Music · 1985
The Global Stage and Compact Disc Revolution
In 1985, pop culture united globally through massive broadcast charity concerts and iconic synth-driven anthems. The rise of the compact disc and MTV transformed how audiences purchased and experienced record-breaking hits worldwide.
- July 13, 1985 | Multi-Artist Concert
Live Aid
Simultaneously held in Wembley and JFK Stadium, this massive benefit concert broadcast to 1.9 billion people featured an iconic performance by Queen.
- March 7, 1985 | USA for Africa | Pop
We Are the World
Written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, this star-studded charity supergroup single quickly became the fastest-selling American pop single in history.
- May 13, 1985 | Dire Straits | Rock
Brothers in Arms
Dire Straits defined the modern digital audio era by releasing one of the first albums explicitly targeted for the emerging Compact Disc format.
- Feb 14, 1985 | Whitney Houston | R&B
Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston launched her record-breaking career with her self-titled debut, yielding three consecutive Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles.
- Sept 16, 1985 | Kate Bush | Art Pop
Hounds of Love
Kate Bush achieved critical mastery using the Fairlight CMI synthesizer to forge dramatic masterpieces like 'Running Up That Hill'.
- April 1985 | Wham! | Pop Concert
Wham! Foreign Exchange Tour in China
George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley made history as the first major Western pop act to perform live in Communist China.
- Feb 25, 1985 | Tears for Fears
Songs from the Big Chair
Tears for Fears captured global new wave dominance with multi-platinum singles like 'Shout' and 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World'.
- October 1985 | A-ha | Synth-pop
Take On Me
Norwegian band A-ha topped global charts powered by a revolutionary rotoscoped pencil-sketch music video heavily rotated on MTV.
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