Few decades saw as much upheaval in rock music as the 1980s.
Synths surged, punk gave way to new wave, and MTV changed how bands were seen—and sold. For the giants of the 1970s, the new decade presented a challenge: evolve or fade. Some artists rose brilliantly to the occasion, finding fresh energy in changing times. Others floundered, either unable or unwilling to adapt their sound, losing relevance—or artistic direction—in the process.
This wasn’t just about chasing trends. The ‘80s demanded a different kind of engagement with technology, image, and production. For some, like Peter Gabriel and Genesis, this meant harnessing innovation to unlock a new creative era. For others, like David Bowie, it meant a painful identity crisis before eventual reinvention. Meanwhile, once-untouchable names such as ELP or Led Zeppelin found themselves adrift in a rapidly shifting cultural tide.
Here, we spotlight five acts from the 1970s who struggled to find their place in the new decade—and five who thrived, proving that rock’s evolution can be both cruel and revitalising. Whether by artistic reinvention or sheer adaptability, these artists’ ‘80s journeys reflect a time of dramatic change—and offer a fascinating glimpse into rock’s resilience under pressure.
Five '70s acts who had a good '80s
1. Peter Gabriel
As Genesis's lead singer until 1974, Gabriel was one of the faces of 1970s rock. He also, somehow, managed to be one of the had half of an outstanding 1970s. Yes, Peter Gabriel had an exceptional 1980s—arguably the most successful and creatively fertile decade of his career.
After leaving Genesis in the mid-1970s, Gabriel used the 1980s to fully forge his identity as a solo artist. He blended art rock, world music, and cutting-edge technology with fearless experimentation and emotional depth.
His 1986 album So was a landmark. It combined artistic ambition with mainstream appeal, producing global hits like 'Sledgehammer', 'In Your Eyes', and 'Don’t Give Up' (a duet with Kate Bush). So was both a critical and commercial triumph, showcasing his ability to turn complex ideas into pop gold.
Gabriel also pushed visual boundaries with visionary music videos—especially for 'Sledgehammer'—and was a strong advocate for world music, launching the Real World label and the WOMAD festival.
In short, Gabriel not only adapted to the 1980s—he helped define them on his own uncompromising terms.
2. Talking Heads
Talking Heads began as a nervy art-rock band in the late 1970s, but they truly flourished in the 1980s, embracing the era’s sonic possibilities while staying true to their quirky, cerebral identity. Collaborating with producer Brian Eno, they evolved their sound with albums like Remain in Light (1980), blending African rhythms, funk grooves, and electronic textures.
David Byrne’s eccentric persona found a perfect match in the decade’s visual culture, culminating in the groundbreaking concert film Stop Making Sense (1984). The band consistently experimented without alienating audiences, producing innovative yet accessible tracks like 'Once in a Lifetime' and 'Burning Down the House'.
Their embrace of global influences, technology, and multimedia performance made them one of the most forward-thinking bands of the 1980s—and helped ensure their lasting cultural relevance.
3. Genesis
Genesis adapted remarkably well to the 1980s, transitioning from complex 1970s prog rock to polished, chart-friendly pop-rock without losing their distinctive identity. With Phil Collins stepping forward as frontman, the band embraced more concise songwriting and contemporary production while retaining musical sophistication.
Albums like Duke (1980), Abacab (1981), and the self-titled Genesis (1983) blended catchy hooks with rhythmic complexity and atmospheric textures. Songs such as 'Mama', 'Home by the Sea', and 'Land of Confusion' showed they could be both accessible and adventurous.
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Their stadium-filling success didn't come at the expense of creativity—many tracks from this era still bore the hallmarks of their prog roots. Genesis’s 1980s reinvention not only kept them commercially relevant but made them one of the defining British bands of the decade, proving that artistic evolution and mass appeal could go hand in hand.
4. Grace Jones
Grace Jones stands as a dazzling example of artistic reinvention. Emerging in the 1970s as a disco-era model-turned-singer, she reshaped her sound and image in the 1980s, blending new wave, reggae, funk, and art pop into something utterly original. With albums like Warm Leatherette, Nightclubbing and Slave to the Rhythm, she became a cultural icon—bold, androgynous, fearless.
Her collaborations with visionary producers and musicians pushed boundaries, while her theatrical persona influenced generations. Jones didn’t just adapt to the decade—she helped define it, musically, visually, and culturally, blazing a trail for the avant-garde in mainstream pop.
5. King Crimson
King Crimson’s 1980s resurgence was one of the most radical reinventions in rock history. After a seven-year hiatus, Robert Fripp returned with a completely new lineup and sound, launching the band into an angular, high-tech fusion of new wave, prog, and gamelan-inspired polyrhythms.
Albums like Discipline (1981), Beat (1982), and Three of a Perfect Pair (1984) showcased a tightly interlocked band, with Adrian Belew’s quirky vocals and Fripp’s interwoven guitar lines driving the music into bold, unfamiliar territory. Rather than chasing past glories, Crimson embraced the decade’s sonic innovations—digital technology, minimalism, looping—while maintaining their signature complexity and intensity.
Crimson's live performances during this era were taut and adventurous, proving they could evolve without compromise. The '80s King Crimson wasn’t just a continuation—it was a rebirth, placing them at the vanguard of art rock once again, and influencing countless progressive and alternative acts in the years to come.
6. Roxy Music
Roxy Music are a prime example of a 1970s band who not only survived the seismic shifts of the 1980s but helped shape them. Emerging in the early ’70s as glam rock pioneers with a flair for art-school experimentation, they refined their sound over the decade, gradually embracing a sleeker, more elegant style.
By the time they released Avalon in 1982, they had become sonic architects of sophisticated, atmospheric pop. Bryan Ferry’s suave vocals, ambient textures, and tasteful production defined a new kind of emotional cool—seductive, stylish, and modern. Their music no longer leaned on the confrontational edge of early glam but instead radiated a timeless, cinematic smoothness that resonated deeply with the new decade.
Avalon became a landmark album, beloved then and rediscovered often since. Roxy Music proved that evolution, not compromise, was key to longevity—and in doing so, they became icons of both decades.
Now, six acts who struggled through the Eighties
1. Pink Floyd
Few bands defined the 1970s like Pink Floyd, whose conceptual ambition and sonic innovation culminated in The Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall. But the transition into the 1980s proved difficult. Internal tensions, creative burnout, and Roger Waters’ increasing dominance fractured the group’s dynamic.
The Final Cut (1983), effectively a Waters solo album in all but name, lacked the collaborative spark and expansive soundscapes that had elevated their earlier work. Its bleak, overtly political tone alienated some fans, while David Gilmour’s contributions were sidelined(although brilliant where they appeared - see the title track below).
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Waters’ departure in 1985 sealed the fracture, and although Gilmour-led Floyd would return later in the decade, the sense of artistic unity that had defined their 1970s output was lost. While they remained commercially viable, their 1980s presence felt more like a coda than a continuation. For a band so rooted in introspective grandeur, the new decade proved a more uncertain, fractured landscape.
2. Neil Young
Neil Young’s transition from the 1970s to the 1980s was bold, unpredictable—and often divisive. While the ’70s saw him produce a string of landmark albums that fused folk, rock, and introspective lyricism, the 1980s found him veering into stylistic experimentation with mixed results.
Trans (1982), his most radical departure, introduced vocoders and synths in a bid to explore communication and technology, partly inspired by his son’s speech difficulties. Though fascinating in concept, it baffled many fans and critics. His subsequent releases under Geffen—ranging from rockabilly to country to R&B—were eclectic but uneven, and at times seemed more like provocation than reinvention.
Legal disputes with his label only added to the turbulence. While Young’s creative spirit remained intact, the consistency and cohesion of his ’70s work gave way to a decade marked by confusion and misfires. Nevertheless, the seeds of future resurgence were already quietly being sown amid the chaos.
3. Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan’s 1980s were a rollercoaster—creatively restless, occasionally brilliant, but often inconsistent. While not his most celebrated decade, it was far from without merit.
He began the ’80s in the throes of his Christian period, releasing Saved (1980) and Shot of Love (1981), which received mixed reactions. Infidels (1983), featuring Mark Knopfler and Mick Taylor, was a return to secular themes and is now considered a highlight of the era. But albums like Empire Burlesque (1985) and Knocked Out Loaded (1986) were uneven, suffering from dated production and patchy songwriting.
However, his 1989 album Oh Mercy, produced by Daniel Lanois, marked a late-decade comeback, showcasing a renewed lyrical focus and atmospheric sound. Throughout the decade, Dylan remained a vital presence, touring constantly and taking creative risks—even if the results didn’t always land.
So, while Dylan’s 1980s output was erratic, it also included flashes of his enduring genius.
4. Santana
Santana entered the 1980s having already redefined Latin-infused rock, but the decade proved challenging. As musical trends shifted towards synth-pop, MTV aesthetics, and slicker production, the band struggled to retain its distinctive sound. Albums like Zebop! and Shangó had commercial moments but lacked the creative spark of earlier work. Carlos Santana experimented with radio-friendly styles that diluted his trademark guitar-driven fusion.
The band’s identity became less focused, and critical acclaim waned. While Santana’s musicianship never faltered, the 1980s saw the band navigating industry pressures rather than setting trends—resulting in a dip both artistically and culturally before their 1999 comeback with Supernatural.
5. Emerson, Lake and Palmer
Emerson, Lake & Palmer, titans of 1970s progressive rock, faltered in the 1980s as musical tastes shifted sharply. Their virtuosic, classically inspired epics felt increasingly out of step in a decade dominated by synth-pop, new wave, and streamlined rock. The rot had already set in, to be fair: 1978's Love Beach marked a creative low for ELP/ Rushed to fulfil contractual obligations, its uninspired soft rock felt far removed from their prog roots. The cringe-worthy album cover—featuring the band awkwardly shirtless on a beach—only deepened the sense that this was an artistic misstep best forgotten.
After a hiatus, they attempted a comeback with 1986’s Emerson, Lake & Powell, replacing Carl Palmer with Cozy Powell. While the album had moments of flair, it lacked the inventive spark and cohesion of their prime. Overblown production and dated songwriting further alienated critics and fans. The era revealed the limits of prog excess in a changing musical landscape—and ELP, once innovators, struggled to evolve.
5. Peter Frampton
Peter Frampton’s 1970s heyday, crowned by the phenomenal success of Frampton Comes Alive! (1976), saw him hailed as a guitar hero and arena rock sensation. That double live album captured his melodic flair, charming vocals, and crowd-pleasing energy, becoming one of the best-selling live records of all time.
But the 1980s proved far less kind. As musical tastes shifted and his star faded, Frampton (pictured above with David Bowie, 1987) struggled to reinvent himself artistically. Albums like Breaking All the Rules and The Art of Control failed to connect, with slick production and unfocused songwriting replacing the heartfelt rock of his earlier work. His association with the ill-fated Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band film also hurt his credibility.
The decade saw him drifting into creative limbo—never quite irrelevant, but far from inspired. It wasn’t until later years that Frampton began to rebuild his artistic reputation with more mature, blues-tinged work.
Pics: Getty Images. Additional reporting by Hayden Jones
