AUSTRALIAN MUSIC IN THE 80'S

THE 80'S

The decade of the 80’s, a decade of loud clubs, loud music and loud people. American music kept its popularity in Australia in the 1980s as Iconic singers like Michael Jackson and Madonna each achieved numerous number one hits on the Australian charts. Other popular American acts of the decade included pop/dance duo Milli Vanilli and the rapper M.C. Hammer. These artists ruled the Australian charts with new songs week after week coming from the American musicians. The 80’s was the start of a new era, the era of pop, disco and anything retro and robotic. Vocals were no longer the main element of music as new sounds and computer synths were embedded in the music. America ruled the charts worldwide, however what was Australia’s affect on the music industry in and outside of Australia? What Australian artists were booming at the time? what was the 80’s impact on how Australians play music and listen to it today? Australian music today has been significantly affected by the developments of music in the 80's period.

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REFERENCES

Conclusion

to conclude, the hypothesis was correct, Australian music today has been significantly affected by the developments of music in the 80's period.

What Australian artists were booming at the time?

With the newly gained confidence, Australia’s music industry began to branch out internationally. As more and more Australian artists were hitting the American charts, Australia had finally hit the music scene and put Australia on the charts. Names like Kylie Monogue, Men at Work and Crowded House were making hits all round the world creating a new trend of Australian music flowing into the United States and Britain. However In 1987, Australian soap actress Kylie Minogue changed the way Australia was viewed in the music scene launching her music career with a remake of the 1960s hit Locomotion. It became the highest-selling Australian single of the 1980s. Minogue would go on to achieve worldwide stardom, especially in Britain and Europe. She is seen as one of the most iconic artists to come from Australia. Australian artists also became political.Midnight oil awakened main stream Australia to the the plight of the asbestos miners in Western Australia and the Indigenous struggle for land rights. Music was used as a agent for change.

How have the 80’s affected how Australians play music and listen to it today?

The 1980’s had a huge impact on Australian culture, society and Australia’s music industry. A variety of new Australian artists began to flood American market. Music videos depicting Australia and its culture fueled tourism with many coming to see the ‘land down under’. The music coming from Australia also enhanced the confidence of the country and its people as Australia was now being seen all around the world.

What impact did Australian music have within an outside Australia?

The 1980’s saw changes in Australian culture, new food, technology and music all impacted on how Australians understood what it was to be an Australian. At the time the economy was booming and Australia was a rich and free country. As Australia began to drift away from the mother country Great Britain, Australia became closer with the United States with more and more American culture flowing through Australia. Music was a large part of the American culture and although this music was loved by Australia and ruled the charts, the Australian artists were not forgotten. The 80’s were a big decade for Australian music and artists, as some Australian artists like Kylie Minogue were making it onto the top charts in America. This was a massive event for Australia’s music industry as more Australian music became internationally recognised . ‘In 1982, Australian band Men At Work released the patriotic song Down Under - it would go on to become a hit in both the US and UK. INXS also achieved international success, receiving Grammy nominations, MTV music awards and many top ten hits in Britain and the United States.’ (swirk, 1980’s music & entertainment)

AUSTRALIAN MUSIC IN THE 80'S