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Musicians #-A
- 2 Live Crew
- 2nd Chapter of Acts
- 1980 - The Roar of Love
- 3rd Bass
- The 5th Dimension
- 10cc
- .38 Special
- The 77s
- 311
- 10,000 Maniacs
- 1987 - In My Tribe
- ABBA
- 1980 - Super Trouper
- 1981 - The Visitors
- ABC
- AC/DC
- 1980 - Back in Black
- Paula Abdul
- 1988 - Forever Your Girl
- Accept
- Adam and the Ants
- 1981 - Kings of the Wild Frontier
- 1982 - Prince Charming
- Adam Ant
- 1982 - Friend or Foe?
- 1983 - Strip
- Adolescents
- 1985 - Vive Le Rock
- Juan Atkins
- Bryan Adams
- The Adicts
- Aerosmith
- 1987 - Permanent Vacation
- 1989 - Pump
- The Afghan Whigs
- Afrika Bambaataa
- Agent Steel
- a-ha
- Air Supply
- Al B. Sure!
- Alabama
- The Alan Parsons Project
- The Alarm
- Alcatrazz
- Alexander James Adams
- ALL
- GG Allin
- The Allman Brothers Band
- Maria Conchita Alonso
- Herb Alpert
- Alphaville
- America
- Amon Düül II
- Bill Anderson
- Laurie Anderson
- Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus and Tim Rice
- 1984 - Chess
- Angel Witch
- The Animals
- Paul Anka
- Annihilator
- Anthrax
- 1987 - Among the Living
- Apollonia 6
- Ariya
- Ricardo Arjona
- Art Bears
- Eduard Artemyev
- Art of Noise
- Die Ärzte
- Dorothy Ashby
- Asia
- The Associates
- Rick Astley
- Atheist
- The Austin Lounge Lizards
- Autopsy
- Axel Rudi Pell
- Roy Ayers
- Albert Ayler
- Eva Ayllón
- Charles Aznavour
Musicians B-C
- The B-52s
- Babyface
- P.D.Q. Bach
- Burt Bacharach
- Bad Brains
- Bad Company
- Bad Religion
- Badfinger
- Joan Baez
- Adrian Baker
- Anita Baker
- Long John Baldry
- Bananarama
- The Bangles
- 1984 - All Over the Place
- Tony Banks
- Banzai
- Barenaked Ladies
- Bar Kays
- Barón Rojo
- Wild Willy Barrett
- Count Basie
- Shirley Bassey
- Bathory
- Bauhaus
- The Beach Boys
- 1980 - Keepin' the Summer Alive
- 1985 - The Beach Boys
- 1989 - Still Cruisin'
- Beastie Boys
- 1986 - Licensed to Ill
- 1989 - Paul's Boutique
- The Beat
- The Beatles
- 1988 - Past Masters
- Beat Happening
- The Beautiful South
- Jeff Beck
- The Bee Gees
- Jorge Ben
- Leonard Bernstein
- Pat Benatar
- Tony Bennett
- Berlin
- Bi-2
- Jello Biafra
- Big Audio Dynamite
- Big Black
- 1987 - Songs About Fucking
- Big Country
- Big Daddy Kane
- Big Daddy
- Ivor Biggun
- The Birthday Party
- Björk
- Clint Black
- Black Flag
- 1981 - Damaged
- Black Sabbath
- 1980 - Heaven and Hell
- Rubén Blades
- Blancmange
- Blind Guardian
- Blondie
- Kurtis Blow
- Blue Öyster Cult
- 1980 - Cultösaurus Erectus
- 1981 - Fire of Unknown Origin
- 1983 - The Revölution by Night
- 1986 - Club Ninja
- 1988 - Imaginos
- Blue Cheer
- The Blue Nile
- Blues Traveler
- Eric Bogle
- Bolt Thrower
- Michael Bolton
- Bon Jovi
- 1986 - Slippery When Wet
- Boney M.
- Boredoms
- Boston
- David Bowie
- 1980 - Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)
- 1983 - Let's Dance
- 1984 - Tonight
- 1987 - Never Let Me Down
- 1989 - Tin Machine (with Tin Machine)
- Bow Wow Wow
- Boy George
- 1987 - Sold
- Boy Meets Girl
- The Boys
- Billy Bragg
- Glenn Branca
- 1981 - The Ascension
- Laura Branigan
- Georges Brassens
- Sarah Brightman
- Garth Brooks
- 1989 - Garth Brooks
- Arthur Brown
- Bobby Brown
- James Brown
- Jackson Browne
- Bill Bruford
- BUCK-TICK
- Buckner & Garcia
- 1982 - Pac-Man Fever
- The Buggles
- Jimmy Buffett
- Kate Bush
- 1980 - Never for Ever
- 1982 - The Dreaming
- 1985 - Hounds of Love
- 1989 - The Sensual World
- Butthole Surfers
- David Byrne
- 1981 - My Life in the Bush of Ghosts (with Brian Eno)
- 1989 - Rei Momo
- B'z
- Cabaret Voltaire
- John Cale
- Cab Calloway
- Camel
- Cameo
- Camper Van Beethoven
- Can
- Candlemass
- Capercaille
- Captain & Tennille
- Captain Beefheart
- 1980 - Doc at the Radar Station
- 1982 - Ice Cream for Crow
- Irene Cara
- Caravan
- Carcass
- Cardiacs
- Belinda Carlisle
- Wendy Carlos
- Eric Carmen
- Carpenters
- The Cars
- Johnny Cash
- Nick Cave
- Celestial Navigations
- Celtic Frost
- The Chameleons
- Agnes Chan
- Jose Mari Chan
- Harry Chapin
- Tracy Chapman
- Ray Charles
- Chas & Dave
- Cheap Trick
- Louis Chedid
- Cher
- Neneh Cherry
- Mark Chesnutt
- Chic
- Chicago
- Chilly
- Chrome
- Chumbawamba
- The Church (Band)
- Clan of Xymox
- CLANNAD
- Eric Clapton
- The Clark Sisters
- The Clash
- 1980 - Sandinista!
- 1985 - Cut the Crap
- Otis Clay
- Johnny Clegg
- George Clinton
- Cocteau Twins
- Bruce Cockburn
- Joe Cocker
- David Allan Coe
- Leonard Cohen
- Coil
- Cold Chisel
- Lloyd Cole and the Commotions
- Ornette Coleman
- Bootsy Collins
- Phil Collins
- 1981 - Face Value
- 1982 - Hello, I Must Be Going!
- 1985 - No Jacket Required
- 1989 - …But Seriously
- Alice Coltrane
- 1982 - Turiya Sings
- Shawn Colvin
- Commodores
- Harry Connick Jr.
- Stompin' Tom Connors
- Steve Cook
- 1987 - "The Legend of the Dogman"
- Cook Da' Books
- Aaron Copland
- Alice Cooper
- Coroner
- Elvis Costello
- 1986 - Blood & Chocolate
- The Cramps
- Crass
- The Creatures
- Crimson Glory
- David Crosby
- Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
- Crowded House
- Celia Cruz
- The Cult
- Culture Club
- 1982 - Kissing to Be Clever
- 1983 - Colour by Numbers
- 1984 - Waking Up with the House on Fire
- 1986 - From Luxury to Heartache
- The Cure
- 1980 - Seventeen Seconds (Album)
- 1989 - Disintegration (Album)
- Current 93
- Cynic
Musicians D-E
- D-A-D
- Cristina D'Avena
- D.O.A.
- Da Yoopers
- Dark City
- Dick Dale
- The Damned
- Danger Danger
- Daniel Amos
- 1981 - Horrendous Disc
- 1981 - ¡Alarma!
- 1983 - Doppelgänger
- 1984 - Vox Humana
- 1986 - Fearful Symmetry
- Danzig
- Dark Angel
- Darkthrone
- Miles Davis
- De La Soul
- Deacon Blue
- Dead Can Dance
- Dead Kennedys
- 1985 - Frankenchrist
- The Dead Milkmen
- Dead or Alive
- Death
- Death Angel
- Death in June
- De Barge
- Chris de Burgh
- Deep Purple
- Rick Dees
- Def Leppard
- Del Amitri
- Del tha Funkee Homosapien
- Delerium
- Demolition Hammer
- John Denver
- Depeche Mode
- 1981 - Speak & Spell
- 1982 - A Broken Frame
- 1983 - Construction Time Again
- 1984 - Some Great Reward
- 1986 - Black Celebration
- 1987 - Music for the Masses
- Descendents
- Destruction
- Devil Doll
- Devo
- 1980 - Freedom of Choice
- Dexys Midnight Runners
- Neil Diamond
- Diamond Head
- Bo Diddley
- Dinosaur Jr.
- Ronnie James Dio
- Dire Straits
- 1980 - Making Movies
- 1982 - Love Over Gold
- 1985 - Brothers in Arms
- Dirty Rotten Imbeciles
- Discharge!
- Disco Inferno
- Divine
- Divinyls
- DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
- DJ Quik
- Doce
- Doe Maar
- 1983 - 4us
- Dokken
- Thomas Dolby
- Fats Domino
- Pino Donaggio
- Donovan
- Jason Donovan
- The Doobie Brothers
- Dorso
- Doug Anthony All Stars
- Dream Theater
- Dschinghis Khan
- The Dubliners
- Duran Duran
- 1982 - Rio
- Ian Dury and The Blockheads
- Bob Dylan
- 1989 - Oh Mercy
- Sheila E.
- Eagles
- Steve Earle
- Earth, Wind & Fire
- Sheena Easton
- Eazy-E
- Echo & the Bunnymen
- Einstürzende Neubauten
- The Electric Banana Band
- Electric Light Orchestra
- 1981 - Time
- 1986 - Balance of Power
- Elio e le Storie Tese
- Jon English
- Brian Eno
- 1981 - My Life in the Bush of Ghosts (with David Byrne)
- 1983 - Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks
- Enya
- EPMD
- Erasure
- Eric B. & Rakim
- 1987 - Paid in Full
- Erste Allgemeine Verunsicherung
- Gloria Estefan
- Europe
- Eurythmics
- Bill Evans
- The Everly Brothers
- Everything but the Girl
- Exodus (Band)
- Exposé
Musicians F-G
- Donald Fagen
- 1982 - The Nightfly
- Fairport Convention
- Marianne Faithfull
- Faith No More
- Falco
- The Fall
- Agnetha Fältskog
- Art Farmer
- Mylène Farmer
- Fascinating Aïda
- Fastbacks
- The Fat Boys
- The Fatima Mansions
- Faust
- Fear
- José Feliciano
- Felt
- Fiction Factory
- Brad Fiedel
- Fields of the Nephilim
- Fishbone
- Ella Fitzgerald
- Flaming Lips
- Fleetwood Mac
- 1982 - Mirage
- 1987 - Tango in the Night
- Flipper
- Flipper's Guitar
- A Flock of Seagulls
- Dan Fogelberg
- Forbidden
- Foreigner
- Lita Ford
- Tennessee Ernie Ford
- The Forgotten Rebels
- The Four Freshmen
- Four Tops
- John Foxx
- 1980 - Metamatic
- Peter Frampton
- Frankie Goes to Hollywood
- Aretha Franklin
- Kinky Friedman
- Robert Fripp
- Front 242
- Front Line Assembly
- Fugazi
- The Fugs
- Full Force
- The Fun Boy Three
- Funk Four + 1
- Peter Gabriel
- Serge Gainsbourg
- Diamanda Galás
- Galaxie 500
- Gang of Four
- Leif Garrett
- Marvin Gaye
- The J. Geils Band
- Genesis
- 1980 - Duke
- 1981 - Abacab
- 1983 - Genesis
- 1986 - Invisible Touch
- Gentle Giant
- Andy Gibb
- Terri Gibbs
- Debbie Gibson
- Gilberto Gil
- João Gilberto
- Vince Gill
- Dizzy Gillespie
- Gin Blossoms
- Girlschool
- Crispin Glover:
- 1988 - The Big Problem
- Gary Glitter
- The Go-Go's
- Goblin
- Godflesh
- Golden Earring
- Die Goldenen Zitronen
- Goo Goo Dolls
- Lesley Gore
- Robert Goulet
- Grand Funk Railroad
- Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
- 1982 - The Message
- Amy Grant
- The Grateful Dead
- Grave Digger
- Al Green
- Green Day
- Green Jellÿ
- Green River
- The Guess Who
- Guided by Voices
- Guns N' Roses
- 1987 - Appetite for Destruction
- 1988 - G N'R Lies
- Arlo Guthrie
- Guy
- GWAR
Musicians H-J
- Bruce Haack
- Steve Hackett
- Nina Hagen
- Merle Haggard
- Half Man Half Biscuit
- Daryl Hall & John Oates
- Tom T. Hall
- Johnny Hallyday
- Herbie Hancock
- 1983 - Future Shock
- Happy Mondays
- Françoise Hardy
- Corey Hart
- Hawkwind
- George Harrison
- David Hasselhoff
- Screamin' Jay Hawkins
- Isaac Hayes
- Ofra Haza
- Jeff Healey
- Heart
- 1985 - Heart
- Heaven 17
- Heaven's Gate
- Heavy D
- Heavy Load
- Helloween
- Helstar
- Hermética
- Jacques Higelin
- Munetaka Higuchi
- Susumu Hirasawa
- Allan Holdsworth
- The Hollies
- John Lee Hooker
- Haruomi Hosono
- 1982 - Philharmony
- 1984 - Watering a Flower
- 1984 - Video Game Music (with the Namco sound team)
- Whitney Houston
- 1985 - Whitney Houston
- The Human League
- 1980 - Travelogue
- 1981 - Dare
- Hüsker Dü
- Phyllis Hyman
- Ice-T
- Icehouse
- Billy Idol
- Immolation
- Indigo Girls
- Information Society
- INXS
- 1987 - Kick
- Iron Maiden
- 1980 - Iron Maiden
- 1981 - Killers
- 1982 - The Number of the Beast
- Mark Isham
- The Isley Brothers
- Alan Jackson
- Freddie Jackson
- Janet Jackson
- 1986 - Control
- 1989 - Rhythm Nation 1814
- Joe Jackson
- The Jackson 5
- Michael Jackson
- Millie Jackson
- Jad Wio
- Jag Panzer
- Mick Jagger
- Los Jaivas
- James
- Rick James
- The Jam
- Etta James
- Jandek
- Jane's Addiction
- Japan
- Jawbreaker
- Jean-Michel Jarre
- Jefferson Airplane
- Jefferson Starship
- Waylon Jennings
- The Jesus and Mary Chain
- 1985 - Psychocandy
- The Jesus Lizard
- Jethro Tull
- The Jets
- Joan Jett
- JFA
- Jo Boxers
- Antônio Carlos Jobim
- Billy Joel
- 1980 - Glass Houses
- 1983 - An Innocent Man
- 1989 - Storm Front
- Elton John
- 1983 - Too Low for Zero
- 1985 - Ice on Fire
- 1988 - Reg Strikes Back
- 1989 - Sleeping with the Past
- Alex Johnson
- Eric Johnson
- Daniel Johnston
- 1983 - Hi, How Are You
- 1983 - Yip/Jump Music
- George Jones
- Grace Jones
- Quincy Jones
- Tom Jones
- Jerry Joseph
- Journey
- Joy Division
- Judas Priest
- 1980 - British Steel
- 1982 - Screaming for Vengeance
- The Judds
- Judge Dread
Musicians K-L
- Kansas
- Paul Kantner
- Katrina and the Waves
- The Kentucky Headhunters
- Nik Kershaw
- Kid Creole and the Coconuts
- Kid 'N Play
- Kids Praise
- Killing Joke
- B.B. King
- Carole King
- King Crimson
- 1981 - Discipline
- 1982 - Beat
- 1984 - Three of a Perfect Pair
- King Diamond
- 1987 - Abigail
- King Missile
- King's X
- The Kinks
- KISS
- 1980 - Unmasked
- 1981 - Music from "The Elder"
- 1982 - Creatures of the Night
- 1983 - Lick It Up
- 1984 - Animalize
- 1985 - Asylum
- 1987 - Crazy Nights
- 1989 - Hot in the Shade
- Kitchens of Distinction
- Eartha Kitt
- Los Kjarkas
- Klaatu
- The KLF
- Klymaxx
- KMFDM
- The Knack
- Gladys Knight and the Pips
- Kool & the Gang
- Kool Keith
- Kool Moe Dee
- Kraftwerk
- 1981 - Computer World
- 1986 - Electric Café
- Alison Krauss & Union Station
- Lenny Kravitz
- KRS-One
- 1987 - Criminal Minded
- Kreator
- Die Krupps
- Fela Kuti.
- L7
- The La's
- Patti LaBelle
- Laibach
- John Larkin
- Cyndi Lauper
- The Leather Nun
- Keith Le Blanc
- Leevi and the Leavings
- Legião Urbana
- Leningrad Cowboys
- John Lennon
- 1980 - Double Fantasy
- Annie Lennox
- LeVert
- Huey Lewis and the News
- Jerry Lee Lewis
- Liberace
- Gordon Lightfoot
- Little Feet
- Little Richard
- Live
- Living Colour
- LL Cool J
- Andrew Lloyd Webber
- Kenny Loggins
- Loop
- Loudness
- Mike Love
- 1981 - Looking Back with Love
- 1983 - Rock 'n' Roll City (with Dean Torrance)
- Love and Rockets
- Patty Loveless
- Loverboy
- Lyle Lovett
- Nick Lowe
- Lucifer Luscious Violenoue
- Ludwig Von 88
- Lush
- Les Luthiers
- John Lydon
- Vera Lynn
Musicians M
- Kirsty MacColl
- Madonna
- 1983 - Madonna
- 1984 - Like a Virgin
- 1986 - True Blue
- 1989 - Like a Prayer
- Madness
- 1980 - Absolutely
- 1982 - The Rise & Fall
- Macabre
- Craig Mack
- Magazine
- Magma
- Tim Maia
- Yngwie Malmsteen
- A Man Called Adam
- Henry Mancini
- Harry Manfredini
- Manilla Road
- Barry Manilow
- Mannheim Steamroller
- Manowar
- Marillion
- Biz Markie
- 1989 - "Just a Friend"
- Bob Marley
- 1980 - Uprising
- 1983 - Confrontation
- 1984 - Legend
- Mary Jane Girls
- Martha and the Muffins
- Dean Martin
- Sandy Marton
- John Martyn
- Richard Marx
- Johnny Mathis
- Seiko Matsuda
- Yumi Matsutoya
- Kathy Mattea
- Brian May
- 1983 - Star Fleet Project
- Curtis Mayfield
- Mayhem
- Toshiro Mayuzumi
- Bobby McFerrin
- MC Hammer
- Paul McCartney
- 1980 - McCartney II
- 1982 - Tug of War
- 1983 - Pipes of Peace
- Reba McEntire
- Loreena McKennitt
- Sarah McLachlan
- Malcolm McLaren
- 1983 - Duck Rock
- John McLaughlin
- Don McLean
- James McMurtry
- Brian McNeill
- MDC
- Meat Loaf
- Meat Puppets
- The Meatmen
- Mecano
- Megadeth
- 1986 - Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?
- 1988 - So Far, So Good... So What!
- John Mellencamp
- Melvins
- Men at Work
- The Men They Couldn't Hang
- Men Without Hats
- 1982 - Rhythm of Youth
- Mental As Anything
- The Mentors
- Menudo
- Freddie Mercury
- 1988 - Barcelona
- Metal Church
- Metallica
- 1983 - Kill 'Em All
- 1984 - Ride the Lightning
- 1986 - Master of Puppets
- 1988 - ...And Justice for All (1988)
- Pat Metheny
- Merzbow
- George Michael
- 1987 - Faith
- Microdisney
- Midnight Oil
- The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
- Mike + the Mechanics
- 1985 - Mike + The Mechanics
- Steve Miller Band
- Milli Vanilli
- Ronnie Milsap
- Charles Mingus
- Ministry
- Kylie Minogue
- Minor Threat
- Minutemen
- The Misfits
- Missing Persons
- The Mission
- Mission of Burma
- Joni Mitchell
- Modern English
- The Modern Lovers
- Modern Talking
- Momus
- Thelonious Monk
- The Monkees
- The Moody Blues
- Morbid Angel
- Lorrie Morgan
- Giorgio Moroder
- Morrissey
- Motörhead
- 1980 - Ace Of Spades
- Mötley Crüe
- Mr. Big
- Mudhoney
- Münchener Freiheit
- Peter Murphy
- Juan Mutant
- My Bloody Valentine
Musicians N-P
- Naked Eyes
- Napalm Death
- Milton Nascimento
- Nautilus Pompilius
- Negativland
- Ricky Nelson
- Willie Nelson
- Nena
- Neu!
- Neurosis
- New Kids on the Block
- New Edition
- New Order
- 1981 - Movement
- 1983 - Power, Corruption & Lies
- 1985 - Low-Life
- 1986 - Brotherhood
- 1987 - Substance
- 1989 - Technique
- Anthony Newley
- Lionel Newman
- Randy Newman
- Newsboys
- Olivia Newton-John
- Stevie Nicks
- 1981 - Bella Donna
- Nico
- Night Ranger
- Minoru Niihara
- Harry Nilsson
- Nine Inch Nails
- 1989 - Pretty Hate Machine
- Nirvana
- 1989 - Bleach (Album)
- Kurt Cobain
- Nits
- Mojo Nixon
- NOFX
- Nomeansno
- NOW That's What I Call Music!
- Klaus Nomi
- 1981 - Klaus Nomi
- 1982 - Simple Man
- Nu Shooz
- Nuclear Assault
- Ted Nugent
- Gary Numan
- Nurse with Wound
- N.W.A
- 1988 - Straight Outta Compton
- Laura Nyro
- Sinéad O'Connor
- The Oak Ridge Boys
- Obituary
- The Offspring
- Oingo Boingo
- 1981 - Only a Lad
- 1985 - Dead Man's Party
- Yukiko Okada
- Babatunde Olatunji
- Omega
- Onkel Konkel and His Konkelbar
- Yoko Ono
- Roy Orbison
- Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
- Riz Ortolani
- Mike Oldfield
- 1982 - Five Miles Out
- 1983 - Crises
- John Otway
- Outrage
- Ozzy Osbourne
- 1981 - Blizzard of Ozz
- Our Daughter's Wedding
- Overkill
- Buck Owens
- The Outfield
- Pappo
- Parachute Express
- Os Paralamas do Sucesso
- Van Dyke Parks
- Dolly Parton
- Paparazzi
- Patricio Rey y sus Redonditos de Ricota
- Pavement
- Charlie Peacock
- Ann Peebles
- Penguin Cafe Orchestra
- Pentagram
- Pere Ubu
- Pestilence
- Pet Shop Boys
- Peter, Paul and Mary
- Petra
- Tom Petty
- Philemon Arthur and the Dung
- Phish
- Pink Crows
- Pink Cream 69
- Pink Floyd
- 1983 - The Final Cut
- 1987 - A Momentary Lapse of Reason
- Pixies
- 1988 - Surfer Rosa
- 1989 - Doolittle
- Pizzicato Five
- The Plasmatics
- The Pogues
- Poison
- Basil Poledouris
- The Police
- 1980 - Zenyattà Mondatta
- 1981 - Ghost in the Machine
- 1983 - Synchronicity
- Barry Louis Polisar
- Franco De Vita
- Iggy Pop
- The Pop Group
- Pop Will Eat Itself
- The Posies
- Possessed
- Prefab Sprout
- Billy Preston
- Pretenders
- Pretty Maids
- The Pretty Things
- Charley Pride
- Primal Scream
- Primus
- Prince
- 1980 - Dirty Mind
- 1982 - 1999
- 1984 - Purple Rain
- 1985 - Around the World in a Day
- 1986 - Parade
- 1987 - Sign o' the Times
- 1989 - Batman
- Los Prisioneros
- The Proclaimers
- Propaganda
- The Psychedelic Furs
- Public Enemy
- Public Image Ltd.
- Tito Puente
- Alla Pugacheva
- Pulp
- Pungent Stench
Musicians Q-R
- Suzi Quatro
- Queen
- 1980 - The Game
- 1982 - Hot Space
- 1984 - The Works
- 1986 - A Kind of Magic
- 1989 - The Miracle
- Queen Latifah
- Queensrÿche
- 1988 - Operation: Mindcrime
- Quiet Riot
- Trevor Rabin
- The Radiators (US)
- Gerry Rafferty
- Rage
- Rainbow
- Bonnie Raitt
- Les Rallizes Dénudés
- Ramones
- 1980 - End of the Century
- Rafael Orozco Maestre
- Rata Blanca
- Ratt
- Ready For The World
- Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Lou Reed
- R.E.M.
- 1983 - Murmur
- 1984 - Reckoning
- 1985 - Fables of the Reconstruction
- 1986 - Lifes Rich Pageant
- 1987 - Document
- 1988 - Green
- Renaissance
- REO Speedwagon
- The Replacements
- The Residents
- 1980 - The Commercial Album
- Restless Heart
- Graeme Revell
- Cliff Richard
- Keith Richards
- Lionel Richie
- Jonathan Richman
- Riders in the Sky
- Riff
- The Rippingtons
- Rites of Spring
- Bob Rivers
- Marty Robbins
- Rodriguez
- Kenny Rogers
- Stan Rogers
- The Rolling Stones
- 1980 - Emotional Rescue
- 1981 - Tattoo You
- 1983 - Undercover
- 1986 - Dirty Work
- 1989 - Steel Wheels
- Henry Rollins
- Max Romeo
- Linda Ronstadt
- Diana Ross
- David Lee Roth
- Roxette
- 1988 - Look Sharp!
- Roxy Music
- 1982 - Avalon
- Miklos Rozsa
- Jordan Rudess
- Run–D.M.C.
- 1984 - Run-D.M.C.
- 1985 - King of Rock
- 1986 - Raising Hell
- Todd Rundgren
- Running Wild
- Rush
- 1980 - Permanent Waves
- 1981 - Moving Pictures
- 1982 - Signals
- 1984 - Grace Under Pressure
- 1985 - Power Windows
- 1987 - Hold Your Fire
- 1989 - Presto
- Russya
- Alexei Rybnikov
- 1980 - Juno and Avos
- Roza Rymbaeva
Musicians S
- Sade
- Saga
- Saint Vitus
- Ryuichi Sakamoto
- Salt-N-Pepa
- Pharoah Sanders
- Carlos Santana
- Santana
- Sarcófago
- Peter Sarstedt
- Satan
- Joe Satriani
- Savatage
- Saxon
- Schoolly D
- 1985 - Schoolly D (Album)
- 1986 - Saturday Night! – The Album
- Peter Schilling
- 1983 - Error in the System
- 1985 - Things to Come
- Klaus Schulze
- Scorpions
- Gil Scott-Heron
- Screeching Weasel
- Scritti Politti
- Joe Scruggs
- Dan Seals
- The Searchers
- Neil Sedaka
- Bob Seger
- SEIKIMA-II
- The Selecter
- Selena
- Seona Dancing
- Sepultura
- Sha Na Na
- Ravi Shankar
- Sonny Sharrock
- 1986 - Guitar
- Shenandoah
- Shonen Knife
- Sigue Sigue Sputnik
- Carly Simon
- Paul Simon
- 1986 - Graceland
- 1986 - You Can Call Me Al
- 1986 - Graceland
- Nina Simone
- Simple Minds
- 1982 - New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)
- Frank Sinatra
- Siouxsie and the Banshees
- Sir Mix-A-Lot
- The Sisters of Mercy
- Skeletal Family
- Skid Row
- Skinny Puppy
- Slade
- Slapp Happy
- Slayer
- 1983 - Show No Mercy
- 1986 - Reign in Blood
- Slick Rick
- Slint
- The Slits
- Sly and the Family Stone
- Patti Smith
- The Smiths
- 1986 - The Queen Is Dead
- Social Distortion
- Sodom
- Soft Cell
- Soft Machine
- Sonic Youth
- 1987 - Sister
- 1988 - Daydream Nation
- Sopor Æternus & the Ensemble of Shadows
- Soul Asylum
- Soundgarden
- Spacemen 3
- Spandau Ballet
- Sparks
- The Specials
- Ronnie Spector
- Dusty Springfield
- Rick Springfield
- Bruce Springsteen
- 1980 - The River
- 1984 - Born in the U.S.A.
- Squeeze
- Billy Squier
- Ringo Starr
- Starship
- The Statler Brothers
- Status Quo
- Steeleye Span
- Ray Stevens
- Al Stewart
- John Stewart
- Rod Stewart
- 1988 - Out of Order
- Stiff Little Fingers
- Sting
- Stock Aitken Waterman
- The Stone Roses
- 1989 - The Stone Roses
- Stormtroopers of Death
- George Strait
- The Stranglers
- Stratovarius
- Strawberry Switchblade
- Stray Cats
- Barbra Streisand
- Stryper
- Styx
- 1983 - Kilroy Was Here
- The Sugarhill Gang
- Suicidal Tendencies
- Suicide
- Donna Summer
- Sun Ra
- Øystein Sunde
- Supertramp
- Survivor
- Bill Sutton
- Swans
- Sweet
- Matthew Sweet
- David Sylvian
Musicians T
- John Tabacco
- Takeo Ischi
- Yukihiro Takahashi
- 1980 - Murdered by the Music
- 1981 - Neuromantic
- Akira Takasaki
- Mariya Takeuchi
- Talk Talk
- 1988 - Spirit of Eden
- Talking Heads
- 1980 - Remain in Light
- 1981 - "Once in a Lifetime"
- 1983 - Speaking in Tongues
- 1984 - Stop Making Sense
- 1985 - Little Creatures
- 1986 - True Stories
- 1988 - Naked
- Tom Tom Club
- 1980 - Remain in Light
- Tangerine Dream
- Tankard
- Tankcsapda
- Tarot
- James Taylor
- Tears for Fears
- 1983 - The Hurting
- 1985 - Songs from the Big Chair
- 1989 - The Seeds of Love
- The Temptations
- Teresa Teng
- Bryn Terfel
- Tesla
- Testament
- The The
- Therion
- They Might Be Giants
- 1986 - They Might Be Giants (Album)
- 1988 - Lincoln
- Thin Lizzy
- J.G. Thirlwell
- This Heat
- 1981 - Deceit
- This Mortal Coil
- Irma Thomas
- Richard Thompson
- Thor
- Throbbing Gristle
- Throwing Muses
- Tiffany
- The Tiger Lillies
- The Time
- Tiny Tim
- TISM
- TNT
- Jun Togawa
- Tommy Tutone
- Tone Lōc
- Tones on Tail
- Too $hort
- Peter Tosh
- Die Toten Hosen
- Toto
- Toy Dolls
- The Tragically Hip
- Trans-X
- The Traveling Wilburys
- 1988 - Volume 1
- Randy Travis
- Travis Tritt
- Trout Fishing in America
- Viktor Tsoi
- T.S.O.L.
- Tanya Tucker
- The Time
- Tina Turner
- 1984 - Private Dancer
- Twisted Sister
- Conway Twitty
- Bonnie Tyler
- 1983 - "Total Eclipse of the Heart"
- 1984 - "Holding Out for a Hero"
Musicians U-Z
- U2
- 1980 - Boy
- 1981 - October
- 1983 - War (U2 Album)
- 1984 - The Unforgettable Fire
- 1987 - The Joshua Tree
- 1988 - Rattle and Hum
- UB40
- UFO
- James Blood Ulmer
- Ultravox
- 1980 - Vienna
- 1981 - Rage in Eden
- 1982 - Quartet
- 1984 - Lament
- 1986 - U-Vox
- Uncle Bonsai
- Underworld
- Univers Zero
- Urban Dance Squad
- Midge Ure
- Uriah Heep
- V8
- Steve Vai
- Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
- Van Halen
- Townes Van Zandt
- Luther Vandross
- Vangelis
- Vanity
- Varttina
- Sarah Vaughan
- Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Vazelina Bilopphøggers
- Suzanne Vega
- Venom
- Village People
- Vio-lence
- Violent Femmes
- Visage
- Videokids
- Violent Femmes
- Voivod
- Bunny Wailer
- The Waitresses
- Tom Waits
- 1980 - Heartattack and Vine
- 1983 - Swordfishtrombones
- 1985 - Rain Dogs
- 1987 - Franks Wild Years
- Rick Wakeman
- Scott Walker
- Wall of Voodoo
- Wang Chung
- War (Band)
- Steve Wariner
- Warrant
- Dionne Warwick
- Was (Not Was)
- WASP
- Watchtower
- Muddy Waters
- Roger Waters
- Jody Watley
- Johnny "Guitar" Watson
- Jeff Wayne
- "We Are the World"
- Weather Report
- Ween
- Kitty Wells
- Wendy & Lisa
- Wham!
- Barry White
- White Zombie
- Whitehouse
- Whitesnake
- Keith Whitley
- The Who
- Whodini
- David Wilcox
- Wild Man Fischer
- Kim Wilde
- Don Williams
- Lucinda Williams
- Paul Williams
- Tony Williams
- Vanessa Williams
- Hank Williams Jr.
- Wesley Willis
- Brian Wilson
- 1988 - Brian Wilson
- Carl Wilson
- Dennis Wilson
- Winger
- Wings
- Steve Winwood
- Wire
- Stevie Wonder
- Roy Wood
- The Wurzels
- X (US Band)
- X Japan
- XTC
- 1986 - Skylarking
- "Weird Al" Yankovic
- 1983 - "Weird Al" Yankovic (Album)
- 1984 - "Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D
- 1985 - Dare to Be Stupid
- 1986 - Polka Party!
- 1988 - Even Worse
- 1989 - UHF - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Other Stuff
- Yazoo
- Yello
- Yellow Magic Orchestra
- 1980 - ×∞Multiplies
- 1981 - BGM
- 1981 - Technodelic
- 1983 - Naughty Boys
- 1983 - Service
- Yes
- Yo La Tengo
- Dwight Yoakam
- Christopher Young
- Neil Young
- Young Marble Giants
- Zapp & Roger
- Frank Zappa
- 1981 - Tinseltown Rebellion
- 1981 - Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar
- 1981 - You Are What You Is
- 1982 - Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch
- 1983 - The Man from Utopia
- 1983/7 - London Symphony Orchestra
- 1984 - The Perfect Stranger
- 1984 - Them or Us
- 1984 - Thing-Fish
- 1984 - Francesco Zappa
- 1985 - Frank Zappa Meets the Mothers of Prevention
- 1986 - Does Humor Belong in Music?
- 1986 - Jazz from Hell
- 1988 - Guitar
- 1988 - Broadway the Hard Way
- Warren Zevon
- The Wolfe Tones
- The Ziggens
- John Zorn
- 1987 - Spillane
- Zoviet France
- Zucchero
- ZZ Top
- 1983 - Eliminator
Other
- Various artists
- 1985 - "Doctor in Distress"
- 1986 - "Ulterior Motives"
- 1988 - Stay Awake
- Many unknown or unidentified songs were released during this decade, including: