80’s Pop Culture Icons That Define the Decade
The 60’s had Kennedy, the Beatles and Ed Sullivan.
Enter the 70s and say hello to David Bowie, Marlon Brando’s Godfather and Wonder Woman.
If you’re familiar with 80’s pop culture icons like Alf, Alex P. Keaton and can name 3 80s TV Game Show hosts, you’ve definitely earned your merit badge of “Child of the Eighties”.
Before there was internet, voicemail or tv remotes that reliably worked there was bliss in following the (mis)adventures and fortunes of the greatest decades cultural powerhouses.
These are a few of our favorites and why!
HARRISON FORD
Han Solo! Indiana Jones! Rick Deckard! Even now he is the coolest Septuagenarian (thats a $100 word!) this side of Sir McCartney.
Fresh off getting his long wished for end in “The Force Awakens” Mr. Ford is the quintessential action hero that everyone wanted to be.
Smashing box office records, having the absolute coolest action figures, and getting to hang out with Chewbacca on the regular, what else could possibly make any man “the man” more than that!
Harrison totally made the 80s more awesome in more ways than we can count.
“When we played Laser Tag as kids I would DEMAND to be Han Solo or ELSE! (Yes I was kind of a brat as a child but in this instance…it was worth it.)” – Jason
“Loved Harrison Ford and still do. From Han Solo to Indiana Jones or Rick Deckard from Blade Runner. I mean who didn’t want to be Harrison Ford!” – Bobby
EDDIE MURPHY
Comedy in the 80’s had one name and that was Eddie.
To this day he is one of those superstars that only have to be referred to by his first name. Everybody knows who Eddie is.
If you grew up in the 80’s and managed to trick the parents into staying up late on Saturday nights you got to see the master at work.
Iconic for his trademark characters on SNL. Eddie destroyed the box office with “Trading Places”, “48 Hours” and “Beverly Hills Cop”. With Axel being an 80s movie character for the ages.
With his one of a kind laugh (that really no one can imitate perfectly) Eddie is 80’s to the core.
“I once went to all the locations in Philadelphia that were filmed for “Trading Places”. As a kid it was sooo cool to stand where one of my icons had actually been.”
“Eddie Murphy is a one of a kind talent. He’s a true genius who’s string of hits in the 80’s were some of my favorite films. From Trading Places, Coming To America, and Beverly Hills Cops!
MADONNA
In the 80s there were three: Prince, Michael Jackson and Madonna.
In 1984 Ms. Ciccone cemented her legacy with the release of “Like a Virgin”. Many a young lad had imprinted upon his mind the thought of what a ‘perfect bride’ should be.
Continually evolving and breaking new ground Madonna was a cultural tour de force in the 80’s. Taken as a whole her music is the sound of the 80’s.
“The scent from the perfume they put on the Like a Prayer record used to make me sneeze. I had to put it in my garage.”
“Madonna owned the 80’s and I loved her music from that time. Not only her music but do you remember Desperately Seeking Susan. She’s a true icon!”
GEORGE MICHAEL
We figured it would be too obvious if we put George #1.
Wham obviously had a tremendous impact on us as they did for millions of fans around the world.
With “Careless Whisper”, “Wham Rap” and “Freedom” they defined the upbeat 80’s sound. Then with his release of “Faith” in 1987, superstardom was cemented.
George’s importance in the fabric of music is a little lost on the current generation, but those who grew up in the 80s know there is no one like George Michael.
“Praying for Time” is one of my all time rehearsal songs before a live show. “
“Fun fact.. Jason and I received a letter from George Michael in the 80’s. Needless to say that made our entire year!”
Arnold Schwarzenegger
“I’ll be back!” Everybody knows who said that and he said it in the 80’s.
Ah-nold is nothing short of a rags-to-riches success story. Going toe to toe with Sly all throughout the 80’s with films like “Conan the Barbarian”, “Commando”, and “Predator”.
Who could forget the “Terminator”? He just keeps coming back. The ex-Governator put his stamp on the 80’s like no other..and we’re all better for it.
Now..”Get to the choppa!”
“I really liked “Last Action Hero”. Yes I admit it.”
“I love science fiction films so seeing Running Man, Terminator, and Total Recall really made an impression on me.”
Now obviously we barely scratched the surface. This was just the top few that we could completely agree on for our first post about these 80s pop culture icons. This list is sure to get bigger as we expand upon it.
What do you think? Let us know.