As the world settles in for what is sure to be weeks if not months of second-guessing the life and death of Michael Jackson, here at Stuck in the '80s I find myself pondering a different question:
If not for Michael Jackson, his Thriller album, the landmark videos, etc. and so on ... who would have served as the King of Pop during the 1980s?
Who would have been the face of music that decade? The trendsetter? The innovator? And perhaps the one who self-destructed under the pressure of wearing the crown?
Obviously, everyone should add their own opinion below. But here are some names that come to mind right off the top of my head:
GEORGE MICHAEL: He left one best-selling group to go solo and found even more success. That sounds a lot like M.J. But aside from the obnoxious "Choose Life" neon shirts from Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go and the ripped-jeans look from his solo videos, his trendsetting accomplishments don't really stack up.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN: Sure, it's a '70s guy. (So was Michael.) But his landmark album -- Born in the USA -- was smack in the middle of the '80s. But aside from marrying Julianne Phillips, what other '80s-ness did he really do?
BONO: U2 was probably the band of the decade (depending how you define that vague label), but it just feels weird to hand all the credit over to its frontman. Plus, Bono had a mullet. (Is that a pro or a con in this argument?) In any case, I think Bono would decline the honor.
MADONNA: Maybe we should be talking about the "Queen of Pop" instead of King of Pop. A product of the Midwest (like Jackson), she sparked fashion trends, wowed audiences with her TV performances and has sold more records than anyone else on this list.
BOY GEORGE: Finally someone who can be both the king and queen of pop. Surely, Boy's look was a defining image of the decade. And like Michael, his personal life threatens to wipe out memories of the anything he recorded. But does the quality of his music hold up its end of the equation? Probably not.
PRINCE: Okay, okay. Now we're talking. Very eccentric personality. Musical genius. Great dancer. Won an Oscar and Grammy for Purple Rain. Did it all without any noticeable or publicized plastic surgery. Sure, his purple-infused French Revolution overcoat fashion statement didn't catch on like the single, white glove. And he had no Moonwalk (though he writhing and grinding during Computer Blue and Darling Nikki was just as fun ... and easier to replicate).
What other stars are worthy of wearing the crown of King of Pop during the '80s?
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Assuming Michael Jackson was not born because he is the ultimate musician KIng of Pop, Music in general, I think it would've been George Michael, Prince or Phil Collins...Phil didn't have any eccentricities and was not really a huge fashion trend setter, so he's out (But musically he would be a pretender to the title), Prince had huge success but I think George Michael had slightly more impact than Prince...so I guess George Michael wins.
Posted by: Israel | July 28, 2009 at 04:52 PM
Steve Perry in my book IS the king of pop.
Posted by: Anna | July 07, 2009 at 12:25 PM
no other then george michael. i thought he always ruled anyway.
Posted by: devon | July 05, 2009 at 12:35 PM
Revised: OK, I forgot about Kanye West, he def. ruled this decade!
Posted by: najellin | July 03, 2009 at 10:54 PM
George & Prince are pretty 50/50 here. Here's my list of Kings/Queens of the last three decades:
80's: King- Michael Jackson; Queen- Madonna
90's: King- Michael Jackson (again); Queen- Mariah Carey
00's: King- Usher (or one of his followers, AKA: Chris Brown or Ne-Yo); Queen- Beyonce or Rihanna (although Beyonce is a star outside of music too)
Posted by: najellin | July 03, 2009 at 10:52 PM
George & Prince are pretty 50/50 here. Here's my list of Kings/Queens of the last three decades:
80's: King- Michael Jackson; Queen- Madonna
90's: King- Michael Jackson (again); Queen- Mariah Carey
00's: King- Usher (or one of his followers, AKA: Chris Brown or Ne-Yo); Queen- Beyonce or Rihanna (although Beyonce is a star outside of music too)
Posted by: najellin | July 03, 2009 at 10:52 PM
I was really thinking Prince at first before George Michael but read what others had commented on and went back and relived the big George Michael hype.
Didn't he write, arrange an produce Careless Whisper when he was like 16 or 17? That has to be one of the most famous sax lines ever written.
George Michael would be the one
Posted by: Matt | July 02, 2009 at 02:30 PM
George Michael for sure
Posted by: Jeanette | July 02, 2009 at 02:23 PM
George Michael, although Pop GOD is a more fitting title. He's Greek! :)
Posted by: Helen | July 02, 2009 at 10:41 AM
Good Question.
George Michael :)
Posted by: Kris | July 02, 2009 at 06:31 AM
Garth Brooks!!!! Just kidding.
Posted by: DerekT | July 02, 2009 at 06:08 AM
Definitely NOT BOY GEORGE!!!
Posted by: jon moss | July 02, 2009 at 01:57 AM
Prince is my favorite, but right around that time is when he seemed to lose interest in making hit records. Rather, he lost interest in making the kind of records that become hits. "Around The World In A Day" could not have been a bigger curveball as a follow-up to "Purple Rain".
Posted by: Clark | July 01, 2009 at 11:32 PM
What about the other guy from Wham? Can't remember his name, sorry.
George Michael absolutely.
Posted by: selly | July 01, 2009 at 10:44 PM
Phil Collins as the King of Pop??? Are you kidding? The guy is talented with his songwriting, however, thats where it ends.
I remember George Michael well throughout the 80's. His videos were in constant rotation, his face was on the cover of everything, and FAITH, that alone would make him the next in line.
I think the GM Camp did very well in shouting out their GM points!
George Michael, for sure.
Posted by: Terry | July 01, 2009 at 10:40 PM
George Michael. He's the only one who foots the bill.
Posted by: Roy | July 01, 2009 at 10:17 PM
Those plumming for Phil Collins are still forgetting to consider the rest of the world. George Michael, Prince and Phil all found their fame in the USA with bits in between.
Don't forget image is going to matter too. Phil has a great voice and amazing song writing ability, but he was always seen as an old man. He said so in an interview about the recording of Band Aid in 1984. George Michael and Prince at least had fashion sense and were heartthrobs.
One more thing- MJ was King of Pop because he had the ego to declare it. Phil would have been too British to carry off the title.
Posted by: Roy, UK | July 01, 2009 at 03:36 PM
Once again, I back up Bassnote. Bassnote has presented thorough evidence of the pop credentials of Phil Collins. Those of you in the George Michael camp haven't really presented your arguments as well as Bassnote.
The only other artist of the 80s (and that's the only time period we are concerned with here) mentioned by Steve or anyone else that might rival Phil would be Prince. Prince had nine albums in the 80s. All went gold or platinum in the US with six of them in the US top ten. He had 15 top ten singles on the American charts during the 80s. He had the mega-hit film, 'Purple Rain'. And he worked with several other artists on their hits.
Hmmm, hey, Bassnote, Prince is beginning to look like a pretty good choice. I still support your choice of Phil Collins, but Prince would be a very close second.
I just don't see George Michael as a contender for the King of Pop title. But that's just me.
Posted by: Dr. Dim | July 01, 2009 at 03:01 PM
I just went back and did a little research so I had something really solid to base my opinion on. lol!
I definitely would say -
Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou! aka George Michael!
Posted by: Deanna | July 01, 2009 at 09:46 AM
Simple. George Michael
Posted by: Cassidy | July 01, 2009 at 09:42 AM
Phil Collins has talent with his songwriting, but not so sure as a singer.
He just didn't have the King of Pop image: the videos, stage appeal, vocals and his albums never held strong like Michael Jackson's, George Michael and Prince, for that matter.
As far as the 80's accomplishments I have to go with George Michael, as well. He was always listed as a mega star back then, and joined the ranks of Jackson, Madonna and Prince. Never heard that for Collins.
Posted by: DaveT. | July 01, 2009 at 09:07 AM
Everyone is focusing on who still has it now but Steve asked, "who would have served as the King of Pop during the 1980s."
I'm sticking with my choice of Phil Collins. He was on the charts (solo, with Genesis, or producing or performing on someone else's song) pretty much every year of the decade. Can any other artist claim to be on the charts every year of the '80s? Forgive me for saying this, but Michael Jackson only released two albums in the '80s. Phil had four solo albums, four Genesis albums, and one live album (with Genesis). He also found time to produce hits for Frida, Philip Bailey, Howard Jones, Adam Ant, and Eric Clapton (two albums). He also played on albums by Robert Plant, Paul McCartney, Band Aid, Eric Clapton, and Peter Gabriel. Plus his appearances on Miami Vice, and three movies that I can think of (Buster, Hook, & And The Band Played On). If we are talking about who owned the '80s outide of Jackson, it was Collins.
Posted by: Bassnote | June 30, 2009 at 09:51 PM
casting my vote - GEORGE MICHAEL
I have to agree with Carla; he had it then and he still has it now.
I was in London during his tour and he was asked to be the first artist to perform at the brand new Wembley Stadium on June 9, 2007. That Stadium was packed solid! So glad I seen him then and last year for 3 shows. What a great entertainer! Thanks for the link, Carla!
Posted by: Kim | June 30, 2009 at 07:47 PM
Axel Rose or John Mellencamp
Posted by: Snookie | June 30, 2009 at 07:36 PM
Bassnote and Dr. Dim:
Sorry, I never intended to say he wasn't popular; just that he would not be classed as the King of Pop. Don't forget popularity and reputation are two different things and I sort of mixed them together. My bad.
I'm not saying it's right. I love Phil Collins more than any other artist, but I have to consider how people of my generation react to him. I was born in 1989, and so I don't remember any of the things on this blog/podcast first time round. All I know is from the age of 14 I have had to take a lot of heat for Phil.
Also don't forget that Genesis and Phil Collins are different entities. Sure the band went AOR in the 80s, but the set I saw in Rome was dedicated to the pre 'Duke' days, with a few hits in between. Genesis has a late 70s fanbase that grins and bears 'Invisible Touch' to see their idols once again
Certainly world popularity does fail him. In the US and Germany he's huge, but here in the UK he is widely derided. I didn't mean to cause offence, I was just keeping those outside the SIT80s nation in mind...
Posted by: Roy, UK | June 30, 2009 at 07:09 PM
Michael Bolton
Posted by: spanky | June 30, 2009 at 06:14 PM
george michael had it then and still has it now. even the pop stars of today know that, as well. on june 9th, beyonce performed her last night in london; she asked george to join her on stage. the crowd went wild when he appeared. here is the link, for those who might be interested.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gS8vqgLTKvQ
Posted by: carla | June 30, 2009 at 04:59 PM
george michael had it then and still has it now. even the younger pop stars of today know that. on june 9th, beyonce performed her last night in london and asked george if he would join her on stage; of course, he did. the crowd went wild! here's the clip if anyone is interested.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gS8vqgLTKvQ
Posted by: carla | June 30, 2009 at 04:53 PM
Maybe someone with some talent who was not a perverted pedophile!
Posted by: Jeremiah | June 30, 2009 at 02:48 PM
Once in a while, an entertainer comes along that cannot be matched. Elvis was the King of Rock & Roll. Many others were exceptionally talented, but he had a unique impact by mixing country, R&B and rock & roll and crossing racial lines.
Michael Jackson had a similar unique impact. He crossed racial lines, blended rock, pop and R&B/Urban. He was the King of Pop. There were many exceptionally talented artists in the 80's, but no one matched Michael.
With today's micro music formats, it will probably be a long time before another artist has the same individual impact at Elvis or Michael.
Long Live The Kings!
Posted by: Richard | June 30, 2009 at 02:36 PM
Thanks for having my back Dr. Dim.
Posted by: Bassnote | June 30, 2009 at 01:44 PM
Journey/Steve Perry, Bruce Springsteen and Bono were (and are) all rock. I think they themselves would object to the "pop" moniker.
Posted by: Bassnote | June 30, 2009 at 01:44 PM
Am I the only one that remembers Steve Perry? Journey was HUGE, then he rolled out on his own and the light caught fire and he burned up and out.
Posted by: JEG in Oldsmar | June 30, 2009 at 01:42 PM
What about Steve "The voice" Perry!
Have you all forgotten how much he and Journey contributed to the 80's?
I would have to say Steve Perry hands down should have been the King of Pop!
Posted by: Perry's woman | June 30, 2009 at 01:37 PM
i love to listen Micheal Jackson songs .. hee is the pop king.
i usually go to this site for listening michael Jakson
http://www.uptomark.com
Posted by: asad | June 30, 2009 at 12:49 PM
i love to listen Micheal Jackson songs .. hee is the pop king.
i usually go to this site for listening michael Jakson
http://www.uptomark.com
Posted by: asad | June 30, 2009 at 12:48 PM
What happened to Bassnote's original comment? Did I imagine it? No, Ray's comment which refers to Bassnote's original statement is still there. And so are the five times repeated comments by Aria. What's going on?
By the way, I hope I'm not being a jerk here, but, some of our friends who post here need to learn that after a punctuation mark you need to type in a space. It gets difficult to follow what you are trying to say if you do not include spaces after your periods, commas, exclamation marks, etc. Especially in the more lengthy posts.
I'm just sayin'.
Posted by: Dr. Dim | June 30, 2009 at 12:32 PM
Bono! Who else?
Uhmm but I'm actually torn between him and madonna. Madonna is a crown similar to that as well.
Posted by: Mikes Sumondong | June 30, 2009 at 12:20 PM
And when I refer to Michael, I mean Michael Jackson, not George Michael.
Posted by: Dr. Dim | June 30, 2009 at 12:04 PM
I'm going to back up Bassnote's play here. If not for Michael, Phil Collins would have to be considered the biggest male pop artist of the 80s. I'm surprised that Spearsy didn't think of him.
Phil had multiple hits with Genesis and as a solo artist. He worked with many other artists on their hits. Heck! For a time there it seemed Phil was singing on every hit song on the charts. He played in concert on two continents on one day for Live-Aid (I don't think Michael was involved in Live-Aid, was he?). Not to mention his stints as an actor.
Bassnote is right. As much as I hate to admit it (because, even though I like some of Phil's and Genesis's songs/albums, Phil Collins really began to get on my nerves)the second King of Pop of the 80s was Phil Collins.
However, Phil did not invent the mullet. Paul McCartney and David Bowie were sporting them in the 70s.
Posted by: Dr. Dim | June 30, 2009 at 11:47 AM
George Michael, without even blinking!
Posted by: Anabela | June 30, 2009 at 11:34 AM
"world popularity fails him as well as a negative reputation today"
I'm sorry Roy, but didn't Genesis just do a worldwide concert tour two years ago? And if I'm not mistaken, it was sold out. The new movie "The Hangover" has a scene with Mike Tyson air drumming to Phil's "In The Air Tonight," and as you pointed out, he has been sampled by dozens of hip hop artists. I don't call that world popularity failing him. Oh, and Disney had him do music for two movies, and turned one into a musical, maybe that's where you get the negative reputation.
Posted by: Bassnote | June 30, 2009 at 10:55 AM
Michael was the king..without him none of these other people wouldnt have had things like MTV or music videos...he made them exciting and brought us into the video age!!
http://c-trainsentertainmentreviews.blogspot.com/
Posted by: cj | June 30, 2009 at 09:58 AM
sorry. In my last post I said THE WALL; I meant to say GM's Faith beat out MJ's BAD at the Grammy's
(I had Pink Floyd on my mind, i guess)
Posted by: Mark | June 30, 2009 at 09:25 AM
okay, I see the question as "if it wasn't for MJ who would have ruled as the king of pop then." Looking back in the 80's George Michael ruled it during the last half. Even with wham, they broke China; first group ever aloud in. Even with Michael Jackson being known as the KOP, George's Faith beat out Jackson's The Wall at the Grammys. So yeah, George Michael would have been the one.
Posted by: Mark | June 30, 2009 at 09:08 AM
First, RIP Michael - a true pop icon.
After giving this some thought, my vote would go to George Michael, not only for his past accomplishments with Faith, which stayed the #1 album two Christmas' in a row; had six #1 singles off it; in 1987 AND 1988 he had the Billboard #1 songs for the year; he was the first white artist to receive an award for best male vocalist and best album in the R&B catagory; Faith pulled in Grammy's, American Music Awards and many European awards, as well. If it wasn't for his lawsuit with Sony, which forced him to be dormant after Listen Without Prejudice, who knew where his songwriting and singing could have taken him. He released Older (exceptional album) in 1996, but the airways wouldn't play it. Even after all the tabloid B.S. he made an incredible comeback with a world tour, in which every review was given star quality ratings. He looks incredible, sounds fantastic, has some great videos under his belt, and has some pretty good moves on the dance floor, as well; not to mention his songwriting ability.
Posted by: Julianne | June 30, 2009 at 08:59 AM
How can you pick Freddie as the next King of Pop? Hello??? He's dead, just like Michael!
Posted by: Jon | June 30, 2009 at 08:23 AM
Freddie was an exceptional artist; however, he was not a solo artist...you have to give the other members of Queen credit, as well. They wrote many songs and jointly wrote with Freddie and performed with him at every concert and in the videos. To be the "King of Pop" - I would think this would be for a solo artist - as one, in all of his own.
Posted by: karen | June 30, 2009 at 08:20 AM
And George Michael would also say Freddie was better then he was.
Posted by: DerekT | June 30, 2009 at 06:47 AM
I have to agree with the George Michael votes! I saw him in Chicago last July - OMG what a concert! Wish he would tour again!
Posted by: Carolyn | June 30, 2009 at 06:28 AM