Greatest 1980s Artists

Here are the Greatest Artists of the 80s. This is based on critical claim, sales, and importance. Artists are alphabetical.
The Top 10
Phil Collins: Phil was EVERYWHERE during the 80's. From the groundbreaking use of "black music" on Face Value through his campaign for the homeless in the late 80's, Phill was the man.
Def Leppard: They had two albums that sold over 10 million copies.
Guns n Roses: While everyone else was looking like Dark Maine of the X Games and putting out really bad hair metal, GnR reinvigorated rock with Appetite for Destruction and actually put the first nail in the coffin for the 1980s.
Michael Jackson: If Jacko does not get on MTV and moonwalk,then hip hop and rap never break into the mainstream. He opened the door for black artists during that period.
Madonna: Her music was/is very thin, but she was/is a marketing genius.
The Police: Had they stayed together, they would have been the biggest band of the decade.
Prince: Clapton said everyone else should just give up because Prince was so talented.
Run DMC: They were the prototype for Public Enemy. They bridged the gap between Grandmaster Flash and Enemy. Their collaboration with Aerosmith blew open the door for rap and hip hop and was an early example of rap/rock.
Bruce Springsteen: The River, Nebraska, Born in the USA, Tunnel of Love, and Live 1975-1985
U2: U2 developed from a New Wave curiousity to a popular rock band to the biggest band in the universe over the course of 8 or 9 years. Their progress was steady and unrelenting. At decade's end, they were burnt. In early 90s Berlin, they re-emerged to once again become the biggest band in the universe.
Honorable Mention
AC/DC: They became bigger after they lost their lead singer to rock n roll excess.
Duran Duran: Great music videos, good looks, and catchy hooks
Genesis: Phil's other project (he was everywhere)
Billy Joel: We may never be free of Billy Joel.
Judas Priest: The Godfather's of metal. They created the look based on gay fashion.
Tom Petty: Steady hit producer and great songwriter.
Public Enemy: They set the stage for the Rap Revolution that was coming. While Run DMC, Vanilla Ice and Hammer opened the door to rap to mainstream audiences, Public Enemy opened the door to the next generation of rappers that included Tupac, Biggie, and the like.
R.E.M.: Created Alternative Rock and broke it into the mainstream.
Talking Heads: Same as it ever was....
Van Halen: They became more popular after dumping their popular lead singer and face of the group!