Five unforgettable musicians from the 80s

CAIRO – 23 July 2017: Whether you're feeling nostalgic or want to learn a bit of music history, here's a look at 5 of the most influential musicians from the 80s, with their profound influence still felt to this day.

Queen


Queen_1976 - Courtesy Wikimedia

Founded in 1971, English rock-band Queen shot to fame as one of the most absolutely successful musical projects of all time, with hits such as 'We Will Rock You', ' Bohemian Rhapsody' and 'We are the Champions' firmly embedded into popular consciousness worldwide. The band's lead singer was the late Freddie Mercury, who, alongside band members Brian May, John Deacon and Roger Taylor ensured their place as one of history's most popular bands.

Michael Jackson


Michael Jackson Concert 2 - Courtesy of Flicker/kronic.it

Hailed as the ‘King of Pop,’ Michael Jackson had been entertaining his entire life. Born in 1958 in Indiana, USA, he joined his family's popular band 'Jackson 5', charming audiences even from a young age. Jackson would prove himself to be an utterly astonishing musical force, releasing wild hits such as 'Thriller', 'Bad' and 'Man in the Mirror'. His later life was steeped in controversy however, including allegations of pedophilia, and he died under controversial circumstances in June 25, 2009, right before his comeback tour. Still, Jackson is beloved by family and fans alike to this day, remembered as an absolutely thrilling musician.


David Bowie


David Bowie, R.I.P. - Courtesy of Flicker/Ronald (Ron) Douglas Frazier

A truly out of this world talent, David Bowie, born January 8, 1947, pursued his passion with such a wild, infectious dynamism that anyone who witnessed him would find it hard to believe he was a mere man. An actor, songwriter and singer, Bowie was renowned for his bizarre costumes which only furthered his amazing presence on the stage, performing as a fantastical sci-fi character called 'Ziggy Stardust.' His musical hits include 'Under Pressure,' and as an actor he starred as 'The Man Who Fell to Earth'. Alas, Bowie's time on this earth was far too short, and after releasing his final album he lost the fight to cancer on January 10, 2016.

Madonna


Madonna live Who's That Girl World Tour, 1987 - Courtesy of Wikipedia

One of the defining artists of the 80s, Madonna is one of the world's wealthiest female musicians, soaring to the top through constant evolution, pushing herself and her music about as far as they can go. Born on August 16, 1958 to a heavily Catholic family, Madonna's dislike of rules coupled with the death of her mother at a young age helped shape her into a powerful, independent woman with a voice that demanded to be heard. Her top hits include ‘Like a Virgin,’ ‘Vogue’ and ‘Crazy for You,’ with her latest album, Rebel Hearts, released in 2015.

Prince


Prince at Coachella - Courtesy of Wikimedia

As much an innovator as he was a singer, Prince, full name Prince Rogers Nelson was born on June 7, 1958. He suffered from epilepsy as a child, which led him to being bullied by other children, but emerged into the creation of his flashy, larger-than-life personality, which in turn helped propel him to musical stardom. He also faced controversy, with his album Dirty Mind acquiring criticism over its fusion of religious and sexual themes, and more recently his refusal to allow any of his music on YouTube or Spotify. Sadly, Prince died of a drug overdose on April 21, 2016.