An Introduction and 80's Musical Autobiography

» orbitgal68 - Don't Forget the Funk

It never surprises me that many people who review and claim to love '80's music always only seem to focus on one aspect of it...metal and new wave. What about the huge funk movement? R&B? They were huge as well in the '80's...especially one recent inductee into the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame...PRINCE! How can this be? Please do some articles on great funk and R&B bands of the '80's as they were essential to a lot of the inspiration behind the new wave tribal sounds of Bow Wow Wow, Culture Club, and Thompson Twins...maybe even more.

-- posted by orbitgal68

Permalink Print Discussion Join the latest discussions

» hoopstar - Re: Don't Forget the Funk

In response to message posted by orbitgal68:

You're right. Many focus on the rock of the eighties probably because it was before rap and hip hop had really taken over pop music. The eighties and was the last great era of rock music. Of course rap, funk and r&b has now become the dominant force. If you're not into that scene you have two choices; reminisce about 80's rock or go listen to Country. So there's your answer.

I can practically count the number of great rock acts from the 90's on one hand. Nirvana, Goo Goo Dolls, Garbage, Radiohead, No Doubt, Matchbox 20 and a few others. They're a dying breed. In the 80's there was a new rock band everyday. I do miss 'em.

Back to your point, 80's funk had Cameo, Klymaxx , Rick James, Kool and The Gang, RFTW, Gap Band, Michael Jackson at his peak and many others. Their legacy carries on and can be heard in acts like Outkast, Nellie andCoolio.

Unless your name is Sting or Bono it just aint cool to be an 80's rocker anymore. Or so I thought. Lately there's been a big swing back to the stripped down, underground, garage band sound of the late 70's early 80's. The White Stripes, The Vines, The Strokes all evoke images of old school punk. Other new bands like Interpol, Jet, Rooney, Jimmy Eat World, Hot Hot Heat and The Yeah Yeah Yeahs are heavily influenced by New Wave. Listen to "Shakin'" by Rooney and tell me if you don't hear The Cars in there.

When all is said and done the following original "New Wavers" are still out there rocking and releasing new music:

Echo & the Bunnymen
Cure
The Go-Go's
U2
New Order
Blondie
Depeche Mode
R.E.M.
Brian Setzer
Psychedelic Furs
Elvis Costello
Billy Idol
Pet Shop Boys
Social Distortion
The Bangles
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Joe Strummer
Sparks
Annie Lennox
The Pretenders
David Byrne
Soft Cell
The Church
Bad Religion
Morrissey
Descendents
Aimee Mann
Sting

By my count there's more of them still around than than bands of the 90's!

-- posted by hoopstar

Permalink Print Discussion Join the latest discussions