By Neia Balao
8:30pm PDT, Aug 16, 2023
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Join Wonderwall.com as we take a look at what some of our favorite pop stars of the '80s looked like early in their careers, starting with Madonna, who celebrates her 65th birthday on Aug. 16, 2023 …
Madonna, who's now known as the Queen of Pop, made quite the splash when she broke through in the early '80s. After initially performing as a member of the rock bands Breakfast Club and Emmy, she reached new levels of fame when she launched a solo career. In 1983, she released her debut self-titled album followed by "Like a Virgin" in 1984 — she's pictured here that year when she was 26 — and "True Blue" in 1986.
Keep reading to see more of your favorite '80s pop stars at the start of their careers…
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It's the Piano Man! Billy Joel released his first album, "Cold Spring Harbor," in 1971 and followed it with "Piano Man" in 1973. The New York City native, who's seen here circa 1974 when he was in his early 20s, delivered five albums during the '80s: "Glass Houses," "The Nylon Curtain," "An Innocent Man," "The Bridge" and "Storm Front."
MORE: What your favorite rock stars looked like when they were young
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When Whitney Houston — one of the bestselling artists of all time — released her self-titled debut album in 1985, it was met with immense commercial and critical success, earning four Grammy nods including album of the year. Her second album released that decade, 1987's "Whitney" — which contained the hit single "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" and led to her second Grammy nomination for album of the year — went on to become one of the bestselling albums of all time. She died in February 2012 at 48.
MORE: What country music stars looked like at the start of their careers
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Although Paula Abdul first made a name for herself as a choreographer for the Los Angeles Lakers' Laker Girls, she became a household name after breaking into the music industry. In 1988, the beauty released her debut studio album, "Forever Your Girl," which went on to be certified seven-times platinum by the RIAA. She's seen here at the MTV Video Music Awards one year earlier when she was 24.
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In 1981, George Michael — seen here in London at 19 in 1983 — formed the pop duo Wham! with Andrew Ridgeley. They released three albums — 1983's "Fantastic," 1984's "Make It Big" and 1986's "Music from the Edge of Heaven" — and were best known for hit songs like "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go," "Everything She Wants" and "Careless Whisper." In 1987, George — who was known for his playful fashion sense — released his debut solo album, "Faith." He died on Christmas Day 2016 at 53.
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Boy George, the singer for English band Culture Club, became a household name in the 1980s thanks to his memorable looks, larger-than-life personality and the success of their hit singles including "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me," "Karma Chameleon," "I'll Tumble 4 Ya," "Time (Clock of the Heart)" and more. He's seen here at 21 in 1982 — the year after his band formed.
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Kylie Minogue — seen here in 1988 when she was just 20 — stepped onto the music scene with the release of her album "Kylie" featuring her hit song "Locomotion" the same year. Her second studio album, "Enjoy Yourself," came out a year later in 1989. Prior to her music career? The Australian beauty was an actress who appeared on the popular Australian soap opera "Neighbours" as a teen from 1986 to 1988.
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Janet Jackson made her debut as the youngest member of the famous Jackson family of singers on the television series "The Jacksons" in 1976. In 1982, Janet — seen here at he start of the '80s — released her self-titled debut solo album. Her third and fourth albums, 1986's "Control" and 1989's "Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814," launched her to full-fledged pop stardom. In 2023 — nearly 50 years later — she was still touring across America.
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Elton John — seen here in January 1968 when he was just 20 — began his career as a member of the band Bluesology before becoming a huge solo star in the decades that followed, including the 1980s. His self-titled second studio album, which contained the single "Your Song," debuted in 1970 and earned a Grammy nomination for album of the year.
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Who can forget this dynamic duo?! Hall and Oates — which was founded by Daryl Hall (left) and John Oates (right) in 1970 — were well into their fame by the '80s. During the decade, these suave gentlemen (seen here in 1976 when both were in their late 20s) released five albums: "Voices," "Private Eyes," "H2O," "Big Bam Boom" and "Ooh Yeah!" Five of their singles released in the '80s — including "Private Eyes," "Maneater" and "Out of Touch" — hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
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An icon! From 1960 to 1976, Tina Turner (seen here in the '60s) comprised one-half of the husband-wife musical duo Ike & Tina Turner. However, the '80s marked a pivotal point in Tina's already illustrious career — that's when she made her comeback! In 1984, she released her critically acclaimed fifth solo studio album, "Private Dancer" featuring the Grammy-winning hit "What's Love Got to Do with It."
MORE: What older singers looked like at the start of their careers
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Michael Jackson — who earned the nickname the King of Pop in the '80s — embarked on a solo music career in 1971 (he's seen here in 1972) after performing with his brothers as a member of The Jackson 5 in the '60s. He released his debut solo album, "Off the Wall," in 1979 and followed it with 1982's "Thriller" — his first No. 1 album. "Bad," which included hit singles like "The Way You Make Me Feel," "Man in the Mirror" and "Dirty Diana" — dropped in 1987. He died at 50 in 2009.
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In 1985, Gloria Estefan — along with her band, Miami Sound Machine (which includes husband Emilio Estefan, left — they're all seen here in London in 1984) — released the single "Conga," which was their first major hit. Just before the end of the decade, the Miami-based singer-songwriter, who hails from Havana, Cuba, had released her debut solo album, "Cuts Both Ways."
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Before she starred in 1978's "Grease" alongside John Travolta, the late Olivia Newton-John — seen here in 1969 — released two top-selling albums. During the '80s, singer-actress released three more: 1981's "Physical," 1985's "Soul Kiss" and 1988's "The Rumour."
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The '80s were a glorious time for Cyndi Lauper: In 1983, the pop star made history when her debut album, "She's So Unusual," became the first by a female artist to deliver four top-five singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In 1984, she won best female video with "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" at the very first MTV Video Music Awards (seen here). In 1985, the eclectic Brooklyn native took home the honor for best new artist at the Grammys, and in 1986, she released her second album, "True Colors," which spawned a No. 1 single of the same name.
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Lionel Richie favorited flashy stage looks during his days as an ultra-famous singer in the '80s. After leaving The Commodores, Lionel — seen here performing with his old group in 1978 — released his debut self-titled solo album, which spawned popular singles like "Truly," "You Are" and "My Love," in 1982. He went on to release two more albums during the decade: "Can't Slow Down" and "Dancing on the Ceiling."
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Before launching his successful solo career, Phil Collins was part of the acclaimed rock band Genesis, which formed in 1967. In 1981, the singer-drummer released his debut solo album, "Face Value," which included singles "In the Air Tonight," "I Missed Again" and "If Leaving Me Is Easy."
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Diana Ross (seen here in 1968 — the years she turned 24) rose to fame in the '60s as the lead singer of The Supremes, one of the top-selling girl groups in history. After leaving the beloved Motown group in 1970, she released a self-titled debut solo album the same year. Throughout the '80s, she released an impressive eight studio albums including 1980's "Diana," 1985's "Eaten Alive" and 1987's "Red Hot Rhythm & Blues."
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Although Donna Summer gained prominence as the Queen of Disco in the '70s (she's seen here in 1976), she was still a popular performer in the '80s. During the decade, she released a whopping six albums: 1980's "The Wanderer," 1982's "Donna Summer," 1983's "She Works Hard for the Money," 1984's "Cats Without Claws," 1987's "All Systems Go" and 1989's "Another Place and Time."
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Kate Bush — who's long been praised for her ethereal aesthetics — released her debut studio album, "The Kick Inside," in 1978. Four of her albums, including "Never for Ever" and "The Sensual World," debuted during the 1980s, and her big hit "Running Up That Hill" came out in 1985.
