89% of People Can't Name These '80s Male Pop Stars from a Picture. Can You?
By: Khadija Leon
4 min
Image: YouTube
About This Quiz
In the 1980's we said goodbye to Disco and said hello to genres like New Wave, Dance Music and Soft Rock. This decade was also called "the Golden Age of Hip-Hop" which paved the way for its success in the following decade. We also saw a rise in digital recordings and the launch of television channel MTV, one of the only ones on television to have aired music videos.Â
From the greats like Michael "M.J." Jackson, Phil Collins and George Michael to lesser-known artists like Corey Hart, Adam Ant and Kenny Loggins, the 1980s was one of the best decades for music and entertainment. We were introduced to songs like "Hotel California," "In the Air Tonight" and many others which are still being played today.Â
Whether or not you were alive during the '80s, you should know who most of these artists are as some of their careers have long surpassed that decade. Can you correctly identify all of these musical icons? Will you belong to the 11% or the 89%? There is only one way to find out, and that is by taking this quiz! When you're done, ask your friends and family to join in on the fun.Â
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Who is this '80s pop star?
Grandmaster Flash
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson was an American singer and dancer, who before being known as the “King of Pop," was a member of a boy band called the Jackson Five, along with his brothers. He was one of the best-selling musicians and most popular entertainers for almost five decades and even after his death.
Freddie Mercury was a singer, songwriter and the lead vocalist of the rock band, Queen. Together with the band, they released a number of hits, including “We Are the Champions," “Bohemian Rhapsody†and “Somebody to Loveâ€.
George Michael was an English singer and songwriter who rose to fame after joining the musical group Wham! Throughout his career, he sold over 115 million records, which made him one of the best-selling artists of all time.
Prince was an American musician, singer and songwriter who after winning eight Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, six American Music Awards and selling 100 million records became one of the best selling and top-rated artists of the century.
Huey Lewis is an American actor, singer and songwriter best known for being the lead singer of Huey Lewis and the News. The band’s album, Sports reached No. 1 on Billboard, and songs from there were featured in the movie "Back to the Future."
Phil Collins is an English record producer, singer and songwriter, who between the years of 1982 and 1989 scored seven No. 1 singles for tracks including “In the Air Tonight," “One More Night†and “Against All Oddsâ€.
David Bowie was an English singer and actor who, in five-decade long career, had been awarded 11 gold and nine platinum award certifications and has sold over 140 million albums worldwide. In 1996, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Bryan Adams is a Canadian singer and guitarist who was made popular after his 1983 and 1984 albums Cuts Like a Knife and Reckless were released. His song “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You†was also a global hit, reaching No. 1 in many different countries.
Simon Le Bon is an English musician and songwriter best known for being the lead singer of the bands Duran Duran and Arcadia. He, along with both bands, received multiple awards including three Ivor Novello Awards, two Grammy Awards and two MTV VMAs.
Bruce Springsteen, nicknamed “The Boss,†is an American singer and songwriter whose albums, Born to Run (1975) and Born in the U.S.A. (1984) made him one of the best-selling and well-respected artists of all time.
Jon Bon Jovi is an American singer and songwriter who was the leader and frontman of the rock band Bon Jovi. The band released 12 albums together and has a total of 130 million in sales. In 2009, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and in 2012 was ranked as number 50 in Billboard Magazine's “The Most Influential People in the Music Businessâ€
Lionel Richie is an American singer, record producer and songwriter who in the 1968 was a member of the Commodores. After going solo, he won five Grammy Awards and received the Johnny Mercer Award, the highest honor that any songwriter could receive.
Stevie Wonder was an American musician and songwriter who was one of the most commercially successful musicians of our time. Some of his best work includes “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours," “I Just Called to Say I Love You†and “Superstition."
Sir Elton John is an English composer, singer and pianist who has sold over 300 million records in his five-decade-long career, and more than 50 of his songs have made it into the Top 40 hits. His tribute to the late Princess Diana, “Candle in the Wind," sold over 30 million copies.
Billy Joel is an American singer and songwriter who has had six best-selling records and won six Grammy Awards. After selling over 150 million records, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Long Island Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Paul Simon is an American singer and songwriter who is best known for being a part of the popular duo, Simon & Garfunkel, along with Art Garfunkel. After the pair split in 1970, he started a successful solo career, earning himself 16 Grammy Awards.
Ray Charles was an American singer and songwriter who has often been called “The Genius." He was known for the way he integrated different genres of music and was also one of the first black musicians to have control of his own artistry. He has also been listed as number 10 in Rolling Stone’s 2002 “100 Greatest Artists of All Timeâ€.
William Broad, better known as Billy Idol, is an English musician, singer and actor who rose to fame when he was a part of the 1970s punk rock band Generation X. After moving to New York, he released the albums Billy Idol (1982) and Rebel Yell (1983) which were both commercial successes.
Gordon Matthew Thomas, otherwise called Sting, is an English musician, singer and songwriter, best known for being the lead singer of the rock band, The Police. After launching his solo career, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, won the Ivor Novello Award and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Sir Rod Stewart was a British singer and songwriter who is known for having sold over 100 million records and having over 30 top 10 hits, four of which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Eric Clapton is an English guitarist and singer who is the only person to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times, once as a member of the Yardbirds, once as a member of Cream, and once as a solo artist. Some of his best hits have included “Shapes of Things†and “For Your Loveâ€.
Sir Paul McCartney is an English singer and composer who rose to fame as a member of The Beatles. When the group broke up in the 1970s, he went on to have a successful solo career and released hits like “Silly Love Songs," “Live and Let Die†and “Maybe I’m Amazedâ€.
Neil Diamond is an American singer and songwriter who had 38 of his songs reach the Top 10 Billboard Adult Contemporary charts, 11 of them reaching No. 1. The highlights of his career include being inducted into both the Songwriters and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
George O’Dowd is an English singer, songwriter and fashion designer who is best known for being a part of the pop band, Culture Club. They were known for creating hits like “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me," “Karma Chameleon†and “Time (Clock of the Heart)â€.
Billy Ocean is an English recording artist and songwriter who was born on the Caribbean island of Trinidad, and was known for hits like “Caribbean Queen," “There’ll Be Sad Songs," “Love is Forever†and the “Color of Love."
Steven Patrick Morrissey, known singly as Morrissey, is an English singer and songwriter best known for being the frontman of the rock band, the Smiths. After going solo, most of his singles made the top ten.
David “Joe†Jackson is an English musician and singer, whose first single “Is She Really Going Out with Him?†which was released in 1979 and became an instant hit. He later released “Fools In Love," “I’m the Man†and “It’s Different for Girlsâ€.
Bob Dylan is an American singer and songwriter who in his five decades of producing music has won 11 Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriter’s Hall of Fame. His songs were known for their anti-war and political messages, one of which became the anthem for the Civil Rights Movement.
Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer and songwriter who was best known for being the original lead singer of the rock band Genesis. In 1986, he launched his first single album, So, which was certified triple platinum in the United Kingdom.
Marvin Gaye was an American singer and recording artist best known for the role that he played in developing Motown. He was known as the “Prince of Soul†and brought the world hits like “I Heard It Through the Grapevine†and “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)â€
Paul Young is an English singer and songwriter who was the frontman of many bands which made him a teen idol. He later went solo and produced hit singles like “Wherever I Lay My Hat," “Come Back and Stay†and “Everytime You Go Awayâ€, many of which have reached the top 10 of the UK Singles Charts.
Corey Hart is a Canadian singer who had huge success on the Canadian charts, selling over 16 million albums and being an inductee of Canada’s Walk of Fame. Some of his greatest hits have included “Sunglasses at Night," “Never Surrender†and “Jenny Fey."
Elvis Costello is an English musician, singer and songwriter whose album, This Year’s Model, which was released in 1978 was ranked as number 11 on Rolling Stone’s list of best albums between 1967-1987. His third album also appeared on their 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
James Brown was an American singer, dancer and musician who is often referred to as the “Godfather of Soul." His career lasted for over 50 years and is best known for creating hits like “I Got You (I Feel Good)," “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World†and “Papa’s Got A Brand New Bagâ€.
Adam Ant is an English singer, musician and actor who was the lead singer of the band Adam and the Ants. Together with his band and as a solo artist, many of his songs made the UK top 10 hits. In the mid-1980s, he pursued an acting career, starring in over 20 films.
John Lennon was an English singer, songwriter and peace activist who was one of the founding members of the Beatles. After the band broke up, he pursued a solo career which led him to release songs like “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)," “Imagine†and “Working Class Heroâ€.
Sir George Ivan Morrison is a Northern Irish singer and songwriter who was the lead singer and R&B group called Them. In the ‘80s, he released the albums Common One, Beautiful Vision, A Sense of Wonder and Avalon Sunset.
Don Henley is an American singer, songwriter and producer who is best known for being one of the founding members of the Eagles. In the band, he was the co-lead singer and drummer from 1971 – 1980 and from 1994 – 2016. Some of their best hits include “Desperado," “Hotel California†and “One of These Nightsâ€.
Kenny Loggins is an American singer, songwriter and musician best known for producing seven albums with his band, Loggins and Messina. As a soloist, he was called “The Soundtrack King†as many of his songs have been in major films, some of which include “Footlooseâ€, and “A Star Is Bornâ€.
Robert Nesta Marley was a Jamaican singer and songwriter best known for making reggae and ska popular. He first started off with a group called the Wailers in 1963 and released many hits like “Jamming," “One Love," “Redemption Song†and “Waiting in Vain."
Axl Rose is an American singer and songwriter who was best known as the lead vocalist of Guns N’ Roses and AC/DC. His has been named as one of the greatest singers of all time, with his each of his albums selling over 10 million units.
Richard Bulter is an English singer and songwriter best known as the lead singer of the Psychedelic Furs, and later the Love Split Love. The band produced a number of hits, some of which include “Pretty in Pink," “Love My Way†and “The Ghost In You."
John Michael Stipe is an American singer, songwriter and philanthropist best known for being the lead singer of the rock band R.E.M. In 2007, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and were known for hits like “Losing My Religion," “Everybody Hurts†and “Shiny Happy People."
Thomas Dolby is an English singer and songwriter best known for producing hit singles like “She Blinded Me with Science," “Hyperactive†and “One of Our Submarines." After his career, he became a faculty member at the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University.
Sir Ringo Starr is an English drummer, singer and songwriter who was made famous after he was a part of the Beatles. After the group broke up and after Lennon’s murder, he released an album called Stop and Smell the Roses which featured songs produced by Paul McCartney and Ronnie Wood.
Paul Weller is an English singer and songwriter best known for being a member of the band, The Jam. After going solo in 1991, he won numerous awards, some of which include four Brit awards, two of which were Best British male.
Ricky Astley is an English singer and radio personality who is best known for his 1987 song “Never Gonna Give You Up†which was a No. 1 hit in more than 20 countries. After selling over 40 million records, he retired in 1993, only to make a comeback in 2007.
Robert Smith is an English singer and musician best known for being one of the co-founding members of The Cure. He was also a member of Siouxsie and the Banshees and the very short-lived band called The Glove.
Howard Jones is an English musician and singer who between the years of 1983 and 1986 had ten top 40 hits singles. His album, Human’s Lib, which was released in 1984, went straight to the top of the charts.
Toriano “Tito†Jackson is an American singer and songwriter who was an original member of the Jackson 5. He was the third Jackson child and together with his brothers, released a string of albums, one of which was Victory (1984), their best-selling album to date.