TOP 40 ACTS OF THE 1980s
(First Edition)

(From January 1980 to June 1983)

Broadcast Fourth Of July Weekend 1983 (2 July 1983)

(13th Anniversary Show)

(Special thanks to Michael Warner for this information)

*=Indicates act began chart career in the 80s

Notes - all song that were on the charts from 5 January, 1980 to 25 June 1983 were included, even if the song had peaked in late 1979 and was falling down or or was still climbing as of the end date.

A popular special countdown in the 1970s returns in an 80s version - The top acts of the decade so far. Since the decade was quite early on when this was done, there was an element of surprise on who would finish on top. Only 5 acts that began their chart careers no earlier than 1980 were on the countdown.

Notice Joan Jett makes the countdown with only 2 songs, while Donna Summer, who is one position higher, charted with 10 singles. John Lennon makes it all the way to #28 with only 3 songs. 3 Country acts place in the top 40 - all in the Top 15. Kenny Rogers, Juice Newton and Eddie Rabbitt. The countdown sees some acts who's chart careers were mediocre in the 70s, exploding in the 80s (REO Speedwagon, the J. Geils Band and Dan Fogelberg for instance). And some acts who's success of the 70s continued into the 80s (Donna Summer, Daryl Hall and John Oates, Fleetwood Mac and Elton John for instance.) One act, Blondie, had completed its chart career when this countdown aired. They have since had no more chart hits in the US. All other 39 acts listed would continue to chart later into the 80s.

Diana Ross' hits includes her duet with Lionel Richie. Kenny Rogers hits includes his duet with Kim Carnes, his duet with Dottie West and his duet with Sheena Easton. Olivia Newton-John's hits include her collaboration with the Electric Light Orchestra, her duet with Andy Gibb and her duet with Cliff Richard. Michael Jackson's hits include his duet with Paul McCartney but not any hits with the Jacksons. Stevie Wonder's hits include his duet with Paul McCartney. Eddie Rabbitt's hits include his duet with Crystal Gayle. Kim Carnes's hits include her duet with Kenny Rogers. Paul McCartney's hits include those with or without Wings, his duet with Paul McCartney and his duet with Michael Jackson. Lionel Richie's hits include his duet with Diana Ross but not those with the Commodores. Queen's hits include their collaboration with David Bowie. Barbra Streisand's hits include her duet with Donna Summer and her duets with Barry Gibb. Donna Summer's hits includes her duet with Barbra Streisand. Fleetwood Mac's hits do not include any hits by its members as solo artists.

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