The Music Industry’s Shift to Superstardom

This is part of my Pop Music in the ‘80s series.

As the 1980s progressed, the music industry underwent a seismic shift, transitioning from an era of diverse musical experimentation in the ‘60s and ‘70s to one dominated by global superstars. This shift was driven by a combination of technological advancements, corporate marketing strategies, and the emergence of MTV as a cultural force. By the mid-to-late 1980s, major record labels had restructured their business models around a handful of massively popular artists, prioritizing blockbuster albums, worldwide tours, and strategic media exposure. This era gave rise to an unparalleled level of music celebrity, with figures like Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince, George Michael, and Whitney Houston exemplifying the new standard of superstardom.

The Role of Major Record Labels and Corporate Influence

The …