progressive pop

1981
Split Enz Counting the Beat reached No. 1

Judd went on to form the successful new wave band the Swingers , whose biggest hit, ” Counting the Beat “, would reach No. 1 in both New Zealand and Australia in 1981.

Split Enz Waiata reached No. 1

Split Enz’s next album, 1981’s Waiata , released as Corroboree in Australia, reached No. 1 in Australia and New Zealand.

1980
Genesis (band) bought Fisher Lane Farm

In November 1980, Genesis bought Fisher Lane Farm , a farmhouse with an adjoining cowshed near Chiddingfold , Surrey, as their new rehearsal and recording facility.

Genesis (band) tour from April to June 1980

Duke was supported with a UK and North American tour from April to June 1980, which began with a 40-date tour of the UK for which all 106,000 tickets were sold within hours of going on sale.

Genesis (band) Released in March 1980

Released in March 1980, Duke was the band’s biggest commercial success at the time of release, spending two weeks at No. 1 in the UK and peaking at No. 11 in the US. The album spawned three singles; ” Turn It On Again ” went to No. 8 in the…
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The Beach Boys In the 1980s, the Beach Boys transitioned into an oldies act and

In the 1980s, the Beach Boys transitioned into an oldies act and spent the next several years touring, often playing in front of large audiences, and recording songs for film soundtracks and various artists compilations. On June 21, 1980, they performed a concert at Knebworth , England, later released in…
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Split Enz True Colours released

True Colours , released in 1980, further marked the band’s shift to a power-pop style. The hit single ” I Got You ” reached No. 1 in Australia, New Zealand and Canada, No. 12 in the UK and No. 53 in the US. True Colours reached No. 1 on the…
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1979
Genesis (band) recorded Duke

In November, the band recorded Duke at Polar Studios with Hentschel reprising his role as producer. Its cover was by French illustrator Lionel Koechlin and featured the character Albert.

Genesis (band) returned to the UK

In April 1979, Collins returned to the UK after his attempt to save his marriage failed. With time to spare before working on a new Genesis album, Collins rejoined Brand X for the album Product , played the drums on former bandmate Peter Gabriel’s third album and started writing his…
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Split Enz Beginning of the Enz released

Those singles and their B-sides, along with several demos from this period, would later be released as The Beginning of the Enz album in 1979.