White Lion were an American metal band from NYC that released the album Fight to Survive on Grand Slamm Records in 1985, followed by three albums on Atlantic between 1987 and 1991. Members: Mike Tramp (vocals), Vito Bratta (guitar, 1983-91), Nicki Capozzi (drums, 1983-84), Felix Robinson (bass, 1983-84), Dave Spitz (bass, 1984), James LoMenzo (bass, […]
Wild Dogs were an American metal band from Portland, Ore., that released two albums on Shrapnel in 1983/84, followed by Reign of Terror on Enigma in 1987. Members: Matt McCourt (vocals, bass), Mike Varney (guitar), Michael Brown (guitar), Pete Laufmann (drums), Michael Furlong (vocals), Jeff Mark (guitar), Danny Kurth (bass), Rick Bartell (bass), Deen Castronovo […]
Whiplash were an American metal band from Passaic, NJ, that released three albums on Roadracer between 1986 and 1989. Members: Tony Portaro (guitar, vocals), Tony Scaglione (drums, 1983-87, 1996, 1998-99, 2010-11), Mike Orosz (vocals, 1984), Pat Burns (bass, 1984), Rob Harding (bass, 1984), Tony Bono (bass, 1985-93, 1998-99), Joe Cangelosi (drums, 1987-93) Discography: Power and […]
Watchtower were an American metal band from Austin that released the album Energetic Disassembly on self-press Zombo Records in 1985, followed by Control and Resistance on Noise International in 1989. Members: Doug Keyser (bass), Rick Colacula (drums), Billy White (guitar, 1982-86), Travis Allen (vocals, 1982), Jason McMaster (vocals, 1982-88, 1999-2009), Ron Jarzombek (guitar, 1987-present), Mike […]
Warlord were an American metal band from San Jose, Calif., that released the 1983 EP Deliver Us and the 1984 album And the Cannons of Destruction Have Begun…, both on Metal Blade. Members: Destroyer [William J. Tsamis] (guitar), Thunder Child [Mark Zonder] (drums), Joe Hall (bass, 1980-81), Jerry Alcevia (keyboards, 1981), Damien King I [Jack […]
Alcatrazz were a multi-national metal band formed in Los Angeles by English vocalist Graham Bonnet (Marbles, Rainbow) and Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen. With this lineup, the band released the 1983 album No Parole From Rock ‘n’ Roll on RCA and a 1984 live album on Rocshire. Malmsteen’s place was taken by Steve Vai for the […]
Vyper were an American metal band from Kansas City, Mont., that released the 1984 album Prepared to Strike, followed by the 1985 EP Afraid of the Dark, both on Greenworld Records. Members: Christy Black (vocals), Jacky Foxx (guitar), Robbie Saint (guitar), Rik Brock (bass), Michael Scott (drums) Discography: Prepared to Strike (1984) Afraid of the […]
Vicious Rumors were an American metal band from Santa Rosa, Calif., that released two albums on Shrapnel/Roadrunner between 1985 and 1988, followed by a pair of albums on Atlantic during the early 1990s. Members: Geoff Thorpe (guitar), Mark Tate (vocals, 1980-82), Walt Perkins (drums, 1980-82), Jim Cassero (guitar, 1980-83), Jeff Barnacle (bass, 1980-85), Jim Lang […]
Savatage are an American metal band from Tampa, initially known as Avatar, that released the EP City Beneath the Surface and the album Sirens on Florida small-press Par Records in 1983. Between 1985 and 1995, the band released eight albums on Atlantic. Members: Steve Wacholz (drums, 1983-94), Criss Oliva (lead guitar, vocals, 1983-93), Jon Oliva […]
Slayer are an American metal band from Huntington Park, Calif., that released two albums and an EP on Metal Blade/Roadrunner between 1983 and 1985, followed by three albums and a live double-disc on Def Jam/American between 1986 and 1991. Members: Kerry King (guitar), Tom Araya (vocals, bass), Jeff Hanneman (guitar, 1981-2013), Dave Lombardo (drums, 1982-86, […]
Queensrÿche were an American metal band from Bellevue, Wash., that released an EP and three albums on EMI America between 1983 and 1988, followed by three further titles on the label during the subsequent decade. Members: Michael Wilton (guitar, backing vocals), Eddie Jackson (bass, backing vocals), Scott Rockenfield (drums, percussion, keyboards), Chris DeGarmo (guitar, backing […]
Overkill are an American metal band from Old Bridge, NJ, that released seven albums on Megaforce and Atlantic between 1985 and 1994, followed by titles on CMC, eOne, Steamhammer, and Nuclear Blast during the subsequent quarter-century. Members: D.D. Verni (bass), Rat Skates (drums, 1980-87), Bobby Ellsworth [aka Blitz] (vocals), Robert Pisarek [aka Riff Thunder] (guitar, […]
Metallica were an American metal band from Los Angeles that released two albums on Megaforce in 1983/84, followed by three albums on Elektra between 1986 and 1991. Members: Lars Ulrich (drums), James Hetfield (guitar, vocals), Hugh Tanner (guitar, 1981), Lloyd Grant (guitar, 1981), Ron McGovney (bass, 1981-82), Dave Mustaine (guitar, 1982-83), Cliff Burton (bass, 1982-86), […]
Metal Church were an American metal band from San Francisco that self-issued a cassette EP in 1981, followed by three albums on Elektra between 1984 and 1989. Members: Kurdt Vanderhoof (guitar, 1980-87, 1998-2009, 2012-present), Kirk Arrington (drums, 1982-2006), Craig Wells (guitar, 1982-94), Duke Erickson (bass, 1982-2001), David Wayne (vocals, 1982-88, 1998-2001), John Marshall (guitar, 1988-2001), […]
Manowar were an American metal band from Auburn, NY, that released the album Battle Hymns on Liberty Records in 1982, followed by 12 further studio albums on assorted labels over the subsequent three decades. Members: Joey DeMaio (bass, keyboards), Eric Adams (vocals), Karl Kennedy (drums, 1980), Ross the Boss (guitar, 1980-88), Donnie Hamzik (drums, 1982-83, […]
Megadeth were an American metal band from Los Angeles that released the album Killing Is My Business… And Business Is Good! on Combat in 1985, followed by seven further studio albums on Capitol during the subsequent 14-year period. Members: Dave Mustaine (guitar, vocals), David Ellefson (bass, 1983-2002, 2010-present), Greg Handevidt (guitar, 1983-84), Dijon Carruthers (drums, […]
Manilla Road were an American metal band from Wichita, Kan., that released eight albums on Roadster and Black Dragon between 1980 and 1990. Members: Mark Shelton (guitar, vocals, 1977-2018), Ben Munkirs (drums, 1977-78), Robert Park (guitar, 1977-79), Scott Park (bass, 1977-90), Myles Sipe (drums, 1979), Rick Fisher (drums, 1979-83), Randy Foxe (drums, 1984-90) Discography: Invasion […]
King’s X were an American hard-rock band from Houston that released six albums on Atlantic between 1988 and 1996, followed by further titles on Metal blade during the subsequent decade. Members: Doug Pinnick (vocals, bass), Ty Tabor (vocals, guitar), Jerry Gaskill (vocals, drums) Discography: Out of the Silent Planet (1988) Gretchen Goes to Nebraska (1989) […]
Icon were an American metal band from Phoenix that released two albums on Capitol in 1984/85, followed by a self-released cassette title and a third proper album on Megaforce in 1989. Members: Stephen Clifford (vocals), Dan Wexler (guitar), John Aquilino (guitar), Tracy Wallach (bass), Pat Dixon (drums), Kevin Stoller (keyboards), Jerry Harrison (vocals), Drew Bollman […]
Dio were an American metal band fronted by namesake veteran hard-rock vocalist Ronnie James Dio (Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath). The band released four albums on Warner Bros. between 1983 and 1987, followed by titles on Reprise, Steamhammer, and Spitfire during the subsequent two decades. Members: Ronnie James Dio (vocals), Vivian Campbell (guitar, 1982-86), Jimmy Bain […]
Death Angel were an American metal band from San Francisco that self-released two EPs between 1983 and 1985, followed by two albums on Enigma in 1987/88 an a third on Geffen in 1990. Members: Rob Cavestany (lead guitar, vocals), Andy Galeon (drums, vocals, 1982-2009), Dennis Pepa (bass, vocals, 1982-2008), Gus Pepa (rhythm guitar, 1982-91), Mark […]
Brocas Helm were an American metal band from San Francisco that released the album Into Battle on Steamhammer in 1984, followed by Black Death on self-press Gargoyle in 1988. Members: Bobbie “Dark Rider” Wright (guitar, vocals), John Grey (guitar), Tom “T-bone” Behney (guitar), James Schumacher (bass), Jack Hays (drums) Discography: Into Battle (1984) Black Death […]
Annihilator were an Canadian metal band from Ottawa, Ontario, that self-released two demo EPs in 1985/86, followed by two albums on Roadrunner in 1989/90. Members: Jeff Waters (guitar, vocals, bass), Big John Bates (lead vocals, 1984-85), Dave Scott (bass, 1984-85), Paul Malek (drums, 1984-86), Ray Hartmann (drums, 1987-91, 1999-2001), Dennis Dubeau (vocals, 1987-89), Randy Rampage […]
Agent Steel were an American metal band from Los Angeles that released two albums and an EP on Combat Records between 1985 and 1987. Members: Juan García (guitar, 1984-87, 1998-present), Silvio Golfetti (guitar, 1984), Mark Marshall (guitar, 1984), Sill Simmons (guitar, 1984), John Gott (guitar, 1984), Kurt Colfelt (guitar, 1984-85), George Robb (bass, 1984-86), John […]
Loose Tubes were an English avant-jazz big band that released two albums on their namesake self-press Loose Tubes Limited during 1985 and 1986, followed by a third disc on Editions EG in 1988. The band regrouped for a second trio of titles on Lost Marble during the 2010s. Members: Julian Argüelles (soprano saxophone, baritone saxophone), […]
The Kane Gang were an English sophisti-pop trio from Seaham, Durham, that released two albums on Kitchenware Records between 1985 and 1987. Members: Martin Brammer, Dave Brewis, Paul Woods Discography: The Bad and Lowdown World of The Kane Gang (1985) Miracle (1987)
Kahondo Style were a London-based, multinational chamber-jazz/rock ensemble that released two albums on the French Nato label between 1985 and 1987. Members: Viv Corringham (vocals), Peter Cusack (bouzouki, electronics, guitar), Clive Bell (accordion, flute, khene, shakuhachi), Alan Tomlinson (trombone), Stuart Jones (bass, cello, trumpet), Sianed Jones (saxophone, violin, vocals), Steve Noble (drums, percussion), Terry Day […]
Annette Peacock (born 1941) is an American avant-garde jazz vocalist and composer from Brooklyn who first emerged in the mid-1960s as a writer for pianist Paul Bley, her then-husband. His 1968 album Mr. Joy features her title-sake composition that was subsequently covered by Swedish vocalist Karin Krog and English jazz-rockers Affinity. As a performer, Peacock […]
David Sylvian is an English musician, singer, and composer from Beckenham, Kent, best known as the frontman of art-rockers Japan, which he formed in 1974 with brother Steve Batt (Jansen). Between 1978 and 1983, they released five studio albums and a live double-LP. Upon their disbandment, Sylvian issued two singles in collaboration with YMO mastermind […]
One Way were an American soul-funk band Detroit that released two eponymous albums on MCA during 1979 and 1980 with vocalist Al Hudson featured before the nameplate. During the ensuing five-year period, the band released eight further albums on the label, followed by an eleventh album on Capitol in 1988, once again with special credit […]
Ozzy Osbourne (born Dec. 3, 1948) is an English hard-rock/metal singer who gained international fame as the original frontman of Black Sabbath, which he co-founded in 1968. After recording eight studio albums with the band between 1970 and 1978, he left Sabbath in 1979 to launch a solo career. Between 1980 and 1982, he released […]
Ozric Tentacles is an English space-rock band from Glastonbury, Somerset, that self-released six cassette-albums, numbered OT 1–6, between 1985 and 1989. In 1990, the band founded Dovetail Records, which they used over a five-year period to issue six new albums and CD-reissue their back catalogue. The band released 13 further titles between 1997 and 2015, […]
Omega were an English symphonic/hard-rock band from London that self-released a five-song demo cassette in 1983, followed by the album The Prophet on Razor-subsidiary Rock Machine in 1985. Members: Nick Brent (guitar, vocals), Steve Grainger (guitar, keyboards, vocals), Dave Robertson (bass, vocals), Graham Roberts (drums) Discography: Alpha (cassette, 1983) The Prophet (1985)
News from Babel were an English avant/art-pop band that released two albums and a standalone one-sided single on Rē between 1984 and 1986. The band was essentially a follow-through to Henry Cow-spinoff the Art Bears with Lindsay Cooper in lieu of Fred Frith. Members: Chris Cutler (drums, electronics, percussion, marimba), Dagmar Krause (vocals), Zeena Parkins […]
Nik Kershaw (born March 1, 1958) is an English musician, vocalist, and songwriter who released the albums Human Racing and The Riddle on MCA in 1984, followed by two further albums on the label between 1986 and 1989. Prior to his solo career, he recorded the album Till I Hear From You with the band […]
New Model Army was an English art-punk band from Bradford, West Yorkshire, that debuted with a pair of EPs in 1983, followed by the album Vengeance in 1984 on small-press Abstract Records. Between 1985 and 1991, the band released five albums and assorted shortplayers on EMI. Members: Justin Sullivan (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Stuart Morrow (bass […]
Tysondog were an English hard-rock/metal band from Newcastle upon Tyne that debuted with the single “Eat the Rich” on Neat Records in 1983, followed by the album Beware of the Dog in 1984. A four-song EP appeared on the label in 1985, followed by Crimes of Insanity in 1986, after which the nameplate was benched […]
Blind Fury were an English hard-rock/metal band from Newcastle-upon-Tyne that released the album Out of Reach on Roadrunner in 1985. Members: Lou Taylor (vocals), Steve Ramsey (guitar), Russ Tippins (guitar), Graeme English (bass), Sean Taylor (drums), Kevin Heybourne (guitar, 1983-84), Pete Gordelier (bass, 1983-84), Dave Hogg (drums, 1983-84) Discography: Out of Reach (1985)
Black was an English new wave band from Liverpool that released the 1981–82 indie singles “Human Features” and “More Than the Sun.” Their frontman and songwriter Colin Vearncombe (May 26, 1962 — Jan. 26, 2016) retained the name as a solo artist, starting with the 1984 single “Hey Presto.” Black charted with “Wonderful Life” and […]
The Beautiful South were an English sophisti-pop band from Kingston upon Hull that debuted with the album Welcome to the Beautiful South on Go! Discs in 1989, followed by nine further discs during the ensuing 16-year period. Vocalist/songwriter Paul Heaton and drummer David Hemingway hailed from The Housemartins. On their sophomoric 1990 release Choke, the […]
The Motor Totemist Guild were an American avant-rock band from San Francisco that released two albums, a standalone single, and a live disc on self-press Rotary Totem between 1984 and 1986, followed by titles on the RēR-affiliates No Man’s Land, Auf Dem Nil, and Cuneiform during the subsequent 13-year period. The band’s participation in the […]
Curlew were an American avant-rock/jazz band from NYC that debuted with an eponymous release on Landslide Records in 1981, followed by the album North America on the German Moers Music label in 1985. The band’s 1988 release Live in Berlin kicked off a seven-disc run on Cuneiform over the ensuing 15-year period. Members: George Cartwright […]
The Lounge Lizards were an American avant-jazz/No Wave band from New York that released a self-titled album on Editions EG in 1981, followed by titles on Europa and Island during the ensuing five-year period. Members: John Lurie (alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, vocals), Evan Lurie (piano, organ, keyboards, vocals), Arto Lindsay (guitar, 1979-81), Steve Piccolo (bass, […]
Birdsongs of the Mesozoic were an American avant-rock band from Boston that released two EPs and the album Magnetic Flip on small-press Ace of Hearts between 1983 and 1985, followed by a string of discs on Cuneiform between 1989 and 2006. Members: Erik Lindgren (piano, synthesizer, Farfisa organ, sampling, percussion, drum programming, trumpet), Roger Miller […]
French TV were an American jazz-rock band from Louisville, Ken., that self-released an eponymous album in 1984, followed by After a Lengthy Silence on local-press Y-Records in 1987. Ten further titles appeared over the subsequent three decades on bassist Mike Sary’s own label. Members: Artie Bratton (guitar), Bob Douglas (drums), Fenner Castner (drums), John Robinson […]
Doctor Nerve were an American avant-rock band from NYC that released the album Out to Bomb Fresh Kings on Punos Music in 1984, followed by five discs on Cuneiform between 1987 an 2000. Members: Nick Didkovsky (guitar), Greg Anderson (bass), Leo Ciesa (drums), Yves Duboin (soprano saxophone), Rob Henke (trumpet), Michael Lytle (bass clarinet, contrabass […]
A Thinking Plague are an American avant-rock band from Denver, Colo., that released two albums on Endemic Music between 1984 and 1986, followed by In This Life on RēR in 1989. Four further discs appeared on Cuneiform during the subsequent three decades. Members: Mike Johnson (guitar, drums, percussion, vocals), Rick Arsenault (drums, 1982-83), Sharon Bradford […]
The 5uu’s were an American avant-rock band from Los Angeles that released a standalone single and the album Bel Marduk & Tiamat on Rotary Totem-subsidiary U:r Records in 1986, followed by three albums on RēR during the subsequent 11-year period. For its 1988 release Elements, the band was joined by the Motor Totemist Guild. The […]
Blackmayne were an English hard-rock/metal band from Maidstone, Kent, that released a self-titled album on NWOBHM small-press Criminal Response in 1985. Members: Tim Cooke (vocals), Phil McDermott (guitar), Richard Matthews (guitar), Julian “Sack” Sackett (bass), Andy Terry (drums) Discography: Blackmayne (1985)
Matt Bianco were an English sophisti-pop trio that released three albums on WEA between 1984 and 1988. On its first album, the trio consisted of keyboardist Danny White and vocalist Mark Reilly, both formerly of Blue Rondo Á La Turk, alongside Polish singer Basia, who subsequently left for a solo career. Members: Mark Reilly (vocals), […]
Marillion are an English art-rock band from Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, that released a 24-minute EP on EMI in 1982, followed by four studio albums and two live discs on the label between 1983 and 1988. After the departure of frontman Fish for a solo career, the band added ex-Europeans vocalist Steve Hogarth for a lengthy run […]
Marc Almond is an English vocalist, songwriter, and arranger from Southport, Merseyside, who rose to fame as one-half of the synthpop duo Soft Cell, which released three albums between 1981 and 1984. Concurrently, he released two 1982–83 albums with the goth–cabaret side-project Marc and the Mambas. As a solo artist, he released nine full-length studio […]
Magnum was an English hard-rock band from Birmingham that released four studio albums and a live disc on Jet Records between 1978 and 1983, followed by four further albums on Polydor between 1985 and 1990. Members: Bob Catley (vocals), Tony Clarkin (guitar), Dave Morgan (bass, 1972-75), Kex Gorin (drums, 1972-83), Colin “Wally” Lowe (bass, 1975-95), […]
The Expression were an Australian New Wave band from Sydney that released two albums on Mushroom between 1983 and 1985. Members: Dowling Neville (keyboard, vocals), Haran Tom (vocals, guitar, percussion), Henkenberg Bill (drums), Hopes Steve (drums), Lumsdaine Tim (bass), Manassah Stephen (bass), Slingerland Guy (drums), Wong-Yen Andrew (guitar) Discography: The Expression (1983) Conscience (1985) Rare […]
The Eurogliders were an Australian pop band from Perth that debuted with a self-pressed cassette in 1981, followed by the 1982 Mercury release Pink Suit Blue Day and a three-album run on CBS between 1984 and 1988. Members: Grace Knight (vocals), Bernie Lynch (guitar), Crispin Akerman (guitar, 1980-87), Amanda Vincent (keyboards, 1980-87), Don Meharry (bass, […]
INXS was an Australian rock band from Sydney that started in a new wave/post-punk vein with two albums on Deluxe/ATCO in 1980/81. Adopting a more streamlined approach, they scored an international hit with “The One Thing” from their 1982 release Shabooh Shoobah, their first of five albums on WEA/Mercury. In late 1985, INXS scored a […]
The Church were an Australian psych-pop/ethereal band from Sydney that released four proper albums and assorted shortplayers on Parlophone between 1981 and 1986, followed by three albums on Arista during the subsequent half-decade. Members: Steve Kilbey (vocals, bass), Peter Koppes (guitar, vocals, 1980-92, 1995-present), Marty Willson-Piper (guitar, vocals, 1980-2013), Nick Ward (drums, 1980-81), Richard Ploog […]
Adrian Belew — aka Robert Steven Belew (born Dec. 23, 1949) — is an American art-rock guitarist and composer from Covington, Ken., who emerged in the late 1970s as a backing player for David Bowie (Stage, Lodger) and Frank Zappa (Sheik Yerbouti). After his involvement in the Talking Heads album Remain in Light and related […]
Jean-Luc Ponty is a French violinist who has been musically active since the early 1960s. Jean-Luc Ponty was born in Avranches, France, on September 29, 1942, to a pianist mother and a violinist father. At 18, he graduated with the Premier Prix from the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris. For the next three […]
Iggy Pop is an American rock singer who rose to infamy as the frontman of proto-punks The Stooges, which released three albums between 1969 and 1973. He launched his solo career in 1977 with The Idiot, recorded in Berlin with David Bowie and containing the cult hits “Nightclubbing” and “China Girl” (later recorded by Bowie). […]
Jean-Pascal Boffo is a French guitarist and composer who released three albums on Musea between 1986 and 1988, followed by seven further titles on that label during the subsequent three decades. Discography: Jeux de Nains (1986) Carillons (1987) Rituel (1988)
Coroner were a Swiss heavy metal band from Zürich that issued a cassette album on self-press Rip Rec in 1986, followed by five albums on Noise International between 1987 and 1993. Members: Marquis Marky (drums, 1983-2014), Tommy Ritter (guitar, 1983-84), Phil Puzctai (bass, 1983-84), Pete Attinger (vocals, 1983-84), Oliver Amberg (guitar, vocals, 1984-85), Ron Royce […]
No Secrets in the Family were a Swiss art-pop band from Zürich that released the album In a Certain Light We All Appear Green on Ex Libris/Musikszene Schweiz in 1987, followed by the 1990/92 titles Play & Strange Laughter and Kleinzeit on local ReR-subsidiary RecRecMusic. Members: Annette Schönholzer (keyboards, synthesizer, vocals), Markus Schönholzer (guitar, vocals), […]
Nimal were a Swiss chamber-rock/folk band from Neuchâtel that released a self-titled album on local ReR-subsidiary RecRec Music in 1987, followed by the disc Voix de Surface in 1990. The band’s third and final album, DisTanz, appeared on the French ReR branch Ayaa in 1992. Members: Jean-Maurice Rossel (guitar, hurdy-gurdy, bouzouki), Tom Cora (cello), Bratko […]
Yello was a Swiss electro/art-pop combo from Zürich that emerged on Ralph Records with the 1980/81 albums Solid Pleasure and Claro que Si. In 1983, they scored a crossover hit with “I Love You” from their Stiff release You Gotta Say Yes to Another Excess. Trimmed to the duo of Boris Blank and Dieter Meier, […]
Celtic Frost were a Swiss heavy metal band from Zürich that released three albums and three EPs on Noise International between 1984 and 1988. Members: Tom G. Warrior [Thomas Gabriel Fischer] (vocals, guitar), Martin Eric Ain [Martin Eric Stricker] (bass, 1984-85, 1987, 1990-93, 2003-08), Stephen Priestly (drums, 1984, 1988-92), Dominic Steiner (bass, 1985), Reed St. […]
Loose Ends were an Afro-British soul-funk trio that released the 1984–86 Virgin albums A Little Spice, So Where Are You?, and Zagora and charted with “Magic Touch,” “Hangin’ on a String (Contemplating),” “Slow Down,” and “Stay a Little While, Child.” Their 1988–90 albums The Real Chuckeeboo and Look How Long landed further hits with “Mr. […]
Lindsay Cooper (March 3, 1951 — Sept. 18, 2013) was an English bassoonist, oboist, and composer who replaced Geoff Leigh as the chief woodwind player in Henry Cow, serving with the band on four studio albums between 1974 and 1978. In the two decades that followed, she released numerous soundtrack recordings and rock operas with […]
Level 42 were an English jazz-funk band from the Isle of Wight that released seven studio albums and a live double-LP on Polydor between 1981 and 1988. Members: Mark King (vocals, bass, percussion, guitar, keyboards), Mike Lindup (vocals, keyboards, percussion, 1980-94, 2006-present), Phil Gould (drums, vocals, keyboards, 1980-87, 1993-94), Boon Gould (guitar, saxophone, 1980-87), Gary […]
Ruth were a French coldwave band that released the longplayer Polaroïd/Roman/Photo on the Paris Album label in 1985. Members: Thierry Müller (guitar, synthesizer, electronics), Philippe Doray, Ruth Ellyeri Discography: Polaroïd/Roman/Photo (1985)
Sortilège were a French hard-rock/metal band that debuted with a self-titled EP on Rave-On in 1983, followed by two albums on Steamhammer between 1984 and 1986. Members: Jean-Philippe “Bob Snake” Dumont (drums), Stéphane Dumont (guitar), Didier Demajean (guitar), Daniel Lapp (bass), Christian “Zouille” Augustin (vocals) Discography: Sortilège (EP, 1983) Métamorphose (1984) Larmes de Héros (1986)
Latin Quarter were an English sophisti-pop band that released two albums on Arista-subsidiary Rockin’ Horse Records between 1985 and 1987, followed by a pair of discs on RCA in 1989 and 1990. Members: Steve Skaith (vocals, guitar), Mike Jones (backing vocals), Richard Wright (guitar), Yona Dunsford (vocals, keyboards, 1983-90), Carol Douet (vocals, 1983-88), Steve Jeffries […]
Time Bandits were a Dutch New Wave band that released four albums on CBS between 1982 and 1987. Members: Alides Hidding (vocals, guitar), Otto Cooymans (keyboards, piano, 1980-87), Carl Carlton (guitar, 1980-84), Peter Smid (bass, 1980-84), Tom Bachman (drums, 1980-81), Åke Danielson (keyboards, 1981-87, 2012-present), Joris Alberda (drums, 1981-84), Hugo de Bruin (guitar, 1984-87), Dick […]
Kim Wilde (born Nov. 18, 1960) is an English New Wave/dance-pop singer who released three albums on RAK between 1981 and 1983, followed by six further albums on MCA over the subsequent 11-year period. She is the daughter of late-1950s rock sensation Marty Wilde and the sister of musician, songwriter, and producer Ricky Wilde. Most […]
Go West were an English modern-pop/rock combo from London that released three albums on Chrysalis between 1985 and 1992. The band was essentially a duo comprised of musicians Peter Cox and Richard Drummie, who both sang and played multiple instruments. Cox had previously fronted the Earth Band-spinoff Terra Nova. Members: Peter Cox (vocals, guitar, keyboards), […]
Vitamin Z were an English modern-pop trio from Sheffield that released the album Rites of Passage on Mercury in 1985, followed by Sharp Stone Rain on Phonogram in 1989. Vocalist Geoff Barradale appeared on the Alan Parson Project‘s 1987 release Gaudi. Members: Geoff Barradale (vocals), Nick Lockwood (bass, keyboards), David Rhodes (guitar) Discography: Rites of […]
The Call were an American melodic-rock band from Santa Cruz, Calif., that released three albums on Mercury between 1982 and 1984, followed by two albums apiece on Elektra and MCA between 1986 and 1990. Bassist/frontman Michael Been hailed from the bands Lovecraft and Fine Wine and did session work for CCM artists during the 1970s. […]
Crumbacher were an American melodic-rock band from Riverside, Calif., that released the album Incandescent on Broken Records in 1985, followed by three albums on Christian label Frontline between 1986 and 1988. Namesake keyboardist/singer Stephen Crumbächer and guitarist Christopher Duke released a fifth album as a duo in 1990. Members: Stephen Crumbächer (piano, keyboards, vocals), Dawn […]
The Innocent were an American melodic-rock band from Cleveland that released the album Livin’ in the Street on Capitol-subsidiary Red Label in 1985. Most of the members hailed from local legends Breathless and Donnie Iris and the Cruisers. Members: Rodney Psyka (vocals, percussion), Alan Greene (guitar), Trent Reznor (keyboards), Albritton McClain (bass), Kevin Valentine (drums, […]
Flairck were a Dutch chamber-folk/classical ensemble from Ulvenhout, Noord-Brabant, that released six albums on Polydor between 1978 and 1982, followed by four albums on EMI during the subsequent six-year period. Members: Erik Visser (guitar, tanbur, mandolin, sitar, koto, bouzouki, percussion, vocals), Anne van den Heuvel (cello), Ben van den Berg (accordion, organ, piano, guitar, percussion, […]
The Mahavishnu Orchestra were a multinational jazz-rock ensemble that was active during the early-to-mid-1970s and again during the mid-1980s. Led through all phases by English guitarist John McLaughlin, the lineup underwent two incarnations between 1971 and 1976. The first incarnation was a five-piece band with Czech keyboardist Jan Hammer, Irish bassist Rick Laird, and two […]
