60s artists who made comebacks in the 80s

The Beach Boys 

Although the Beach Boys released albums in the 70s, there was a big gap between hit albums.  1989 was a bit of a comeback for them, although the comeback, was a brief one as it often was for these older bands.

Crosby Stills & Nash 

CSN of course made their mark at Woodstock and that was when they had their biggest success. But then they brought out an amazing gem called “Daylight Again” in 1982. They had re-invented themselves but their beautiful harmonies were still just as rich. 

RIP David Crosby - 2023

The Grateful Dead

This 60s/70s hippy band was popular up until around 1972 and saw little success until suddenly it was 1987 and they brought out “in the Dark” an album that would rival their 72 release “American Beauty”.

“A touch of grey” was on the radio and we were all told it was the Grateful Dead, a 70s band making a comeback. They hung around for a bit after that, although never had another hit single. 

Jefferson Airplane/Jefferson Starship/Starship

A controversial one as these all considered themselves separate bands even though the radios would say they had simply changed their name. “Starship” had a number of hit songs in the 80s and their biggest album “Knee Deep in the Hoopla”, which did better than any of the previous incantations’ albums did, even their Woodstock stuff. 

The Kinks

Had success in both the 60s and early 70s but also came back in the 80s with some successful albums including the huge hit single "Come Dancing". 

Van Morrison

In the early 70s Van Morrison made a name for himself, but then things kind of quietened down for him a bit.  Then suddenly in 1989 he hit the big times again with the hit single  “Have I told you lately that I love you”.  This re-energised his career.