The aim of this book is to provide a complete handbook of information and opinion about the history of the music of the 1980s. There are over 1000 entries on the bands, musicians, songwriters, producers and record labels of this decade, everyone who had any significant impact on the development of rock and pop music. From the new romantics who colourfully filled the gap left by punk, to the stadium acts who provided a launch pad for Live Aid, from bands who will be remembered as quintessential eighties artists, such as Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Adam Ant, George Michael and Madonna, to others who flourished only briefly, this encyclopaedia aims to answer any query about any aspect of 80s music.
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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
Finally, a Virginal take on the decade defined by rubber bracelets, neon clothing, asymmetrical hair, and Ronald Reagan. Colin Larkin sets up few barriers to entry--if it's musical and it happened during the '80s, it's in. He places, for example, enduring legends such as Prince--before the diminutive one chucked his name--and Madonna alongside such colleagues as Flock of Seagulls and Men Without Hats. Each artist or group merits a sound synopsis, biographical information, and a list of albums as well as a videography and bibliography where applicable. Larkin and his contributing writers are careful not to let their views interfere with readers' nostalgia trips as they pick and pluck their way through a musical era typified by extremes. Some of the decade's peaks include the first rap recording and the debut of MTV, while Debbie Gibson's "Electric Youth" and Tiffany's "I Think We're Alone Now" arguably represent its valleys. Or is it the other way around? Whether you delight in '80s music or rue the fact that you can't get "Friday I'm in Love" out of your head, this volume is an essential reference. --Jordana Moskowitz
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Eighties fans, this book is for you!,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Virgin Encyclopedia of Eighties Music (Virgin Encyclopedias of Popular Music) (Paperback)
If your a NewWave fan I recommend this instead of "Virgin Encyclopedia for Indie and New Wave" which is a much weaker reference than this. "Eighties Music" contains useful, if occasionally biased, reviews of many of the greatest bands, as well as smaller bands, of the 80s. Entries are occasionally very insightful, like the XTC entry. As a major NewWave/80s fan, I heartily recommend this book.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing,
By
This review is from: The Virgin Encyclopedia of Eighties Music (Virgin Encyclopedias of Popular Music) (Paperback)
I had high expectations for this book which it just doesn't come close to achieving. The information on the musicians inside is rather basic and nothing you probably won't already know if you are a fan of any of them. There are no pictures at all inside and the text is written in a rather boring way. I had hoped to be able to look up songs or movie soundtrack albums in the index and see who actually sang them so I could order them on Amazon or somewhere but only artists are listed in the index and the book does not contain soundtrack albums at all. A very poor effort of what could have been a great and handy beneficial reference tool.
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