keyboards of any kind. The subgenre essentially
combined punk rock sentiments with pop-oriented
vocals. The approach to instrumentation was often
similar to punk, especially in terms of drumming.
Joy Division (later to become synthpop band New
Order), the Smiths, and Gang of Four are examples
of this subgenre.
Ska came from the Caribbean music style of the
same name defined by a catchy, upbeat sound over
which is played keyboards and a horn section, usu-
ally with at least one saxophone and trumpet. Popu-
lar examples of ska include Madness, the Specials,
and English Beat.
Rockabilly was probably the hardest for some to
accept as New Wave because of its resemblance to
American rock and roll of the 1950’s. The clothing
styles of such bands reflected the homage to that de-
cade. The Stray Cats were one of the most popular
rockabilly bands, as their music was played regularly
on MTV and Top 40 radio. A less mainstream version
of rockabilly was played by the Cramps.
Last, there was power pop, a subgenre that most
resembled American pop music played fast, and of-
ten featuring songs with quirky subject matter. The
Vapors, known for the popular hit song “Turning
Japanese,” exemplifies this musical style.
Heavy Metal Characterized by an unadorned gui-
tar sound and a heavy, simple drum beat, late-1960’s
heavy metal bands as diverse as Steppenwolf, Led
Zeppelin, Deep Purple, and Black Sabbath are cred-
ited with originating the genre. Black leather and
denim characterized heavy metal fashion. With the
advent of MTV, however, a new heavy metal aesthetic
developed. Known (sometimes derisively) as hair
metal or glam metal, but stylistically classified as pop
metal, the 1980’s subgenre of heavy metal was typi-
fied by young men with long, styled hair and denim
and leather outfits, but in a more colorful array than
their predecessors. Pop metal was largely a product
of bands who favored a big guitar sound, flashy
clothes, and sometimes makeup. Bands such as
(early) Bon Jovi, Dokken, and Guns n’ Roses offered
audiences an abrasive sound tempered by melody,
street-smart lyrics, and the beauty-conscious sensibil-
ities of pop. These bands became increasingly popu-
lar among teenage girls.
Despite the popularity of pop metal, traditional
heavy metal had not been completely overshadowed
by the genre. New and veteran heavy metal artists
earned the respect of audiences who were disen-
chanted by pop metal and who sought the heavier,
more aggressive sound and lyrics of traditional heavy
metal. Also, some heavy metal and hard rock bands
that had cultivated audiences in the 1960’s and
1970’s continued to draw audiences during the
1980’s. Artists such as Iron Maiden, Ozzy Osbourne
(formerly of Black Sabbath), Dio, and Alice Cooper
offered audiences dark theatrics and lyrical themes
that provoked members of conservative political
and religious groups.
In September, 1985, the Senate committee held
hearings on the lyrical content of heavy metal music.
Members of the Parents’ Music Resource Center
(PMRC) had petitioned the Senate for the hearings.
Rock legend Frank Zappa and Dee Snider, lead
singer of heavy metal band Twisted Sister, repre-
sented rock music. A censorship compromise was
reached; it determined that any popular genre al-
bum that contained offensive material would bear a
parental advisory sticker warning of the content.Hip-Hop American rap and hip-hop music largely
came to prominence in 1979 following the release of
“Rapper’s Delight” by the Sugarhill Gang. Hip-hop
music in the United States originated in the Bronx,
New York, and was characterized by its rough-edged
sound and lyrics that captured the realities of eco-
nomic deprivation, racism, African American cul-
ture, and various nightlife scenes.
Hip-hop deejays would control the music sample
from a turntable as an emcee rapped lyrics over the
deejay’s beats. Some rappers chose to simply rap
over the percussive sound made when the deejay ma-
nipulated the vinyl record. Others, such as Afrika
Bambaataa, sampled synthesizer-heavy European pop
by bands like Germany’s Kraftwerk to provide a me-
lodic counterpart to the bass portion of the music.
The technique provided enough musical texture to
make the composition interesting and danceable. As
with any other music form, the lyrical content of rap
varied as to the purpose of the artist. Grandmaster
Flash’s 1982 hit “The Message” was immensely popu-
lar largely because of its timely observations about
socioeconomic concerns. A wide range of rap music
continued to be available to music fans throughout
the 1980’s.
As MTV had proven instrumental in the successes
of new forms of pop music and heavy metal, it also
became important in its role in exposing listeners/684 Music The Eighties in America