Ah, the ‘80’s, big hair, neon clothes, jelly shoes! Love it or hate it, the “decade of decadence” was the soundtrack to my coming of age. Most of my important “firsts” happened during that 10 year span, first crush, first kiss, first “more than a kiss,” first love, first heartbreak, first car, first protest and the list goes on. And I can associate a song with each and every one of those moments.
It was a time, musically, when anything went. Mainstream pop, no problem, Wham, Duran Duran, Hall and Oates, they were all there to fit the bill. Need something with a little more edge, no problem, Ozzy, Quiet Riot or Metallica might have been more your thing. And if you were more into alternative, there was always Depeche Mode, The Smiths or R.E.M.
The music scene seemed to be wide open! Anyone that could carry a tune, at least to my mind, appeared to have a shot at the big time. The problem, however, with everyone having a shot is that not everyone gets the recognition they deserved, regardless of talent, looks or the elusive “it factor.” This is my list, in no particular order, of the artists, or bands, that had most, if not all 3 in spades, yet didn’t quite find themselves alongside Madonna, Michael Jackson, The Police or U2 in the royal court of retro.
1. Rush
Three Canadian guys, Geddy Lee, Neil Peart and Alex Lifeson, formed a little band called Rush in 1968. Over the course of their career, they released 24 albums and found considerable success in their home country. However, the elusive American acceptance proved a more difficult task. In fact the band, and those that liked them were often ridiculed. In fact, for a time, there was a running joke among some American music fans about having “that Rush friend.”
Now, in the interest of full disclosure, these guys weren’t even on my radar during my youth. I cared less about the music and more about how attractive the artists were. These guys are brilliant musicians and performers, but they weren’t exactly heartthrobs. More fool me. As Meatloaf sang, 2 out of 3 ain’t bad, and in this case, it’s fu*king amazing!
I saw them live in Halifax, Nova Scotia back in 2013, and instantly became a fan! The sounds that come from these 3 guys, keep that in mind, there’s only 3 of them — do yourself a favour and have a listen.
2. Corey Hart
Canada’s back in the house with Montreal-born cutie Corey Hart. His first 3 albums, First Offence, Boy in the Box and Fields of Fire were HUGE, huge, I tell ya! Well, here in my home country, anyway. Yes, that worldwide megastar status that he seemed to be destined for never really happened. His biggest hit across the border in the US was Never Surrender, which hit #4.
This kid had it all, pouty good looks, a great voice and that certain magic on stage. And, get this, he even wrote many of his biggest hits. I’m beginning to wonder if this underrated thing has something to do with being Canadian. I mean can we help it if we grown ’em pretty and talented up here? The winters are long and cold, so aside from being cute, we do stuff, like learn a sport, or an instrument, or how to sing. It keeps us off those frozen streets.
3. Jimi Jamison
Okay, I’ll get of my snow-laden soapbox for a bit and give an American some much deserved attention. I consider myself quite an aficionado of ‘80’s music. If there’s a trivia quiz about it, I will win, just will. Ask me the Billboard #1 song for any year of the decade, I can tell you. Give me the first 10–20 seconds of any song, I can identify it. Obscure facts, songs, acts, no problem. But, somehow, THIS GUY, slipped past me.
I had no idea, No. Idea. that Survivor ever had a different lead singer than the blonde guy from Eye of the Tiger. Do you know when I found out? About 2 weeks ago. I wish I were joking. Either I’m not nearly as smart as I think I am or someone didn’t do a very good job of alerting the world that Survivor had gotten themselves not only a powerhouse of a voice, but one with devastating good looks and killer stage presence. Oh, and I am as smart as I think I am (or so I've been told).
Seriously, no one I knew knew about him. We just thought he was the eye candy in the video for The Search is Over and that was it. Kind of an “insert hot guy here,” one and done. Someone missed out on a hell-a-lot of record sales, poster sales and merchandising opportunities on this one. As a member of the then 12–24 age demographic, we’d have spent some considerable loot gobbling up anything and everything Survivor and Jimi. He’d have had pride of place on my bedroom wall along with Corey Hart and George Michael. Man, nothing irks me quite as much as leaving good money on the table. Well, maybe one thing, great talent that’s not given it’s due. This guy deserves his place among rock royalty, just sayin’.
4. Roch Voisine
You’ll have to permit me some leeway here. While this list is mostly about the ’80s, I did mention the ’90s. And in fairness, Roch did release his hit Helene in 1989, so he fits the list. That, and I have to represent my home province of New Brunswick, Canada. That’s right, this gorgeous, talented guy was born in Edmundston and raised in St. Basile, until his family moved to Quebec when he was 12.
Despite his stunning good looks, amazing pipes and exceptional song writing ability (you’ll notice that he either wrote or co-wrote most of his biggest hits), I have never met an American that’s even heard of him and they are really missing out.
5. Sebastien Bach
When I was in grade 12, a little band out of Toms River, New Jersey became big, Skid Row. Everyone remembers 18 and Life and I Remember You. Well, did you know that that “little band” was fronted by Sebastien Bach, Bahamas born, and raised in, you guessed it, Canada (I told you we grow ’em pretty and talented, but you wouldn’t listen).
Aside from his modelesque good looks and great stage presence, this dude could sing. And I don’t mean sing, I mean S.I.N.G! The range, O.M.G. This guy is easily one of the best hard rock singers ever, period, end of story. Dude could have screeched out the phone book when the phone book was a thing and made it sound awesome. Yet, I don’t hear any accolades. Granted this one may be a bit of a suspect pick, I mean Skid Row did hit it big in the states, but I still think this guy deserves a place among the greats.
I’m sure there are others I can think of, but I’ll leave it at these 5 for now. The 80’s was a “totally awesome” decade, but that’s the thing, when everyone is totally awesome, the truly awesome get lost in the shuffle.
About the Creator
Misty Rae
Retired legal eagle, nature love, wife, mother of boys and cats, chef, and trying to learn to play the guitar. I play with paint and words. Living my "middle years" like a teenager and loving every second of it!
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