Formed in Birmingham, England in 1979, The Beat became an overnight sensation and a leading band of the Two Tone Ska movement. Blending soul, reggae, pop, and punk, they created an infectious dance rhythm promoting unity. Dave Wakeling later kept the legacy alive touring as The English Beat.
Formed in Liverpool in 1979, A Flock of Seagulls combined synths and guitar to create a futuristic sound. They became MTV icons with the 1982 hit I Ran (So Far Away). Their notable songs include Space Age Love Song and Wishing (If I Had a Photograph of You), and they won a Grammy in 1983.
Formed in Los Angeles in 1980, Missing Persons is a pioneering American new wave band featuring Dale Bozzio, Terry Bozzio, Warren Cuccurullo, Patrick O'Hearn, and Chuck Wild. They rose to fame with their 1982 debut album Spring Session M and hits like Walking in L.A.
London new wave band Wang Chung formed in the late '70s, initially as Huang Chung. Known for mid-'80s US hits, the group featured Jack Hues, Nick Feldman, and Darren Costin. Their major success came with the 1986 album Mosaic, which spawned the hits Everybody Have Fun Tonight and Let's Go.
Animotion is an American synth-pop band from Los Angeles formed in 1983. Blending electronic and rock influences, the group is best known for hits like Obsession, which reached the Billboard Hot 100 top 10. After releasing albums in the 1980s, the band reunited in 2001.
Formed in Birmingham, England, British ska and reggae band Musical Youth are best known for their 1982 hit Pass the Dutchie, which sold over four million copies. They also released Unconditional Love with Donna Summer before splitting in 1985, later returning as a duo in 2001.
UK-born rock band blending dance beats; broke worldwide with Grammy-nominated #1 “Wild Wild West.” Also “Shake for the Sheikh” (Billboard #28), “I’ll Be There” (#8).
New Jersey alt rock band Dramarama, formed in Wayne in 1983 by John Easdale, mixed hard rock, power pop, and punk. Their near-hit “Anything Anything (I’ll Give You)” was KROQ’s most requested song. Albums include Cinema Verite (1985) and Hi-Fi Sci-Fi (1993).
Lost 80's Live is a long-running concert tour, founded in 2002, known for bringing together iconic 1980s new wave, synth-pop, rock, and electronic music artists. It offers a nostalgic "greatest hits" experience, featuring original members performing their popular radio hits. Rolling Stone calls it "one mega-show."
Best known for the '80s hit "Two of Hearts," Stacey Q, born Stacey Swain, combined a Madonna-esque style with dance-pop appeal. Starting with Ringling Brothers Circus and the synth-pop group SSQ, she later pursued a solo career. Her hit "Two of Hearts" reached the pop Top Five, leading to TV appearances. Subsequent albums didn't match this success. Transitioning to acoustic pop with Boomerang in 1997, she later returned to dance music with Color Me Cinnamon in 2010.
The Vapors are a UK new wave band formed in late-70s Surrey. Discovered by The Jam’s Bruce Foxton, they toured on the 1979 Setting Sons tour and signed to United Artists. Their hit Turning Japanese reached UK No.3; debut album New Clear Days.
Nick Richards founded Boys Don’t Cry in London in 1983. They hit big with “I Wanna Be A Cowboy” (#12 US, 1986; first indie single on Billboard in 17 years, video with Motörhead’s Lemmy). “Who The Am Dam” (1987) featured Cozy Powell and Phil Collins.