U2 bassist Adam Clayton and singer Bono walking down a street, 1985..  U2 bassist Adam Clayton and singer Bono walking down a street, 1985..  Pop star Elton John (right) congratulates George Michael on winning the Ivor Novello Songwriter of the Year Award at London's Grosvenor House Hotel, 13th March 1985.. Photo: Dave Hogan  Pop star Elton John (right) congratulates George Michael on winning...  American pop and soul singer Tina Turner, circa 1985..  American pop and soul singer Tina Turner, circa 1985..  Guitarist Eddie Van Halen, February 1985..  Guitarist Eddie Van Halen, February 1985..  Synth-pop duo Tears For Fears ("Everybody Wants to Rule the World"), Curt Smith (left) and Roland Orzabal, circa 1985..  Synth-pop duo Tears For Fears ("Everybody Wants to Rule the...  Singer Vince Neil of band Motley Crue, performing at New York's Madison Square Garden, August 14, 1985. (AP Photo/Corey Struller) Photo: Corey Struller  Singer Vince Neil of band Motley Crue, performing at New York's...  Hard rock group AC/DC at the beach in Ipanema, Brazil during a South American tour, January 1985. Left to right: Brian Johnson, Cliff Williams, Simon Wright, Angus Young, Malcolm Young.. Photo: Dave Hogan  Hard rock group AC/DC at the beach in Ipanema, Brazil during a...  March 1985: Singer songwriter Ray Parker Jr. at the BAFTA awards ceremony, held at Grosvenor House Hotel in London. He was there to receive an award for best original song for "Ghostbusters," used in the comedy film of the same name.. Photo: John Gooch  March 1985: Singer songwriter Ray Parker Jr. at the BAFTA awards...  Pete Townshend of The Who with flamboyant German singer Nina Hagen, 1985.. Photo: Dave Hogan  Pete Townshend of The Who with flamboyant German singer Nina Hagen,...  Morten Harket of Norwegian pop group a-ha ("Take On Me") in concert, circa 1985.. Photo: Dave Hogan  Morten Harket of Norwegian pop group a-ha ("Take On Me") in...  Disco performer Donna Summer dazzles in a red suit and black lace bra, circa 1985.. Photo: Dave Hogan  Disco performer Donna Summer dazzles in a red suit and black lace...  Guyana-born musician Eddy Grant ("Electric Avenue") in concert, circa 1985.. Photo: Dave Hogan  Guyana-born musician Eddy Grant ("Electric Avenue") in concert,...  English singer Tony Hadley on stage with new romantic pop Spandau Ballet ("True"), circa 1985..  English singer Tony Hadley on stage with new romantic pop Spandau...  British singer Sade, born Helen Folasade, performing during the Live Aid concert in London, 13th July 1985..  British singer Sade, born Helen Folasade, performing during the...  Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits performs at the Live Aid concert in London, 13th July 1985.. Photo: Dave Hogan  Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits performs at the Live Aid concert in...  Heavy metal group Iron Maiden, circa 1985. Left to right: Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, Bruce Dickinson, Steve Harris and Nicko McBrain..  Heavy metal group Iron Maiden, circa 1985. Left to right: Dave...  American pop singer Madonna performing on stage, 1985..  American pop singer Madonna performing on stage, 1985..  Rock group Queen, from left to right, bassist John Deacon, drummer Roger Taylor, singer Freddie Mercury and guitarist Brian May, 1985..  Rock group Queen, from left to right, bassist John Deacon, drummer...  Who guitarist Pete Townshend with punk singer Siouxsie Sioux of Siouxsie and the Banshees, 1985..  Who guitarist Pete Townshend with punk singer Siouxsie Sioux of...  Re-formed new wave pop group Squeeze pose around a vintage Chevrolet Corvette, with keyboard player Jools Holland reclining on the hood, June 1985. Standing, left to right: Glenn Tilbrook, Keith Wilkinson and Chris Difford..  Re-formed new wave pop group Squeeze pose around a vintage...  English actress Jane Seymour in a white ballgown with singer Freddie Mercury (1946 - 1991) of rock group Queen in a military-style dress uniform, 1985..  English actress Jane Seymour in a white ballgown with singer...  Circa 1985: American rock star Meatloaf, real name Marvin Lee Aday, screams into the microphone like a bat out of hell, during a live concert.. Photo: Keystone  Circa 1985: American rock star Meatloaf, real name Marvin Lee Aday,...  1985: Two members of the soul disco group, Sister Sledge, on stage in London.. Photo: Hulton Archive  1985: Two members of the soul disco group, Sister Sledge, on stage...  Promotional portrait of the British rock band Def Leppard, circa 1985. From left: Steve Clark, Rick Savage, Joe Elliott, Pete Willis, Rick Allen.. Photo: Hulton Archive  Promotional portrait of the British rock band Def Leppard, circa...  Distinctive American pop singer Cyndi Lauper, circa 1985.. Photo: Dave Hogan  Distinctive American pop singer Cyndi Lauper, circa 1985..  American singer Madonna Ciccone performs during the Live Aid concert for famine relief at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, Pa. July 13, 1985. Photo: Amy Sancetta, ASSOCIATED PRESS  American singer Madonna Ciccone performs during the Live Aid...  Heavy metal singer Alice Cooper appears at a cash desk in macabre makeup and carrying a large boa constrictor, circa 1985.. Photo: Dave Hogan  Heavy metal singer Alice Cooper appears at a cash desk in macabre...  Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider shows off his new front teeth, filed into points to resemble fangs, 11th December 1985.. Photo: Dave Hogan  Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider shows off his new front teeth,...  Tina Turner and Mick Jagger perform for a sold-out crowd at the Live Aid concert at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, July 13, 1985.. Photo: Frank Micelotta  Tina Turner and Mick Jagger perform for a sold-out crowd at the...  English rock group The Who backstage after their performance at the Live Aid charity concert, London, 13th July 1985. Left to right: John Entwistle (1944 - 2002), Kenny Jones, Roger Daltrey and Pete Townsend.. Photo: Dave Hogan  English rock group The Who backstage after their performance at the...  American singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen adopts a characteristically triumphant pose during a concert, July 1985.. Photo: Dave Hogan  American singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen adopts a...  Pop star Rick Astley ("Never Gonna Give You Up") performs with two backing singers, 1986.. Photo: Dave Hogan  Pop star Rick Astley ("Never Gonna Give You Up") performs with two...  Singer-songwriter Sting with model, singer and actress Grace Jones, 1986..  Singer-songwriter Sting with model, singer and actress Grace Jones,...  Singer-songwriter Prince performing on stage, 1986..  Singer-songwriter Prince performing on stage, 1986..  Hip hop pioneers Run DMC, 1986. Left to right: Darryl 'D.M.C.' McDaniels, Jason 'Jam-Master Jay' Mizell (1965 - 2002) and Joseph 'DJ Run' Simmons..  Hip hop pioneers Run DMC, 1986. Left to right: Darryl 'D.M.C.'...  The six members of Australian rock band INXS -- Michael Hutchence (1960 - 1997), Gary Beers, Andrew Farriss, Jon Farriss, Tim Farriss and Kirk Pengilly, 1986.. Photo: Dave Hogan  The six members of Australian rock band INXS -- Michael Hutchence...  Keyboardist Chris Lowe and singer Neil Tennant of synthpop duo the Pet Shop Boys ("West End Girls") performing on stage at Montreux, Switzerland, 1986..  Keyboardist Chris Lowe and singer Neil Tennant of synthpop duo the...  Stuart Adamson (1958 - 2001) of Scottish rock group Big Country ("In a Big Country") on stage in Liverpool, July 1986.. Photo: Dave Hogan  Stuart Adamson (1958 - 2001) of Scottish rock group Big Country...  Andy Cox, Roland Gift and David Steele of the English pop trio Fine Young Cannibals ("She Drives Me Crazy"), 1986.. Photo: Dave Hogan  Andy Cox, Roland Gift and David Steele of the English pop trio Fine...  Singer Mick Hucknall of pop group Simply Red ("Holding Back the Years"), June 1986..  Singer Mick Hucknall of pop group Simply Red ("Holding Back the...  Mick Jagger and David Bowie duet with an all-star band at at the Prince's Trust Concert, London, 23rd June 1986. Left to right: Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Mark Knopfler, David Bowie, Mark King, Bryan Adams..  Mick Jagger and David Bowie duet with an all-star band at at the...  Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael of Wham! appear at London's Brixton Academy for their first concert in more than 18 months, 23rd June 1986.. Photo: Dave Hogan  Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael of Wham! appear at London's...  British singer-songwriter ,Joe Jackson ("Steppin' Out"), May 1986..  British singer-songwriter ,Joe Jackson ("Steppin' Out"), May 1986..  John Oates (left) and Daryl Hall (right) of pop duo Hall & Oates, 1987.. Photo: Dave Hogan  John Oates (left) and Daryl Hall (right) of pop duo Hall &...  English rock singer Ozzy Osbourne and his wife Sharon and their children Aimee, Kelly and Jack, 1987,.  English rock singer Ozzy Osbourne and his wife Sharon and their...  Circa 1987: Actress and singer Bette Midler performs one of her raucous popular numbers.. Photo: Hulton Archive  Circa 1987: Actress and singer Bette Midler performs one of her...  Canadian singer-songwriter Bryan Adams performing on stage, 1987..  Canadian singer-songwriter Bryan Adams performing on stage, 1987..  Singer-songwriter Joan Armatrading in performance, 1987.. Photo: Dave Hogan  Singer-songwriter Joan Armatrading in performance, 1987..  The Cure in 1987, the year they released the double album "Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me." From left to right, they are bass player Simon Gallup, drummer Boris Williams, vocalist Robert Smith, guitarist Porl Thompson and keyboard player Laurence 'Lol' Tolhurst.. Photo: Dave Hogan  The Cure in 1987, the year they released the double album "Kiss Me,...  Former Genesis frontman Peter Gabriel ("In Your Eyes") in concert, 1987.. Photo: Dave Hogan  Former Genesis frontman Peter Gabriel ("In Your Eyes") in concert,...  British singer Terence Trent D'Arby ("Wishing Well") performing, circa 1987.. Photo: Dave Hogan  British singer Terence Trent D'Arby ("Wishing Well") performing,...  Madonna performs along with an unidentified dancing partner, 28 August 1987 during a single concert held in the park of the town of Sceaux, located in the southern suburb of Paris.. Photo: Bertrand Guay  Madonna performs along with an unidentified dancing partner, 28...  Dave Stewart and Annie Lennox of the Eurythmics with their Ivor Novello awards, 15th April 1987.. Photo: Dave Hogan  Dave Stewart and Annie Lennox of the Eurythmics with their Ivor...  Singer Terri Nunn of synth pop group Berlin ("Take My Breath Away"), with bassist John Crawford (left) and guitarist Ric Olsen, February 1987.. Photo: Dave Hogan  Singer Terri Nunn of synth pop group Berlin ("Take My Breath...  Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen on stage, 9th October 1987. Allen lost his left arm in a car accident in 1984, but continued to play with the band using a specially adapted kit.. Photo: Dave Hogan  Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen on stage, 9th October 1987. Allen...  Circa 1980: Reggae singer Peter Tosh (Winston Hubert McIntosh, 1944 - 1987), ex-member of Bob Marley and The Wailers and writer of the hit "Get Up Stand Up.". Photo: Hulton Archive  Circa 1980: Reggae singer Peter Tosh (Winston Hubert McIntosh, 1944...  Woodstock alumnus Joe Cocker performing at the 70th birthday tribute concert for imprisoned South African leader Nelson Mandela, London, 11th June 1988. Cocker's career enjoyed a renaissance in the '80s..  Woodstock alumnus Joe Cocker performing at the 70th birthday...  Michael Jackson poses with, from left, Elizabeth Taylor, Liza Minnelli and Whitney Houston at the United Nego College Fund dinner at a New York hotel March 10, 1988.. Photo: Mark Cardwell  Michael Jackson poses with, from left, Elizabeth Taylor, Liza...  Pop star Michael Jackson performs a duet with backing singer Sheryl Crow during a concert in Rome, May 1988, long before Crow became a star in her own right..  Pop star Michael Jackson performs a duet with backing singer Sheryl...  Irish rock group U2 at the Brit Awards, where they took the award for Best International Group, London, February 1988. Left to right: Bono, The Edge, Larry Mullen, Jr. and Adam Clayton..  Irish rock group U2 at the Brit Awards, where they took the award...  Members of the Australian band Crowded House are shown in this 1988 publicity photo, from left to right, Neil Finn, Nick Seymour and Paul Hester. Hester, the drummer from Crowded House, hanged himself in a park in southern Australia, an emergency services spokeswoman said Monday, March 28, 2005. (AP Photo/CP, Dennis Keeley) Photo: Dennis Keeley  Members of the Australian band Crowded House are shown in this 1988...  Prince performs in concert, Philadelphia, October 18, 1988.. Photo: Frank Micelotta  Prince performs in concert, Philadelphia, October 18, 1988..  Singer Suzanne Vega ("Luka") in concert, 1988.. Photo: Dave Hogan  Singer Suzanne Vega ("Luka") in concert, 1988..  Pop singer and keyboard player Stevie Wonder, 12th April 1989.. Photo: Dave Hogan  Pop singer and keyboard player Stevie Wonder, 12th April 1989..  Princess Diana (1961 - 1997) with Michael Jackson (1958 - 2009) at his concert for the Prince's Trust, London, July 1988..  Princess Diana (1961 - 1997) with Michael Jackson (1958 - 2009) at...  English rock band T'Pau ("Heart and Soul"), named after a Star Trek character, with singer Carol Decker, circa 1988..  English rock band T'Pau ("Heart and Soul"), named after a Star Trek...  Singer Grace Jones ("Slave to the Rhythm") wearing a cutaway dress and black straw hat, 1989.. Photo: Dave Hogan  Singer Grace Jones ("Slave to the Rhythm") wearing a cutaway dress...  Australian pop singer Kylie Minogue ("The Loco-Motion"), 22nd May 1989..  Australian pop singer Kylie Minogue ("The Loco-Motion"), 22nd May...  Jon Bon Jovi Photo: Alan Greth/AP
Ah, the '80s ... a little disco, a lot of punk, some old retreads soldiering onward, and the emergence of the music as a powerful force. Let's take a look back at some of the musicians who made rock, pop and soul a powerful force in the last half of the '80s, 1985-'89. We've tried to keep the captions as they were written originally by either the photographers of their editors, though some minor editing was necessary.  Click here to see the gallery for 1980-84. Click here to see the 1970s gallery. Click here to see the 1960s gallery.