My Top 106 (And Counting) Greatest 80's Era Bands of All-Time (Review) (Updated June 1st, 2017) (Part 2)

Hello,

More bands from my Top 106 (and counting) Greatest 80's Era Bands of All-Time. Where I use the term currently, that means that bands ranking is being reconsidered. Once I get everything finished, these rankings could be radically different. I've defined the 80's era from 1977 to 1993.

97) Cher (currently 11 songs)

96) B-52s (currently 9 songs)

95) Queensryche (currently 17 songs)

94) Eurythmics (currently 17 songs)

93) Tracy Chapman (currently 14 songs)

92) Jackson Browne (currently 12 songs)

91) Rod Stewart (currently 12 songs)

90) Cheap Trick (currently 5 songs, this is the band that I'm currently working through their music. They released their first two CDs in 1977, right at the start of what I consider the 80's era. For Cheap Trick I have 11 CDs to listen to and reconsider. Obviously when I'm done they are going to have a lot more than 5 songs. After two CDs they already have 8 songs under consideration and I haven't even made it to "Dream Police".
89) Survivor (currently 11 songs)
88) Whitesnake (currently 24 songs)
87) ABC (currently 7 songs)
86) Neil Diamond (currently 13 songs)
85) Sting (currently 13 songs)
84) REO Speedwagon (currently 18 songs)
83) Dire Straits (currently 13 songs)
82) Red Hot Chili Peppers (currently 20 songs)
81) The Bangles (currently 17 songs)
80) .38 Special (currently 17 songs)
79) Tom Petty/ With and Without The Heartbreakers (currently 17 songs)
78) John Mellencamp (currently 31 songs)
77) Phil Collins (currently 24 songs)
76) Rush (currently 17 songs)
75) Morrissey (only his solo work) (currently
74) Beastie Boys (currently 14 songs)
73) Police (currently 15 songs)
72) Ratt (currently 17 songs)
71) Foreigner (currently songs)

themusicaddict

My Top 106 (And Counting) Greatest 80's Era Bands of All-Time (Review) (Updated May 31st, 2017) (Part 1)

Hello,

This is a review of the bands covered so far on my Top 106 Greatest 80's era bands of all-time. From the time I started this series of blogs, that original 106 bands has expanded by a few more. Somehow I had forgotten bands like Meat Loaf. Other bands I had considered briefly only to not include them in my countdown, which was a mistake with Queen. I considered them a mostly 70's band, but they were still turning out great music during the 80s. Below are the honorable mentions for greatest 80's era bands of all-time.

Honorable mentions in alphabetical order with songs by selected musicians: Anita Baker, Big Audio Dynamite, Neneh Cherry, "Kisses On The Wind":

The Clash- yes I know they are a much loved band, but they never moved the needle much for me. Also Sheena Easton "For Your Eyes Only":

Fleetwood Mac, Samantha Fox, Aretha Franklin, Firehouse, Genesis, Don Henley, Iron Maiden, J. Geils Band "Love Stinks":

The Jets, Joe Jackson, Joan Jett and the Blackhawks, Klymaxx, Kool and The Gang, LL Cool and Martika "Cross My Heart"

Men At Work, Missing Persons "Destination Unknown":

New Order, Night Ranger, Quarterflash, Diana Ross, Paul Simon, Rick Springfield, James Taylor, Tesla, The Tubes (just stumbled across their greatest hits and remembered how many great songs they had), Dionne Warwick, Vanessa Williams and Yes.

Vanessa Williams "Save The Best For Last":

While reviewing this review I discovered a few things. One thing is the way that I introduced each band has changed in the several months since I started it. For my 106th band, En Vogue, I only added videos for 5 of their songs- those were songs I knew right off. Now I go through and listen to each song and then rank all songs that score about a certain threshold. If I'd started with that methodology from the beginning, I would probably have a few more songs for En Vogue on my rankings. For now I'm going to finish the countdown that I'm on probably until I finish it. But while I'm doing that I'm going to get all the bands and their songs into countdown mode. When I finish both processes I'm going to go through and present my actual Top 115ish 80's Era Bands.

Addendum bands, bands that will be added to the final and revised rankings. These are bands that I left off for some reason, usually not a good reason. They are Sade, Linda Ronstadt, Queen, Aerosmith, Toto, Meat Loaf, Night Ranger and I'll probably add a few more along the way. When I have currently written in parenthesis, that means I'm going to go back and update information about that band.

106) En Vogue (currently 5 songs)

105) Echo and The Bunnymen (currently 5 songs)

104) The Pointer Sisters (currently 6 songs)

103) Fine Young Cannibals (currently 5 songs)

102) "Alice Cooper" (currently 6 songs)

101) Christopher Cross (currently 6 songs)

100) Simple Minds (currently 7 songs)

99) The Hooters (currently 9 songs)

98) Talking Heads (currently 15 songs, this band will probably stay around this number)

themusicaddict

The Best of 80's Soul, Funk and Dance Music, Part 3 (FInished May 29th, 2017)

Hello,

This is the final one of these blogs. As I usually do I just keep on finding great songs that fit in the topic I'm looking for. I realize that some of these songs are more pop than soul or funk, but they are all great songs. Many times I prioritize great songs over an actual "genre" a song falls under. So many times what genre a song is so very subjective.

The Deele "Two Occasions":

One of the coolest, funkiest and most bizarre songs. In other words just a great, great song. Lipps Inc. "Funky Town":

Atlantic Starr "Secret Lover":

Cameo "Word Up":

Jermaine Stewart "We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off":

Ready For The World "Oh Shiela":

This may be a bit pre 80's, but hey close enough for me. S.O.S. "Take Your Time (Do It Right)":

A Twosome by Terence Trent D'arby "Wishing Well":

"Sign Your Name":

Shalamar "Second Time Around":

The Gap Band "You Dropped A Bomb On Me":

Michael McDonald "Sweet Freedom":

A threeplay by Karyn White "Superwoman":

"Secret Rendezvous":

"The Way You Love Me":

"Superwoman":

Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam "Head To Toe":

Billy Preston and Syreeta "With You I'm Born Again":

Grover Washington (featuring Bill Withers) "Just The Two Of Us":

Freddie Jackson "You Are My Lady":

themusicaddict

The Best of 80's Soul, Funk and Dance Music, Part 2 (Finished May 29th, 2017) Happy Memorial Day!!!

Hello,

Happy Memorial Day to everyone, especially to the families and soldiers that have fought so hard and gave so much so we can enjoy the freedoms we have. God bless you and God bless America!!!

Peabo Bryson "If Ever You're In My Arms Again":

Okay not really a soul song, but an amazing song nonetheless. "A tale as old as time". Peabo Bryson and Celine Dion "Beauty and The Beast":

A Spinners twosome "Cupid":

"Working My Way Back To You":

Johnny Kemp "Just Got Paid":

A song I just recently discovered thanks to, of all things, "Black Mirror". Alexander O'Neal "Fake":

Larry Graham "One In A Million You":

Jeffrey Osborne "On The Wings of Love":

James Ingram "Just Once":

Soul 2 Soul "Back To Life (However Do You Want Me)":

Stephanie Mills "Never Knew Love Like This Before":

James Ingram and Michael McDonald "Yah Mo Be There":

Whispers "Rock Steady":

themusicaddict

The Best of 80's Soul, Funk and Dance Music, Part 1

Hello,

I was trying to think of an angle of 80's music I haven't over posted about. This blog will not contain songs by the superstars like Commodores/ Lionel Richie, Michael or Janet Jackson, Earth, Wind and Fire, Rick James, Donna Summer, The Pointer Sisters and others. I've already written about so many of those artists already. Also Janet Jackson, Lionel Richie, Whitney Houston, Prince and Michael Jackson are all coming up on my greatest 80's era bands of all-time.

Also as much as I can I'll be staying away from most of the classic songs from those genres, some songs I just can't resist even after all these years. I'm mostly focusing on the obscure, but still classic songs, from the best decade ever for music. I compiled this list from the websites soultracks.com, rateyourmusic.com and my fevered imagination.

I hadn't heard this song until tonight GQ "Standing Ovation":

Skyy "High":

Ashford and Simpson "Solid":

The Manhattans "Shining Star":

The Brothers Johnson "Stomp":

George Benson "Give Me The Night":

Deniece Williams "Let's Hear It For The Boy":

Atlantic Starr "Always":

Stacy Lattisaw "I Found Love On A Two Way Street":

Klymaxx "I Miss You":

A Taste of Honey "Sukiyaki":

themusicaddict

themusicaddict's Top 106 Greatest 80's Bands #37 Stevie Wonder: His Best 80's Era Songs Part 2: #10-#1 (Finished May 28th, 2017)

Hello,

10) "Get It" (featuring Michael Jackson):

9) "We Didn't Know" (featuring Whitney Houston):

8) "That Girl":

7) "Do I Do":

6) "I Just Called To Say I Love You":

5) "Ebony and Ivory" (with Paul McCartney)":

4) Part-Time Lover":

3) "That's What Friends Are For" (featuring Elton John, Gladys Knight and Dionne Warwick):

2) "Sir Duke":

Alright I cheated with this song. I usually account for the year of a song by the album it's released on. "Master Blaster" was on Wonder's 1976 CD "Songs In The Key of Life". However "Master Blaster" wasn't released as a single until 1977. I know I completely cheated but I love this song. 1) "Master Blaster":

themusicaddict

Modest Mouse's Setlist May 26th, 2017 (Finished June 3rd, 2017)

Hello,

I'm going to go see this band in a little over a week. Although I like several Modest Mouse songs, this isn't a band I would've went and seen on my own. What sort of man can resist feminine persuasion though? But now that I'm going I'm looking forward to it, it should be fun. Although I know Modest Mouse songs a lot better now, I'm still not familiar with all their songs. I do realize I've written a couple of blogs like this recently. I used this blog as an opportunity to get more familiar with the songs they'll actually be playing when I see them on June 5th in Salt Lake City. It's two days from tonight.

Honestly I'm not real excited by this setlist, where are their more fun, upbeat songs. Where's "Ocean Breathes Salty", "We've Got Everything" and "Satin In The Coffin" and why is the live version of "Fire It Up" so anemic? I hope for a more full of energy performance Monday night.

1) "The World at Large":

2) "Missed the Boat":

3) "Dramamine":

4) "Lampshades on Fire":

5) "The Tortoise and the Tourist":

6) "This Devil's Workday":

7) "Bukowski":

8) "Trucker's Atlas":

9) "Paper Thin Walls":

10) "Dashboard":

11) "Tiny Cities Made of Ashes":

12) "Shit Luck":

I'm glad they have included this in their setlist again. 13) "Float On":

14) "Sugar Boats":

15) "Doin' the Cockroach":

One of my favorite Modest Mouse songs. 16) "Fire It Up":

17) "Spitting Venom":

Encore

18) "Dark Center of the Universe":

19) "Shit In Your Cut":

20) "A Different City":

themusicaddict

Billboard's Top Ten Songs January 20th, 1983

Hello,

I love when I can write these blogs. When EW posts a Top Ten countdown from a week from the 80's I love to blog about that. I've fallen a bit behind in my magazines, that is why I'm just now getting to writing about a countdown from January. These were the Top Ten songs from the week of January 20, 1983. This is a decent countdown, but there are a lot better weeks from the 80s. New Wave music was just about to bust out. The Heavy Metal music boom was about to start in about a year, there's no sign of either upcoming musical phase in this countdown.

This is just a great, great song. 10) Dionne Warwick "Heartbreaker":

9) Toni Basil "Mickey":

8) The Clash "Rock The Casbah":

7) Patti Austin and James Ingram "Baby, Come To Me":

"Woah here she comes" 6) Hall & Oates "Maneater":

One of the 80's most sublime songs. 5) Toto "Africa":

4) Marvin Gaye "Sexual Healing":

"Kick them when they're up, kick them when they're down". 3) Don Henley "Dirty Laundry":

2) Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney "The Girl Is Mine":

1) Men At Work "Down Under":

themusicaddict

R.I.P. Chris Cornell, Part 4: The Best of Soundgarden, Part 2 (Finished May 20th, 2017)

Hello,

This is my fourth of five blogs/tributes to the life and music of Chris Cornell and the amazing bands he worked with. As with anything else life eventually goes on. Yesterday's sad story can so quickly disappear in this very unsettled world. In terms of deaths in the music world, those twenty-two people who died in concert at an Arianna Grande concert is now the story dominating news. Of course that story takes on more than the death of a musical legend, the Grande story touches terrorism, politics and music is a very small part of that story. I don't want to post too much about Cornell, which is why this will be the second to last Cornell blog. After this blog, my final Cornell blog will be about the best songs of Audioslave's "Out of Exile" and "Revolutions".

"Searching With My Good Eye Closed":

"Outshined":

"Rusty Cage":

"Spoonman":

"The Day I Tried To Live":

"My Wave":

What a terrific performance here, this was a band that still had a bright future. Let's be grateful for all the amazing music we received. "Fell On Black Days":

"Pretty Noose":

"Blow Up The Outside World":

"Slaves & Bulldozers":

themusicaddict

themusicaddict's Top 106 Greatest 80's Bands #36 Hall & Oates: Their Best 80's Era Songs Part 1: #31-#20 (Finished May 22nd, 2017)

Hello,

31) "Downtown Life":

30) "The Art of Heartbreak":

29) "Diddy Doo Wop (I Hear The Voices)":

28) "Big Kids":

27) "The Way You Do The Things You Do" was the the official single, but this includes "My Girl". Who am I to argue against such a great song? (featuring The Temptations):

26) "Don't Hold Back Your Love":

25) "Go Solo":

24) "Missed Opportunity":

23) "Bank On Your Love" (With ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons):

22) "Delayed Reaction":

21) "Looking For A Good Sign":

20) "It's So Hard To Be In Love With You";

themusicaddict

themusicaddict's Top 106 Greatest 80's Bands #37 Stevie Wonder: His Best 80's Era Songs Part 2: #19-#11 (Finished May 21st, 2017)

Hello,

19) "Do Like You":

18) "Jungle Fever":

"Fresh Prince's" Carlton doing a medley of songs, finishing with "Jungle Fever":

17) "Fun Day":

16) "These Three Words":

15) "Dark N' Lovely":

14) "Go Home":

13) "Send One Your Love":

12) "One of A Kind":

11) "Overjoyed":

themusicaddict

R.I.P. Chris Cornell, Part 3: The Best of Soundgarden (Finished May 20th, 2017)

Hello,

Soundgarden is/was these five main members:

• Kim Thayil – lead guitar (1984–1997, 2010–present)
• Ben Shepherd – bass guitar, backing and lead vocals (1990–1997, 2010–present)
• Matt Cameron – drums, backing vocals (1986–1997; 2010–present) (Cameron also drums with Pearl Jam- perhaps the two best grunge bands of all-time)

Former

• Chris Cornell – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (1988–1997, 2010–2017), drums (1984–1985) (died 2017)
• Hiro Yamamoto – bass guitar, backing and lead vocals (1984–1989)

I'm not sure what's going to happen with Soundgarden with the sad, unfortunate death of Chris Cornell. Will they continue and should they continue? Where will they find a singer than sings as well, tough as Cornell and also plays the guitar? Obviously if they continue they'll probably need to find a young singer. With the likes of The Rolling Stones and Alice Cooper playing into their seventies, a refigured Soundgarden could play for 20 more years. It will only be appropriate for the band to make that decision, I'm sure they're still coming to grips with Cornell's death. The whole thing has been sad and infuriating to try and comes to grip with it. My prayers and thoughts on to the members of Cornell's family, the families and friends of Soundgarden and to all rock fans that are dealing with the loss of another legend. That's another legend dying way too soon. Now on to the best of Soundgarden, thankfully the music will never die. They have a song called "Been Away Too Long", a song called "Gone Too Soon" would now be appropriate.

Listening to the lyrics of Soundgarden and Audioslave I've noticed suicide and other gloomy subjects are mentioned a few times. This seems to be a good song to start off with, a slightly slowed down version of  "Black Hole Sun":

This angry song also feels appropriate for Cornell's death. "Ty Cobb":

"Been Away Too Long":

"Burden In My Hand":

"Hands All Over":

"Superunknown":

"Mailman":

"Flower":

themusicaddict

(Finished July 24th, 2017) R.I.P. Chris Cornell, Part 2: The Best of Audioslave Part 1

Hello,

I certainly don't like the circumstances under which I'm writing these Chris Cornell blogs. But I've loved listening to so much of the great music of Soundgarden, Audioslave, Temple of the Dog and some of Cornell's solo music. I had the privilege of seeing Audioslave twice in concert and they were amazing both times. The second time I saw them was in Utah when they were touring as part of Lollapalooza. The weather was terrible and Audioslave was forced to play a rain shortened set.With Mother Nature providing a vibrant lightning based background Audioslave ripped through a brief, but great, set. It's one of the most memorable concerts I've seen. These are the best songs of Audioslave's self-titled CD.

I have only selected seven songs from their first self-titled CD, but honestly nearly every song on this CD is great.

"Cochise":

"Show Me How To Live":

"Gasoline":

"What You Are":

"Like A Stone":

"Set It Off":

"I Am The Highway":

themusicaddict

R.I.P. Chris Cornell: I Hate That My Heroes Keep On Dying

Hello,

Honestly the music of Soundgarden, Audioslave and Temple of the Dog weren't even on my mind today. I had planned on finishing one Stevie Wonder blog and maybe starting another. I was deep in the 80s when I woke up this morning. Then on Facebook came the news that Chris Cornell has died. More news dribbled out over the rest of the day and it seems that Cornell killed himself, that made an already sad story even sadder.

He seemed to have plenty of energy in his last performance. Had he planned on killing himself previously or was this an impulsive decision? Apparently he was battling with depression and who knows what else. Depression is more than just being sad or frustrated. Depression can actually alter your brain and make you think things that aren't true. Please tell those people you love that you love them and be there for them. I hate when these amazing performers continue dying, I hate when my heroes die.

Chris Cornell "Seasons" (from the "Singles" soundtrack):

From last night's show, "Rusty Cage", unfortunately the sound is terrible:

"Rusty Cage" (studio version):

The sound is a lot better for "Slaves and Bulldozers" and "In My Time of Dying", the last two songs Cornell performed in concert. Although I don't hear much of "In My Time of Dying" in this.

Led Zeppelin's "In My Time of Dying":

Temple of the Dog "Hunger Strike":

Audioslave "Set It Off":

themusicaddict

themusicaddict's Top 106 Greatest 80's Bands #37 Stevie Wonder: His Best 80's Era Songs Part 1: #29-#20 (Finished May 21st, 2017)

Hello,

I know I haven't finished the blog series for #38 80's era band Oingo Boingo and I'm busy working on the countdown blogs for #36 80's era band Hall and Oates. I'll finish the Boingo countdown blogs in the next few days. However I wanted to start the Stevie Wonder blogs tonight. When ranking Wonder at #37, I considered his entire career. That inflated where he was ranked on this countdown. When I rewrite this countdown he'll be much lower. However Stevie Wonder is still a genius, but he had several of his best songs before the 80's era. He still had several good songs in the 80's era, but that was the end of his being a big hit maker. The songs in these blogs come from 1979's "Secret Life of Plants" to the 1991 soundtrack for "Jungle Fever". I have 68 Stevie Wonder songs on my Mac's iTunes. Now on to part 1 of the countdown:

29) "As":

28) "Spiritual Walkers":

27) "All I Do":

26) "In Your Corner":

25) "It's Wrong (Apartheid)":

24) "Front Line":

23) "Lighting Up The Candles":

22) "My Eyes Don't Cry":

21) "Land of Lala":

20) "Ain't Gonna Stand For It":

themusicaddict

themusicaddict's Songs That I Never Get Sick Of, The Final Blog About This Topic : The Ballads Part Two

Hello,

I promise this will be the last one of the songs I never get sick of blogs. I just have remembered and stumbled across a lot of great ballads today and wanted to share a few more.

The Counting Crows "A Long December":

One of my all-time favorite songs, definitely in my Top 100. Peter Cetera's "The Glory of Love":

Vertical Horizon "Grey Sky Morning (Best I Ever Had)":

I love this song as much as "Glory of Love". George Michael "Careless Whisper":

Neil Young "Heart of Gold":

Lauryn Hill "Doo Wop (That Thing)":

Wow Megan Fox was gorgeous in this movie. The Cars "Drive":

From one of the worst series of movies ever, "Transformers",  to one of the best movies of my generation "Top Gun" comes Berlin's "Take My Breath Away":

Paul Young "Everytime You Go Away":

Spandau Ballet "True":

Journey "Faithfully":

Simon and Garfunkel "The Sounds of Silence":

REO Speedwagon "In My Dreams":

The Queen of Ballads, Whitney Houston's "The Greatest Love Of All":

themusicaddict

themusicaddict's Songs That I Never Get Sick Of, Part 3: The Ballads

Hello,

As threatened here are the ballads that I never get sick of, some of these are some of the greatest songs of all-time. There's just something so sweet and simple about an amazing ballad. A great ballad can be intoxicating and can lead to some of the best, or worst, decisions you'll ever make.

From the amazing Broadway play "Hamilton", which I hope I'll be able to see in 2018. This is one of the prettiest and most heartfelt songs of all-time. The amazing "It's Quiet Uptown":

Madonna "Crazy For You":

A couple from Air Supply "Every Woman In The World":

"Here I Am (Just When I Thought I Was Over You)":

Kenny Rogers "Through The Years":

Quincy Jones (featuring James Ingram) "Just Once":

Billy Ocean "Suddenly":

Chris DeBurgh "Lady In Red":

Roxette "It Must Have Been Love":



This song is written for original Floyd member, Syd Barrett. Pink Floyd "Wish You Were Here":



The Commodores "Still":



Wow, no chemistry whatsoever. But it's still a great song. Lionel Richie and Diana Ross "Endless Love":

themusicaddict

themusicaddict's Songs That I Never Get Sick Of, Part 2

Hello,

I liked this topic so much that I had to do a part two and I might do a ballads version as well.

Incubus "Good To Know You":

U2's "Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me":

 U2's "Until The End of the World":

I get goose bumps every time at the end of this song starting about the 6:33 mark when it sounds like troops are marching. "Camouflage":

Fall Out Boy simply isn't as good of a band as they think they are. Their songs nearly all sound alike. They have very similar sounding songs, sometimes it seems the same song over and over again. They do have some good songs, but they had an absolute moment of brilliance with 

"My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark":

Bowling For Soup's "1985":

Blue Oyster Cult's "Burnin' For You":

Mark Ronson (featuring Bruno Mars) "Uptown Funk":

Paramore "crushcrushcrush":

 I absolutely adore The Counting Crows "Omaha":

themusicaddict

themusicaddict's Songs That I Never Get Sick Of

Hello,

All of these are songs that I never get sick of. Every time the song starts playing I stop to enjoy it.

I never get sick of taking the Chevy to the levy, Don McLean's "American Pie":

Eddie Money featuring Roni Spector "Take Me Home Tonight":

Dexy's Midnight Runners "Come On Eileen":

I just might, I could get sick of, but haven't quite yet of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean":

Jimmy Buffet's "Margaritaville":

The Arctic Monkeys "I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor":

Never have rock lyrics been more spot on than "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss." The Who "Won't Get Fooled Again":

Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford "Phantom of the Opera":

themusicaddict

themusicaddict's Top 106 Greatest 80's Bands #38 Oingo Boingo: Their Best 80's Era Songs Part 2: #19-#11 (Finished May 14th, 2017)

Hello,

Here's a brief Oingo Boingo band introduction. Of course any introduction about Oingo Boingo begins and ends with Danny Elfman, their uber talented band leader. Here's the main members of Oingo Boingo over the years:

Leon Schneiderman

• Active: 1972–95
• Instrument(s): baritone and alto saxophones, percussion, backing vocals
• Release contributions: all Oingo Boingo releases

Dale Turner

• Active: 1972–95
• Instrument(s): trumpet, trombone, percussion, guitar, backing vocals
• Release contributions: all Oingo Boingo releases

Sam "Sluggo" Phipps

• Active: 1973–95
• Instrument(s): tenor and soprano saxophones, clarinet, percussion, backing vocals, flute
• Release contributions: all Oingo Boingo releases

Danny Elfman

• Active: 1974–95
• Instrument(s): lead vocals, guitar, percussion, sitar, programming, trombone, violin
• Release contributions: all Oingo Boingo releases

Steve Bartek

• Active: 1976–95
• Instrument(s): guitar, Backing vocals, percussion, accordion
• Release contributions: all Oingo Boingo releases

John "Vatos" Hernandez

• Active: 1978–95
• Instrument(s): drums, percussion

Actually Danny Elfman's older brother, Richard, was the one that formed the precurser to Oingo Boingo. Elfman formed the musical theatre troupe known as The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo in 1972. The group was inspired by Richard's time in Paris with Le Grand Magic Circus. Richard's wife, Marie-Pascale, high school friend Gene Cunningham and brother Danny helped Richard found the group. Original performances of the group consisted of upward of 15 musicians, often dressed in garish clown makeup, performing classics from the 1920s, 30s and 40s, as well as avant-garde originals by Danny Elfman. The band appeared on The Gong Show as well as in the 1977 movie I Never Promised You a Rose Garden. Richard left the group in 1979 to pursue filmmaking, leaving Danny as music director. Danny eventually changed the theatrical nature of the band into a steady 8 piece touring act that became Oingo Boingo

In doing research for this blog I stumbled across this video of what was known at the time as The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo. (Thanks to Wikipedia for all biographical detail.)

Oingo Boingo and their precursers were active from 1972 to 1995, when they broke up. They released 8 studio albums from 1981's "Only A Lad" to 1995's "Boingo squared- not sure how to put the 2 above the O. Oingo Boingo has a very unique sound that sometimes worked for them and sometimes not so much. Oingo Boingo was definitely a perfect band for the 80's, their sound captured many of the influences of that wild and bizarre decade. Of local note for Salt Lake City, Oingo Boingo was the first band to play at what at the time was called The Deltra Center. It's now called the Vivint Smart Home Arena, or The Viv. It hosts concerts and the Utah Jazz.

Danny Elfman has written the score for some "interesting" movies over the years that fit within the bizarre nature of Oingo Boingo. He wrote the score for "Pee Wee Herman's Big Adventure" and also wrote the Simpson's theme song. He has worked a lot with Tim Burton and has scored most of his movies. His most recent score was for the romance porn "Fifty Shades Darker". 

 19) "When The Lights Go Out":

18) "Private Life":

17) "Why'd We Come":

16) "Nothing Bad Ever Happens To Me":

15) "Winning Side":

14) "Dead Man's Party":

13) "Skin":



12) "No One Lives Forever":



11) "Gratitude":

themusicaddict