1984. Phil Collins had the song of Against All Odds and Lionel Richie had his May 1984 hit of Hello. 

The Thompson Twins had music for the new wave pop movement and Deniece Williams released music called "Let's Hear it for the Boy." She is from Gary, Indiana and worked with Stevie Wonder. Oakland, California siblings The Pointer Sisters score the first of four US Top Ten hits from their tenth album Breakout with the song "Automatic"#5 US, #2 UK. The album charts at #8 US and #6 UK and also features the hits "Neutron Dance" #6,  "Jump (For My Love)" #3 and "I'm So Excited" #9 US (in July 1984). Duran Duran had their popular song of The Reflex by June 1984. Dancing in the Dark was shown by Bruce Springsteen and the group Ratt had the song of Round and Round. Prince with When Doves Cry was his first U.S. number single. That was a song part of the Purple Rain movie in the movie soundtrack. Ray Parker Jr. had the song Ghostbusters, the theme of the hit movie by August 1984. Twisted Sister and The Cars had shown music. Tina Turner's What's Love Got to Do with It was September 1984 hit record. Def Jam records co-founder Russell Simmons organizes the first hip hop festival tour Fresh Fest which debuts on Labor Day featuring leading east coast hip hop groups and break dancers. The tour includes 27 concerts in the US. Fresh Fest II followed a year later with a similar lineup. Corey Hart had music. The first annual MTV Video Music Awards was shown at Radio City Music Hall in September 1984. It was hosted by Dan Akroyd and Bette Midler. Madonna performed Like a Virgin rolling around in the floor in a wedding gown. This was controversial back, because Madonna was moaning on the floor. Still, her popularity soared. The Cars won Video of the Year for You Might Think. Talking Heads and The Replacements shown music. Stevie Wonder had his hit number one song of I Just Called To Say I Love You from the film The Woman in Red. It was the bestselling song of Wonder's career. Oakland, California singer and percussionist Sheila E. hits the US Top Ten with her debut single "The Glamorous Life". The song is the title track from her debut album co-produced by Sheila E. and Prince. She would tour as the opening act for Prince's Purple Rain Tour.

Trinidadian British R&B singer Billy Ocean had his hit of Caribbean Queen by November 1984. This was part of his fifth album of Suddenly with other singles like Loverboy. Wham! had the song of Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go. It was a UK pop duo featuring George Michael. Rhode Island rock group of John Cafferty and The Beaver Brown Band had the song of On the Dark Side. One of the great U2 songs was Pride (in the Name of Love) promoting love and tolerance. This song was part of the fourth album The Unforgettable Fire. Investments come in a charity song called Do They Know It's Christmas by Bob Geldof of the Boomtwon Rats and Midge Ure of Ultravox. This song was done to raise money to help the victims of the Ethiopian famine. The oldest song of John Lennon, Julian Lennon, made the album of Valottee. The single of Too Late for Goodbye was very popular. 

Pop Anthems

By January of 1985, New Edition (from Boston, Massachusetts) had their first U.S. Top Ten single with the song of Cool It Now. Their 2nd self-titled album was very popular after their debut single of Candy Girl in 1983. New Edition has grown its fans over the years, not just among younger people. Madonna was from Bay City, Michigan. Like a Virgin was her first number-one single in America and in the UK. Her other single was Material Girl which was very popular in January of 1985 too. This was the beginning of Madonna. As time went onward, we know that she grew more controversial and bolder in her music and videos. The Cable channel of VH1 was released in January 1985, as a sister channel to MTV. It shows music videos and the series of Behind the Music, I Love the 80s, 90s, 2000s, etc. Vh1 is known for establishing groundbreaking documentaries. The channel has shown mostly movies and reality television in recent years. US/UK rock band Foreigner has their biggest career hit with the power ballad "I Want To Know What Love Is" which reaches #1 in both the US and UK. The song is written by band founder Mick Jones and is from the band's fifth album Agent Provocateur which hits #1 UK and #4 US (by February of 1985). The singer of Don Henley (from the Eagles) and the group Anthrax showed their music. David Lee Roth (from Valen Halen) had his hit of California Girls, a cover of the 1965 Beach Boys hit. 

Dead or Alive had the hit of You Spin Me Round (Like a Record), John Fogerty had the song of Old Man Down the Road, and REO Speedwagon had the famous song of Can't Fight the Feeling (they were from Champaign, Illinois). Jacksonville, Florida band Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers have their highest charting single to date with "Don't Come Around Here No More" #13 US, #50 UK. The song is co-written by Petty and The Eurythmics Dave Stewart. The album Southern Accents hits the US Top Ten. Inspired by the UK's Band-Aid concert, Harry Belafonte organized USA For Africa with a star-studded group of American artists to record the single "We Are The World" for charity. Written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, and produced by Quincy Jones, the song hits #1 in both the US and UK. This took place in April of 1985. These movements saved human lives literally. Simple Minds had songs like Don't You Forget About Me, and Power Station had the son of Some Like It Hot. Spin Magazine debuted in May of 1985. It was launched by Bob Guccione Jr. as an alternative to Rolling Stone. 

The UK-based Nigerian singer Sade showed the song of Smooth Operator in May 1985. Sade and her music changed everything in music. I haven't heard of a bad Sade song in my life. This came from her debut album called Diamond Life which hits Number 2 in the UK and Number 5 in America. The album sold over 6 million copies. The album's first single of Your Love is King reached Number 6 in the UK. Grand Rapids, Michigan family band Debarge make it big with their fourth album Rhythm Of The Night #19 US, #3 US R&B. The album's title track reaches #3 US, #1 US R&B and #4 UK. The second single "Who's Donna Holding Now" hits #6 US and #2 US R&B. The Debarge family has been through massive abuse (by their own father who is sick) and drug addiction among some of their family members. Yet, the DeBarge family is strong and overcame so much to be a great part of our musical heritage. Former Metallica lead guitarist Dave Mustaine forms his own thrash metal band Megadeth and vows to be faster and heavier (than Metallica) in 1985. Howard Jones made the song Things Can Only Get Better, and Tears for Fears (both groups are from the UK) made the 1980's anthem of the song Everybody Wants to Rule the World. By July 1985, there was the charity concert Live Aid, organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, is held in both London, Philadelphia, and other cities to raise funds for Ethiopian famine relief. The concert is broadcast via satellite reaching 1.9 billion people worldwide. Artists include Queen, Bowie, Led Zeppelin, U2, and more. The Boston new wave band 'Til Tuesday, Paul Young, and Huey Lewis made much rock music. Sting made his solo album of The Dream of the Blue Turtles in August 1985 with singles like If You Love Somebody Set Them Free. Heart made the song of What About Love? UK reggae band UB40 and UK-based American singer Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders team up for a cover of Sonny & Cher's 1965 hit "I Got You Babe." The single reaches #1 UK and #28 US. The album is included on UB40's sixth album Baggariddim #14 UK, #40 US. The veteran soul singer Aretha Franklin had the hit of Freeway of Love in 1985. It was part of her thirtieth album of Who' Zoomin' Who? on Arista Records. It was Franklin's first album to go platinum in America with a younger sound. The first Annual Farm Aid Concert took place on September 1985. It took place in Champaign, Illinois. It was organized by Neil Young, Willie Nelson, and John Mellencamp. This concert wanted to help American farmers who were facing debt, foreclosure, and other issues. The annual concert continues to this very day. 

Many musicians didn't like the following event. By September 1985, the Parent Music Resource Council (PMRC) was created by Tipper Gore, Susan Baker, and others in Washington, D.C. The PMRC wanted to take action against music content that was filled with sex, drug use, and violence. A Senate hearing resulted in the RIAA-Recording Industry Association of America agreeing to apply Parental Advisory Stickers to albums, cassettes, and CD's. This situation was just the beginning of the issue of music, content, and censorship. Debates about these issues only intensified as time went on, and these debates continue to this very day (with the debate about lyrics in music and criminal prosecution). The UK rock band Dire Straits made their song of Money for Nothing part of their fifth album of Brothers in Arms. The singer/songwriter from Indiana John Mellencamp had the song of Lonely Ol' Night with a more roots rock sound. Emergency was Kool and the Gangs' best-selling album in 1985 with singles like Cherish. Groups like The Hooters, The Fall, and The Cult expressed themselves too. Whitney Houston had her great song of Saving All My Love for You back in 1985. Her debut self-titled album was number one in the country with songs like How Will I Know and The Greatest Love of All. 

Whitney Houston was raised in Newark, New Jersey in the church. The church was part of her foundation in musical expression. Immediately since the 1980's, we knew that Whitney Houston was The Voice for real. She was the greatest vocalist of our generation. The Norwegian synthpop band of A-Ha had the song of Take on Me. The historic Krush Groove film and soundtrack were released in October 1985. The movie and the soundtrack had Run-DMC, Sheila E, the Fatboys Kurtis Blow, and New Edition. The film was a fictionalized account of the start of Def Jam Records. For those of Generation X and the younger Baby Boomers, Krush Groove was like a monumental story about the embrace of hip-hop culture. Back in those days, many people didn't even think that hip-hop was an authentic musical genre. That would change, especially with the advent of the Golden Age of Hip Hop. Starship made the song of We Built This City. Feargal Sharkey made music along with Mr. Mister in their song of Broken Wings. Queens, NYC rapper LL Cool released his debut album Radio in November of 1985. I Can't Live Without My Radio, Rock the Bells, and I Need A Beat were part of his album (being platinum selling over 1.5 million copies). LL Cool J has the gifts to be lyrical, to battle rap, to act, to write music, and to make love songs about loving a woman. The group Simple Minds a Scottish new wave group made the song of Alive and Kicking in December 1985. The Brooklyn, NYC comedian and actor had the song Party All The Time by December 1985. It was produced by Rick James. The song was Murphy's first musical album of How Could It Be. Eddie Murphy, by this time, was a superstar actor and comedian. 

Rock Music Groups

In 1986, music further developed. The synthpop duo of the Pet Shop Boys made the song of West End Girls. There was the 1986 first Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class. It recognized ten rock pioneers. Their names were Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Charles, The Everly Brothers, Sam Cooke, James Brown, Fats Domino, and Buddy Holly. Sam Phillips and Alan Freed are also inducted. My Hometown was a famous song from Bruce Springsteen (who is from Asbury, New Jersey). This song is from his album Born in the USA. Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Stevie Wonder and Gladys Knight team up to support AIDS research with the single "That's What Friends Are For". Written by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager, the single hits #1 US, #16 UK and is the best-selling song of 1986 in the US. Conga was a song made by the Latin music group of Miami Sound Machine. It is from their 2nd English language album overall called Primitive Love. The Los Angeles based rock band Metallica album of Master of Puppets came out in March 1986. It had more layered production and political lyrics. Dream Academy has the song of Life in Northern Town. James Brown's Living in America has his first Top Ten hit since 1968. The song was featured in the movie Rocky IV. Mike and the Mechanics, Sly Fox, and INXS had music. INXS is from Australia. Prince has the single of Kiss with a falsetto voice. 

The song came from his 8th album of Parade, and it became Prince's sixth platinum album in America. Why Can't This Be Love by Van Halen and Falco Rock Me Amadeus were 1980's anthems. The Monkees made a reunion tour by May of 1986. By May 1986, Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee weds television actress Heather Locklear (Dynasty, Melrose Place). The marriage lasts until 1993, with both remarrying within two years, Lee to actress Pamela Anderson and Locklear to Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora. Addicted to Love was done by UK rock singer and songwriter Robert Palmer. OMD had the song of If you Leave. Doctor and the Medics had the son Spirit in the Sky. Madonna's popularity increased with the album True Blue by June of 1986 with songs like Live to Tell, Papa Don't Preach, and Open Your Heart. The album goes 7 times platinum in America. On My Own was the song with Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald. Simply Red was the UK band with the song of Holding Back the Years. Genesis had the song Invisible Touch and the singer Peter Gabriel had the single of Sledgehammer. Lady in Red was a song by Chris de Burgh and Your Wildest Dreams by The Moody Blues existed. 

Janet Jackson's Control album was number one in America by July 1986. Independence, controlling her womanhood, love, and authenticity are the themes of the groundbreaking album of Control. Control was precursor to the new jack swing song that would take over. Belinda Carlisle, Steve Winwood's Higher Love, Skinny Puppy, and Berlin had music. By September of 1986, Walk This Way was very strong. It was a song made by pioneering hip hop group Run DMC and Aerosmith (which had the song in 1976). The music helped to bridge the gap among hip hop and rock fans. It helped to revive Aerosmith's career, and it was shown heavily on MTV. True Colors was a song made by Cyndi Lauper and Human League had the song Human. Eddie Money had the song Take Me Home Tonight, and the New York funk band Cameo had the song Word Up. New Jersey rock band Bon Jovi hit #1 US with their third album Slippery When Wet #6 UK. The album produces to #1 US singles "You Give Love A Bad Name" and "Livin' On A Prayer" making the band a top-tier arena act in the US. The album sells over 12 million copies. Williamsburg, Virginia singer songwriter Bruce Hornsby and his band The Range score a #1 US hit with the single "The Way It Is" #15 UK. The song is the title track from the group's debut album #3 US which also contains the #4 US single "Mandolin Rain". The Lost Angeles band of The Bangles had the song of Walk Like An Egyptian. Groups like Europe and Samantha Fox had music released too. 

Alternative Rock 

1987 had some of the best music of the 1980's. Many songs existed like Steve Hurley's Jack Your Body (which is the first house song to top the pop charts. House music was invented in Chicago) and Paul Simon had the album Graceland (which wanted to join musicians to fight apartheid in South Africa). Hurley would be a producer and remixer for Madonna, Michael Jackson, and other artists. Keep Your Hands to Yourself is a popular song from the Atlanta rock band Georgia Satellites. By February 1987, the Long Island New York hip hop group Public Enemy had their debut album of Yo! Brumrush the Show. It had political lyrics in a style that was innovative. The album went gold in 1989 in America. Boy George had the song Everything I Own and the Beastie Boys had the song You Gotta Fight For Your Right to Party. Back then, the Beastie Boys were more into hedonism in their music, and they were from New York City. The song is from their debut album of Licensed To Ill. Latin freestyle music was shown by Expose (which had songs like Come Go With Me. The group is based in Miami). More groups existed like Psychedelic Furs, Starship, and Crowded House. The title track from Prince's ninth album "Sign O' The Times" hits #3 US, #1 US R&B, #10 UK. The song is written and produced by Prince and features sparse electronic instrumentation with downbeat lyrics about political and social issues. The album goes Platinum and charts at #6 US, #4 UK. U2 had With or Without You being a huge hit song. Cutting Crew had sons like I Just Died in Your Arms. 

The former Shalamar singer and Soul Train dancer Jody Watley had the song of Looking For a New Love. Jody Watley worked with Rakim in helping bridge the gap between R&B and hip-hop music too. Jody Watley is from Chicago and worked with Andre Symone (a former bass player for Prince. He is a great songwriter too). The group Poison had music and La Isla Bonita is a song from Madonna's True Blue album. The album sold over 25 million copies. Atlantic Starr, Kim Wilde, LL Cool J, and Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam had music. Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam promote Latin freestyle music. LL Cool J had the Bigger and Deffer album from June 1987. Gun N' Roses debuted their album from July 1987. Newark, New Jersey singer Whitney Houston scores her fourth US #1 single in a row with "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)" #1 UK. The song is the first single from her second album Whitney #1 US and UK which produces three US #1 singles including "So Emotional." Ice had his debut album by July 1987 called Rhyme Pays on Sire Records. He promoted West Coast gangsta rap to the next level. Eric B. and Rakim's debut album Paid in Full is one of the best hip-hop albums of all time. Eric B Is President sampled James Brown and Rakim's music is always influential. Heart, Pet Shop Boys, and The Fat Boys expressed their talent too. Suzanne Vega had the song Luka, Los Lobos promoted the song La Bamba, and the meme-inspired song of Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley were popular in August of 1987. 

Rock and pop music from The Grateful Dead, Whitesnake, and Tiffany were popular. Michael Jackson had his October 1987 album of Bad. It was number one, and it had hit singles like Bad, Dirty Diana, Man in the Mirror, and The Way You Make Me Feel. The album of Bad from Michael Jackson was more rebellious, angry, and militant than Thriller. Michael Jackson wanted to show his opposition to injustice and him desiring a more private life. By the end of 1987, we saw Billy Idol, the Dirty Dancing soundtrack, and George Michael's Faith being shown. George Michael was a genius in music. R.E.M. being an alternative rock band shown the song The One I Love by December of 1987. Long Island singer Debbie Gibson had the single Shake Your Love. New York female rappers Salt-n-Pepa released the single Push It. The group's music becomes the hit, reaching #19 US and #2 in the UK. After slowly becoming a hit, the song is added to their debut album Hot, Cool, and Vicious. The album eventually went platinum in 1988.

 By 1988 (during the late 1980's), we saw a prelude of the music of the early 1990's. The late 1980's culturally was a lot different than the culture of the early 1980's indeed. By January 1988, former Beatle George Harrison has the U.S. Number One hit song of Got My Mind Set on You. It was that first number one American hit since 1973. It was Number Two in the UK. This came from his 11th solo album of Cloud Nine. The song is a cover of the 1962 song made by R&B singer James Ray. ELO"s Jeff Lynne helped to produce the song at Harrison's studio at Friar Park. Taylor Dayne (from Long Island) had the song of Tell It to My Heart from the album of the same title. The famous song of Need You Tonight from the Australian rock band INXS was number one in America by January 1988 too. The Australian band of The Church had the song of Under the Milky Way. Andy Gibb of the Bee Gees passed away at 30 from heart disease related to cocaine abuse. Barry, Robin, and Maurice are his brothers who help to find the Bee Gees group. More rock groups expressed themselves like The Primitives, The Pixies, Prefab Sprout, Iron Maiden, and Morrissey (with his debut album). By April 1988, Billy Ocean had his song of Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car being very influential. This was part of Afro-Caribbean Billy Ocean's 7th album of Tear Down These Walls. Wishing Well was a song by Terence Trent D'Arby and The Innocents album was made by the group Erasure. After a successful world tour and multiple personnel changes Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine release their tenth album Let It Loose #6 US and have a US #1 single with "Anything For You" #10 UK. The album produces four US Top Ten hit singles. The Australian Band of Midnight Oil had the song of Beds Are Burning. 

Australian alternative rock group Midnight Oil find international success with their single "Beds Are Burning" #17 US, #6 UK a song about Aboriginal land rights. Taken from the band's sixth album Diesel And Dust #21 US, #1 Australia, the music video for the song receives steady play on MTV. London, England band Johnny Hates Jazz find success with their second single "Shattered Dreams" #2 US, #5 UK. The song is from the band's debut album Turn Back The Clock which charts at #1 UK, #56 US. The band broke up following the release of their unsuccessful follow up album in 1991. The Oakland, California R&B singer and songwriter Peebles had the song of Mercedes Boy part of her self titled debut album. Her other hit was Girlfriend. This was very popular in June of 1988. The Rockford, Illinois rock band Cheap Trick had the song of The Flame. Richard Marx had the song of Hold On to the Night. The famous Cleveland, Ohio singer and songwriter Tracy Chapman had the song of Fast Car. Chapman is a great singer who sings about many conscious issues. Her self-titled debut album went 6 times platinum in America. She won the Grammy for Best New Artist. Straight Outta Compton was the groundbreaking, controversial album from N.W.A. back in August of 1998. It ws a hip hop group N.W.A. that popularized gangster rap and was the first platinum hip hop album of N.W.A. MTV had it's Yo! MTV Taps to have hip hop music videos, comedy, and interviews. It was hosted by Fab 5 Freddy, Dr. Dre and Ed Lover. Jane's Addiction, Winger, and Yazz made music by late 1988. The Harlem, NYC hip hop group Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock had the song of It Takes Two. Guns N' Roses is a rock band being from Los Angeles with their song of Sweet Child O'Mine. Bobby McFerrin had the song of Don't Worry Be Happy. He is a NYC jazz vocalist. Michael Jackson gave $120,000 in helping to open up the Motown Museum. Esther Gordy Edwards (Berry Gordy's sister) also worked on the building. This was in October of 1988. Sonic Youth, Def Leppard, and Information Society released tons of music by late 1988. 

The Beach Boys from California had the hit of Kokomo by November of 1988. Enya has music from Ireland. The Traveling Wilburys, The Escape Club, and Cowboys Junkies had music too. Eazy E's debut album of Eazy -Duz It came out by November 1988 with singles like We Want Eazy. Kyle Minogue did the cover of The Loco-Motion. Roy Orbison died by December 1988. He was 52 years old, and he had a heart attack at his home. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Detroit, Michigan singer songwriter Anita Baker hits #3 US, #1 US R&B with the title track from her third solo album "Giving You The Best That I Got". The album reaches #1 US and #3 UK and sells over five million copies worldwide. 

By January 1989, Bobby Brown had the hit of My Prerogative. Bobby Brown was worked with songwriters and producers L.A. Reid and Babyface. Bobby Brown was part of the new jack swing movement with songs like Don't Be Cruel. He was part of New Edition too. Former dancer and choreographer Paula Abdul (she is a Sephardi Jewish woman) had the song of Straight Up from her album of Forever Your Girl. She is a friend of Janet Jackson. The Indigo Girls released music too. Tone Loc had the song Wild Thing and 2 Live Crew released music too by February of 1989. 2 Live Crew was controversial, and their album was the first to be declared obscene in a federal court. The group took their case up the courts, and it was allowed to be shown as part of free speech. Edie Brickell and Debbie Gibson released music. By March of 1989, the album of 3 Feet High and Rising was released by the Long Island, New York hip hop group De La Soul. They had jazz influence and an underground following. They became leaders of the alternative hip hop movement. The Bangles had the song of Eternal Flame, and Roxette had the song of The Look. Tom Petty had the album of Full Moon Fever in April 1990, The Pixies had the album of Doolittle, and Bon Jovi had the song of I'll Be There For You. April 1989 was when Madonna had the controversial song of Like a Prayer. Its video was very controversy using religious imagery and the Vatican condemned it as America back then was more conservative on music video. Pepsi dropped Madonna from their ads. It top American and UK charts. The album of the same name sold over 15 million copies worldwide. 

Groups like The Stone Roses, Michael Damian, Donny Osmond, and Bette Midler released music. The Dorchester, Massachusetts group of New Kid on the Block had their single of I'll Be Loving You (Forever). This group was the prelude to NYSNC and the Blackstreet Boys. Neneh Cherry had the song of Buffalo Stance. The R&B duo Milli Vanilli had the song of Baby Don't Forget My Number. This was before the music scandal that harmed both members emotionally. Martika and Fine Young Cannibals had songs too. Transision Vamp had their album called Velveteen. The Beastie Boys released Paul's Boutique in 1989. Prince had the song Batdance to represent the movie Batman in its soundtrack. This was back in August of 1989. Bob Dylan and Red Hot Chili Peppers has their own albums. Black Box had the song Ride on Time. Warrant had their song of Heaven. Lenny Kravitz had his debut album in 1989 called Let Love Rule (working with his then wife Lisa Bonet). American pop singer Janet Jackson has her second #1 US hit single with "Miss You Much" #22 UK. It is the first single from her fourth album Rhythm Nation 1814 which also hits #1 US, #4 UK. The album would produce four #1 US singles and go on to sell over 12 million copies worldwide. Motley Crue, The Cure, and other bands flourished. Bust a Move was the song from Young MC. Neil Young had his album of Freedom, Nine Inch Nails had their debut album back in October of 1989 (they are from Cleveland, Ohio). Alice Cooper had the song Poison in November of 1989. Belgian electronic duo Technetronic hit #2 UK with their first single "Pump Up The Jam". The song also hits #2 in the US in January 1990. The song is the title track from the duo's debut album which charts at #2 UK, #10 US on it's way to going Platinum in both countries.

Love Shack was the song by the B-52. Queen Latifah had her November 1989 debut album called All Hail the Queen with singles like Ladies First. Queen Latifah came out to promote a feminist, Afrocentric ethos. She can rap very good, and she is one of the greatest M.C.s in history.  Don't Know Much was the song by Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville in December of 1989. At the same time, Soul II Soul had the song of Back to Life, which is a classic song. It was popular all over America and in the UK. Soul II Soul came from London, UK. 

U2

 

One of the most influential rock bands of all time is the Irish rock band of U2. It was created in 1976 at Dublin, Ireland. The group of Bono, the guitarist the Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. changed music. Their style changed for almost 50 years now, but their legacy remains as one of the best rock bands of all time. They had enormous success by the 1980's. The band talked about love, philosophy, life, and spirituality (especially since Bono is overt in singing about spiritual subject matter). Their style is post-punk. They have worked outside of the music booth to promote humanitarian and philanthropic causes. Their first album was Boy in 1980. Their first UK number one album was War in 1983 with singles like Sunday Bloody Sunday (to call for peace in Ireland among violence among Catholics and Protestants) and Pride (in the Name of Love). Pride was to honor the memory and legacy of the late Dr. Martin Luther King. U2 was always a political and socially conscious group. They made the Unforgettable Fire in 1984. Their best album, according to numerous people, was The Joshua Tree in 1987. That album made them superstars. Songs like With or Without You made them a household name. They did experimental albums like Rattle and Hum and Achtung Baby including Pop and Zooropa. Later, they made All That You Can't Leave Behind. Their comeback album was 2004's How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. 

In the 2010s, U2 released the companion albums Songs of Innocence (2014) and Songs of Experience (2017), the former of which received criticism for its pervasive, no-cost release through the iTunes Store. Their most recent album, Songs of Surrender (2023), consists of reimagined versions of 40 songs from their career.

U2 have released 15 studio albums and are one of the world's best-selling music artists, having sold an estimated 150–170 million records worldwide. They have won 22 Grammy Awards, more than any other band, and in 2005, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility. Rolling Stone ranked U2 at number 22 on its list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time." Throughout their career, as a band and as individuals, they have campaigned for human rights and social justice causes, working with organisations and coalitions that include Amnesty International, Jubilee 2000, DATA/the ONE Campaign, Product Red, War Child, and Music Rising. We know of them performing at the Live Aid concert at the United Kingdom during the 1980's. They were the first group to attain number-one albums in the US in the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s. U2's legacy is about consistency, bringing alternative rock into the next level, and having the essence of a serious rock band with universal appeal across the world. 

The advent of Grunge 

By the mid to late 1980's, grunge was formed. It was a different genre of rock music. It was the complete opposite of metal or even soft rock. It came from the Pacific Northwest. Many people involved wore working class clothing, flannel shirts, and other clothing. Some were filled with beards and didn't like bourgeoisie mainstream culture. The themes of grunge were about social alienation, self-doubt, neglect, social isolation, and a desire for freedom. Grunge musicians were heavily Generation X. Back in the day, Generation X in some of their members felt that the benefits of society didn't come to them. Reaganomics increased economic inequality, jobs were lost, and there was a recession during the 1980's and from 1991-1992. Grunge merged metal and punk. Back in 1987, Mark Arm of Green River made the EP called Dry as a Bone. Seattle was the homebase of grunge culture including the city of Portland, Oregon. The Melvins were the most influential of the early grunge bands being formed in Washington, D.C. by 1983. Sub Pop producer Jack Endino described grunge as "seventies-influenced, slowed-down punk music."  Grunge artists readily use the electric guitar. Some of the vocals used in grunge had a gritty sound. Pre-Gunge bands were Green River, Mudhoney, and Mother Love Bone.     Soundgarden was created in 1984 along with Green River. Screaming Trees was made in 1985. By 1987, grunge music evolved to be firmer in their content. Kurt Cobain by the late 1980's was forming music, and during the 1990's, he became the icon of grunge music. 

By Timothy