80's

The 1980s saw the emergence of pop, dance music and new wave. As disco fell out of fashion in the decade's early years, genres such as post-disco, Italo disco, Euro disco and dance-pop became more popular. Rock music continued to enjoy a wide audience. Subgenres such as new wave, soft rock, glam metal and shred guitar characterized by heavy distortion, pinch harmonics and whammy bar abuse became very popular, as well as adult contemporary, quiet storm, and smooth jazz. Throughout the 80s, Glam metal had become the largest, most commercially successful brand of music worldwide. The 1980s are commonly remembered for an increase in the use of digital recording, associated with the usage of synthesizers, with synthpop music and other electronic genres featuring non-traditional instruments increasing in popularity. Several major electronic genres were developed, including electro, techno, house, freestyle and Eurodance, rising in prominence during the 1990s and beyond.