The Greatest Soul Music Artists of the ’80s

We take a look at some of the greatest soul music artists of the 1980s. From Marvin Gaye to Whitney Houston, these artists helped to shape the sound of an entire decade.

Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye was one of the most popular and successful soul music artists of the 1980s. Selling over fifty million records worldwide, Gaye was one of the best-selling music artists of the decade. His album, Midnight Love, was the best-selling album of 1982 and his single, “Sexual Healing”, was one of the best-selling singles of 1983. Gaye’s success on the pop charts helped to pave the way for other black artists to find mainstream success in the 1980s.

Lionel Richie

Lionel Richie was one of the defining soul artists of the ’80s. He was a member of the Commodores, a popular Motown R&B group, before embarking on a successful solo career. His debut album, Lionel Richie, was released in 1982 and contained the hits “Truly” and “You Are.” In 1984, he released Can’t Slow Down, which won him a Grammy Award for Album of the Year. It also contained the massive hit singles “Hello” and “All Night Long (All Night).” Richie continued to release successful albums and singles throughout the ’80s and ’90s, cementing his place as one of the greatest soul music artists of all time.

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson was, is, and always will be the King of Pop. He’s simply the most successful entertainer of all time. But he was also an incredible soul singer, as evidenced by his work with Quincy Jones on Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad. Jackson’s voice was light and airy, but he could also sing with real power when he needed to. He was a master of both ballads and up-tempo songs, and his style influenced countless other artists. If there was ever a voice that was made for soul music, it was Michael Jackson’s.

Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder is widely considered one of the greatest soul music artists of all time. He first rose to prominence in the early 1960s with a series of hit singles, and he has been a consistent presence on the music charts for over five decades. Wonder has won 25 Grammy Awards, and he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1983. He is also a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin (born March 25, 1942) is an American singer, songwriter and musician. She is known for her powerful vocals and for her recordings of soul, R&B and gospel. Her hits include “Respect”, “A Natural Woman (You Make Me Feel Like)”, “Chain of Fools”, “Spanish Harlem” and “Jump to It”. Aretha Franklin has won numerous awards throughout her career, including 18 Grammy Awards and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Whitney Houston

The ’80s was a decade of unparalleled creativity in soul music, with artists like Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, Prince, Michael Jackson, and Aretha Franklin redefining the sound and scope of what popular R&B could be. Here are our picks for the greatest soul artists of that decade.