1980s music icons the world lost track of

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The 1980s were an era marked by abundant hair styles, catchy tunes, and a surge of fresh music, particularly the rise of New Wave in the early years. With so many new musical acts emerging and genres being defined, it could be challenging to keep tabs on where some artists ended up.

Some disappeared after their initial success, while others continued to thrive by forming new groups or going solo. However, the four instances you’ll find below didn’t follow either path. Instead, they maintained their original lineup, persisting in obscurity or fading into oblivion.

As a gaming aficionado, I’d say: Back in the day, these musicians used to create some tunes that really rocked! However, with time, they seem to have slipped from the limelight. It’s not an insult to them, but the reality is, if artists don’t keep pumping out fresh tracks, the audience tends to move on and discover new sounds.

4 1980s hit-makers people lost track of

Fine Young Cannibals

This three-piece band put out just two studio albums, and the second one topped charts worldwide, including the U.S. Their album titled “The Raw & the Cooked” included the massively successful hit “She Drives Me Crazy.” At first, this song was enjoyable, but it lost its charm after being played incessantly on the radio by millions.

It’s surprising to note that none of the former group members went on to achieve significant success following their breakup. Their personal disagreements led to the band’s dissolution, yet it seems as though not a single member managed to excel in anything notable throughout those years, unfortunately.

Loverboy

The initial Canadian band on our list had a Foreigner-like feel rather than pure pop. They managed to score four top-20 singles in the U.S. and two top-10 albums. Their chart success peaked in 1985 with the album “Lovin’ Every Minute of It“. There was often an impression that they leaned more towards style than depth.

As a devoted fan, I’ve been eagerly awaiting new studio albums from my favorite band, but they’ve been sporadically releasing them over the years. Despite this, their last album dropped in 2014. Even though their main focus has been on the band, their lead singer Mike Reno managed to achieve solo success too! His 1983 hit single “Almost Paradise,” a collaboration with Ann Wilson of Heart, was featured in the Footloose soundtrack and peaked at number seven on the US Billboard charts.

Men Without Hats

The predicament facing this Canadian band is that their catalog, though quirky, was often underestimated in depth by many. Their hit single, “The Safety Dance,” became such a sensation that it eclipsed the rest of the band’s output. Interestingly, the song performed better abroad than in Canada where it peaked at number 11.

In the 2020s, the band kept releasing albums, albeit with intermittent pauses and significant shifts in membership. As a result, they didn’t retain the same sound as they did during their early days. Among other successful tracks, “The Safety Dance” wasn’t the only one; “Pop Goes the World” also gained popularity, even reaching number one in Austria back in 1987.

Nena

The term “Nena” can be confusing for several reasons. Firstly, it refers to both the name of the band and the solo artist herself. While the band stopped producing albums in 1986, the solo artist continued her career well into the 2020s. Secondly, despite achieving success in Germany, Nena, whose real name is Gabriele Susanne Kerner, did not gain significant recognition elsewhere.

Despite changing times, the band continues to hold a timeless appeal on a worldwide level, largely due to their 1983 single “99 Red Balloons.” This song reached the top spot in numerous countries and peaked at number two in the U.S. In the UK, its English version even climbed to the top of the charts. Notably, solo artist Nena has achieved seven top-10 singles in Germany.

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2025-05-24 18:00