80s Music Background Information
Music in the 1980s was all about image and with the advent and popularity of MTV , the images that accompanied artists became more important than ever . When it came to music during the decade , nothing was understated , not the sound , not the fashion , not even the charity . The 1980s reflected the beginning of a period of great income disparity and a focus on affluence was reflected in the music . There were also several new genres that popped up including , Hip Hop , New Wave and Hair Metal , all of which have influenced music today .
MTV
Arguably the most important event to influence music during the 1980s was the creation of the cable network MTV ( Music Television ). MTV was the first network to exclusively showcase music videos , making its debut on August 1st , 1981 . The first music video to be played on the channel was , appropriately , the Buggles ' " Video Killed the Radio Star ," as music would forever change and the focus would shift from music and lyrics to fashion and theatrics , at least in the world of pop music . The original concept of the network was to play music videos twenty-four hours a day , every day . And , while this has obviously changed since then , the innovative concept created a whole new breed of pop star .
New Pop Superstars
Pop stars and their music changed in the 1980s with the help of MTV and a greater focus on image . A new breed of mega-stars emerged , becoming iconic mascots for the genre and defining the decade through fashion , talent and persona . Some of the superstars to emerge were Madonna , Michael Jackson , Whitney Houston and Prince . They experienced a level of fame and success not seen since Elvis Presley and the Beatles . These stars influenced fashion through their music videos , giving fans a first hand glimpse into emerging trends . Their songs set the gold standard for what pop music should be , and through constant reinvention they were able to navigate the pop culture world and keep themselves relevant . Thirty years on , they are still the standard that today ' s pop