10 Unforgettable Blues Rock Bands of the 1980s
The 1980s saw blues rock evolve in fascinating ways, blending traditional blues with rock’s edgier and more experimental tendencies. This decade produced an array of unforgettable bands that kept the spirit of the blues alive while pushing the genre into exciting new territories. Here are ten blues rock bands from the 1980s that left a lasting impact on the music world.
Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble
Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble were instrumental in bringing blues rock back into the mainstream during the 1980s. Led by Vaughan’s inspiring guitar playing, they revitalized the blues genre. Their live performances showcased unparalleled energy, and Vaughan’s ability to merge traditional blues with modern rock captivated audiences worldwide. Vaughan’s raw passion and technical brilliance inspired countless guitarists, cementing his place as one of the all-time greats. The band’s influence on blues rock remains profound, continuing to resonate decades later.
The Fabulous Thunderbirds
Hailing from Austin, Texas, The Fabulous Thunderbirds brought a gritty, down-to-earth style of blues rock to the 1980s. Fronted by harmonica virtuoso and vocalist Kim Wilson, along with guitarist Jimmie Vaughan, the band’s breakthrough album, Tuff Enuff (1986), combined blues authenticity with a polished, radio-friendly sound. Hits such as “Tuff Enuff” and “Wrap It Up” cemented their place as a staple of the decade’s blues rock scene. Their ability to balance rootsy blues with a contemporary edge made them standout figures of their time.
George Thorogood and the Destroyers
Known for their hard-driving take on blues rock, George Thorogood and the Destroyers delivered timeless anthems like “Bad to the Bone” and “I Drink Alone”. Thorogood’s gritty guitar riffs and rebellious persona made him a household name, while the band’s relentless touring solidified their reputation as one of the hardest-working groups of the decade. Their music often celebrated the raw, unfiltered spirit of the blues while injecting it with rock’s energy. Thorogood’s charismatic stage presence and the band’s tight instrumentation ensured their songs became synonymous with 1980s blues rock. Their contribution to keeping blues rock vibrant during this period cannot be overstated.
ZZ Top
Though their career began in the 1970s, ZZ Top’s presence in the 1980s was nothing short of iconic. With albums like 1983’s Eliminator, the Texas trio merged blues rock with synthesizers and MTV-friendly visuals. Songs like “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Legs” introduced blues rock to a new generation of fans, proving the genre could thrive in a pop-dominated decade. The band’s signature mix of humor, style, and musicianship helped them stay relevant throughout changing musical trends. Their blend of blues roots with modern production ensured their legacy as blues rock trailblazers.
John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers
Though known for their earlier work, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers maintained their relevance in the 1980s. Mayall continued to recruit top-tier musicians like Mick Taylor, Walter Trout, and Coco Montoya, ensuring his band stayed at the forefront of blues rock innovation. His enduring influence on the genre made the Bluesbreakers an essential act of the decade.
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones remained a dominant force in the 1980s, continuing to evolve while staying rooted in their blues rock origins. Albums like Tattoo You (1981) and Steel Wheels (1989) showcased their ability to blend classic blues with contemporary rock, capturing both old fans and new audiences. The 80s also saw songs like the iconic “Start Me Up” and “Waiting on a Friend,” proving that the Stones still had the energy and raw emotion that made them legendary in the first place. Despite changes in the music landscape, the Rolling Stones’ blues rock foundation made them an unforgettable part of the 1980s music scene.
Jeff Healey Band
Hailing from Canada, The Jeff Healey Band brought a unique perspective to blues rock. Healey’s innovative lap-style guitar playing and soulful vocals shone with popular songs like “See the Light” (1988) and “Angel Eyes” (1989). Their fusion of blues, rock, and jazz elements helped them stand out in a competitive music landscape. Jeff Healey’s distinctive playing style, resulting from his blindness, turned his performances into mesmerizing displays of talent and determination. The band’s heartfelt approach and Healey’s exceptional musicianship earned them both critical acclaim and a devoted global following. The Jeff Healey Band’s impact from the 1980s is still being felt in modern times with Road House The Lost Soundtrack being released in 2024.
The Robert Cray Band
Blending blues with elements of soul and R&B, the Robert Cray Band achieved mainstream success during the 1980s with their breakthrough album Strong Persuader (1986). This record produced the hit song, “Smoking Gun,” showcasing Cray’s smooth vocals, tasteful guitar work, and narrative-driven songwriting. Known for their polished sound and sophisticated approach, the band brought a contemporary flair to traditional blues that resonated with a wider audience. Cray’s ability to tell compelling, emotionally charged stories set his band apart from the more guitar-centric blues rock of the time. With an emphasis on nuanced playing and soulful expression, the Robert Cray Band opened the door for blues to thrive in the modern music scene. Their influence continues to be felt as they are often credited with inspiring a renaissance in the genre during the 1980s and beyond.
The Blasters
The Blasters were a powerful force in the 1980s blues rock scene, known for their unique blend of rockabilly, rhythm and blues, and rock ‘n’ roll. Led by brothers Phil and Dave Alvin, the band infused their sound with a raw energy and an old-school spirit, creating a dynamic fusion that caught the attention of both blues and rock audiences. Their 1981 album The Blasters showcased their ability to deliver gritty, soulful blues with infectious rock rhythms, making them a standout act in the American roots music movement.
Pat Travers Band
Known for their high-energy performances, the Pat Travers Band delivered hard-hitting blues rock throughout the 1980s. Albums like Crash and Burn (1980) showcased Travers’ virtuoso guitar skills and infectious songwriting, with tracks like “Snortin’ Whiskey” becoming fan favorites. The band’s ability to blend fiery blues licks with hard rock power helped them maintain a loyal following and made them a significant presence on the blues rock circuit. Travers’ passionate playing and the band’s dynamic stage presence made them unforgettable during the 1980s, leaving a lasting impact on the genre.
I don’t think you can call the stones in the eighties a blues rock band a rock band yes a blues rock band of the sixties yes but no the eighties,
I will join with the complaint about The Stones as an 80’s blues rock band. The true blues or blues rock side of the band in that decade was largely missing. Little T&A and Black Limousine from Tattoo You and later,maybe Harlem Shuffle. If you want to include them because they played blues and true blues rock in other decades I’ll take that as an opportunity to ad Gary Moore, who later became an outstanding blues performer but in the 80’s was a definite hard rock/metal guy.
The Zep fan guy? Sorry,bro. Last album 1979. They played a dozen or so shows early summer 1980 in Eastern Europe, none of which have seen official release. Bonham died in September and the group disbanded. Love the band but not 80’s blues rock.
Notable missing artists I can think of include rocker Johnny Winter, who released a string of great blues records in the 80’s. Including several on Chicago’s Alligator Records, Alvin Lee, and yes, Eric Clapton, particularly the Journeyman album. His 80’s singles were often on the slick side but the deeper cuts are classic Clapton blues. Also, blues man Albert Collin had some 80’s hits that bordered on rock, like Master Charge and I Ain’t Drunk (I’m Just Drinking). One more blues band bordering on rock in the 80’s was Big Daddy Kinsey and The Kinsey Report, Check out the title track from Midnight Drive,with an opening riff that is suspiciously similar to Jimi Hendrix’ Freedom.
The Stones still Rock today in 2024. The are the longest lasting blues/fock band around. They are a great blues band from the 60s to the 2000s.
Uh, apparently the author doesn’t know what a blues band is. Robert Cray has a blues band, the Stones don’t.
The Rolling Stones are absolutely Blues…just ask thm.
I think the 80s was when the Stones widened their scope the most. However, their mixture of Live, and Live studio, on ‘Stripped’, in the 90s, shows their true soul, including the blues, for those who were too young, or not around, in 60s.
Maybe I will , you got Micks phone number ?
Many people believe that since rock & roll stemmed from the blues that the two forms are interchangeable . The Rolling Stones began as a blues group in the 1960’s and by the 1980’s they well selling and billing themselves as “The world’s Greatest Rock n Roll Band” . Many of the groups from the so-called British Invasion were labeled as blues groups . The Stones were always a rock band to my friends due to their brighter sound , the Animals a blues group based on their darker more brooding sound . Both bands played rock and blues oriented music interchangeably . Go figure ! But then , does it matter ? The music was good .
Any list of Blues rock bands, that doesn’t show Led Zeppelin as number one, is an incomplete and irrelevant list.
Zeppelin were a 70’s band not 80’s der
And not blues.
Yes I got to see him live in Iowa n took pictures of him going through the crowd God bless him for his talent and make us follow his music
Led Zeppelin are still Zeppelin are still relevant even today and they were more rock than blues but they still crossed over more often than not. I can’t believe that Stevie Ray isn’t at the top of this list, and where are Leroy & The Liers ?
The Blues Brothers don’t qualify? Hello
The Blues Brothers wasn’t the name of the band in the MOVIE “Blues Brothers.” The band in the movie was (and IS) the Matt (the Guitar) Murphy Band. Search them on YouTube.
Doesn’t Huey Lewis and the News register as. Blues Rock band?
Seems the Rolling Stones are the catch all, put on any list band for this website. Fact is the 80’s weren’t exactly kind to Blues Rock acts due to the MTV craze. SRV, Thunderbirds, RC, GT, JH definitely deserve to be on the list. Mayhall, ZZ and the RS were already established acts well before the 80’s. Pat Travers had a couple of Blues Rock songs recorded in the late 70’s but gained popularity in the 80’s with his 1979 release of his live album Go For What You Know (considered one of Classic Rock’s best live records) . Not too familiar with the Blasters but the little I have heard makes me think their inclusion to this list is a bit of a stretch. I appreciate the website but wish these lists were more accurate and less of a personal popularity contest.
Check out Larry Horne and Small Change, never big, but great stuff especially live, Many unknown people could hang hear. Elvin Bishop, Paul Butterfield,
Where’s the mighty J geils Band
Um, no.
And not a mention of Rory Gallagher!
If Marvin Gaye had been a guitarist, and more bluesy, than soul, maybe he could have been Robert Cray.
Great to see the Pat Travers Band included here. They are so underrated and, sadly, especially in their home country, Canada.
I will join with the complaint about The Stones as an 80’s blues rock band. The true blues or blues rock side of the band in that decade was largely missing. Little T&A and Black Limousine from Tattoo You and later,maybe Harlem Shuffle. If you want to include them because they played blues and true blues rock in other decades I’ll take that as an opportunity to ad Gary Moore, who later became an outstanding blues performer but in the 80’s was a definite hard rock/metal guy.
The Zep fan guy? Sorry,bro. Last album 1979. They played a dozen or so shows early summer 1980 in Eastern Europe, none of which have seen official release. Bonham died in September and the group disbanded. Love the band but not 80’s blues rock.
Notable missing artists I can think of include rocker Johnny Winter, who released a string of great blues records in the 80’s. Including several on Chicago’s Alligator Records, Alvin Lee, and yes, Eric Clapton, particularly the Journeyman album. His 80’s singles were often on the slick side but the deeper cuts are classic Clapton blues. Also, blues man Albert Collin had some 80’s hits that bordered on rock, like Master Charge and I Ain’t Drunk (I’m Just Drinking). One more blues band bordering on rock in the 80’s was Big Daddy Kinsey and The Kinsey Report, Check out the title track from Midnight Drive,with an opening riff that is suspiciously similar to Jimi Hendrix’ Freedom.
I think the Black crowes were from the ’80s (?)
now that I think of it you could say guns and roses…
What about Great White? They definitely should’ve been on this list!