10 Essential 80s AOR Albums

Bon Jovi in 1984 (Image credit: Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/Getty Images)

Though many of its prime exponents had emerged during the previous decade, newcomers such as Bon Jovi and Europe stepped up to join the elite class of the melodic rock in the 1980s. New, more colourful recording techniques served to fine-tune the genre’s palette and with MTV calling the shots Def Leppard wreaked multi-platinum hysteria with their album of the same name.

These acts were among the era’s preeminent names, but let’s also give a shout-out to Survivor, Night Ranger, Balance, Diving For Pearls, Icon, Giuffria, Signal, Strangeways and a cast way too massive mention.

Artists

Dave Ling was a co-founder of Classic Rock magazine. His words have appeared in a variety of music publications, including RAW, Kerrang!, Metal Hammer, Prog, Rock Candy, Fireworks and Sounds. Dave’s life was shaped in 1974 through the purchase of a copy of Sweet’s album ‘Sweet Fanny Adams’, along with early gig experiences from Status Quo, Rush, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Yes and Queen. As a lifelong season ticket holder of Crystal Palace FC, he is completely incapable of uttering the word ‘Br***ton’.