80s

The Blackbyrds was a rhythm and blues and jazz-funk fusion group, formed in Washington, D.C. in 1973. The group was led by trumpeter Donald Byrd and featured some of his Howard University students: Kevin Toney (keyboards), Keith Killgo (vocals, drums), Joe Hall (bass guitar), Allan Barnes (saxophone, clarinet), and Barney Perry (guitar). Orville Saunders (guitar), and Jay Jones (flute, saxophone) were later members of the group. They signed to Fantasy Records in 1973. They are best known for their 1975 hit "Walking in Rhythm", which received a Grammy nomination.

John Doe refers to (at least) five different artists: 1. John Doe (born John Nommensen Duchac on February 25, 1954 in Decatur, Illinois) is the founder of the seminal L.A. punk band X, produced and managed by Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek. His musical compositions and performances are varied, including country and folk music. Doe also performs with the country-folk-punk band The Knitters and in 2009 formed John Doe And The Sadies. In the early 1980s Doe performed on two albums by fellow L.A punk band The Flesh Eaters.

New Kids On The Block (later NKOTB) is a successful boy band of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Assembled in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. in 1984 by producer Maurice Starr; the members consist of brothers Jordan Knight and Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg and Danny Wood. The group went on to sell over 70 million albums worldwide, generated hundreds of million of dollars of concert revenues, and roughly paved the way for acts like Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC.

Theatre of Hate were a post-punk, goth rock band which formed in Britain in 1980, and disbanded in late 1982. However, they toured in April 2007, celebrating the 25th anniversary of their acclaimed Westworld album, which was reissued with some newly recorded tracks. Check www.kirkbrandon.com for info. Led by singer-songwriter and ex-member of punk band The Pack, Kirk Brandon, the original group also consisted of: guitarist Simon Werner, bassist Jonathan Werner (some sources say Jamie Stewart of The Cult fame) and drummer Luke Rendle.