10 80s Rock Stars Who Released Terrible Pop Albums to Stay Relevant

The 1980s saw many rock artists attempting to adapt to the evolving music scene by incorporating pop elements into their work. While some succeeded, others faced criticism and commercial disappointment. Here are ten notable examples:

1. Steve Strange of Visage

After the third Visage album, Beat Boy, failed to make an impact, frontman Steve Strange formed Strange Cruise in 1985. This new band aimed for a pop rock sound, contrasting Visage’s earlier new wave style. They released a self-titled album in 1986, featuring singles like “Rebel Blue Rocker” and a cover of “The Beat Goes On.” Despite these efforts, the album did not achieve commercial success, leading to the group’s disbandment.

2. The Soft Boys

The Soft Boys, led by Robyn Hitchcock, ventured into a more polished pop sound with their 1980 album Underwater Moonlight. This shift aimed to align with the burgeoning new wave movement. Despite its later recognition as a classic, the album initially failed commercially, leading to the band’s breakup shortly after its release.

3. The Bangles

The Bangles achieved significant success with pop hits like “Walk Like an Egyptian” and “Manic Monday.” However, their 1988 album Everything attempted to blend their pop sensibilities with a more rock-oriented approach. Despite producing hits, the album received mixed reviews, with some critics feeling the band struggled to balance their rock roots with mainstream pop appeal.

4. Indochine

French band Indochine, known for their gothic rock style, experimented with pop elements in their 1987 album 7000 Danses. This attempt to reach a broader audience led to mixed reviews and a decline in their popularity in France, though they remained successful in other parts of Europe.

5. Elvis Costello

Elvis Costello’s 1982 album Imperial Bedroom showcased a departure from his earlier punk-influenced sound, embracing elaborate pop arrangements. Despite critical acclaim, the album’s complex style confused some fans and did not achieve significant commercial success.

6. Robert Plant

After Led Zeppelin disbanded, Robert Plant pursued a solo career, releasing Shaken ‘n’ Stirred in 1985. The album featured a synth-pop sound, a significant departure from his rock roots. This change received mixed reviews and failed to resonate with his traditional fan base.

7. Mick Jagger

Mick Jagger’s 1987 solo album Primitive Cool aimed to blend pop and rock elements. Despite his fame with The Rolling Stones, the album did not perform well commercially and received lukewarm reviews, highlighting the challenges rock artists faced when shifting to pop.

8. Billy Squier

Billy Squier’s 1984 album Signs of Life included the pop-oriented single “Rock Me Tonite.” The song’s music video was criticized for its departure from his rock image, leading to a decline in his popularity and illustrating the risks of embracing pop styles.

9. Queen

Queen’s 1982 album Hot Space incorporated disco and pop elements, diverging from their classic rock sound. This shift received mixed reactions from fans and critics, and the album’s commercial performance was below expectations, demonstrating the potential pitfalls of changing musical direction.

10. David Bowie

David Bowie’s 1987 album Never Let Me Down attempted to fuse pop and rock but was met with critical disappointment. Fans and critics felt the album lacked the innovation of his earlier work, and it is often cited as a low point in his career.