80s-Music.net

Yes Guns ‘N Roses fans, a new G ‘n R song is confirmed to be on the new Rock Band 2 game! So what’s the big deal for non gamers? This news definitely increases the chances for the infamous and long awaited “Chinese Democracy” album to see the light of day via Interscope.

Nine seemingly complete tracks from the album, not including “Shackler’s Revenge,” leaked online earlier this summer. Sorry but I do not have a link but I am keeping my eyes open for those leaked G ‘n R tunes.

According to the authoritative fan site Electric Shock reports that AC/DC will embark on a world tour before the end of the year in support of its next studio album.

The album is likely to be titled “Black Ice” and will be released Oct. 28 in North America via Columbia, but will be sold exclusively at Wal-Mart stores.

The first single “Runaway Train” will hit radio in late August, the site says. The album was produced by Brendan O’Brien and is AC/DC’s first since 2000’s “Stiff Upper Lip.”

It was announced recently that the band’s “Let There Be Rock” will appear in the video game “Rock Band 2,” which hits stores in September.

The Police are due to release a live CD & DVD from their live tour later this year. The group filmed and recorded two shows, Dec. 1-2 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Drummer Stewart Copeland says that there is no life for the Police after the tour ends on August 7 at a benefit for New York public TV stations at Madison Square Garden. “In the back of our minds there was the possible ‘Who knows? Maybe if some new material comes up or something like that, you never know…’ But the mission has always been finite”, Copeland explains.

When I first reported that Steven Tyler of Aerosmith was in rehab, the talk of the town was he was at rehab for his recent foot surgeries. That was just half the story seeing now that there’s new information now coming out. I have to say that I was also baffled when the first reports came out and he was in rehab just to be in a “safe environment” to recuperate from his foot surgeries.

Now the Associated Press is saying that Steven Tyler was in rehab to battle pain killer and sleeping pill addiction. So I guess the first story was half-correct. It was because of his foot surgeries, however it was mainly for the pills he was taking to get through his surgeries.

“To have your feet done, to have your leg done, you have to be on narcotics.” “You have to be on sleep aids at night. I don’t know about Joe (Perry) but I was off and running and I didn’t like the me that was me.” “This was a month ago, so I just put the brakes on and checked into detox and just pulled the plug on all of it,” he told the AP on Friday night at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square, where he and bandmates were promoting “Guitar Hero 3: Aerosmith.”

And there you have it… The full story. At least for the moment.

Coming up with 80s-music.net’s first top 80’s anything list is definitely not an easy task. Especially with all the awesome talent that made up this great decade we celebrate here on this site. It’s almost easier to create a top 200 list, this way I wouldn’t have to leave so many out. But this list is not about my favorites, it has to do with artists that had huge sales in the 80’s, had lots of influence on fashion and set the tone of the decade.

Behold… I give you your (I mean my) Top 20 Pop Artists of the 80’s:

20. INXS
19. Paula Abdul
18. Billy Joel
17. New Kids on the Block
16. Huey Lewis and the News
15. ZZ Top
14. Van Halen
13. George Michael
12. Def Leppard
11. Dire Straits
10. Bon Jovi
9. U2
8. Prince
7. Madonna
6. Phil Collins
5. Whitney Houston
4. Guns N’ Roses
3. Bruce Springsteen
2. AC/DC
1. Michael Jackson

There’s no denying Mr. Jackson has to hold the top spot. Not only crushing the competition with $29.3 million in sales, but for his contribution to 80’s culture as well as 80s fashion. Just about everyone back in the 80’s (even if you didn’t care for his music) was doing the moon walk. Not to mention his other moves and the famous glittering glove. He might be whacked out in the 90’s and today, but in the 80’s Jackson was king!

I know many folks out there may not agree with my choice for the number 2 spot. This choice was mostly because of AC/DC’s Back in Black album and the fact that the 80’s was dominated with hair/glam bands plus AC/DC was on top of the charts. From the first song to last on the Back in Black album, it simply rocks your ass off. There really isn’t a bad song on the entire album — top that with huge sales were my main reasons for AC/DC to take second place.

What can I say about Bruce Springsteen. Born in the U.S.A. was a huge album for the Boss. Guns N’ Roses hit it big with Appetite for Destruction, Whitney was on the radio non-stop, Phil Collins was a double-threat not only making great music but making appearances on one of the top 80’s TV shows — Miami Vice.

Madonna with 7 successful albums in the 80’s along with her contributions to 80’s fashion sends her to our 7th position. Let me ask you this… Who’s top 10 artist list of the 80’s doesn’t include Madonna? In fact, I feel Madonna should be up higher on the list. Prince was another double threat acting in Purple Rain as well as having a top selling soundtrack which earns him the 8th position on our top 80’s artist list.

U2 had not one, not two or three, but 6 albums in the decade of the 80’s. From Boy to October to War, The Unforgettable Fire, The Joshua Tree, to Rattle and Hum — All great albums. You really couldn’t put on the radio or MTV without catching some form of U2 within minutes of tuning in back in the 80’s. U2 were also major participants in the historic “Live Aid” concert of 1985 and still continue today to be a popular act.

I mentioned hair bands and Bon Jovi was a mega band back in the 80’s with Slippery When Wet. Bon Jovi was a band with lots of 80’s fashion influences — from the blown out Jon Bon Jovi hair, to bandannas, ripped jeans and I’m sure Mr. Bon Jovi had influenced a young man or two to use eye liner.

That covers my top 10 80’s artists at this point. The rest of my top 20 include Dire Straits (Money for nothing), you know… I want my MTV! Def Leppard (with Pyromania being their huge album of the 80’s), George Michael (from Wham! to his solo career — it all happened in the 80’s), Van Halen’s 1984 album, ZZ Top (Eliminator), Huey Lewis and the News had lots of great hits in the 80’s, NKOTB, Billy Joel, Paula Abdul and INXS round out the bottom of our top 20.

As I mentioned, this is not an easy list to come up with. In fact, I would love to move some artists around just from my own taste of music and deservedness. But I won’t move any more artists on the list. I already moved Madonna up a few spots simply because of her huge impact in film, fashion and of course her music. Just think if you brought 10 80’s fans/geeks into a room with this same list and ask them to put them in their own “Top 20″ order. I guarantee you will get 10 different lists. This is my list and if you don’t like it… Go sit in a room with 9 other 80’s geeks.

Here are a few CDs coming out from 80’s artists late May and June 2008. I’m particularly excited about the Cure, Judas Priest & Motley Crue!

There are a few interesting facts related to some of these new CDs: This is Cyndi Lauper’s first album of new material in 12 years, this will be the Cure’s first album of new music since 2004’s self titled album The Cure, and Motley Crue is back with all four original members for a studio album!

Cyndi Lauper - Bring Ya To The Brink

Released May 27, 2008. Explicit Version. Cyndi Lauper’s 2008 album, Bring Ya To The Brink, is Cyndi’s first album of new material in 12 years. More than 25 years after her debut, Cyndi is still exploring new artistic territory. With Bring Ya To The Brink, she found herself inspired by beat drive music that has filled dance clubs throughout Europe and No. America. Sony. 2008.

Radiohead - The Best of (Special Edition 2CD) [LIMITED EDITION] [SPECIAL EDITION]

Release date: June 3, 2008. Radiohead’s first-ever career retrospective, this 2 disc Limited Edition CD package includes 17 of the band’s most popular tracks including “Creep,” “Karma Police,” “High and Dry,” “Fake Plastic Trees,” and “Optimistic,” plus a bonus disc featuring 13 more standouts including tracks not featured on Radiohead’s prior studio albums. The Limited Edition package also features an extended booklet and deluxe packaging.

The Cure - Freakshow (Mix 13) [SINGLE]

Release date: June 10, 2008. The Cure, one of the most revered British bands of the past quarter-century, have unveiled their plans to release four singles, one each month starting May 13th, leading up to the release of their thirteenth studio album, as yet untitled, which will be out on Suretone/Geffen Records September 13, 2008. It will be the band’s first album of new music since 2004’s self titled album The Cure. Physical and digital singles will be available for purchase in store and on all digital partners.

Judas Priest - Nostradamus

Release date: June 17, 2008. This CD contains an insert with an exclusive code for 1 free general admission ticket to Judas Priest on the Metal Masters Tour this summer. Offer good while supplies last.

Judas Priest - Nostradamus (Deluxe Edition) [LIMITED EDITION]

Release date: June 17, 2008. Limited Edition Deluxe Double CD is housed in a 48-page hardbound book package.

This CD contains an insert with an exclusive code for 1 free general admission ticket to Judas Priest on the Metal Masters Tour this summer. Offer good while supplies last.

Motley Crue - Saints of Los Angeles [EXPLICIT LYRICS]

Release date: June 24, 2008. First Motley Crue album with all original four members in over a DECADE!

Surprisingly this is not a drug rehab place Mr. Tyler checked into recently. The rehabilitation facility Steven has gone back to is the physical therapy facility in search of a “safe environment” to recover from several foot surgeries and physical therapy, according to Aerosmith’s frontman Thursday.

The injuries he had sustained over the years of physical performances lead him to have these corrective surgeries. “The doctors told me the pain in my feet could be corrected but it would require a few surgeries over time,” Tyler said in the statement. “The ‘foot repair’ pain was intense, greater than I’d anticipated. The months of rehabilitative care and the painful strain of physical therapy were traumatic. I really needed a safe environment to recuperate where I could shut off my phone and get back on my feet.”

Steven Tyler, 60, was known for heavy drug and alcohol abuse in the 1970s and early 1980s and completed rehabilitation in 1986. After that Aerosmith enjoyed a very successful comeback.

Summer of 2008 is almost upon us and what can be better than a marriage of summertime and 80’s music? It kind of reminds me of the summer of ‘85 with some of the groups that are playing out there. To make it easier for you to find shows in your area I have compiled a list of 80’s groups and artists with links so you can acquire tickets — And there are many artists on tour this summer! I’ve done the searches so it’ll save you time in your quest for 80’s artists’ concert tickets. Rock on ya’ll!

80’s Groups & Artists playing this summer:
(links open in a new window)

• Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
• Motley Crue
• Crue Fest (Featuring Motley Crue)
• Poison
• The Cure
• Ozzy Osbourne
• George Michael
• Cyndi Lauper
• The B-52’s
• Blondie
• They Might Be Giants
• Tom Tom Club
• R.E.M.
• Duran Duran
• Bryan Adams
• Foreigner & Bryan Adams
• Kansas
• REO Speedwagon
• Styx
• Dennis Deyoung
• Yes
• Debbie Gibson
• Bon Jovi
• Lou Gramm
• Night Ranger
• Van Halen
• Cheap Trick
• Def Leppard
• Dokken
• Iron Maiden
• Judas Priest
• Rush
• Ted Nugent
• Great White
• Alice Cooper
• Faster Pussycat - L.A. Guns
• Jackyl
• Pat Benatar
• Bonnie Tyler
• Rick Springfield
• Stevie Nicks
• Belinda Carlisle
• Human League, Abc, Belinda Carlisle, Dead or Alive
• Human League, Belinda Carlisle, ABC, Naked Eyes
• John Mellencamp
• Crowded House
• The Cult
• Steve Winwood

Ok. This should be plenty of 80’s bands to choose from for now… I’m sure there must be more 80’s artists’ concerts out there and if I do happen to find them, I’ll add them to our list.

You know how hit-and-miss it is looking around for 80’s stuff, right? Well, I happened to come across a great Internet radio station called Hair Flare Station (From LAUNCHcast/Yahoo!).

The station features songs like Talk Dirty To Me (Poison), I’m Eighteen (Alice Cooper) and hair bands like Motley Crue, Quiet Riot and Night Ranger.

Their top ten songs at the moment are:
(Links open up to Amazon mp3downloads)

10. Round And Round - Ratt
9. Close My Eyes Forever - Lita Ford (with Ozzy Osbourne)
8. Don’t Treat Me Bad - Firehouse
7. Seventeen - Winger
6. Sister Christian - Night Ranger
5. I Wanna Rock - Twisted Sister
4. Metal Health - Quiet Riot
3. Dr. Feelgood - Motley Crue
2. High Enough - Damn Yankees
1. Lick It Up - KISS

Not a bad list! Hope you enjoy the station. Of course, if you aren’t into 80’s metal music, you can always tune in to RadioXnetwork 80’s tunes on I80S.COM’s 80’s Music page.

LAUNCHcast Radio Station: Hair Flare Station

Since I’m always on the prowl for new music from 80’s artists, here are a few that I found. Eighties artists in this entry include: the B-52’s, R.E.M., Rolling Stones, Asia, Rush, The Clash, Whitesnake, Madonna, Dokken, Michael Schenker Group, Pink Floyd (DVD), Keith Sweat, and Cyndi Lauper.

It will be a great couple of months of new 80’s music artist releases! Some of the above mentioned are not released just yet, however you can always pre-order on the links I am providing.

Let the fun begin with the B-52’s first LP in 16 years! By the sounds of the reviews, FUNPLEX sounds like it’s destined to be playing in many parties around the globe. This album is also available by download from Amazon. You can download the whole album or if you would only like to download a song or two, individual songs are available as well.

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R.E.M. has just released their latest album ACCELERATE, which ended a 4 year drought on new music from them. Many are saying ACCELERATE is one of R.E.M’s best albums and a great rebound from ‘Around The Sun.’ To download the whole ACCELERATE album or individual songs, click here.

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THE ROLLING STONES `Shine A Light‘ is the soundtrack to director Martin Scorsese’s film of the same name, which documents The Rolling Stones’ performances at New York’s Beacon Theatre on October 29 and November 1, 2006. Also available for full album and individual song downloads from Amazon.com.

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The multi-platinum supergroup Asia returns with “Phoenix,” the first new album featuring the original line up in 25 years! With a revered musical pedigree, Geoff Downes (Yes, The Buggles), Steve Howe (Yes), Carl Palmer (ELP), and John Wetton (King Crimson) have returned to their hit making roots. Featuring the anthemic lead track “Never Again”, and the poignant “An Extraordinary Life,” Asia’s revived the sound that made them radio staples. PHOENIX is due to be released April 15, 2008.

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On the heels of their hugely successful 2007 ampitheater tour, Rush is now giving all their fans the chance to aurally experience the concert for themselves with the double album, Snakes & Arrows Live. The live set features perennial favorites like “Tom Sawyer,” “The Spirit of Radio,” and “YYZ” as well as new fare “Far Cry,” “Spindrift,” and “The Larger Bowl.” Also to be released April 15, 2008.

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The Clash Live: REVOLUTION ROCK (DVD) is an exciting new documentary film directed by long-time Clash collaborator and Grammy-winning producer Don Letts (Westway To The World) that chronicles the electric live performances of one of the most influential bands to emerge from the UK. Set to be released April 15, 2008.

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The premier household name in melodic hard rock returns with a vengeance! Whitesnake is back with “Good To Be Bad“, their 10th studio album and first in over a decade. This brand new album features a slew of instant-classic Whitesnake songs that are destined to stand side by side with such favorites as “Here I Go Again”, “Still Of The Night” and “Fool For Your Love.” Whitesnake’s latest is set to be released April 22, 2008.

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Japanese pressing of Madonna’s 2008 full-length album ‘Hard Candy‘ includes one bonus track, ‘Ring My Bell’. Hard Candy has been described as a brilliant, up-tempo collection of 12 songs in which Madonna remains ensconced in club mode but this time ads an urban Hip Hop beat in callaboration with musical partners Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Pharrell Williams of the Neptunes and Nate “Danja” Hills. ‘Hard Candy’ will be released May 6, 2008 but can be pre-ordered now.

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Dokken’s debut album for Rhino, LIGHTNING STRIKES, marks a return to form that rivals their past platinum successes. “Our goal,” says Don Dokken, “was to create an album that was our best since our heyday. This music is as good as any we did in the ’80s.” Fueled, as ever, by Don Dokken’s formidable lead vocals, standout tracks include “Standing On The Outside,” “Oasis” and “Heart To Stone,” all of which capture the potent crush of barbed-wire riffs and razor-sharp melodies that made Dokken one of the biggest band of the ’80s and one of the most dominant and creative forces in hard rock. May 13, 2008 is the magic date for Dokken’s latest release.

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Unfortunately there is no information on The Michael Schenker Group’s latest LP ‘In The Midst Of Beauty‘ [LIVE], however I’m sure this album rocks! MSG’s ‘In The Midst Of Beauty’ is due out May 13, 2008. After that time there will plenty of reviews. I even went to MSG’s official website but found no info on their new album. Stay tuned and pre-order your copy now.

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This is the 40th anniversary special edition of the ultimate critical guide to the work of Pink Floyd in concert on record and on film. Using the actual words of the band and critics WELCOME TO THE MACHINE is the definitive review of the music of Pink Floyd from the Syd Barrett era to Pulse. ‘Welcome To The Machine‘ (DVD) is due out May 13, 2008.

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True to the title of his #1 debut album, R&B superstar Keith Sweat is out to Make It Last forever. Two decades after his initial breakthrough, Sweat’s new album ‘Just Me‘ more than proves he’s still the master of the slow jam, delivering deep soul grooves in the tradition of his classic hits and sounding right in sync 21st century R&B. ‘Just Me’ is set to be released May 13, 2008.

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Cyndi Lauper - Bring Ya to the Brink: There’s no album cover art available yet and no reviews or description for ‘Bring Ya to the Brink‘ either. Sorry for not having any info on this one, but you can pre-order for Cyndi’s May 20, 2008 latest release.

Wow! So many new releases from 80’s artists due out real soon (with a few that are already released). Pretty exciting for 80’s music fans the world over! Enjoy.