First up: Duran Duran. These guys weren’t just a band; they were a lifestyle. Did they even make a bad video? I think the answer is no.
Then there’s Wham! George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley. They gave us “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.” Pure, unapologetic joy in shorts and a giant t-shirt. How could you not dance to that?
And let’s not forget a-ha. That “Take On Me” video is still a masterpiece. A pencil-sketch animation? In the 80s, that was basically magic. They tricked us into thinking we could all draw like that.
The Rock Titans and the Hair
Okay, shift gears. The hair got bigger. The guitars got louder. Guns N’ Roses exploded onto the scene late in the decade. Axl Rose’s voice? A thunderstorm in a leather jacket. Slash’s top hat? Iconic.
Bon Jovi was for everyone. Your mom loved “Livin’ on a Prayer.” Your dad tapped his foot to “You Give Love a Bad Name.” It was a family affair, drenched in Aqua Net.
And then there was Def Leppard. They had one drummer with only one arm, and they still made the catchiest rock anthems ever. “Pour Some Sugar on Me” is basically a religious experience for anyone who lived through the 80s. You cannot change my mind.
