1980s musician comebacks

Fame is fickle, but these musical stars of the 1980s have reinvented themselves and their careers to step back into the limelight with some of the biggest comeback stories. See who's still touring, looking for love and starring in movies.

Paul Abdul

Before Paula Abdul moved "Straight Up" the pop music charts in the 1980s, she was a famous cheerleader.

After a few dormant years, she burst onto the scene again in the 2000s as a judge on the hit show "American Idol". Abdul left the show after eight years but is back on TV and is giving music another shot.

Kylie Minogue

Former Australian child actress and pop star Kylie Minogue topped the charts in 1987, but soon declining record sales led to declining popularity.

The pop diva rose to prominence again in 2000 with a hit single. Despite a serious health setback in 2005, Minogue is touring again and released her 11th album last year.

Bret Michaels

Bret Michaels sang his way into 1980s glam rock superstardom.
After the group broke up, he wrangled his way back into the spotlight as the star of a reality TV show in 2007. In the midst of major health woes, Michaels was "hired" in another reality competition and just released a new album.

LL Cool J

Hunky hip-hop star-turned-actor LL Cool J once made a coveted list for artists. LL released his final Def Jam album in 2008. Since then, he has taken to acting in a popular TV drama and on the big screen.

Duran Duran

With their combination of new wave, funk and rock, Duran Duran became a sensation in the 1980s with a ditty about a woman with a strange appetite for love. The band has never disbanded and recently released its 13th studio album. How did it do on the charts?

Guns N' Roses

The lead singer of Guns N' Roses has been the only consistent member of the 1980s hard rock group, which boasts the highest-selling debut album of all time. After a nine-year hiatus in the 1990s and several tumultuous lineup changes, the band shocked the public with a surprise appearance.

Guns N' Roses' comeback -- minus one famous former member -- has been marred by several incidents at live concerts.

Devo

This quirky band from Akron, Ohio, gained a cult following in the early 1980s. Devo's kitschy mix of science-fiction themes and synchronized instrumentation has influenced other new wave bands. They debuted a new album and music video in 2009. Devo is still touring to large audiences.

Steven Tyler

Steven Tyler made music history in the 1970s and 1980s with the rise of some self-proclaimed bad boys. The band hit a low in the early 1980s after drug abuse caused friction among members. But in the late 1980s the bluesy, hard-rock group scored a number of hits with a comeback that has been called one of the most spectacular in music history.

Tyler says his new high-profile job won't break up the band, which continues to perform and record music after 41 years.


Cyndi Lauper

New York City native Cyndi Lauper became one of the biggest pop stars in the 1980s with a string of party hits. Lauper has clung to her star power and last year released her 11th album. But she failed to pass the ultimate test on a high-powered reality show.

Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston was queen of the 1980s and 1990s but crashed and burned after public battles with drugs and her ex-husband.

The diva bounded back in 2009 sporting a new look and a new album with a highly publicized comeback. But the star hasn't been able to escape harsh critiques, and some fans were a bit disappointed.

Jon Bon Jovi

Despite professional setbacks, 1980s rocker and heartthrob Jon Bon Jovi has transformed his glam rock fame into political activism, a successful solo career and even acting. Still performing, Bon Jovi just collected a record payday in concert sales.

Michael Jackson

After becoming the King of Pop thanks to the mega-success of 1982's "Thriller", Michael Jackson increasingly became synonymous with headlines alleging drug abuse and child molestation rather than his music.

The pop star recently had a posthumous comeback. After his death in 2009, Jackson sold more than 8.2 million albums, making him the best-selling artist of 2009.


Ice-T

After spending four years in the Army, rapper-turned-actor Ice-T made a name for himself writing raps and later releasing an album in 1987. His music career has since faded, but he stepped back into the limelight starring in his own VH1 reality show in 2006.

Today, Ice-T is best known for his role on the NBC police drama "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit"

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Most Arrogant Songs

Most Arrogant Songs Ever

Artists are supposed to have swagger. But sometimes they take it way out of hand. Here's our list of most arrogant music videos ever. Judge for yourself on who could use a big heaping of humble pie.

Keri Hilson
Song: "Pretty Girl Rock"

Keri Hilson

If this song is meant to be an empowerment anthem, it's not. It's a big old valentine to Keri from Keri. Lyrics include "My name is Keri/I'm so very/Fly oh my it's a little bit scary."

The Pussycat Dolls
Song: "Don't Cha"

Pussycat Dolls

Nicole Scherzinger, who fronts the Pussycat Dolls, is a beautiful woman, and she definitely knows it, as evident in her throwback club banger "Don't Cha." Asking a man if he wishes his girlfriend were fly like she is? That's rather bold.

Madonna
Song: "Material Girl"

Madonna

Demanding diamonds outright is a total Madonna move. The video drips with arrogance as the pre-Gaga shocker is carried around the set by handsome tuxedo-wearing men.

Beyoncé
Song: "Upgrade U"

Beyonce

Bey comes across as quiet, shy and humble, but she's talking some mess in this souped-up hit. And to her hubby, Jay, no less. We don't know about you, but any partner telling us they need to give us an image tune-up would only fly if they were a co-host on "What Not to Wear."


Rick Ross
Song: "Biggest Boss"

Rick Ross

Donald Trump would be just one of the few big CEOs who'd object to the notion Rick Ross is the biggest boss. But since he wouldn't even win a fight with Ross' massive beard, we're guessing the Donald will let the rapper keep the title.


Soulja Boy Tell'em
Song: "Turn My Swag On"

Soulja Boy Tell'em

Soulja is a lot of things. Loud. Energetic. Rich. An Internet pioneer. But swaggerific? We're not so sure about that, but he obviously is.


Right Said Fred
Song: "I'm Too Sexy"

Right Said Fred

The song comes across as saying what models are thinking, but Right Said Fred's march on the catwalk made it clear he wasn't too shy about his own appearance.

Positive K
Song: "I Got a Man"

Positive K

Positive K really came on strong in this '90s classic. When the female protagonist says she has a man and he replies with "How long you had that problem?" we always roll our eyes. How many times have we heard that in the club?

LL Cool J
Song: "I'm That Type of Guy"

LL Cool J

LL Cool J coos to his male competition that he will leave his drawers in their girlfriends' hampers. 'Nuff said, right?

Special Ed
Song: "I'm the Magnificent"

Special Ed

With the magnificent style, '90s cutie Special Ed went in on his imaginary competition in this braggart's anthem. He's so sure of it he feels the need to say it in reverse.


UTFO
Song: "Ya Cold Wanna Be With Me"

UTFO

UTFO straight let the honeys know they were the ones to date in this super-arrogant cut. We kind of hoped the Real Roxanne would show up and knock one of their blocks off.

Kanye West
Song: "Power"

Kanye West

The Chicago rapper says, "No one man should have so much power." His detractors, including those who booed him during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, most likely agree. And the man rocks a crown to top it off. Whoa.

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