We Ranked The Best 1980s Singers Of All Time

As disco went out, the 1980s saw a surge of new sounds, such as modern rock and electronic dance music. With the advent of soft rock, glam metal, and thrash metal, rock music continued to be hugely popular, while post-disco, Italo disco, Euro disco, and dance-pop grabbed center stage. With the rise of new electronic music genres including electro, techno, house, and freestyle, digital recording and synthesizers became essential tools. Glam metal was the most popular genre of music in the world by the end of the decade. Here is a ranking of the best vocalists from the 1980s.

20. Jon Bon Jovi
Born John Francis Bongiovi, Jr., Jon Bon Jovi is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, and philanthropist. His most well-known role was that of frontman and creator of the rock group Bon Jovi, which he and keyboardist David Bryan founded in 1983. The group became well-known because of their 1986 album Slippery When Wet, which included singles including “Livin’ on a Prayer,” “You Give Love a Bad Name,” and “Wanted Dead or Alive.”

19. Madonna
Aside from her uniquely amazing voice, she captured audiences with the deep meaning of her songs. Her tracks like “La Isla Bonita” and “Like a Prayer” are particularly noteworthy, according to her fans, because they both have intriguing backstories that go well with the music. It is evident how much she has changed over the years when comparing her then and now.

18. James Hetfield
American musician, singer, and composer James Alan Hetfield was born on August 3, 1963. He is most known for being the main songwriter, rhythm guitarist, lead singer, and co-founder of the renowned heavy metal band Metallica.

17. Morten Harket
It’s true! One of the songs that is almost hard to sing like Morten Harket is “Take On Me” by A-ha. Even the most experienced vocalists find it difficult to match his vocal range and the recognizable high notes he hits. Not to mention “Summer Moved On”—just holding those lengthy, strong notes is an accomplishment in and of itself. It’s difficult for anyone else to match the man’s amazing vocal ability since his voice is just that amazing.

16. Rick Astley
British singer and composer Rick Astley was born in Newton-le-Willows, UK, on February 6, 1966. He is most known for the viral “Rickrolling” craze. He began playing in local bands and a church choir before becoming well-known. After touring the world in 1989, he switched to a more soulful style and scored another hit with “Cry for Help,” which peaked at #7 in the U.S. and the U.K. He had tremendous success in the late 1980s and early 1990s with songs like “Never Gonna Give You Up” and “Together Forever.”

15. Whitney Houston
Many people consider Whitney Houston to be the best singer of all time because of her unparalleled vibrato, head voice, and pure tone, which distinguish her from other performers. She was a true icon because of her unmistakable theatrical presence. It should come as no surprise that almost all female pop singers name Whitney as one of their largest, if not their most important, influences. Her influence on the music business is still unmatched.

14. Bruce Springsteen
Despite his rusty voice, Bruce Springsteen, popularly known as “The Boss,” has popularized some of the greatest rock anthems and ballads about the American working class. He stands out from other artists due to his constancy, fervor, and commitment to his convictions. Even now, Springsteen still delivers with the same intensity and his spectacular three-hour shows are unrivaled. He certainly deserves to be at the top of the charts.

13. George Michael
The English singer, songwriter, record producer, and philanthropist George Michael was born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou. He first became well-known as a member of the band Wham! He was one of the most famous musicians of his era because of his unique and unrivaled voice, which made him stand out in the music industry.

12. Axl Rose
Axl Rose is the founder and lead singer of the legendary hard rock band Guns N’ Roses. Known for his powerful and distinctive voice, he’s a celebrated yet controversial figure in rock music. No one can quite match his vocal style, which is truly one of a kind. Beyond his singing, Axl’s dynamic stage presence and smooth moves, including his signature snake dance, make him an unforgettable performer. He is, without a doubt, one of the best!

11. Steve Perry
The voice of Steve Perry is genuinely unique. He contributed to the development of Journey’s distinctive sound as lead singer, and his solo work, such as Street Talk, is just as outstanding. With his ability to strike high notes and express intense emotion with his voice, Steve Perry became known as “The Voice.” His impact on rock music and his classic singles with Journey continue to motivate new generations of musicians and fans.

10. Tom Araya
Chilean-American musician Tomás Enrique “Tom” Araya Díaz is well-known for being the frontman and bassist of the thrash metal group Slayer. His rap-like shouting helped create the death metal genre and is still distinctive and influential today, even though his vocal style may not be appropriate for traditional singing.

9. Brian Johnson
Since 1980, English singer and songwriter Brian Johnson has been the lead vocalist for the Australian rock group AC/DC. He and the band were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2003. However, Johnson left the remainder of AC/DC’s Rock or Bust World Tour in April 2016 because of hearing problems.

8. Ozzy Osbourne
Born on December 3, 1948, John Michael “Ozzy” Osbourne is renowned as “The Prince of Darkness.” Ozzy is an English singer, composer, and television personality who rose to prominence as Black Sabbath’s main vocalist in the early 1970s. He had a successful solo career after being kicked out of the band in 1979, putting out 11 studio albums and securing his position in rock history.

7. Rob Halford
The lead vocalist of the Grammy Award-winning heavy metal band Judas Priest is Robert John Arthur “Rob” Halford, an English singer and songwriter. Halford has established himself as a renowned character in the heavy metal music industry thanks to his remarkable, operatic voice with a wide range.

6. Tony Hadley
Tony Hadley’s voice is renowned for its remarkable conviction, control, and power. He was well-known in the 1980s for both his extraordinary vocal ability and his tall, attractive build. He is regarded by many as one of the greatest because his voice is still confident, strong, and natural.

5. Ronnie James Dio
Among the notable bands that Ronnie James Dio led or started were Heaven & Hell, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio, and Elf. He is well-known for his poems with medieval themes and is recognized for popularizing the “metal horns” gesture. Dio’s strong, multifaceted voice was praised by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore for its ability to shine in both heavy rock and ballads. His records sold more than 47 million copies.

4. Freddie Mercury
The legendary lead singer and lyricist of the British rock group Queen, Freddie Mercury, was well-known for his powerful stage presence and remarkable four-octave vocal range. He played in three bands before becoming well-known with Queen: Ibex, Sour Milk Sea, and The Hectics. Mercury died of bronchopneumonia, an HIV/AIDS consequence, on November 24, 1991.

3. Bruce Dickinson
Bruce Dickinson is best known as the lead singer of the heavy metal band Iron Maiden, as well as for his successful solo career. Beyond music, he has investigated other pursuits, including becoming a commercial pilot for Astraeus Airlines. During Iron Maiden’s globe tours, Dickinson has notably flown Ed Force One, the band’s special charter aircraft.

2. Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain was the founder of Nirvana, a grunge band that went on to become one of the most successful in history. A gifted but troubled artist, Cobain became a rock icon in the 1990s. Tragically, he took his own life at his Seattle home in 1994, leaving a lasting impact on the music world.

1. Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson had the best-selling album of all time, Thriller, and developed the legendary music video and pioneering dance routine, the Moonwalk. His singles including “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” “Bad,” and “Smooth Criminal” are indelible. In addition to being a talented musician, he was a kind person who gave away all of the money from his Bad tour to a worthy cause. Michael Jackson is a legend because of his skill, generosity, and modesty.