Going back to the 80s and rediscovering the music of that decade, it was certainly a time when Aussie music came into its own. There was an abundance of Australian talent, which became recognised both nationally and internationally (and as an Aussie, it’s only natural that with this challenge I’ll be highlighting some of that talent). 😉 This month, we’re diving into the letter D with another Aussie band, which unfortunately came to a sad end.
Formed in Sydney in 1980, Divinyls played in pubs and clubs and it was during this time that they signed with record label WEA. They provided the soundtrack for the movie Monkey Grip in 1982, which included the songs ‘Boys in Town’ and ‘Only Lonely’. As well as the Monkey Grip EP, Divinyls released another three albums during the 1980s. They released another album in 1991, which included the single ‘I Touch Myself’, and despite its controversy, became a success in the US and UK and reached No.1 in Australia.
By the end of 1996, there was a falling out between some band members, yet the band did not officially break up. In 2006, they were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame, and reformed shortly afterwards. In 2007, lead singer Chrissy Amphlett revealed she had multiple sclerosis and the band disbanded in 2009. In 2010 Chrissy was diagnosed with breast cancer and died in 2013. May she rest in peace.
Other bands formed or who had hits in the 1980s starting with the letter D include:- Duran Duran, Dire Straits, Depeche Mode, Dragon, Do-Re-Mi, Def Leppard, Devo, Dead or Alive, Dear Enemy.
What other bands of the 1980s that begin with the letter D can you think of? Do you worry if a band’s music becomes controversial?
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I remember all of those bands, including the Divinyls. They were big over here in NZ too. Incredible to think that the name was a play on the record medium which was already giving way to CDs at the time. And now they are gone too (but vinyl is back…)
Hi Matthew. There were some really good bands around in the 80s and it’s good to know that Divinyls were big in NZ. Fancy vinyl coming back! I know my husband has been talking about getting another turntable for a while to play our old records sitting around gathering dust. Those good old days of trying to replay a song! By the way, here’s another D for you I still enjoy listening to – ‘Slice of Heaven’ from Dave Dobbyn; a great Kiwi song. 😉
That is a fabulous song – I’ve always thought that it should be New Zealand’s National Anthem.