Supergroup:Supertramp

Although their most successful album was technically released in March of '79, the Brittish group Supertramp reaped the benefits of that album throughout the early 80s. The album was called Breakfast in America and spawned 4 Billboard Top 40 Hits; 'The Logical Song', 'Take The Long Way Home', 'Breakfast In America' & 'Goodbye Stranger'. The album also had sold over 19 Million copies by 1990.  Supertramp was a progressive art rock band marked by the use of spiritual and philosophical lyrics and the distinctive voice of co-founder Roger Hodgson.

They were also well known for their prominent use of the Wurlitzer electric piano. Personally, This is one of my favorite groups from the 70s & 80s. I love their simplistic happy-go-lucky songs and Hodgson has one of those voices that just makes me envious.

After the release of their 1982 album 'Famous Last Words', which included the hit 'It's Raining Again', and a hugely successful tour in 1983, Hodgson parted ways with Supertramp to spend more time with his family and pursue solo opportunities. Supertramp has remained together with various lineups, sans Hodgson, since then and continues to make music and perform.

 

 

Maybe Not Royalty, But....

The 80's seemed to be a decade dominated by royalty.
The top two most successful acts of the 80's were enthroned by a king (Michael Jackson: The King of Pop) & a queen (Madonna: The Queen of Pop). The number 4 most successful act was (a) Prince. In the midst of all the royalty was the number 3 most successful act of the decade, although not royalty, they may be considered a treasure to say the least.

Hall & Oates, formed in 1972, had already amassed 7 Top 40 hits in the 70's, including a #1 hit with 'Rich Girl' in '77. They are the most successful 'duo' in american recorded history and actually charted more Top 40 hits (22) than both MJ (18) & Madonna (19) in the 80s!

From Wikipedia: They specialized in a fusion of Rock & Roll and Rhythm & Blues styles, which they dubbed "rock and soul." Critics Stephen Thomas Erlewine and J. Scott McClintock write, "at their best, Hall & Oates' songs were filled with strong hooks and melodies that adhered to soul traditions without being a slave to them by incorporating elements of new wave and hard rock."

Although my favorite track by Hall & Oates is 'Sara Smile' from '76, 'Maneater' was always a favorite from the 80s.

Oh, and by the way... Elton John gets a royalty honorable mention for being the #8 most successful act of the decade. Sir Elton was actually knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in February of 1998!



80s Spotlight Artist: Howard Jones

Howard Jones kinda flew under the radar for me in the 80s, although you heard his songs all the time. He amassed 8 Billboard Top 40 hits between '84 and '89 and one more in '92. He scored 10 Top 40 hits as well in the UK during this time period. His songs were very 'radio friendly' in that when they came on the radio, you really wouldn't change the station like you might with others. His highest charters were 'Things Can Only Get Better' (#5 in '85) and 'No One Is To Blame' (#4 in '86).

From Wikipedia: "Jones is an accomplished singer-songwriter who was a regular chart visitor in the mid 1980s with his brand of Synthpop". "Jones was one of the defining figures of mid 1980s synthpop. His music merged the technology intensive sound of New Wave with the cheery optimism of hippies and late 1960s pop.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Jones_(musician)