I'll throw another out there. Neil Diamond. More hits in the 70s for sure, but he had four top ten songs in the early 80s. And of course UB40 turned one of his old songs from the 60s into a huge global hit in the 80s.
Whoa! That is an "out there" suggestion that may not be as crazy as it sounds to me at first blush. My brother was really into Neil, and though Neil never hit for me, he was an undeniable talent. Though I doubt any of us had ND posters up in our rooms! 😂
Heck, forget half a bracket by Prince, you could have an entire Prince bracket alone. (My vote would be for early deep cut Jack U Off).
I think the list is solid for the most part, I say no to Richard Marx being on it. And Boston, they seemed to fizzle out by the time the 70s were over. And Starship were a joke, not legends.
Some omissions I see so far - New Order, Pet Shop Boys, Erasure. I would also argue strongly for The Pogues. I think Bon Jovi has to be on there. I'm no fan (great guy - runs charities for homeless people, promotes great liberal causes, devoted husband and father - but shit music) but man, in the second half of the 80s they were the biggest fucking band. And Tom Petty - those 80s Heartbreaker albums, the Traveling Wilburys, and the first solo record Full Moon Fever.
You don't need to be defensive about Weird Al, it's a no brainer for him to be on there. And don't let anyone suggest that John Mellencamp was not a big freaking legend.
A couple of those acts might be popping up on Side B. I loved Traveling Wilburys, but I don't know if maybe their relatively short existence disqualifies them from Legends status? Absolutely agree that Tom Petty should be on there and I'm embarrassed that I neglected to include him.
I think the legends list is pretty thorough! On a personal /international note, maybe you could consider The Outfield, and also Caroline Loeb's "c'est la ouate " in the foreigners region.
The Outfield is looking very likely to make Side B.
And I don't know Caroline Loeb's "C'est La Ouate," but now you know I will go listen immediately, in fact, I am listening NOW, and it sounds very 80s in the intro. A direct translation appears to be "It's the cotton wool"? lol
Alternate translation: "wadding"?
This is definitely not a song I have heard before, but it's got a lot of 80s DNA in it! Thanks!
That's right, the lyrics actually translate to "of all the fabrics, it's the cotton wool she prefers" It doesn´t make any sense! But the song was a huge hit in Europe and South America, it's funny that it didn´t make it in
Hey guys! The legends bracket is a great idea, and some potential clashes will be epic: Janet Jackson vs Michael Jackson! Madonna vs Whitney! The things is... can a 64 song legends barcket be built? Or do many songs belong to other brackets? How big and relevant must an artist be in order to belong to that bracket? I also think that what could make brackets fun and impredictable is to mix things up a little bit. In side A, I felt that sometimes I had to choose between very similar acts. How awesome could it be Hall & Oates facing Depeche Mode in the early rounds? Anyways, side B will be very fun and intetesting.
An interesting idea. How do you define a "legend"? More than a one-hit wonder? Multiple songs that hit the top 10? Multiple albums? Multiple decades of hits (including the 80s, of course)? Good luck.
I also have to throw out a hyper-local legend -- Adrian Belew-produced The Raisins' "Fear is Never Boring" was a MONSTER hit in Cincinnati in the 80s. (Later covered by The Bears and the psychodots, other Adrian-Belew-related Cincinnati bands.) A radio staple of the era.
It was years before I discovered that it wasn't a national hit.
To go along with your Legends bracket, maybe you need a One-Hit-Wonders bracket (not saying that "Fear is Never Boring" belongs in either, because it doesn't).
Dan is NOT the only one complaining about no Journey, little bro. We've had this conversation.
Welcome to the show, Meg! 😘
--Keith
Also, these ain't legends, but might deserve a shot in side B: Miami Sound Machine - Frankie goes to Hollywood - Sade - UB40 - Eric Carmen - Toto .
I know a few of these have come up in the side B discussions. And Toto can make a Legends case from its work in the 70s through the 80s! --K
Oh man, I can't believe I forgot another one. Steve Winwood.
Excellent one, definitely need to add this to consideration! --Keith
I'll throw another out there. Neil Diamond. More hits in the 70s for sure, but he had four top ten songs in the early 80s. And of course UB40 turned one of his old songs from the 60s into a huge global hit in the 80s.
Whoa! That is an "out there" suggestion that may not be as crazy as it sounds to me at first blush. My brother was really into Neil, and though Neil never hit for me, he was an undeniable talent. Though I doubt any of us had ND posters up in our rooms! 😂
--Keith
I do have a bias, he was my first concert. It was awesome. I didn't admit that for a lot of years.
Heck, forget half a bracket by Prince, you could have an entire Prince bracket alone. (My vote would be for early deep cut Jack U Off).
I think the list is solid for the most part, I say no to Richard Marx being on it. And Boston, they seemed to fizzle out by the time the 70s were over. And Starship were a joke, not legends.
Some omissions I see so far - New Order, Pet Shop Boys, Erasure. I would also argue strongly for The Pogues. I think Bon Jovi has to be on there. I'm no fan (great guy - runs charities for homeless people, promotes great liberal causes, devoted husband and father - but shit music) but man, in the second half of the 80s they were the biggest fucking band. And Tom Petty - those 80s Heartbreaker albums, the Traveling Wilburys, and the first solo record Full Moon Fever.
You don't need to be defensive about Weird Al, it's a no brainer for him to be on there. And don't let anyone suggest that John Mellencamp was not a big freaking legend.
A couple of those acts might be popping up on Side B. I loved Traveling Wilburys, but I don't know if maybe their relatively short existence disqualifies them from Legends status? Absolutely agree that Tom Petty should be on there and I'm embarrassed that I neglected to include him.
I was just mentioning Wilburys as part of the list of Petty's 80s credentials, not that they should have a Legends spot on their own.
Agreed on Tom Petty--we can easily ditch Dick Marx or another of the more questionable ones in favor of him! --K
Here's my take on Joe's list:
Prince- of course! Purple Rain was huge in South America
Michael Jackson - non brainer! Billy Jean.
Madonna - what would be this bracket without her? Like a virgin, the lyrics are mind blowing!
Bruce Springsteen- Dancin in the dark was also huge in SA
David Bowie - maybe it fits better in the 70s to 80s potential region
Queen maybe it fits better in the 70s to 80s potential region. Bohemian Rapsody...
Van Halen Jump!
U2 maybe it fits better in the 80s to 90s potential region
Whitney Houston no doubt about it! How will I know?
Heart Alone!
George Michael Father Figure!
Janet Jackson When I think of you!
Beastie Boys maybe in the potential alternative - avant garde region
Journey Don´t stop believing!
AC/DC? Back to black!
Billy Joel of course
Paul Simon maybe it fits better in the 70s to 80s potential region
Starship? It was pretty huge in SA due to the movie Mannequin, and the song "nothing's gonna stop us now"
Tina Turner of course!
Cyndi Lauper? Poetic justice, because she might get robbed in the side A singers region.
Lionel Richie say you, say me.
The Police/Sting? definitely! so many songs to choose from...
Hall and Oates I can ('t) go for that!
John Mellencamp is he a legend?
Chicago are they legends?
Foreigner hell yeah!
Bryan Adams? Heaven was a massive hit.
Boston? of course!
Elvis Costello maybe in another region
Stevie Wonder of course! I just called to say I love you
Phil Collins he's a f legend. Sussudio, or don´t you lose my number
Also Peter Gabriel Yes!
Bobby Brown? legend?
Blondie maybe in the alt region
REO Speedwagon legends?
Air Supply I learnt a lot of english listening to them!
Kenny Rogers? ‘Cause, dude, that might be a gamble.
REM maybe it fits better in the 80s to 90s potential region
Def Leppard maybe
ASIA? Don´t think so
Duran Duran they'll lose to Simple Minds in the movie final, so they should get another shot.
Steve Winwood of course! Valerie
Pink Floyd we are not worthy of Pink fFoyd,
Eddie Money? legend?
They Might Be Giants legends?
The B-52s maybe in the alt region?
Tracy Chapman legend she is!
The Cars it's not a bad idea.
Guns ‘n’ Roses of course!
Sinead O’Connor yes!
The Smiths I believe they belong in the alt region
The Cure of course! Legend or alt region
The Clash Legend or alt region
The Pretenders they belong to side B, but not sure about the legends region
Jane’s Addiction? alt region?
Depeche Mode defintely!
XTC legends?
Talking Heads defintely!
Weird Al! why not! You guys should be risqué
Michael McDonald Who?
RICHARD MARX? not in the legends, but I picture him in side B
Aerosmith of course!
ZZTop they might be legends!
Pat Benatar yes!
I love that you gave everything on the list some consideration! Who is NOT on the list that you think SHOULD be? --Keith
I think the legends list is pretty thorough! On a personal /international note, maybe you could consider The Outfield, and also Caroline Loeb's "c'est la ouate " in the foreigners region.
The Outfield is looking very likely to make Side B.
And I don't know Caroline Loeb's "C'est La Ouate," but now you know I will go listen immediately, in fact, I am listening NOW, and it sounds very 80s in the intro. A direct translation appears to be "It's the cotton wool"? lol
Alternate translation: "wadding"?
This is definitely not a song I have heard before, but it's got a lot of 80s DNA in it! Thanks!
--Keith
That's right, the lyrics actually translate to "of all the fabrics, it's the cotton wool she prefers" It doesn´t make any sense! But the song was a huge hit in Europe and South America, it's funny that it didn´t make it in
America.
Here is the list as it stands in the very preliminary form:
Prince
Michael Jackson
Madonna
Bruce Springsteen
David Bowie
Queen
Van Halen
U2
Whitney Houston
Heart
George Michael
Janet Jackson
Beastie Boys
Journey
AC/DC?
Billy Joel
Paul Simon
Starship?
Tina Turner
Cyndi Lauper?
Lionel Richie
The Police/Sting?
Hall and Oates
John Mellencamp
Chicago
Foreigner
Bryan Adams?
Boston?
Elvis Costello
Stevie Wonder
Phil Collins
Also Peter Gabriel
Bobby Brown?
Blondie
REO Speedwagon
Air Supply
Kenny Rogers? ‘Cause, dude.
REM
Def Leppard
ASIA?
Duran Duran
Steve Winwood
Pink Floyd
Eddie Money?
They Might Be Giants
The B-52s
Tracy Chapman
The Cars
Guns ‘n’ Roses
Sinead O’Connor
The Smiths
The Cure
The Clash
The Pretenders
Jane’s Addiction?
Depeche Mode
XTC
Talking Heads
Weird Al!
Michael McDonald
RICHARD MARX?
Aerosmith
ZZTop
Pat Benatar
Hey guys! The legends bracket is a great idea, and some potential clashes will be epic: Janet Jackson vs Michael Jackson! Madonna vs Whitney! The things is... can a 64 song legends barcket be built? Or do many songs belong to other brackets? How big and relevant must an artist be in order to belong to that bracket? I also think that what could make brackets fun and impredictable is to mix things up a little bit. In side A, I felt that sometimes I had to choose between very similar acts. How awesome could it be Hall & Oates facing Depeche Mode in the early rounds? Anyways, side B will be very fun and intetesting.
I mean, Richard Marx: pretty fucking big. Pretty goddamn relevant.
Well, "Waiting for you" was a huge song for making out, so Richard Marx's relevance ins undeniable!
You seem like a guy who got to make out way more than we did! 😂 --Keith
😍😂
Aerosmith
Yep. Pitchforks. lol
VanHalen! :)
Bon Jovi, AC/DC, John Mellencamp
An interesting idea. How do you define a "legend"? More than a one-hit wonder? Multiple songs that hit the top 10? Multiple albums? Multiple decades of hits (including the 80s, of course)? Good luck.
I also have to throw out a hyper-local legend -- Adrian Belew-produced The Raisins' "Fear is Never Boring" was a MONSTER hit in Cincinnati in the 80s. (Later covered by The Bears and the psychodots, other Adrian-Belew-related Cincinnati bands.) A radio staple of the era.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsFTi1DuZ8U
https://www.citybeat.com/music/cincinnati-band-the-raisins-discuss-unique-musical-legacy-in-the-queen-city-17007225
It was years before I discovered that it wasn't a national hit.
To go along with your Legends bracket, maybe you need a One-Hit-Wonders bracket (not saying that "Fear is Never Boring" belongs in either, because it doesn't).