Surely the hardest working singer in 1981 was Clare Grogan. Just as Altered Images were releasing their debut album, she became a film star too. Aged just 19, how did…
Peter Hook talks Joy Division, New Order
After the tragic death of Ian Curtis, the surviving members of Joy Division, including Peter Hook could have faded into obscurity – instead, 1981 saw them reborn as New Order,…
Making Air: Moon Safari
With Moon Safari, Air paved their own path, one that wasn’t dance or Britpop. Bonjour, you sexy boys… By Andy Jones Ironically, it was the high-bpm ravers who bought chillout…
Making Roxy Music: Avalon
With Avalon, Roxy Music regrouped to record a mature album far removed from the sleazy glam of their early work… In the 10 years since their breakthrough, Roxy Music had…
The story of 1981 in music
The music of 1981 unfolded with an explosion of creativity. synths took over the hit parade, the New Romantics enjoyed their last hurrah, funk, rap and retro opened new territory.…
My Pop Life – Craig Parkinson
The Line Of Duty actor and Two Shot Podcast host talks us through his music obsessions… What got you into music in the first place? Because I was so obsessed…
This Woman’s Work: Kate Bush in the 80s
After two decent-selling albums and four charting singles, some artists might have taken their hands off the wheel. Not Kate Bush, whose next projects revealed an artist growing steadily more self-reliant…
Causing a commotion: the videos of Madonna
Madonna was one of the first to create a visual identity as significant to her legacy as her music – with over 70 music videos to her name, the Material…
Step back in time: Kylie on film & TV
From indelible soap fame to high-camp cameos in multi-million dollar box office smashes via arthouse weirdies, indie slasher flicks and plenty of comedy stints as, well, herself, Kylie’s screen career…
They shoot… they score! – 80s movie soundtracks
In the 80s, Hollywood turned its back on orchestral film scores in favour of jukebox-style compilations that sold in their millions – but did commerce win out over art? By…