10 Legendary Blues Rock Songwriters of the 1980s

This is the third list of “10 Legendary Blues Rock Songwriters” from three different decades following lists for the 1960s and 1970s. This one is about the 1980s and the artists that either first came on the scene during the decade or hit their high mark. Names are not repeated in multiple decades in order to give exposure to more songwriters. Criterion to be on the list the artist must have written or co-written a significant part of albums released during the decade. The listing order is in non-judgmental alphabetical order.

Here are 10 legendary blues rock songwriters of the 1980s.

Luther Allison

Luther Allison was a pivotal figure in the blues rock genre after moving to Chicago as a teenager in the 1950s from his home in Arkansas. After immersing himself in the city’s vibrant blues scene he established himself as a major force in the emergence and growth of blues rock that helped bridge the gap between traditional blues and the emerging blues rock genre. By the 1980s he was regularly releasing albums showcasing his fiercely energetic delivery of technically perfect songs on albums like Gonna Be a Live One Here Tonight and Here I Come. Songs like “Low Down and Dirty” and “Serious” were examples of his gritty heartfelt lyrical style that delved into themes of love, hardship, and determination that resonated with his listeners.

Jon Butcher

Jon Butcher is both a phenomenal guitarist and vocalist who grew up in Boston, Massachusetts, and started his musical career there. He came to prominence in the 1980s when he began releasing albums with original compositions that had a blend of blues rock, hard rock, and even new wave sounds. Albums released during the 1980s like 1983’s self-titled debut album the Jon Butcher Axis produced songs like “Life Takes a Life” and “Ocean in Motion. He’s often compared to Jimi Hendrix because of his virtuosic guitar skills and the ability to blend traditional blues with contemporary rock elements.

Albert Collins

Albert Collins known as “The Master of the Telecaster” was from Texas and began his career in the early 1950 but didn’t gain significant recognition until the 1980s. After he was signed with Alligator Records in 1978, Collins’ songwriting dealt with classic blues themes of love, hardship, and resilience that he delivered with witty humor. He solidified his reputation as a blues legend after releasing albums like Don’t Lose Your Cool and Cold Snap which included songs like “Meltdown,” “Ego Trip” and “The Lights Are on but Nobody’s Home.”

Robert Cray

Robert Cray emerged as a prominent figure in the blues rock scene during the 1980s. His unique blend of traditional blues with modern production techniques and innovative guitar playing resonated with a broad audience. His songwriting explored traditional blues subjects like love, betrayal, and heartache and his heartfelt performances made him one of the defining artists of the decade. Songs like “Bad Influence,” from 1983’s album with the same title and “Smoking Gun” from Strong Persuader cemented his position as a leading performer in the blues rock genre.

Tinsley Ellis

Tinsley Ellis burst on the scene as a blues rock guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter in the 1980s when he co-founded The Heartfixers. Ellis and the group quickly gained a reputation for their high-energy performances. Tinsley recorded four albums with the band before beginning a solo career. In 1988, Tinsley released Georgia Blue, his debut solo album on Alligator Records. The album was comprised of ten songs that he either wrote or co-wrote from the title song to “Bleeding Heart” and “The Axe.”

Gary Moore

Gary Moore was an exceptional guitarist from Northern Ireland and rose through the ranks of rock beginning with Skid Row and then Thin Lizzy while he also pursued a parallel solo career. After his debut album Back to the Streets was released in 1978 he released six studio albums through the 1980s. He proved himself as a significant solo artist who was able to showcase his versatility across various genres, including rock, blues, and jazz. He eventually settled in the blues rock genre and solidified his status as a leading songwriting guitarist in the genre.

George Thorogood

George Thorogood influenced blues rock during the 1980s by blending traditional blues elements with rock & roll intensity making the genre appealing to a new audience. Songs like “I Drink Alone,” “Bad to the Bone,” “You Talk Too Much” and “Born to Be Bad” were characterized by driving riffs and gritty vocals that became iconic tracks and a staple of his career. Thorogood released five studio albums with the Destroyers during the 1980s but his career was jumpstarted when he opened for the Rolling Stones during their week-long performance in Los Angeles, California in 1981.

Pat Travers

Pat Travers is a Canadian blues rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter who made an impact during the 1980s. His songwriting at the time took traditional blues themes and he infused them with a harder more current edge that appealed to a wide audience. He combined blues rock with hard rock and heavy metal which played a part in bridging the gap between genres. His performances were characterized by an energetic style that used innovative guitar techniques with powerful guitar riffs. This period was well documented with albums like Crash and Burn in 1980 which was a commercial success and included a song that became one of his signature tracks, “Snortin’ Whiskey.”

Stevie Ray Vaughan

Stevie Ray Vaughan tragically died in a helicopter crash after performing a concert in Wisconsin in 1990. After forming “Double Trouble” in the late 1970s he emerged as a key figure in the blues revival of the 1980s. He released four studio albums while he was alive and two after his demise. The albums produced classic signature songs like “Pride and Joy,” “Texas Flood,” “Cold Shot” and “Couldn’t Stand the Weather” to name some. He was known for his raw, emotive guitar playing style and powerful vocal performances of both original compositions and unique covers like “Voodoo Child (Slight Return.)”

Kim Wilson

Kim Wilson was born in Detroit, Michigan, and became the singer, harmonica player extraordinaire, songwriter, and frontman of the Fabulous Thunderbirds in 1974. The band became a cornerstone of the emerging blues rock scene of the 1980s and Wilson’s powerful vocals and distinctive harmonica playing made him one of the genre’s leaders. Wilson’s talented songwriting produced standout tracks that garnered radio airplay with songs like “Tuff Enuff,” “Powerful Stuff,” and “Why Get Up” among others.