The Groove

The greatest artists of the 1980s

333 artists ranked by the Groove — music.nw’s own measure of renown. Not an opinion, a fact computed from the record. Why?

No. 1

Metallica

United States of America · 1981– · heavy metal

251.080

Why this number?

The full board · page 12

265 Samantha Fox

United Kingdom · 1966– · pop 4.200

266 This Mortal Coil

United Kingdom · 1983–1991 · dream pop 4.200

267 Bryan Ferry

United Kingdom · 1945– · pop rock 4.200

268 Dokken

United States of America · 1979– · rock 4.200

269

Janet Jackson

United States of America · 1966– · pop 4.200

270 Lyle Mays

United States of America · 1953–2020 · contemporary jazz 4.200

271

Merle Haggard

United States of America · 1937–2016 · country 4.200

272 Pat Metheny

United States of America · 1954– · contemporary jazz 4.200

273 Stevie Nicks

United States of America · 1948– · rock 4.200

274 Terence Trent D’Arby

United States of America · 1962– · funk 4.200

275 XTC

United Kingdom · 1976–2006 · new wave 4.200

276 Living Colour

United States of America · 1983– · funk metal 4.020

277 Steve Winwood

United Kingdom · 1948– · blues 4.020

278

George Strait

United States of America · 1952– · country 4.000

279 Crowded House

Australia · 1985– · pop rock 4.000

280 Yellow Magic Orchestra

Japan · 1978– · synth-pop 4.000

281 Jane’s Addiction

United States of America · 1986–2025 · alternative rock 4.000

282 Testament

United States of America · 1983– · metal 4.000

283

Franco Battiato

Italy · 1945–2021 · pop 4.000

284 Lionel Richie

United States of America · 1949– · pop 4.000

285 Oingo Boingo

United States of America · 1972–1995 · new wave 4.000

286 The Dream Academy

United Kingdom · 1983–1991 · classic rock 4.000

287 ’Til Tuesday

United States of America · 1982–1989 · new wave 4.000

288 Yngwie J. Malmsteen’s Rising Force

United States of America · 1984– · heavy metal 4.000