Plenty of rock bands from the 1980s are still popular today. The likes of Guns N’ Roses, Motley Crue, Skid Row, and Red Hot Chili Peppers found massive success and remain in heavy rotation with fans decades later. Other bands, though, made a brief splash in the music world before fading into obscurity.
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Unless you’re an 1980s rock aficionado, you’ve probably never heard of the bands listed below, and that’s a shame. These groups had everything they needed to become rock royalty. Unfortunately, though, lasting fame wasn’t in the cards for them. However, some of the bands’ members went on to find fame in other groups.
1. Keel
Rock and heavy metal vocalist Ron Keel formed multiple bands in the 1980s. First came Steeler, which dissolved after a few short years. Then, he formed Keel in 1983. The band remained active until 1989 and released five studio albums. Their most popular was the 1985 Gene Simmons-produced The Right to Rock, with the album’s title track being one of their best-known songs.
They won Best Band of the Year in the 1986 Metal Edge readers’ poll against bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. After many lineup changes, the band dissolved in 1989. However, they’ve reunited twice to release Keel VI: Back in Action (1998) and Streets of Rock & Roll (2010).
Fans of Kiss or hair metal need to hear this band.
2. Icon
Fans of hard rock or glam metal bands from the 1980s who haven’t listened to Icon are missing out. They released their self-titled debut album in 1984 and caught the ears of fans across the country. Their 1985 sophomore release, Night of the Crime, showed growth and a little more range, with songs like “Shot at My Heart” delivering a softer side of the band.
Icon broke up in 1990 but later reformed. The band’s Night of the Crime-era lineup is reportedly back together and working on new music. So, it might be a good time to familiarize yourself with their back catalog.
3. Carnivore
The 1980s weren’t just a great time for rock bands, metal was hugely popular in the decade as well. The decade gave birth to many of today’s popular subgenres. Metal in the 1980s also brought the world a new brand of rock stars in the form of Dave Mustaine, Kerry King, James Hetfield, and the late, great Peter Steele. Many know Steele from the goth band Type O Negative that rose to prominence in the 1990s. Before forming that band, though, Steele fronted Carnivore.
Carnivore released two albums before disbanding. Their 1985 self-titled debut blended hardcore with elements of Black Sabbath and Judas Priest. Their 1987 sophomore album, Retaliation, saw them taking in more thrash metal influence, leaning into the blooming hardcore/thrash crossover sound that was gaining popularity at the time.
The band dissolved after releasing their sophomore album, but played several reunion shows. Unfortunately, Steele died in 2010. The band came back together in the late 2010s as Carnivore A.D.
4. Fastway
Guitarist “Fast” Eddie Clarke (ex-Motorhead) and bassist Pete Way (ex-UFO) formed the hard rock band Fastway with drummer Jerry Shirley (Humble Pie) and vocalist Dave King in 1982. They released their self-titled debut album the next year. Since their formation, the band has experienced several lineup changes. To date, they’ve released seven albums, with their latest, Eat Dog Eat, dropping in 2011.
Fans of the blues-tinged hard rock with driving riffs and big vocals of the 1970s and 1980s need to hear this criminally underrated band. Also, those who are fans of Celtic punk acts like Dropkick Murphys are likely familiar with Dave King’s other band, Flogging Molly.
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