An ever growing series detailing the most important artists of the 1980s, including biographies and our recommendations of their best work.

Adam and the Ants

Adam & The Ants

Formed 1977, London, UK: Adam Ant (Stuart Goddard, ex-Bazooka Joe, The B-Sides) – vocals; Lester Square (Thomas Hardy) – guitar; Andy Warren – bass; Paul Flanagan – drums. The band’s early image and material was dominated by bondage and sado-masochistic … read more

AC/DC

AC/DC

Formed 1973, Sydney, Australia: Dave Evans – vocals; Angus Young – lead guitar; Malcolm Young – rhythm guitar; Larry Van Kriedt – bass; Colin Burgess – drums. As children, the Glasgow born Young brothers had emigrated to Australia with their … read more

ABC

ABC (Photo: L.J. van Houten/REX)

Formed 1980, Sheffield, UK: Martin Fry – vocals; Mark White – guitar, keyboards; Mark Lickley – bass; David Robinson – drums; Stephen Singleton – saxophone. Fry, White and Singleton had been members of Vice Versa, who released an EP Music … read more

ABBA

ABBA

Formed 1972, Stockholm, Sweden: Agnetha FΓ€ltskog – vocals; Anni-Frid (Frida) Lyngstad – vocals; BjΓΆrn Ulvaeus (ex-Hootenanny Singers) – guitar, vocals; Benny Andersson (ex-Hep Stars) – keyboards. All members had experienced success in their own right in Sweden before their 1974 … read more