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4. PHIL COLLINS
I don't know anybody who was born and raised into the 80's who is not a fan of Phil Collins. He made songs that ranged from pure pop ballads to dark and heavy to thought-provokingly deep. He is by far one of the greatest British musicians that ever lived.
My favorite songs:
In The Air Tonight
You Can't Hurry Love
I Don't Care Anymore
Easy Lover
Long Long Way To Go
Don't Lose My Number
Inside Out
One More Night
We Said Hello Goodbye
Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)
Two Hearts
Another Day In Paradise
I Wish It Would Rain Down
Father To Son
Do You Remember?
Find A Way To My Heart
That's Just The Way It Is
Dance Into The Light
True Colors
Take Me Home
I don't know anybody who was born and raised into the 80's who is not a fan of Phil Collins. He made songs that ranged from pure pop ballads to dark and heavy to thought-provokingly deep. He is by far one of the greatest British musicians that ever lived.My favorite songs:
In The Air Tonight
You Can't Hurry Love
I Don't Care Anymore
Easy Lover
Long Long Way To Go
Don't Lose My Number
Inside Out
One More Night
We Said Hello Goodbye
Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)
Two Hearts
Another Day In Paradise
I Wish It Would Rain Down
Father To Son
Do You Remember?
Find A Way To My Heart
That's Just The Way It Is
Dance Into The Light
True Colors
Take Me Home
The Piano Man has been making the world feel alright for 5 decades, with a career that is rich with brilliant classics and an impressive body of work. I've been a fan of Billy ever since I was a young boy in the 80's, and it wasn't until recently that I dove deeper into his back catalog. I was also fortunate to see him live last year, in what became one of the best concerts I have ever attended. 
The first solo artist I fell in love with, the one and only King of Pop. Seriously, who wasn't obsessed with Michael Jackson back in the 80's and beyond? The moonwalk. The songs. The groundbreaking music videos. The red zippered jacket. The glove. The hat. Michael Jackson was truly the perfect embodiment of a complete entertainer. Growing up, I remember vividly dressing up like him and imitating his dance moves in the Beat It and Thriller videos. But, yet again, who didn't do that?
Even though John Lennon's solo career only lasted for a short 10 years before he was tragically killed in 1980, his legacy as the founder of the greatest band that ever walked the earth in The Beatles, the man who represents one half of the greatest songwriting partnerships in history (the other half being Paul McCartney), and an outspoken advocate for world peace propelled him to the top. His solo work, even though flawed at times, was rich with brilliant masterpieces and timeless classics. His songs ranged from love ballads to socially and politically charged anthems to deeply personal songs. 
There is no way a list of the greatest solo artists could be compiled without mentioning one of the most magnificent musicians of our time, Mr. Ray Charles. I know some might think I've committed a crime by placing him just south of my Top 40, but I haven't thoroughly explored his catalog. If I revisit this list a few years from now, Ray might be somewhere in my Top 30.
English pop/rock star Rod Stewart's songs, particularly in the 80's, were some of the best he had ever made. I grew up listening to this stuff.
Stevie Wonder's wonderful voice and melodies are the soundtrack of a generation.
Elton John has been around for what feels like an eternity, and he's had a countless number of classic songs.