Category: 1980s

Madonna becomes an icon, George Michael goes solo and video fuels a surge of melodrama on the charts as Pop’s top stars raise millions for the poor in Africa. Learn more on Chartcrush 1985!

Country surges, Pop goes FM and it’s a mishmash on the charts as Americans strap on their Walkmans, hit the gym and get Physical the year before MTV hits big. Learn more on Chartcrush 1981!

MTV breaks its Rock format to air Michael Jackson vids under threat by CBS and accusations of racism, and becomes Pop’s new gravitational center post-AM Top40. Learn more on Chartcrush 1983!

Whitney Houston blitzes the charts as Hip-Hop, Glam Metal and The Bangles score big and music’s benefit streak peaks with a #1 charity single for AIDS research. Learn more on Chartcrush 1986!

Euro-Disco and Paula Abdul arrive as the Cold War ends, Teen Pop peaks, Milli Vanilli lip-syncs and some of Boomerdom’s top acts score their final big hits. Learn more on Chartcrush 1989!

The Walkman fuels a fitness craze but dooms music on AM as Top 40 moves to FM. MTV subs triple and launch a “Second British Invasion” of New Wave and Synthpop. Learn more on Chartcrush 1982!

The “visual sizzle” of music video defines the look and sound of the ’80s, soundtracks yield multiple hits, veteran acts relaunch and Prince floods the zone. Learn more on Chartcrush 1984!

A “free-for-all” after Disco implodes! Michael Jackson survives but Bee Gees and Chic retreat to the producer’s booth as Rock, AC and New Wave fill the vacuum. Learn more on Chartcrush 1980!

Glam metal arrives on the pop charts but Gen-X genres are pushing at the ramparts on MTV’s 120 Minutes, Yo! MTV Raps and Headbanger’s Ball. Learn more on Chartcrush 1987!