Beyond coverage of mainstream 80s music, such as "hair band" hard rock, pop, new wave, and rap, this compilation of essential musical artists also covers genres like classical, jazz, outlaw country, and music theater. Popular music in the United States during the 1980s is well known for imports from abroad, such as A-ha, Def Leppard, Falco, and Men at Work, as well as homegrown American rock acts such as Guns 'N Roses, Huey Lewis and the News, Bon Jovi, and Poison. But there were many other types of genres of music that never received airplay on the radio or MTV that also experienced significant evolutions or growth in that decade. Music of the 1980s examines the key artists in specific genres of popular music: pop, hard rock/heavy metal, rock, and country. No other reference book for students has previously explored the surprisingly diverse categories of hard rock and heavy metal music with such detail and depth. Additionally, a chapter focuses on the prominent artists and composers of less-mainstream genres for specialized audiences, including music theater, jazz, and classical music.

A “hugely entertaining” history of the 1980s New Wave music scene told through new interviews with its biggest artists (Rolling Stone). Mad World is a compelling oral history that celebrates the New Wave music phenomenon of the 1980s via new interviews with 35 of the most notable artists of the period. Each chapter begins with a discussion of their most popular song and leads to stories of their history and place in the scene, ultimately painting a vivid picture of this colorful, idiosyncratic time. Mixtape suggestions, fashion sidebars, and quotes from famous contemporary admirers help fill out the fun. Participants include members of Duran Duran, New Order, The Smiths, Tears for Fears, Adam Ant, Echo, and the Bunnymen, Devo, ABC, Spandau Ballet, A Flock of Seagulls, Thompson Twins, INXS, and more. “One addictive chapter after another.” —Rob Sheffield, author of Talking to Girls About Duran Duran “Tells the tale of some of the decade’s most unforgettable songs . . . in fascinating detail, letting the architects of these memorable records shine a light on how the sound of a generation came to be.” —The Hollywood Reporter “The new wave era is often dismissed for its one-hit wonders and silly haircuts, but [Mad World] examines the period with a great deal of love and reverence.” —Buzzfeed “A really informative and insightful read.” —People

“Are We Not New Wave? is destined to become the definitive study of new wave music.” —Mark Spicer, coeditor of Sounding Out Pop New wave emerged at the turn of the 1980s as a pop music movement cast in the image of punk rock’s sneering demeanor, yet rendered more accessible and sophisticated. Artists such as the Cars, Devo, the Talking Heads, and the Human League leapt into the Top 40 with a novel sound that broke with the staid rock clichés of the 1970s and pointed the way to a more modern pop style. In Are We Not New Wave? Theo Cateforis provides the first musical and cultural history of the new wave movement, charting its rise out of mid-1970s punk to its ubiquitous early 1980s MTV presence and downfall in the mid-1980s. The book also explores the meanings behind the music’s distinctive traits—its characteristic whiteness and nervousness; its playful irony, electronic melodies, and crossover experimentations. Cateforis traces new wave’s modern sensibilities back to the space-age consumer culture of the late 1950s/early 1960s. Three decades after its rise and fall, new wave’s influence looms large over the contemporary pop scene, recycled and celebrated not only in reunion tours, VH1 nostalgia specials, and “80s night” dance clubs but in the music of artists as diverse as Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, and the Killers.

(Easy Piano Songbook). Easy piano arrangements of over 80 songs from the decade of excess where Generation X came of age. Includes: Another Brick in the Wall * Billie Jean * Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run) * Chariots of Fire * Don't Stop Believin' * Endless Love * Eye of the Tiger * Flashdance...What a Feeling * Girls Just Want to Have Fun * How Will I Know * I Love Rock 'N Roll * Jump * Karma Chameleon * Let's Hear It for the Boy * Like a Virgin * Missing You * Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now * One More Night * Pour Some Sugar on Me * Right Here Waiting * Sweet Child O' Mine * Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) * Take on Me * Through the Years * Up Where We Belong * What's Love Got to Do with It * When Doves Cry * With or Without You * and more.

The story of the final recordings of one of the greatest jazz musicians of the twentieth century

(Piano/Vocal/Guitar Songbook). The 1980s were all about shoulders pads, parachute pants, and jams like the ones in this rad collection of nearly 60 hit songs arranged for piano and voice with guitar chord frames: Africa * Billie Jean * Can't Fight This Feeling * Come On Eileen * Down Under * Every Breath You Take * Every Rose Has Its Thorn * Faith * Footloose * Girls Just Want to Have Fun * Hello * Here I Go Again * I Love Rock 'N Roll * I Want to Know What Love Is * Jessie's Girl * Like a Virgin * Livin' on a Prayer * Open Arms * Right Here Waiting * Rosanna * Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) * Time After Time * Total Eclipse of the Heart * Uptown Girl * and more.

"The 80s Music Compendium is not only an entertaining book for 80s music lovers, but it is informative for music geeks everywhere." -Nina Blackwood: Original MTV VJ and SiriusXM Radio Host The 80s Music Compendium is the ultimate resource for every 80s music fan, deejay, cover band, and music educator. After listening to all 4,172 songs that made Billboard's Hot 100 chart during the 80s, the author has compiled 113 lists that include over 3600 songs. "If you like 80s music, The 80s Music Compendium is a must have." -www.liketotally80s.com 80s Music Fans will love the lists that organize their old favorite songs and help them discover lost 80s gems they may have missed. "This is the perfect companion for 80s fanatics! Love it!" -Clive Farrington, When in Rome Music Trivia Buffs will love the countless numbers of 80s music trivia, facts, and tidbits. For example, which artist had the most hits with a saxophone solo? The answer is on page 152. Deejays will love the ready-made playlists this book gives them- Want to make a playlist with songs with piano solos, country-pop crossover hits, 80s rap songs, or 70s remakes? The research is already done for you. Cover Bands will love the ease with which they can find songs with certain instruments- Need a popular song with a mandolin? What about that guy in your band who's always begging to show off his skills on the accordion, violin, or banjo? Find songs for those instruments quickly and easily! What about Music Teachers? There are lists of songs with countermelodies, syncopation, ostinatos, foreign languages, etc. Music from the 80s has never been organized like this!