Much like the rock in the old hymn, the music of the ‘80s gave listeners a sense of escape from the ravages of what was happening in society. The ‘80s were a time of turmoil and political unrest. Unemployment, protests, strikes, and violence were prevalent. Materialism and consumerism were exploding. Television news inundated the viewers with scenes of war, turbulence, and police brutality. John Lennon was shot and killed outside of his home. The AIDS crisis took the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. Musicians and artists wanted to make a difference.
