Trivia

The critics choice for

ARTIST of the DECADE

1980

• UB40 and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark made their
  UK top 20 debuts in this year.
• The Beats `Mirror in the Bathroom` was the UKs first
  digitally recorded hit.
• Adam and the Ants released `Dirk Wears White Soxs`
  Which reached No1 in the indie charts.
• Cliff Richard had his 2nd US Top 10 hit with `We Don’t
  Talk anymore`.
• Joy Divisions Lead singer Ian Curtis Committed Suicide.They
  also had a Top 20 Hit with `Love will Tear us Apart`.
• The UKs Top single and Album were from the Police
  `Don’t stand so close to me` and `Zenyatta Mondatta`
• Abba had their last no1 with `Super Trooper`.
• The First British female singer to top the alum charts
  was Kate bush with `Never for Ever`.

  1981

• Michael Jackson had his first solo no1 with `one day
  in your life`.
• Human League reached No.1 with the single `Don`t you
  want me` and the album `Dare`.
• `Tainted Love` by Soft Cell was the top single of
  this year.
• The Specials last single`Ghost Town` topped the Charts.
• Meat loaf entered the album chart at No.1 with `Dead
  Ringer`.
• Major bands to chart this year were Ultravox,New Order,Duran
  Duran,Spandau Ballet,Kim Wilde.
• Phil Collins Released his first solo album `Face Value`.

  1982

• Shakin Stevens had his 3rd No.1 with `Oh Julie`.
• Madness were probably the FIRST band ever to have
  simultaneous #1s in the Singles (House Of Fun), Albums (Complete Madness)
  and Videos (Complete Madness) Charts.
• The Top pop TV show `The Tube` was launched.
• Major bands to chart this year were Wham!,Tears for
  Fears,Culture Club,Bananarama.All having major success in the US..
• The Youngest group to chart this year was musical
  youth, with `Pass the Dutchie`.
• Asia Topped the US chart for 9 weeks,but failed to
  make the UK top 10.
• The Jam had their only No.1 album `The Gift`.
• The TV series `Fame` spawned hit singles and albums.
• The UKs top single was `come on Eileen` by Dexys Midnight
  Runners,
• Adam Ant went solo, his first single `Goody Two Shoes`
  topped the Charts.

  1983

• David Bowie Had 10 albums in the UK top 100.
• New Order released `Blue Monday` on 12″ single only,
  it spent nearly one year in the Chart.
• CDs went on sale for the first time.
• Major Bands to Chart this year were, U2,The Thompson
  Twins,The Eurythmics.
• The Police had their last no.1 single and album with
  `Every breath you take` and `Synchronicity`.
• The UKs top single was Culture Clubs `Karma Chameleon`.
• The biggest album was Michael Jacksons `Triller`.

  1984

• Frankie goes to Hollywood Topped the chart with `Relax`,`Two
  Tribes`and `The Power of Love`.
• The Smiths were voted best new group in NME poll.
• Bob Marleys album `Legend` was no.1 for 3 months.
• George Michael had his first solo No.1 with the million
  seller `Careless Whisper`.
• The Biggest selling single this year was Band Aid`s
  `Do They Know its Christmas`.
• U2 had their first top 5 hit with `Pride`.

  1985

• Wham! were the first western group to play China.
• George Michael became the youngest person to receive
  the songwriter of the year award.
• Bruce Springsteen mega selling ` Born in the USA`
  top the UK charts.
• Dire Straits released the album ` Brothers in Arms`
• David Bowie and Mike Jagger had a No.1 with `Dancing
  in the Street`.

  1986

• Wham! Split. Frankie goes to Hollywood split.
• George Michael had his 2nd solo No.1 with `A Different
  Corner` the 1st UK no1 to be written,produced,arranged and all instruments
  played by the same person.
• Madonna`s album `True Blue ` became the first US female
  artist to enter the album chart at No.1
• House music made a impact on the UK chart with `Love
  can`t turn you around` by Jackmaster funk.
• Bob Geldorf received a honorary Knighthood for his
  Charity work.

  1987

• The top UK single this year was Rick Astley`s `Never
  gonna give you up`.
• MTV debuted in Europe.
• The first record to top pop, dance and indie charts,
  was Marrs `Pump up the Volume`.
• Cliff Richard had his 50th UK top ten with `My pretty
  One`.
• Bananarama had their 13th hit,a record for a British
  female group.

  1988

• Boy Band Bros had their first No.1 with `I owe you
  Nothing`.
• Kylie had her first UK No.1 with the suberb `I Should
  be so Lucky`.
• UK producers Stock,Aitkin and Waterman had major singles
  in the charts.
• The UKs fastest selling single was Cliff Richards
  `Mistletoe and Wine`.

  1989

• Again UK producers Stock,Aitkin and Waterman had major
  singles in the charts.
• Top of the Pops celebrated its 25th birthday.
• Pet Shop boys toured the UK for the first time.
• The UKs top single was Black Box`s `Ride on Time`