a-ha
Norwegian pop trio a-ha, known for their iconic 1985 single ‘Take on Me,’ made a global impact with their debut album ‘Hunting High and Low.’ This album and its hit song reached the top of charts worldwide, with the animated music video boasting over two billion views. Domestically, a-ha achieved remarkable success, securing eight number one albums and two number two albums in Norway. Notable milestones include platinum certifications in Europe for ‘Scoundrel Days’ (1986) and ‘Stay on These Roads’ (1988), featuring ‘The Living Daylights,’ the theme song for a James Bond film. After a brief hiatus following ‘Memorial Beach’ in 1993, a-ha returned with a series of successful albums such as ‘Minor Earth Major Sky’ (2000), ‘Analogue’ (2005), and ‘Foot of the Mountain’ (2009), marking a synth-pop revival. Despite disbanding in 2010, the trio reunited for a tour in Brazil in 2015 and subsequently released ‘Cast in Steel’ in September, followed by ‘True North’ in 2022.
Founded in 1982 by Paul Waaktaar-Savoy and Magne Furuholmen, along with vocalist Morten Harket, a-ha emerged from the duo Bridges to form a distinctive synth-pop group in Norway. The band’s breakthrough came with the 1985 hit ‘Take on Me,’ which underwent multiple versions before soaring to number one in the U.K. and number two in the U.S., propelled by its pioneering music video. Subsequent successes included ‘The Sun Always Shines on T.V.’ and the album ‘Hunting High and Low,’ setting the stage for a more mature sound on ‘Scoundrel Days’ in 1986. The band’s dynamic blend of romantic synth-pop and rock elements earned critical acclaim, especially with tracks like ‘I’ve Been Losing You’ and ‘Cry Wolf.’ Expanding globally, a-ha contributed to the iconic James Bond film ‘The Living Daylights’ and continued to captivate audiences with albums like ‘Memorial Beach,’ ‘Minor Earth Major Sky,’ and ‘Lifelines’ throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.
Throughout their illustrious career, a-ha defied genre boundaries and evolving music trends, showcasing their versatility and enduring appeal. Honored by music legends like the Everly Brothers for their rendition of ‘Crying in the Rain,’ a-ha’s discography spans a wide spectrum of styles, from dance-influenced tracks to heartfelt ballads. Their landmark releases, including ‘East of the Sun, West of the Moon’ and ‘Foot of the Mountain,’ underscore the band’s evolving sound and enduring creativity. Embracing acoustic interpretations and unconventional performances, a-ha’s MTV Unplugged session on the island of Giske in 2017 exemplified their adaptability and artistic depth. With the release of ‘True North’ in 2022, a-ha continues to push boundaries and redefine the synth-pop genre, solidifying their legacy as pioneers in the music industry.
Belinda Carlisle
The Go-Go’s, one of the most popular all-female bands to emerge from the punk/new wave scene of the late ’70s and early ’80s, temporarily disbanded in 1985, leading Belinda Carlisle to pursue a successful solo career. Known for her distinctive soprano voice, Carlisle made a remarkable transition from a new wave rocker to a polished adult contemporary pop singer. Her debut solo album, ‘Belinda,’ released in 1986, featured the hit song ‘Mad About You,’ followed by chart-topping singles like ‘Heaven Is a Place on Earth’ and ‘I Get Weak.’ The success continued with her second album, ‘Heaven on Earth,’ and the 1989 release ‘Runaway Horses,’ solidifying Carlisle’s place in music history. Despite a slower pace in the ’90s, Carlisle’s music resonated with audiences, both as a solo artist and during occasional reunions with The Go-Go’s. Her musical journey culminated in the 2017 release of her eighth solo album, ‘Wilder Shoes,’ while The Go-Go’s were honored with induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2021.
Belinda Jo Carlisle, born in Hollywood in 1958, showed early signs of musical passion influenced by bands like The Beach Boys, The Animals, and The Stylistics. After a rebellious phase in her teens and a brief stint with the L.A. punk band The Germs, Carlisle co-founded The Go-Go’s in 1978, later achieving fame with hits like ‘We Got the Beat’ and ‘Our Lips Are Sealed.’ The band’s success led to a record deal and the release of their debut album, ‘Beauty and the Beat,’ which topped charts and went platinum. Carlisle’s solo career took off with albums like ‘Belinda’ and ‘Heaven on Earth,’ paving the way for hits such as ‘Heaven Is a Place on Earth’ and ‘I Get Weak.’ While The Go-Go’s disbanded in 1985, Carlisle continued to thrive as a solo artist, with albums like ‘Runaway Horses’ and ‘Live Your Life Be Free’ showcasing her versatility and talent. Her diverse musical journey includes collaborations with The Go-Go’s and solo endeavors, highlighting her enduring impact on the music industry.
Chicago
Chicago is an American rock band formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1967. The group began calling themselves the Chicago Transit Authority (after the city’s mass transit agency) in 1968, then shortened the name to its current one in 1969. Self-described as a ‘rock and roll band with horns,’ their songs often also combine elements of classical music, jazz, R&B, and pop music. Growing out of several bands from the Chicago area in the late 1960s, the original line-up consisted of Peter Cetera on bass, Terry Kath on guitar, Robert Lamm on keyboards, Lee Loughnane on trumpet, James Pankow on trombone, Walter Parazaider on woodwinds, and Danny Seraphine on drums. Cetera, Kath, and Lamm shared lead vocal duties. Laudir de Oliveira joined the band as a percussionist and second drummer in 1974. Kath died in 1978 and was replaced by several guitarists in succession. Bill Champlin joined in 1981, providing vocals, keyboards, and rhythm guitar. Cetera left the band in 1985 and was replaced by Jason Scheff. Seraphine left in 1990 and was replaced by Tris Imboden. Although the band’s lineup has been more fluid since 2009, Lamm, Loughnane, and Pankow have remained constant members. Parazaider ‘officially retired’ in 2017, but is still a band member. In 2021, he revealed he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
In September 2008, Billboard ranked Chicago at number thirteen in a list of the top 100 artists of all time for Hot 100 singles chart success, and ranked them at number fifteen on that same list in October 2015. Billboard also ranked Chicago ninth on the list of the 100 greatest artists of all time in terms of Billboard 200 album chart success in October 2015. Chicago is one of the longest-running and most successful rock groups, and one of the world’s best-selling groups of all time, having sold more than 100 million records. In 1971, Chicago was the first rock act to sell out Carnegie Hall for a week. Chicago is also considered a pioneer in rock music marketing, featuring a recognizable logo on album covers, and sequentially naming their albums using roman numerals. In terms of chart success, Chicago is one of the most successful American bands in Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and Billboard history (second only to the Beach Boys), and are one of the most successful popular music acts of all time. To date, Chicago has sold over 40 million units in the U.S., with 23 gold, 18 platinum, and eight multi-platinum albums. They had five consecutive number-one albums on the Billboard 200, 20 top-ten singles on the Billboard Hot 100, and in 1974 the group had seven albums, its entire catalog at the time, on the Billboard 200 simultaneously.
The group has received ten Grammy Award nominations, winning one for the song ‘If You Leave Me Now’. The group’s first album, Chicago Transit Authority, released in 1969, was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2014. The original line-up of Chicago was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016. In 2017, Cetera, Lamm, and Pankow were elected to the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Chicago received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award on October 16, 2020.
George Michael
George Michael, the iconic British pop star of the 1980s, achieved global stardom with over 100 million albums sold worldwide. Born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou on June 25, 1963, in North London, he showed early musical talent that paved the way for his success. Starting as part of the pop duo Wham!, alongside Andrew Ridgeley, Michael quickly rose to fame with hits like “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” and “Careless Whisper.” His ambition led him to a solo career, marked by the release of his debut album, Faith, in 1987, which catapulted him to new heights of fame and success.
Transitioning into a more introspective phase, Michael released Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. 1 in 1990, showcasing a mature and personal style that resonated with audiences worldwide. Despite commercial success, Michael faced challenges with his record label, Sony, leading to a legal battle and eventually signing with DreamWorks Records and Virgin. Michael continued to evolve his music, releasing albums like Older in 1996 and experimenting with different genres and themes. His artistic journey was not without personal revelations, as he publicly addressed his sexuality and paid tribute to his late partner through his music.
Throughout his career, George Michael remained a versatile and influential figure in the music industry, collaborating with renowned artists like Elton John and Aretha Franklin. His legacy lives on through timeless hits, iconic music videos, and memorable performances that captivated audiences worldwide. Despite his untimely passing in 2016, Michael’s impact endures, with posthumous releases and tributes honoring his remarkable contributions to pop music and his enduring cultural significance.
Roxette
Roxette – Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle – came out of Sweden in the late 80’s. Their game was pop, their mission to conquer the world. With 33 chart-busting singles and total record sales exceeding 90 million, it seems safe to say “mission accomplished”. They entered the world of pop with “The Look” in 1989, followed up with the mighty ballad “Listen To Your Heart” the same year, the classic “It Must Have Been Love” in 1990, the über-platinum “Joyride” album in 1991, and their first World Tour. For the next ten years they were on top of the charts somewhere in the world, the constant flow of hit singles and albums resulting in staggering record sales.
On December 9, 2019 Marie Fredriksson’s 17 year long battle with cancer came to an end and she sadly passed away. Roxette’s legacy is forever written in the hearts of generations of music lovers around the globe; past, present and those to come.
Gwen Stefani
Gwen Stefani, the talented artist, rose to fame as the lead singer of the iconic band No Doubt, showcasing her vibrant personality and unique style. Her journey from the alternative rock hits like ‘Spiderwebs’ and ‘Don’t Speak’ to the diverse sounds of ‘Hey Baby’ and ‘Underneath It All’ highlighted her versatility and creativity. Stefani’s transition to a solo career in 2004 with the platinum album Love.Angel.Music.Baby. paved the way for chart-topping singles like ‘Hollaback Girl’ and ‘Rich Girl,’ solidifying her place in the pop music scene.
Hailing from Fullerton, California, Stefani’s musical passion ignited at a young age, influenced by bands like Madness and Fishbone. Her pivotal role in No Doubt’s journey, especially during challenging times, demonstrated her dedication and leadership. Stefani’s ability to blend genres and captivate audiences with hits like ‘Just a Girl’ and ‘Wind It Up’ showcased her artistic evolution over the years, leading to her successful solo endeavors and ventures in fashion and film.
Stefani’s impact extends beyond music, as seen in her collaborations with renowned artists like Moby and Eve, as well as her foray into television on The Voice. Her journey as a musician, fashion designer, and influencer reflects a multidimensional talent who continues to push boundaries and inspire audiences worldwide. With a legacy that spans decades, Stefani remains an influential figure in the entertainment industry, embodying creativity and passion in everything she pursues.
Nine Inch Nails
Trent Reznor and his band Nine Inch Nails were instrumental in bringing industrial rock into the mainstream in the ’90s. Hits like “Head Like a Hole,” “Closer,” and “Hurt” propelled them to the top of the charts with albums like The Downward Spiral and The Fragile. NIN, led solely by Reznor for years, welcomed Atticus Ross as the band’s second official member in 2016, leading to a prolific period with multiple film scores and new NIN projects such as Bad Witch LP and the Ghosts series.
Born in 1965 in New Castle, Pennsylvania, Trent Reznor showed an early interest in music, playing various instruments in his youth and getting inspired by rock bands like Kiss. After a brief stint with different bands, Reznor eventually formed Nine Inch Nails, which gained recognition with their debut album, Pretty Hate Machine. Reznor’s provocative and dark lyrical themes became a trademark of NIN’s early work, establishing them as a groundbreaking force in the music industry.
Throughout the years, Reznor and NIN continued to push boundaries, releasing acclaimed albums like The Downward Spiral and The Fragile. Collaborations with Atticus Ross led to further success, including Oscar-winning film scores and new NIN projects. Despite challenges and hiatuses, Reznor’s dedication to his artistry and innovation has solidified Nine Inch Nails’ legacy as an influential and iconic figure in the realm of industrial rock music.
Tony! Toni! Toné!
Tony! Toni! Toné! revolutionized the R&B scene of the 1980s and ’90s by seamlessly blending traditional gospel and classic R&B with new jack swing elements. Their music embodied a perfect fusion of vintage and modern recording techniques, incorporating live string sections and looped breakbeats to create timeless ballads and groovy dancefloor hits. The trio dominated the charts from 1988 to 1996, with multiple singles reaching the Top Ten of Billboard’s R&B/hip-hop chart, including hits like ‘Feels Good,’ ‘If I Had No Loot,’ and the Grammy-nominated ‘Anniversary.’ Their studio albums, ‘Who?’ (1988), ‘The Revival’ (1990), ‘Sons of Soul’ (1993), and ‘House of Music’ (1996), all achieved gold, platinum, or multi-platinum RIAA certifications.
Formed in Oakland in 1986, Tony! Toni! Toné! consisted of half-brothers Dwayne and Raphael Wiggins along with their cousin, Timothy Christian Riley. Starting with their debut single ‘One Night Stand,’ the group quickly made their mark in the music industry, signing with Polygram subsidiary Wing. With hits like ‘Little Walter,’ ‘Feels Good,’ and ‘It Never Rains (In Southern California),’ the Tonies’ albums garnered critical acclaim and commercial success. Despite pursuing individual projects, the band continued to create music together, producing their final album ‘House of Music’ in 1996, featuring chart-toppers like ‘Let’s Get Down.’ Post-disbandment, the members, particularly Raphael Saadiq, Dwayne Wiggins, and Timothy Riley, pursued successful solo careers and collaborations with other renowned artists.
Kid Rock
Kid Rock, the platinum-selling country rap-rocker from Detroit, rose to fame in 1998 with his album Devil Without a Cause. Hits like “Cowboy,” “Picture,” “Bawitdaba,” and “All Summer Long” defined his success. Despite initial struggles and being dropped from major label Jive after his debut, Kid Rock persevered and developed a unique persona that blended rock, hip hop, country, and heavy metal. His subsequent albums like Cocky, Rock N Roll Jesus, and Sweet Southern Sugar continued to blur musical boundaries. In 2021, he released the bold single “Don’t Tell Me How to Live,” paving the way for his 12th studio album, Bad Reputation, in 2022.
Born Bob Ritchie, Kid Rock grew up in Romeo, Michigan, before finding his passion for rap music. Inspired by acts like the Beastie Boys, he recorded his first demos in the late ’80s and eventually signed with Jive Records. After releasing his debut album, Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast, in 1990, Kid Rock’s career had its ups and downs. Moving to Brooklyn, he further explored rap-rock fusion with albums like The Polyfuze Method and Fire It Up. Returning to Detroit, Kid Rock formed his band Twisted Brown Trucker, solidifying his signature sound. Devil Without a Cause marked his breakthrough, propelling him to stardom and setting the stage for a successful musical journey that continues to evolve with each album release.
Bad Wolves
Bad Wolves is a platinum-certified band hailing from Los Angeles, consisting of John Boecklin on drums, Daniel “DL” Laskiewicz as the lead vocalist, Doc Coyle on lead guitar and backing vocals, Max Karon on guitar, and Kyle Konkiel on bass and backing vocals. This unconventional band sets themselves apart by pushing the limits of hard rock with intense heaviness, mysterious experimentation, and captivating melodies. They have a history of defying norms, as evidenced by their arrival in 2018 like a bolt of lightning, bringing a fresh and powerful energy to the heavy music scene. Their debut album, Disobey, soared to the Top 25 of the Billboard 200, producing both a platinum and a gold single. Their follow-up album N.A.T.I.O.N. in 2019 continued their momentum, leading to the 2021 release of Dear Monsters with the hit track “Lifeline” securing their sixth #1 spot on Active Rock Radio. With accolades from Billboard and Hysteria, Bad Wolves are recognized for their groundbreaking sound and monumental impact, nearing a staggering 1 billion streams and selling out headline shows worldwide while touring with renowned bands like Papa Roach, Hollywood Undead, and Volbeat.
Read MoreNOTHING MORE
NOTHING MORE combines the cerebral and sublime. The music Jonny Hawkins, Mark Vollelunga, Daniel Oliver, and Ben Anderson make together is primal, elemental, and even carnal. Their foundation is heady and heavy, filled with creative nuance that rewards repeated listens, while the catchy hooks always soar, intertwined in a delicious dance between accessibility and experimentation. They’ve already earned three GRAMMY nominations and two gold plaques along the journey. 2022’s SPIRITS, which produced songs like “YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT LOVE MEANS” and the Top 5 smash “TIRED OF WINNING,” indulged the outer edges of NOTHING MORE’s esoteric leanings without sacrificing melody. Two years later, CARNAL brings them full circle with focused precision. CARNAL harkens to their breakthrough 2014 self-titled set and the bombastic energy of songs like “This is the Time (Ballast),” while powerful interludes and trippy transitions anchor it all together. If SPIRTS was water, CARNAL is fire. NOTHING MORE sound biting, visceral, and in-your-face. Kerrang! named NOTHING MORE one of 22 Artists Shaping the Future of Rock, alongside Nine Inch Nails, Twenty One Pilots, and Bring Me The Horizon. And frontman Hawkins, who met guitarist Vollelunga before they were old enough to drive, appeared with Billie Joe Armstrong, Dave Grohl, and Hayley Williams in the English tastemaker’s Top 50 Greatest Rockstars in the World. Built to last, here to stay.
Read MoreBobby Brown
One of the brightest R&B stars of the late ’80s and early ’90s, Bobby Brown was the performer who popularized new jack swing, a blend of classic soul, synth-funk, and hip-hop rhythms that often featured rap breaks in between the conventionally melodic verses and choruses. Guy’s Teddy Riley may have been new jack’s greatest innovator, but Brown was its greatest hitmaker, crossing over to pop audiences with his blockbuster Don’t Be Cruel album and thus making new jack swing the dominant trend in R&B through the early ’90s (which, in turn, helped kick-start the solo careers of his former bandmates in New Edition). As R&B tastes changed, Brown became better known for his private life than his music; a sometimes rocky marriage to Whitney Houston and a series of run-ins with the law kept him in the tabloid headlines for most of the ’90s and 2000s, even though he wasn’t actually recording much music.
Brown was born February 5, 1969, in Boston, and began singing with Roxbury schoolmates Michael Bivins and Ricky Bell in 1978. The group developed into New Edition and, after a few talent show wins, was discovered by producer Maurice Starr. Starr signed the group to his label and co-authored its debut hit, ‘Candy Girl,’ which helped get New Edition a deal with MCA. After a few years of teen stardom, Brown longed to move on to an adult solo career, and left New Edition in 1986. He released his debut solo album, King of Stage, in 1987, and while it didn’t make a name for Brown as a pop star, it did spawn a major R&B hit in the ballad ‘Girlfriend.’ Overall, though King of Stage gave little indication that Brown was about to become a breakout star on the cutting edge of modern R&B.
For his follow-up, Brown sought a more distinctive musical identity in the budding new jack swing movement. He enlisted the emerging production/songwriting team of L.A. Reid and Babyface to handle the majority of the record, with new jack pioneer Teddy Riley coming onboard in a limited capacity as well. The result, Don’t Be Cruel, was a state-of-the-art, star-making affair. Released in the summer of 1988, the record produced Brown’s first pop Top Ten hit in the title track, but really started to take off when the driving statement of purpose ‘My Prerogative’ went all the way to number one toward the end of the year (and managed to work the word ‘prerogative’ into a catchy hook). From there, Don’t Be Cruel just kept spinning off hits: the ballad ‘Roni,’ the dance tune ‘Every Little Step’ (which showed off Brown’s rapping skills), and another ballad, ‘Rock Wit’cha,’ all hit the Top Ten in 1989, with the former two both making it all the way to number three. Don’t Be Cruel topped the album charts and sold a whopping seven million copies, making Brown a superstar.