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 14

313 Frankie Goes to Hollywood

United Kingdom · 1982–2023 · alternative dance 3.600

314 Ratt

United States of America · 1976– · heavy metal 3.600

315 Mississippi Mass Choir

United States of America · 1988– · gospel 3.520

316 Culture Club

United Kingdom · 1981– · pop 3.480

317 Descendents

United States of America · 1978– · punk rock 3.420

318 Pulp

United Kingdom · 1978– · britpop 3.400

319 KIX

United States of America · 1978–2023 · hard rock 3.400

320 The Cramps

United States of America · 1976–2009 · psychobilly 3.400

321 Trevor Jones

South Africa · 1949– · pop rock 3.400

322 Lita Ford

United States of America · 1958– · hard rock 3.200

323 Butthole Surfers

United States of America · 1982– · alternative rock 3.200

324 Mr. Mister

United States of America · 1982–1989 · pop 3.200

325 Rick Astley

United Kingdom · 1966– · pop 3.180

326

Pantera

United States of America · 1982– · heavy metal 3.000

327 Bonnie Raitt

United States of America · 1949– · blues rock 3.000

328 Simply Red

United Kingdom · 1985– · blue-eyed soul 3.000

329 The Georgia Mass Choir

United States of America · 1983– · gospel 2.783

330

Yolanda Adams

United States of America · 1961– · gospel 2.156

331 The Florida Mass Choir

United States of America · gospel 2.156

332

Eagles

United States of America · 1971– · rock 1.968

333 Les Brayauds

France 1.968