was modern english from the 80's
and devo

........................................ehhh

michael jackson without question u fools! one of the most essential elements of pop music ever!

Devo

The Smiths
Got to be The Smiths.

you are talking about the greatest POP artist. how is no one agreeing with michael jackson. it shouldn't even be a question. i love the smiths, the cure, i like the first tears for fears album, etc. but those don't compare to thriller! in a purely pop importance sense.

The Smiths/The Cure at their very worst were better than Michael Jackson.

yeah i'm not saying i prefer micheal jackson but he was important as all hell. however i did read the beginning of this thread again and realized it's personal favourites of the 80's. so my apologies.

and as for personal faves:

the cure
the smiths
the stone roses
happy mondays
echo and the bunnymen
early new order
the first tears for fears album (the hurting) is actually good. seriously!
jesus & mary chain
the replacements
violent femmes
depeche mode!!!!!!!!!
pixies (i can see it being pop, but whatever)
galaxie 500
the feelies
the go-betweens

etc, etc.

the fear that i have forgotten someone is paining me. ah well.

oh and the stone roses forgot about them....

oh yes the -stone roses were GREAT
i was kind of disappointed with ian browns solo career but there are a few good songs.
-the cure
-depeche mode
-duran duran
-u2
i am suure i can think of many more l8ter