Welcome to ESSENTIAL EIGHTIES, a site with the misguided aim of chronicling the highs and lows of the music industry in that exceptional decade. Every single artist who had their first hit between January 1 1980 and December 31st 1989 is featured in our alphabetical index, even if we have bugger all to say about them. The intention is to tell our version of what artists and songs and accompanying fads and fashions really meant and stood for. We don't claim to be perfect, as there is a sizeable selection in there who we simply cannot remember, which is where you come in. If you want to make a contribution, then please e-mail us and say whatever is required about the artist in question. We need all your memories as well as descriptions - such as fashion, videos, notoriety and other titbits. Give us the meaning of the artist, as well as the facts.

All statistics are based on the UK singles and album chart as compiled by Gallup, and within that, only those who reached the Top 40 with at least one single qualify for mention. Only acts who had their first hit in the 80s are here, so that means no Bowie, Madness, Jam, Dire Straits, Police, Blondie, Kate Bush etc - suddenly, we wonder why we bothered. All (well, most) opinions are unmalicious. If you find anything which you believe to be FACTUALLY wrong, please e-mail us with proof of our alleged inaccuracy and we might change it after a bit of self-loathing. All text and graphics, except for direct quotes, is original and owned by us; all photos have been nicked, copied, scanned or downloaded from other people without their permission. Cheers.

 

 

 

 

Visit our Special Pages:

 

They owed us nothing, and they were right.Drums, dirges and decorators.The Boy who brought out the worst in British bigotry.They made Basildon famous, and dustbin lids musical.Look now, look all around for the best pop band of the decade.Annie, Dave and the greatness that surrounded them.

Disgusting? No. The orange dye industry never had it so good.Near a tree by a river there's a midget in a snood.Live for the bass 'til the sun goes down.Spawning lots of jokes about being touched for the 79th time.The brains and the looks that made lots of money.

Posing, perverse, poncey pop icon in purple.Who said being ginger was a drawback?Morrissey and Marr's mesmerising misery.Tartan tablecloths, turbulence and True.A man who was born in the USA, apparently.He had time to make the singles, he had time to hit the floor

Roland, Curt and a bargeful of world-ruling pop.Reggae rehashers recorded from a converted bacon factory.Daft nicknames and immense records.With those angel eyes, Marti set the world on fire.Two young guns having some fun.

 

 

 

All text written by MATT; site design by VIKKY.                                                                                                  Please also visit the excellent TV Cream site

Thanks to THOMMO, DEREK, SCOTT, BESTIE, 

LAURA, RENKON and PUNKY for their contributions.

 

 

 

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Launched onto the WWW on 24 January 2001