100+ Influential Rock Bands of the 1980s

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Learn how these bands and the rock genre impacted music forever
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The 1980s was a decade when rock and roll music really came into its own for the first time. Artists started experimenting with different styles and new genres emerged. If you're curious about the evolution of today's music, the '80s is a good place to start. Read on to get to know the biggest rock bands of the '80s and listen to some of their most important songs from the decade. Then, stick around to learn how the '80s forever expanded the musical landscape.

Biggest Rock Bands of the '80s

  • Rock and hard rock bands: Queen, Guns N' Roses, Journey, Heart
  • Metal bands: Metallica, Anthrax, Mötley Crüe
  • Pop and soft rock bands: The Bangles, Chicago, Fleetwood Mac
  • Punk and post-punk bands: The Ramones, The Clash, The Cure
  • New wave bands: Tears for Fears, Devo, Depeche Mode
Section 1 of 12:

‘80s Rock and Roll Bands

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  1. 1
    Queen In the '80s, the AIDS crisis was exploding around the globe. Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of Queen, became the face of the growing LGBT+ movement. The band played record-breaking outdoor concerts, including the legendary Live Aid performance at Wembley Stadium. [1]
  2. 2
    Bon Jovi Bon Jovi rocketed onto the scene. The band's first big gig was opening for ZZ Top at Madison Square Garden in 1983—less than a year after the band started. [2]
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  3. 3
    Foreigner Foreigner's music has an enduring popularity, with the band's biggest hits from the '80s continuing to top the streaming charts. These Rock & Roll Hall of Famers charted multiple Top 10s and were virtually inescapable in the '80s. [3]
  4. 4
    Journey Although Journey formed and had hits in the '70s, it was in the '80s when the band really hit the height of their success and fame. The band is best known for its power ballads that stand the test of time. [4]
  5. 5
    U2 U2 exploded in the '80s with awards and accolades that would pave the way for the band to become a household name in the '90s and beyond. While the band has had top ten hits in every decade of its existence, it had 5 in the '80s to cement its place in rock and roll history. [5]
  6. 6
    REO Speedwagon While REO Speedwagon was already pretty well known by the time the '80s rolled around, the decade marked a switch from a harder sound to lighter, more pop-friendly music. The lighter sound gained REO Speedwagon a new generation of fans. [6]
  7. 7
    The Police The popularity of The Police in the '80s had US rock and roll magazine Rolling Stone talking about a second British invasion. In the '80s, new wave was all the rage, and The Police managed to bridge the gap between traditional rock and roll and new wave. [7]
  8. 8
    ZZ Top The members of ZZ Top might've been unlikely pop stars in the '80s, with their long, white beards, but their retooled modern sound was a hit with the MTV crowd. Their decision to add synthesizers and drum machines to their sound helped them attract this new young audience that would follow them for decades to come. [8]
  9. 9
    Aerosmith Aerosmith's popularity in the '80s hinged on a trilogy of music videos featuring Alicia Silverstone and lead singer Steven Tyler's daughter Liv Tyler. While these flamboyant rock stars were already famous when the '80s rolled around, these videos introduced them to a new generation of teenagers who were ready to rock. [9]
  10. 10
    Dire Straits Dire Straits name-dropped MTV when MTV was just taking off. They also managed to really understand what a music video needed to be, producing some of the most popular and enduring videos of the decade.
  11. 11
    Cheap Trick Although the band struggled in the early part of the decade, Cheap Trick ultimately became one of the most recognizable power pop bands of all time—probably because their record label recommended they sit down with a professional songwriter and polish up their tunes. The result was their first #1. [10]
  12. 12
    The Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones have arguably been one of the world's biggest rock bands for as long as rock music has been a thing, and the '80s are no exception. The Stones had more than a dozen Billboard Top 10 hits during the decade. [11]
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Section 2 of 12:

‘80s Hard Rock Bands

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  1. 1
    Guns N' Roses When Guns N' Roses hit the scene in the mid-'80s, they brought a punk attitude and metal sound to mainstream hard rock and changed the genre forever. The band was just as well known for their over-the-top rockstar lifestyle that frequently landed lead singer Axl Rose in jail. [12]
  2. 2
    AC/DC Australian rockers AC/DC blasted onto the world rock scene in the '70s and haven't stopped rocking people's faces off since, selling over 200 million records. They're also considered a huge influence on the second wave of metal music in Europe. [13]
  3. 3
    Van Halen Van Halen's debut album was widely considered to be one of the greatest hard rock debut albums of all time, and the band continued to change the shape and sound of hard rock for decades to come. Van Halen is widely credited with reinvigorating hard rock and returning it to a central place in American music culture. [14]
  4. 4
    Whitesnake The story of Whitesnake is the story of David Coverdale, an English musician who left Deep Purple in the '70s to branch out on his own. His solo project would become Whitesnake and help define the hard rock sound of the '80s.
  5. 5
    Def Leppard In the '80s, Def Leppard brought British heavy metal to the hard rock scene and became one of the most commercially successful bands of all time. [15] Their best selling record of the '80s, Hysteria , sold a whopping 25 million copies worldwide. [16]
  6. 6
    Scorpions Although German hard rock band Scorpions had been around for a while when the '80s hit, this was the decade when the band produced some of their biggest hits and really made a name for themselves as titans of hard rock. Their music speaks to the realities of living in a divided Germany after World War II, followed by the fall of the Berlin Wall and reunification. [17]
  7. 7
    Heart Heart had already risen and fallen in the '70s, but the '80s gave this women-led hard rock band a second chance at fame and made them legendary. A simple shift of style to soften some of the edges and embrace a poppier sound gave this female-led band the greatest hits of their career. [18]
  8. 8
    Survivor Thanks to the commercial success of the movie Rocky , Survivor became one of the most successful bands of the '80s and pioneered the sound that would become arena rock. After all, it's unlikely you've been to a sporting event anytime since the '80s and not heard Eye of the Tiger .
  9. 9
    Europe This Swedish rock band's first two albums made a small splash on the continent the band was named after. But Europe really exploded onto the global scene with album #3 and a song that continues to be played every time something, somewhere, is almost ending.
  10. 10
    Kiss There's no question that Kiss changed the face and sound of hard rock music forever—and in the '80s, the bandmates revealed their real faces for the first time. The band also opened the music world's eyes to the possibilities of merch. [19]
  11. 11
    Loverboy This Canadian band produced some of the party and arena anthems of the '80s, songs you probably still rock out to today. Loverboy songs are the essence of party rock—relatively inoffensive odes to having a good time. [20]
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Section 3 of 12:

‘80s Heavy Metal Bands

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  1. 1
    Metallica You can't talk about heavy metal music without talking about Metallica, who burst on the scene in 1981 and never left. Metallica was heavily influenced by bands from the new wave of British heavy metal, including Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, and Motörhead. [21]
  2. 2
    Judas Priest It could be argued that Judas Priest invented heavy metal, and they'd certainly been around for a while when the '80s came around, but that didn't stop them from dropping some huge hits and influencing the style of metal musicians to come. The band also showed a quick mastery of the new medium of the music video, which helped introduce them to a new generation of fans. [22]
  3. 3
    Iron Maiden Iron Maiden pioneered what's been called the new wave of British heavy metal. In the '80s, the band hit mainstream success with The Number of the Beast , one of the best-selling heavy metal albums of all time. Both the album and the band are cited as an influence by almost every metal musician to come after. [23]
  4. 4
    Dio Ronnie James Dio left Black Sabbath in 1982 to form Dio and produce some of the most popular metal songs of all time. Dio's theatrical vocals and operatic style would inspire metal vocalists for decades to follow. [24]
  5. 5
    Quiet Riot Quiet Riot was perhaps the first metal band to top the pop charts, opening up the genre to legions of new fans. The band also instinctively embraced MTV and music videos, endearing them to younger metalheads. [25]
  6. 6
    Black Sabbath Many people credit Black Sabbath with creating the heavy metal genre and sound, and they took it into overdrive in the '80s. With Ozzy Osbourne back as the lead singer, the band continued to rock (and also shock people with their over-the-top stage antics). [26]
  7. 7
    Sepultura Sepultura are considered pioneers of the global metal scene. The band broke in the mid-80s and didn't let up for 40 years. The heavy bass grooves of Sepultura's sound introduced a more bluesy sound to traditional heavy metal. [27]
  8. 8
    Manowar Born at the dawn of the decade, Manowar brought lyrics based on fantasy and mythology to the heavy metal realm. Their elaborate stage shows and lyrical storylines paved the way for fantastical metal bands to come. [28]
  9. 9
    Diamond Head Diamond Head started in the '70s and became one of the most influential British metal bands, despite not getting a lot of airplay in the US due to their desire to remain independent of the major record labels. For many American artists, they're the band another musician raved to them about. [29]
  10. 10
    Accept A heavy metal band from what was then West Germany, Accept paved the way for a lot of thrash and speed metal bands coming up in the late '80s and early '90s. While the band name might not be very well-known, its sound definitely is.
  11. 11
    Savatage Savatage represented a transition from heavy metal to progressive metal, using metal guitars in front of epic backdrops of sound. Ultimately, members of the band went on to launch the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, everyone's favorite holiday tradition. [30]
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Section 4 of 12:

‘80s Thrash/Speed Metal Bands

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  1. 1
    Motörhead Motörhead developed a reputation for bringing diverse listeners together under one umbrella, and that umbrella was heavy and loud. The band not only paved the way for metal musicians to come, but also created crossover opportunities among its diverse listeners. [31]
  2. 2
    Megadeth David Mustaine left Metallica in the early '80s to form Megadeth and never looked back, putting out the fastest and heaviest music he could. Mustaine actually draws inspiration from diverse genres such as punk and jazz, which adds musical depth to the band's songs. [32]
  3. 3
    Venom This British metal band is credited with the creation of black metal and contributed a lot to the evolution of global thrash and speed metal. Even though they were contemporaries, these musicians were also influences and inspirations for many of the bands on this list. [33]
  4. 4
    Slayer Slayer's third album, Reign in Blood , which came out in 1986, might be one of the most influential thrash metal albums of all time. The band's signature fast tempo and aggressive vocals have infiltrated the style of many metal bands to follow.
  5. 5
    Anthrax Anthrax was yet another band that helped launch the thrash metal genre in American metal in the 1980s, as well as many subgenres that branched out later. Anthrax's collaboration with Public Enemy is also credited as bringing rap and metal together, opening the door to rap-metal and nu-metal in the '90s. [34]
  6. 6
    Exodus Exodus broke out in the mid-80s alongside some of the biggest names in thrash metal and is still considered one of the greatest thrash metal bands of all time. While the band didn't break a lot of records or have songs at the top of the charts, they're continually cited as a foundational influence on the genre. [35]
  7. 7
    Testament This Bay Area band is considered one of the most influential pioneers of thrash metal music in the US, breaking out in the '80s. Testament is known for their particularly complex music and nuanced lyrics. [36]
  8. 8
    Death Angel Death Angel is a Filipino-American thrash metal band that burst onto the Bay Area metal scene in the '80s. Even without significant mainstream success, its members are widely considered pioneers of thrash metal.
  9. 9
    Kreator German thrash metal band Kreator rose to popularity in the late '80s, just as traditional thrash metal was starting to give way to the grunge sound. Kreator was particularly influential in the growing thrash metal scene and is credited with helping pioneer death metal and black metal.
  10. 10
    Anvil These Toronto metalheads are perhaps best known for their many comparisons to Spinal Tap , but they're also considered really influential among metal aficionados. Many of Anvil's song titles include some sort of pun or double meaning related to the band's name. [37]
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Section 5 of 12:

‘80s Glam Metal Bands

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  1. 1
    Twisted Sister Twisted Sister might've created the concept of glam metal in the '70s. They certainly brought it into the '80s, complete with lots of makeup, glitter, and sparkle. Their bombastic videos encouraged rebellious teenagers to let loose. [38]
  2. 2
    Mötley Crüe With their hedonistic lifestyles and androgynous looks, it's no wonder the boys of Mötley Crüe became the kings of glam rock in the '80s. The band frequently showcased their glamorous rock-and-roll lifestyle in videos on MTV.
  3. 3
    Poison Poison started playing gigs in dive bars and ended up being one of the most influential glam metal bands of all time, with huge hits in the '80s. Their music is all about partying with lyrics that can get more than a little naughty. [39]
  4. 4
    Dokken Hailing from Los Angeles, Dokken is considered one of the pioneering glam metal bands of the '80s and helped define the look and feel of the genre. Dokken's soaring, theatrical guitar solos pushed the lead guitar to centerstage.
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Section 6 of 12:

‘80s Pop/Soft Rock Bands

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  1. 1
    The Bangles You practically couldn't go anywhere in the '80s without hearing the melodic pop hits of this great girl group. The band was vaulted to success, in part, by its popular videos on the new cable network MTV.
  2. 2
    The Go-Go's This all-female pop rock band emerged from the Los Angeles punk scene and took over the airwaves in the '80s and broke barriers with their monster hits. At a time when most girl groups relied on professional songwriters, the members of the Go-Go's wrote and composed all of their music themselves. [40]
  3. 3
    Chicago If you like your rock soft and smooth with a tinge of jazz flavoring, you'll understand why Chicago (the band, not the city) became so popular in the '80s. Described as "a rock band with a horn section," Chicago opened the door to more non-traditional instruments in a rock band's lineup.
  4. 4
    Boston This arena rock band from Boston, Massachusetts (where else?) blasted onto the scene to become one of the most popular bands of all time. Boston is largely credited with helping create the hard-rocking bubblegum music that would come to be known as power pop.
  5. 5
    America America is a band that, ironically, started in London, England in 1970. While their most iconic hits came in the '70s, they were still coming in strong through the '80s. The band's lasting legacy continues to influence folk-rock groups into the 21st century.
  6. 6
    Fleetwood Mac While Fleetwood Mac is primarily considered a '70s band, they experienced a resurgence in popularity in the '80s following the release of their greatest hits and live albums. The '80s would mark the first of several decades when a new generation would rediscover the music of Fleetwood Mac.
  7. 7
    Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers Not only did these Indiana musicians produce some of the greatest and most memorable songs of the decade, they also pioneered heartland rock. The band is known for its authenticity and lyrics that resonate with working-class Americans.
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Section 7 of 12:

‘80s Progressive/Psychedelic Rock Bands

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  1. 1
    Rush These pioneers of progressive rock had been around long before the '80s, but you might argue that the '80s were when the world became ready for progressive rock. Though typically considered musicians' musicians , Rush actually managed to gain a little mainstream popularity in the '80s, before slinking back into obscurity.
  2. 2
    Yes Universally acknowledged as prog rock pioneers, Yes is known for its epic masterpieces that take an entire side of vinyl—although the band's biggest hits in the '80s were a lot shorter than that. [41]
  3. 3
    Marillion This British prog rock band emerged out of the British post-punk scene to kind of form a bridge between the punk scene and classic prog rock. Their fusion of styles and genre-bending sound would go on to inspire later experimental bands, including Radiohead. [42]
  4. 4
    Asia Asia is a British prog rock supergroup, destined to become one of the most commercially successful bands of the '80s, which is exactly what they did. Although they didn't necessarily achieve critical acclaim, they achieved a level of commercial success that's rare for a prog rock band. [43]
  5. 5
    Krokus Swiss prog rockers Krokus surprised the world with how hard a band named after flowers could rock, pumping out a number of chart-toppers and sealing their spot as rock royalty. And if you've ever seen the movie Rocky Horror Picture Show , you're likely familiar with one of the band's biggest hits. [44]
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Section 8 of 12:

‘80s Alternative Rock Bands

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  1. 1
    R.E.M. While most people think of R.E.M. as more of a '90s band, they started in the '80s and did a lot to pioneer alternative rock within the college music scene in Athens, Georgia. By the end of the '80s, they'd established a network of bars and venues throughout the southeast dedicated to the burgeoning alternative music scene. [45]
  2. 2
    Siouxsie and the Banshees Siouxsie and the Banshees emerged out of the London punk scene and made a name for themselves before pioneering the alt rock sound in the '80s and '90s. These genre-bending musicians are also credited with helping to invent goth music. [46]
  3. 3
    The Smiths While The Smiths weren't active for very long, they managed to produce some hits and change the sound and tone of post-punk music, setting the stage for the alt rock sound that would emerge. They're also considered pioneers of indie rock, inspiring generations of bands to come. [47]
  4. 4
    Primal Scream Founded in Glasgow, Scotland during its decline in the '80s, Primal Scream brought punk politics to a grungier, alternative vibe. The band's biggest contribution to the scene was their ability to fuse so many diverse styles together into one cohesive sound. [48]
  5. 5
    Red Hot Chili Peppers The Chili Peppers found their biggest fame in the '90s, but they also had some pretty big hits in the '80s and solidified their brand of California-tinged alternative rock. You might say their music and lyrics were a little wackier in the '80s. When they became a little more polished in the '90s, they found commercial success.
  6. 6
    Sonic Youth Apart from the overall alternative sound, Sonic Youth really helped get noise rock off the ground. The band became known for combining pretty and ugly in really sonically interesting ways, such as a soaring, dreamy vocal over grinding guitars.
  7. 7
    Dinosaur Jr. Dinosaur Jr. is a Boston band that re-centered the lead guitar in rock music, a sound that greatly influenced alternative music in the next decade. They were essentially indie rock before indie rock existed. [49]
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Section 9 of 12:

‘80s Punk Rock/Hardcore/Folk Punk Bands

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  1. 1
    Bad Brains Legendary D.C. hardcore band Bad Brains produced some of the most recognizable punk songs of the era. Their presence in the punk scene as a Black punk band reinforced the inclusive nature of the punk scene. [50]
  2. 2
    Hüsker Dü Hüsker Dü broke out as real working-class punk music at a time when there wasn't much around. By the end of the '80s, the band had transitioned to alternative rock, but still held fast to their working-class roots and never "sold out" for a more polished sound that could have brought them greater commercial success. [51]
  3. 3
    The Replacements After two punk rock albums, The Replacements spent the better part of the '80s pioneering alternative rock (no big deal). The look and feel of what would become the alternative rock scene in the '90s was defined by The Replacements in the late '80s.
  4. 4
    Black Flag Black Flag might just be the most influential American hardcore band, both prolific and short-lived, although members went on to other projects. There's likely not an American punk rocker alive who hasn't listened to Black Flag, making them an essential American group. [52]
  5. 5
    The Mekons The Mekons are one of the most prolific and long-standing British punk bands out there, with plenty of hits in the '80s. While The Mekons aren't as well-known as many of the bands they've influenced, they've developed a rabid cult following that's carried them through to the present day.
  6. 6
    Dead Kennedys The Dead Kennedys practically defined the sound of American punk through their first few releases. They burst on the scene and split pretty quickly after that (not even finishing out the decade), but they left a crater in their wake that permanently changed the landscape of American punk.
  7. 7
    D.O.A. Hailing from Vancouver, this Canadian band is often considered among the founders of hardcore punk. While they didn't have a lot of commercial success, they're known for their political activism and commitment to social justice.
  8. 8
    The Ramones You can't talk about American punk music without talking about The Ramones, one of the most influential punk groups of all time. What they didn't achieve in terms of commercial success, they made up for in cultural impact.
  9. 9
    The Clash The Clash became one of the most iconic political protest bands of the '80s, sparking controversy with their unorthodox approach to the music business. But their music, a chaotic fusion of everything from reggae to funk to jazz, inspired generations to come. [53]
  10. 10
    Misfits Although the Misfits were only active in the first few years of the decade, the band had an immense influence on the hardcore punk scene. The band is frequently credited as the inventor of horror punk because of their use of horror movie themes in lyrics.
  11. 11
    Operation Ivy While Op Ivy wasn't around for long, the band had a really outsized influence on the punk scene, with musicians citing their inspiration decades later. This is the '80s punk band your punk friend tells you about.
  12. 12
    Minor Threat Another short-lived punk band, Minor Threat also managed to build a reputation that carried them far further than the 3 years they were active. Minor Threat is also credited with pioneering the "Straight Edge" movement. [54]
  13. 13
    The Pogues These pioneers of folk punk burst onto the scene in the '80s with some of the most recognizable hits of all time. The band's unique blend of punk music played on traditional Celtic instruments is their enduring contribution to the genre.
  14. 14
    Violent Femmes This pioneering folk punk band came out of nowhere (actually, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin) with an album full of some of the most iconic songs that land in every generation. The Violent Femmes might just be every teenager's favorite band at some point.
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Section 10 of 12:

‘80s Post-Punk/Gothic Rock/Shoegaze Bands

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  1. 1
    Bauhaus Bauhaus teetered on the edge between goth and glam, creating their own brooding, glittering sound. If you're interested in how the shoegaze genre got its start, Bauhaus is a great band for you to check out. [55]
  2. 2
    The Cure Pioneers of the goth scene, The Cure had their biggest mainstream hits in the '90s, but developed a loyal core following in the '80s. The band's interesting blend of emotional depth with earwormy pop hooks provided inspiration for artists in many subgenres to develop out of the post-punk scene.
  3. 3
    Love and Rockets After Bauhaus, 3 of the former members formed Love and Rockets to pick up where they left off. While the band achieved more critical than commercial success, it is continually cited for its profound influence on the post-punk and alternative rock genres.
  4. 4
    Cocteau Twins The Cocteau Twins was formed by teenage runaways in rural Scotland. Within months, their music would be heard all over the world. Their signature, layered sounds create a sonic environment around you and inspired similar soundscapes in shoegaze. [56]
  5. 5
    My Bloody Valentine If you like your early post-punk with a bit of an Irish lilt, My Bloody Valentine might be your cup of tea. They're also considered pioneers of the shoegaze genre. [57]
  6. 6
    Killing Joke The band emerged from the post-punk with a style closer to industrial that would inspire artists for generations to come, including Nine Inch Nails and Nirvana. While they didn't have a lot of commercial success, it's likely that your favorite musicians have heard them—and might even cite them as an influence. [58]
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Section 11 of 12:

‘80s New Wave Rock Bands

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  1. 1
    Tears for Fears This band seemed destined to be legendary from the very start, releasing an iconic single off their debut album that still resonates with listeners today. Their introspective, thought-provoking lyrics have also proven to stand the test of time. [59]
  2. 2
    New Order You wouldn't think a rock band would set the dance floor on fire, but New Order did exactly that in the '80s with their blend of post-punk rock and synth-pop that was also iconically new wave. As much as their music was all over the map, they've also been an inspiration for countless musicians across nearly every genre.
  3. 3
    The Psychedelic Furs The Psychedelic Furs are perhaps best known for their song that was featured in the John Hughes film of the same name. The band is perhaps the perfect '80s band, given their even blend of punk, new wave, rock, and pop to create that iconic '80s sound.
  4. 4
    Duran Duran In the mid-'80s, this British pop-rock band was causing mobs of fans on par with The Beatles at their peak. They cornered the American market through MTV, and their successful music videos helped usher in the second British music invasion.
  5. 5
    A Flock of Seagulls This band is likely more well-known for their hair than for their music, but they had a substantial impact on new wave music in the '80s. While they weren't super-successful commercially, their synth-pop sound became emblematic of the '80s. [60]
  6. 6
    A-ha This Norwegian synth-pop band came out swinging with huge global hits on their debut album, leaving a deep impact on the new wave scene. While perceived as a one-hit wonder in the U.S., they actually had numerous hits in Europe and elsewhere.
  7. 7
    Echo & the Bunnymen Even though they didn't achieve quite as much commercial success as other new wave bands, many musicians count Echo & the Bunnymen among the best bands ever. Their textured, layered sound influenced countless musicians to come. [61]
  8. 8
    Devo Despite having once been paid to stop playing, Devo produced some of the most iconic and well-known songs of the '80s. Their weird and compelling music videos, on heavy rotation on MTV, helped skyrocket these Ohio rockers to fame. [62]
  9. 9
    The Cars The Cars merged guitar-centered American rock-and-roll with synth-driven new wave to create some of the biggest bangers of the '80s. Their signature blend of pop sensibilities and melodic lyrics over a driving bass line would influence generations of alternative rock musicians.
  10. 10
    Simple Minds Another band that broke into the big time in the '80s thanks to having a song of theirs featured on the soundtrack to a John Hughes movie—this one, Breakfast Club . Simple Minds' music influenced some of the biggest names in electronic rock in the '90s and beyond.
  11. 11
    Depeche Mode Depeche Mode's signature sound took new wave synth rock into full-blown electronic rock territory with some huge hits in the '80s. The band had a crucial impact on normalizing the use of synthesizers and other electronic elements in mainstream rock music.
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Section 12 of 12:

'80s Rock History

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  1. 1
    The '80s saw the further diversification of rock and roll. The '80s continued a trend that had begun in the '70s—rock and roll kept splintering off into different groups, or subgenres. The subgenres differ in terms of their tone, style, and lyrical content—although in practice, a lot of bands could fit comfortably in several different subgenres. [63]
    • For example, post-punk developed out of punk music and features a more polished, layered sound. Gothic rock, in turn, developed out of post-punk and features songs with gothic or macabre content.
    • As artists began listening to and experimenting with different styles of music, various subgenres emerged. Pioneering bands were often just experimentalists who happened to do something people liked that no one had ever done before.
  2. 2
    Rock bands became more focused on their visual presentation. MTV, primarily, gave bands a new way to market their sound and reach more listeners more quickly. It also gave them an additional creative outlet, with many iconic videos catapulting otherwise mediocre artists to widespread fame. [64]
    • Band members themselves also became more focused on their personal image. Being a rockstar became as much about lifestyle as it was music.
    • Shows became more dramatic as well. Rock shows moved to large arenas and needed over-the-top stage shows to keep everyone in the nosebleed seats entertained.
  3. 3
    The idea of rock bands as brands took off in the '80s. The launch of MTV, which arguably changed the rock music landscape more than any other development, presented an opportunity for bands to sell not just their music but themselves. On the heels of videos and the usual concert merch, the idea of the band as a brand was born, with bands slapping their logo on anything that people might buy. [65]
    • Many bands, such as Kiss, were extraordinarily successful at commoditizing themselves. Others are known more for their marketing gimmicks or outrageous lifestyles than for their songs.
  4. 4
    The '80s introduced technology to mainstream rock music. Before the '80s, rock and roll had been all about organically produced sounds—the vibrations created by guitars and drums connected to amplifiers. Post-punk, new wave, and related genres embraced synthesizers, drum machines, and sampling. [66]
    • Bands in the '80s were able to integrate these elements into their music gradually, while still keeping the instruments people were familiar with. This technology, in turn, allowed musicians to further experiment with layering sound.
    • Musicians also used technology to make their music much louder and much clearer than ever before—a trend that would continue through the following decades.
    • Technology also gave listeners new, portable ways to listen to music. Having music with you all the time meant you needed more of it. It also meant that you felt closer to the bands you listened to.
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