Michael Jackson: Rest in Peace

Today marked perhaps the ultimate tragedy for any true patron of the 1980s and its music, the lost of its biggest star and greatest icon, Michael Jackson. The King of Pop.

At the age of 50, he was far too young, but many of the greatest stars seem to burn out before their time.

The author of some of the best and most popular music to ever travel the airwaves, from Thriller to Beat It to Smooth Criminal to Dirty Diana to Billie Jean and beyond, he contributed immensely to the soundtracks of many lives, and he will be missed.

Bananarama: Cruel Summer (1983)

They were the prototype for the often-imitated girl band that would proliferate like wildfire in the 1990s and the early 21st century.



The trio of Siobhan Fahey, Keren Woodward and Sara Dallin made up the 80s superband Bananarama, and Cruel Summer from their self-titled album remains one of their most successful singles, and one that has enjoyed a great deal of longevity, sampling and remixing.



The song also has the distinction of appearing on the soundtrack for the '80s classic film The Karate Kid.



Cruel Summer was also covered and released as a single by Ace of Base, with the track also serving as the album title.

Frozen Ghost: Pauper in Paradise (1989)

Another of the hidden gems to arise from the Canadian pop / rock scene in the 1980s was Frozen Ghost, a band that won the Juno award (Canadian Grammy) for Most Promising Group in 1987.



The band released three successful albums, the middle one being Nice Place to Visit in 1988, with Pauper in Paradise being one of the most memorable singles included.



The band split up in the early 1990s, but its members went on to enjoy minor success in ventures such as producing other acts. They remain one of the nation's most fondly remembered '80s acts.