The Music Scene
The music scene, like many other parts of the culture, reflected the juxtaposition of ideas that was popular in the 1980s. 1980s pop and new wave was juxtaposed against heavy metal, punk and alternative rock, just as newer country sounds juxtaposed rap (18).
The 1980s was also revolutionary on the music scene because of new ideas such as Live Aid concerts, the invention of the compact disc, and of course, the creation of MTV (18).
The first Live Aid events were held on July 13, 1985 to raise money for the Ethiopian Famine. The concerts featured a huge range of artists, from popular 80s artists like RUN D.M.C., Madonna, Duran Duran and the Thompson Twins to artists of earlier eras like Eric Clapton, Neil Young and the Beach Boys (25).
When MTV first allowed music to delve into the realm of television, on August 1, 1981, it created a whole new dimension to the music, as well as a whole new way for musicians to be viewed. MTV allowed music to reach people quickly and easily and music videos created a whole new visual aspect to music (8). Even the earliest low-budget music videos had people, especially kids, hooked (7).
Artists began to realize that their popularity was dependent on the exposure that their videos received, and stars like Madonna took advantage of the MTV revolution to create a more image-based popularity (18). Artists' exposure in videos also created the idea of musicians as trendsetters (8), an idea that almost defines modern culture.
Not everyone was so keen on the way MTV was impacting the music scene, however. MTV's detractors argued that music videos made the visual more important than the music, calling it a "subliminal fashion show" (18). Videos were also at times both tasteless and vulgar, in order to increase viewership in the younger generation (23).
The effect of MTV was accurate the the superficiality of the 80s. Music videos led to musicians being known not only by their music, but also by the image they presented, and of course, by their appearance. Madonna's explosive popularity was due, in part, to the image she projected through her appearance and through her videos, and musicians recognized that the new obsession with MTV meant that it was essential to project an image that would be well-received and popular, and of course, trend-setting.
The 1980s was also revolutionary on the music scene because of new ideas such as Live Aid concerts, the invention of the compact disc, and of course, the creation of MTV (18).
The first Live Aid events were held on July 13, 1985 to raise money for the Ethiopian Famine. The concerts featured a huge range of artists, from popular 80s artists like RUN D.M.C., Madonna, Duran Duran and the Thompson Twins to artists of earlier eras like Eric Clapton, Neil Young and the Beach Boys (25).
When MTV first allowed music to delve into the realm of television, on August 1, 1981, it created a whole new dimension to the music, as well as a whole new way for musicians to be viewed. MTV allowed music to reach people quickly and easily and music videos created a whole new visual aspect to music (8). Even the earliest low-budget music videos had people, especially kids, hooked (7).
Artists began to realize that their popularity was dependent on the exposure that their videos received, and stars like Madonna took advantage of the MTV revolution to create a more image-based popularity (18). Artists' exposure in videos also created the idea of musicians as trendsetters (8), an idea that almost defines modern culture.
Not everyone was so keen on the way MTV was impacting the music scene, however. MTV's detractors argued that music videos made the visual more important than the music, calling it a "subliminal fashion show" (18). Videos were also at times both tasteless and vulgar, in order to increase viewership in the younger generation (23).
The effect of MTV was accurate the the superficiality of the 80s. Music videos led to musicians being known not only by their music, but also by the image they presented, and of course, by their appearance. Madonna's explosive popularity was due, in part, to the image she projected through her appearance and through her videos, and musicians recognized that the new obsession with MTV meant that it was essential to project an image that would be well-received and popular, and of course, trend-setting.
(From left to right) INXS, Run DMC, Joan Jett, and Bon Jovi
THE STARS OF THE 80s (8) (10).
The Pop Scene
Madonna, Michael Jackson, and more
New Wave
Eurythmics, Duran Duran, Soft Cell, The Thompson Twins, and more
Rock: From Alternative to Hair Metal
Poison, Bon Jovi, Guns 'N Roses, Bruce Springsteen, Van Halen, U2, Joan Jett, INXS and more
Rap
Run DMC, Public Enemy and more
Madonna, Michael Jackson, and more
New Wave
Eurythmics, Duran Duran, Soft Cell, The Thompson Twins, and more
Rock: From Alternative to Hair Metal
Poison, Bon Jovi, Guns 'N Roses, Bruce Springsteen, Van Halen, U2, Joan Jett, INXS and more
Rap
Run DMC, Public Enemy and more
