Can You Name These Male '80s Bands and Artists From an Image?

By: Lauren Lubas
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Can You Name These Male '80s Bands and Artists From an Image?
Image: CBS

About This Quiz

Try as they might, no decade has ever come close to producing the sounds that were delivered to us in the 1980s. There were techno beats, synthesized sounds, keytars and country-rock hybrids. We were also first introduced to mainstream rap music that pushed Motown to the back seat. It was a decade of meaningful music ... and a decade of cheesy music. Though the style of the 1980s was something that people still enjoy making fun of (who could forget the shoulder pads that reached toward the sky?), the music is something we can always return to. And the decade gave us artists that we simply cannot forget. 

While there were dozens of memorable female artists and bands of the '80s, the sheer amount of male artists and bands that flooded every music genre is undeniable. If you're a fan of '80s music (whether you admit it to your friends or not), you may be able to recognize a few artists by their hair or a screenshot of their music video, but do you think you can name all 40 of these male artists and bands from the decade with just an image? Take this quiz to find out just how good you really are.

Prince
Warner Bros.
Can you name this master of many instruments?
Prince
George Michael
Slash
Michael Jackson
Iron Maiden
Wiki Commons by Metalheart
Who are these rockers who specialized in heavy metal music?
Pantera
Iron Maiden
Black Sabbath
Mike Rhodes Band
LL Cool J
Wiki Commons by Daniel Mayer
Can you name this rapper who is now a TV actor?
Ice Cube
Mike Brown
Ice T
LL Cool J

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Rush
Wiki Commons by Enrico Frangi
Do you recognize this band that did a lot of political commentary in their music?
Pixies
Van Morrison
Rush
Flock of Seagulls
The Cure
Wiki Commons by Mooncure 1970
What is the name of this band that had a unique sound (even for the 1980s)?
Pixies
Radio Nation
The Pure
The Cure
Eazy-E
Wiki Commons by Edward Reyes
Who is this hardcore gangsta rapper?
Too Short
Big Daddy Kane
Eazy-E
Rakim

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Black Sabbath
Wiki Commons by Robson Batista
Ozzy Osbourne headed this band. Can you name it?
Man Alive
New Order
New Deal
Black Sabbath
U2
Wiki Commons by Wikipedia brown
Which band from across the pond was headed by Bono?
B52s
More Music
U2
Crowded House
Beastie Boys
Wiki Commons by Charlie Llewellin
This group consisted of MCA, Ad-Rock and Mike D. Who are they?
The Cure
Beastie Boys
The Police
Pet Shop Boys

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Michael Jackson
Wiki Commons by Constru-centro
Who was considered the king of pop?
Van Morrison
Michael Jackson
George Michael
Elvis Costello
Megadeth
Wiki Commons by Ingo Hoffmann
Do you know the name of this rock band?
Megadeth
Iron Maiden
Duran Duran
Poison
Queensryche
Wiki Commons by Shadowgate
Can you name the band that sings the rock ballad "Silent Lucidity"?
Queensryche
Queen
Ruled Over
Kingsguard

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bowie
ABC
His career spanned decades. Do you know his name?
Tom Larson
David Bowie
George Strait
Michael Andrews
The Police
Wiki Commons by Elvire.R.
Can you name the band that had Sting as their frontman?
The Ragers
Guns N' Roses
The Police
Midnight Oil
Duran Duran
Wiki Commons by L*u*z*A* / Luz A. Villa
Which band performed the song "Rio"?
Eurythmics
Michael Bowie Band
Just Blend In
Duran Duran

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George Michael
Wiki Commons by Insasse
This singer was an icon of the 1980s. Can you remember his name?
Prince
Michael Anthony
Anthony George
George Michael
Guns N' Roses
Wiki Commons by Delusion23
Do you know which band had a lead singer with bright red hair?
Van Halen
Motley Crue
Guns N' Roses
Pantera
Van Halen
Wiki Commons by GHOSTRIDER2112
Can you name this band named after the guitarist?
Van Morrison
Van Halen
Chickenfoot
The Police

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AC-DC
Wiki Commons by PHOTO BY MATT BECKER
This band likes innuendo in their songs. Who are they?
AC/DC
Tears for Fears
The Cars
Eagles
Motley Crue
Wiki Commons by Bjornsphoto
This crazy hair band didn't care what people thought. Who are they?
Dr. Feelgood
Motley Crue
Earth, Wind & Fire
Bananarama
Def Leppard
Wiki Commons by Kevin Nixon
Which band had a drummer who only had one arm?
Def Leppard
Dire Straits
The Cure
Men at Work

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Phil Collins
Wiki Commons by Raph_PH
Eminem wrote a song about one of this singer's songs. Who is he?
Sting
Phil Collins
Elton John
Boy George
Depeche Mode
Wiki Commons by Nontelodiromai
As of today, this band has 14 studio albums. Can you name them?
The Police
Pink Floyd
Depeche Mode
Duran Duran
Tears for Fears
Wiki Commons by Raph_PH
Do you remember this new wave band?
The DNC
Mills and Jones
Electric Vibrance
Tears for Fears

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Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Wiki Commons by ABC/Shelter Records
The lead singer of this band was known for being one of the oddest fellows in rock. What band is it?
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Van Morrison
Bruce Springsteen & The E street Band
INXS
Metallica
Wiki Commons by Raph_PH
People were very upset when which band cut their hair?
Guns N' Roses
Metallica
Motley Crue
Simple Minds
MC Hammer
Wiki Commons by Brian Solis
He was a very successful street rapper, and it took a lot to get him signed. Who is he?
Big Daddy Kane
Slick Rick
MC Hammer
Vanilla Ice

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DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
Jive
Which hip hop duo won the first rap Grammy in 1989?
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
Run DMC
Cocomelon
The Clash
Billy Joel
Wiki Commons by Deedar70
This singer was a master of lyrics. Do you know who he is?
Peter Gabriel
Eric Clapton
Bryan Adams
Billy Joel
Chicago
Wiki Commons by wight McCann
Do you remember this band that wrote a lot of songs about heartbreak?
Chicago
Boston
New York
Cincinnati

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Hall & Oates
Wiki Commons by Gary Harris
Who sang the hit song "Maneater" in the 1980s?
Toto
The Clash
WHAM!
Hall & Oates
Survivor
Wiki Commons by Staffan Vilcans
This band had several hit songs that were featured in movies. Who are they?
The Clash
Boston
Survivor
Led Zeppelin
A-Ha
Wiki Commons by Jamesbond raul
One-hit wonders were abundant in the 1980s. Can you name this one?
The Culture Club
Whitesnake
A-Ha
The Scorpions

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Slick Rick
Wiki Commons by Brett Hammond
Do you recognize this rapper with an eye patch?
Slick Rick
Ice T
Morris Shelton
MC Hammer
Robert Palmer
Wiki Commons by Nathan Callahan
Can you name this singer who always seemed to be wearing a suit?
Robert Palmer
Paul Simon
George Michael
Boy George
Public Enemy
Wiki Commons by Kowarski
This rap group didn't mind making the government angry. Who are they?
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
Public Enemy
Milli Vanilli
Bobby Brown

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Culture Club
Wiki Commons by John Begalke
Which band gave us "Karma Chameleon"?
A-Ha
Flock of Seagulls
Culture Club
Bam Bams
Lionel Richie
Wiki Commons by Wight McCann
He sang some intense ballads. What is his name?
Sting
David Bowie
Prince
Lionel Richie
Cheap Trick
Wiki Commons by Swimfinfan
What is the name of this rock group that is still touring today?
Cheap Trick
Poison
Iron Maiden
Motley Crue

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Warrant
Wiki Commons by Frank Schwichtenberg
Can you name this band that sang "Cherry Pie"?
Bullet Boys
Cheap Trick
Duck Bath
Warrant