10 Forgotten Male Solo Artists of the 1980s
by: Ronovan

Some of  you are looking at this and thinking “He really has lost his mind” because this is not my normal type of article. Sometimes you need to just do something completely different to get the mind fresh and have fun doing it at the same time. What better way to do that than to go tripping through ’80s music?

• 1 Artist Per Year of the 1980s that you may have forgotten about
• Must have ended the year in the Top 100 on the Billboard Charts
• You must enjoy grooving to the videos included

First up, he’s written and produced songs for Barbra Streisand. She hand picked some of his songs for A Star is Born. Tony Award winner, Drama Desk Award winner and his second album, self titled, led Rolling Stone to compare him to Bob Dylan as being an artist of originality and someone to pay attention to.
You know him if you like…Pina Coladas and getting caught in the rain.

1980 and the #11 Hit of the Year
Rupert Holmes-Escape

You heard him as a backup singer for Loretta Lynn, and his work included assisting record producer and composer Mike Post. Even after his hit he went on to record FlashBeagle for “It’s FlashBeagle, Charlie Brown”. But you know him as the voice of Believe it or Not, The Greatest American Hero.

1981 and the #11 Hit
Joey Scarbury-Theme from “The Greatest American Hero” Believe It Or Not

He was a 1960s backup singer who served four months in prison in 1995 for a DUI, and then eventually became a film producer with a Tom Sizemore film to his credit. But you’ll know him best if you are a Humphrey Bogart fan.

1982 and the #17 Hit
Bertie Higgins-Key Largo

At 17 he was a guitarist for Stevie Wonder. And let’s not forget working with Michael Jackson, Diana Ross and Chaka Khan. You’ve heard his soundtrack work in Cocoon and Independence Day but you’ll remember his best as a Maniac on the floor.

1983 and the #9 Hit
Michael Sembello-Maniac

Once a backup singer to Bette Midler, this eventual song writer and producer for No Doubt’s Tragic Kingdom , Kelly Clarkson and even Christina Aguilera millions have heard him as the singing voice of Ling in Mulan, but you might know him better when when you Break his Stride.

1984 and the #27 Hit
Matthew Wilder-Break My Stride

This man worked on countless movie scores until taking a break to be a father. Foxes, American Gigolo, Top Gun, The Running Man, and Tango & Cash. But you know him for his part in making a Cop in Beverly Hills famous.

1985 and the #61 Hit
Harold Faltermeyer-Axel F

Perfect pitch? Volunteered for military service at 17? Jazz-Rock to Punk-Rock? Johann Hölzel was a man of many talents. But you might know him better by another name.

1986 and the #28 Hit
Falco-Rock Me Amadeus

He first wrote songs for the Pointer Sisters and Earth, Wind & Fire before ending up with a hit of his own. In recent times he has written songs for and produced for Babyface, Jessica Simpson and Destiny’s Child. But as for his own singing career? Well, that’s just the way it goes. C’est La Vie.

1987 and the #6 Hit
Robbie Nevil-C’est La Vie

Member of the Raspberries,70’s solo hit maker, then gone, until he got dirty and went dancing.

1988 and the #25 Hit
Eric Carmen-Hungry Eyes

Oh Danny, you went on to play Joseph and set box office records. You married Rosco P. Coltrane’s daughter and co-wrote films with Flicka. But we will always here you should, because you are always Young and Restless, Hey, Kids Rock and Roll.

1989 and the #45 Hit
Michael Damian-Rock On

Next time around it will be the 10 Ladies We’ve Forgotten About. Journey with me through the decades as I try to rediscover the music that made me.

Much Respect
Ronovan

© Copyright-All rights reserved-RonovanWrites.wordpress.com-June 11, 2014.