1985 in music

This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1985.

Specific locations

• 1985 in British music
• 1985 in Norwegian music

Specific genres

• 1985 in country music
• 1985 in heavy metal music
• 1985 in hip hop music
• 1985 in jazz

Events

Bands formed

• See Musical groups established in 1985

Bands disbanded

• See Musical groups disestablished in 1985

Albums released

Biggest hit singles

The following songs achieved the highest in the charts of 1985.^[9]

#	Artist	Title	Year	Country	Chart Entries
1	Tears For Fears	Shout	1985		US BB 1 – Jun 1985, Canada 1 – Feb 1985, Netherlands 1 – Jan 1985, Switzerland 1 – Feb 1985, Germany 1 – Jan 1985, New Zealand 1 for 3 weeks Mar 1985, Australia 1 for 1 weeks Nov 1985, France 3 – Dec 1984, Poland 3 – Mar 1983, UK 4 – Dec 1984, Sweden 5 – Dec 1984, Norway 5 – Mar 1985, KROQ 5 of 1985, Austria 6 – Mar 1985, US CashBox 13 of 1985, Australia 14 of 1985, Sweden (alt) 16 – Feb 1985, South Africa 16 of 1985, Italy 20 of 1985, RYM 27 of 1984, Scrobulate 36 of 80s, Germany 104 of the 1980s, Acclaimed 974
2	USA For Africa	We Are the World	1985		UK 1 – Apr 1985, US BB 1 – Mar 1985, US CashBox 1 of 1985, Canada 1 – Apr 1985, Netherlands 1 – Mar 1985, Sweden 1 – Mar 1985, Sweden (alt) 1 – Apr 1985, Switzerland 1 – Apr 1985, Norway 1 – Mar 1985, Poland 1 – Mar 1983, Australia 1 of 1985, Italy 1 of 1985, Éire 1 – Apr 1985, New Zealand 1 for 7 weeks Apr 1985, Australia 1 for 9 weeks Dec 1985, Grammy in 1985, Austria 2 – Apr 1985, Germany 2 – Apr 1985, Global 4 (20 M sold) – 1985, South Africa 8 of 1985, US BB 40 of 1985, POP 71 of 1985, RIAA 121, Germany 263 of the 1980s, OzNet 418, Acclaimed 1371
3	a-ha	Take On Me	1984		US BB 1 – Aug 1985, Canada 1 – Aug 1985, Netherlands 1 – Oct 1985, Sweden (alt) 1 – Oct 1985, France 1 – May 1985, Switzerland 1 – Nov 1985, Norway 1 – Nov 1984, Poland 1 – Dec 1985, Germany 1 – Jan 1986, Australia 1 for 2 weeks Aug 1986, Scrobulate 1 of 80s, UK 2 – Sep 1985, Sweden 4 – Aug 1985, Austria 4 – Dec 1985, Italy 7 of 1986, KROQ 7 of 1985, RYM 8 of 1984, Australia 12 of 1985, US CashBox 15 of 1985, Europe 20 of the 1980s, POP 31 of 1985, Global 33 (5 M sold) – 1985, US BB 36 of 1985, Germany 81 of the 1980s, Party 133 of 2007, OzNet 795, Acclaimed 2396
4	Foreigner	I Want to Know What Love Is	1984	/	UK 1 – Dec 1984, US BB 1 – Dec 1984, Canada 1 – Dec 1984, Sweden 1 – Dec 1984, Sweden (alt) 1 – Dec 1984, Norway 1 – Jan 1985, Poland 1 – Mar 1983, Éire 1 – Jan 1985, New Zealand 1 for 3 weeks Feb 1985, Australia 1 for 5 weeks Oct 1985, Switzerland 2 – Jan 1985, Germany 4 – Jan 1985, Australia 5 of 1985, Netherlands 6 – Dec 1984, Austria 7 – Feb 1985, US CashBox 8 of 1985, South Africa 12 of 1985, POP 17 of 1985, US BB 34 of 1985, Europe 38 of the 1980s, OzNet 180, RYM 186 of 1984, Germany 255 of the 1980s, Rolling Stone 476, Acclaimed 659
5	Madonna	Material Girl	1985		UK 1 – Jul 1985, Netherlands 1 – Aug 1985, Éire 1 – Aug 1985, New Zealand 1 for 6 weeks Aug 1985, Australia 1 for 4 weeks Mar 1986, Sweden 2 – Aug 1985, Switzerland 2 – Aug 1985, Australia 2 of 1985, Italy 2 of 1985, Sweden (alt) 3 – Aug 1985, Germany 3 – Aug 1985, Norway 4 – Aug 1985, US BB 7 of 1985, Austria 7 – Sep 1985, France 9 – Aug 1985, RYM 9 of 1985, POP 13 of 1985, Poland 19 – Sep 1985, Scrobulate 73 of 80s, Party 193 of 1999, OzNet 200, Acclaimed 235, Germany 271 of the 1980s

Top hits

• "After the Love Has Gone" – Princess
• "Alive and Kicking" – Simple Minds
• "And We Danced" – The Hooters
• "Angel" – Madonna
• "Better Be Good To Me" (1984) – Tina Turner
• "The Big Money" – Rush
• "Body & Soul" – Mai Tai
• "Born in the U.S.A." (1984) – Bruce Springsteen (released in 1984)
• "The Boy With The Thorn In His Side" – The Smiths
• "The Boys of Summer" (1984) – Don Henley
• "Body Rock" (1984) – Maria Vidal
• "Broken Wings" – Mr. Mister
• "Brothers in Arms" – Dire Straits
• "Borderline" (1983) – Madonna (UK release)
• "Call Me" – Go West
• "Cannonball" – Supertramp
• "Can't Fight This Feeling" (1984) – REO Speedwagon
• "Careless Whisper" (1984) – George Michael
• "Centerfield" – John Fogerty
• "C'était mon ami" – Dalida
• "The Big Money" – Rush
• "Chain Reaction" – Diana Ross
• "Change Your Mind" – Sharpe & Numan
• "Cheri, Cheri Lady" – Modern Talking
• "Cherish" – Kool & the Gang
• "Close to Me" – The Cure
• "Cloudbusting" – Kate Bush
• "Color My Love" – Fun Fun (Released in 1984)
• "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love" – David Grant and Jaki Graham
• "Crazy for You" – Madonna
• "Dancing in the Street" – David Bowie and Mick Jagger
• "Devuélveme a mi chica" – Hombres G
• "Dynamite" – Jermaine Stewart
• "Dirty Old Town" – The Pogues
• "Don't Come Around Here No More" – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
• "Don't You (Forget About Me)" – Simple Minds
• "Dress You Up" – Madonna
• "Duel" – Propaganda
• "Eaten Alive" – Diana Ross
• "E=MC²" – Big Audio Dynamite
• "Election Day" – Arcadia
• "Éthiopie" – Chanteurs sans Frontières
• "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" (1984) – Tears for Fears
• "Everything She Wants" (1984) – Wham!
• "Everytime You Go Away" – Paul Young
• "Find A Way" – Amy Grant
• "Faron Young" – Prefab Sprout
• "Fortress Around Your Heart" – Sting
• "Frankie" – Sister Sledge
• "Freak A Ristic" – Atlantic Starr
• "Freaks Come Out at Night" (1984) – Whodini
• "Fresh" (1984) – Kool & the Gang
• "Freeway of Love" – Aretha Franklin
• "Gambler" – Madonna
• "Gimme, Gimme, Gimme" – Narada Michael Walden and Patti Austin
• "Glory Days" (1984) – Bruce Springsteen
• "The Goonies 'R' Good Enough" – Cyndi Lauper
• "(Gotta Be) Wrong Way To Love" – Dynamic Hepnotics
• "Head Over Heels" (1984) – Tears for Fears
• "Heart User" – Cliff Richard
• "The Heat Is On" – Glenn Frey
• "Heaven" – Bryan Adams
• "History" – Mai Tai
• "Hold Me" – Menudo
• "Holding Back The Years" – Simply Red (charted in 1986 in the U.S.)
• "Home Sweet Home" – Mötley Crüe
• "Hounds of Love" – Kate Bush
• "How Soon Is Now?" – The Smiths (originally released in 1984 as a B-side)
• "How Will I Know?" – Whitney Houston
• "Hurt" – Juice Newton
• "I Don't Think I'm Ready for You" – Anne Murray
• "I Love Her All The Time" – Sonic Youth
• "I Like It" – Jermaine Stewart
• "I Miss You" – Klymaxx
• "I Was Born to Love You" – Freddie Mercury
• "If Ever You're in My Arms Again" – Peabo Bryson
• "I'll Be Good" – Rene & Angela
• "I'm On Fire" (1984) – Bruce Springsteen
• "In Between Days" – The Cure
• "In My House" – Mary Jane Girls
• "Innocent" – Alexander O'Neal
• "Into the Groove" – Madonna
• "Indianapolis" – Menudo
• "Invincible (Theme From the Legend of Billie Jean)" – Pat Benatar
• "I Want to Know What Love Is" (1984) – Foreigner
• "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" – Sting
• "It's Alright (Baby's Coming Back)" – Eurythmics
• "It's Called a Heart" – Depeche Mode
• "It's in Every One of Us" – Cliff Richard
• "Je te donne" – Jean-Jacques Goldman and Michael Jones
• "Johnny Come Home" – Fine Young Cannibals
• "Johnny, Johnny" – Jeanne Mas
• "Just Like Honey" – The Jesus and Mary Chain
• "Kayleigh" – Marillion
• "Kiss the Dirt (Falling Down the Mountain)" – INXS
• "The Last Kiss" – David Cassidy
• "Lazy Nina" – Greg Phillinganes
• "Lay Your Hands on Me" – Thompson Twins
• "Le temps d'aimer" – Dalida
• "Le Vénitien de Levallois" – Dalida
• "Lean on Me (ah-li-ayo)" – Red Box
• "Let's Go Crazy/Take Me With U" – Prince and the Revolution (released in 1984)
• "Listen Like Thieves" – INXS
• "Life in a Northern Town" – The Dream Academy
• "Live Is Life" – Opus
• "Living on My Own" – Freddie Mercury
• "Love Is the Seventh Wave" – Sting
• "The Love Parade" – The Dream Academy
• "Love Like Blood" – Killing Joke
• "Lovergirl" – Teena Marie
• "Lover Why" – Century
• "Loverboy" – Billy Ocean
• "Lovin' Every Minute of It" – Loverboy
• "Madhouse" – Anthrax
• "Manhattan Project" – Rush
• "Marcia baila" – Rita Mitsouko
• "Mated" – David Grant and Jaki Graham
• "Material Girl" – Madonna
• "Miami Vice Theme" – Jan Hammer
• "Merry Christmas Everyone" – Shakin' Stevens
• "Method of Modern Love" – Hall & Oates (released in 1984)
• "Money Changes Everything" – Cyndi Lauper
• "Money for Nothing" – Dire Straits
• "Mothers Talk" – Tears For Fears (released in 1984)
• "Move Closer" – Phyllis Nelson
• "Mystic Rhythms" – Rush
• "Neutron Dance" – The Pointer Sisters (released in 1984)
• "A New England" – Kirsty MacColl
• "Nightshift" – The Commodores
• "Ni tú ni nadie" – Alaska y Dinarama
• "Nikita" – Elton John
• "19" – Paul Hardcastle
• "Never" – Heart
• "Never Surrender" – Corey Hart
• "Obsession" – Animotion
• "Oh Sheila" – Ready for the World
• "The Old Man Down The Road" – John Fogerty
• "One More Night" – Phil Collins
• "One Night in Bangkok" – Murray Head
• "One Of The Living" – Tina Turner
• "One Vision" – Queen
• "Only the Young" (recorded 1983) – Journey
• "Out Of Mind Out Of Sight" – Models
• "Party All the Time" – Eddie Murphy
• "Part-Time Lover" – Stevie Wonder
• "Perfect Way" – Scritti Politti
• "Piece By Piece" – The Tubes
• "Point of No Return" – Exposé
• "Private Dancer" – Tina Turner
• "The Power of Love" – Huey Lewis and the News
• "Rage to Love" – Kim Wilde
• "Raspberry Beret" – Prince and the Revolution
• "Reviens-moi" – Dalida
• "Running Up that Hill" – Kate Bush
• "Russians" – Sting
• "Saving All My Love for You" – Whitney Houston
• "Say I'm Your Number One" – Princess
• "Say You, Say Me" – Lionel Richie
• "Secret Lovers" – Atlantic Starr
• "See the Day" – Dee C. Lee
• "Separate Lives" – Phil Collins with Marilyn Martin
• "She's So Beautiful" – Cliff Richard
• "Shout" – Tears for Fears
• "Single Life" – Cameo
• "So Far Away" – Dire Straits
• "So In Love" – Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
• "Some Heads Are Gonna Roll" (1984) – Judas Priest
• "Some Like It Hot" – The Power Station
• "Somebody" (1984) – Bryan Adams
• "Something About You" – Level 42 (charted in 1986 in the U.S.)
• "Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid" – Hall & Oates
• "Spanish Eddie" – Laura Branigan
• "Square Rooms" – Al Corley
• "St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)" – John Parr
• "Shake the Disease" – Depeche Mode
• "Suddenly" – Billy Ocean
• "Summer of 69" (1984) – Bryan Adams
• "The Sun Always Shines on TV" – a-ha
• "The Super Bowl Shuffle" – 1985 Chicago Bears
• "Sussudio" – Phil Collins
• "Take On Me" (1985 version) – a-ha
• "Tarzan Boy" – Baltimora
• "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore" – The Smiths
• "That's What Friends Are For" – Dionne Warwick (duets with Elton John, Gladys Knight & Stevie Wonder) (#1 in Australia, UK, PQ)
• "There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart)" – Eurythmics feat. Stevie Wonder
• "Things Can Only Get Better" – Howard Jones
• "This Is England" – The Clash
• "This Time" – INXS
• "Time Don't Run Out on Me" – Anne Murray
• "Too Late For Goodbyes" – Julian Lennon
• "Venezia" – Hombres G
• "A View to a Kill" – Duran Duran
• "Walk Like a Man" – Divine
• "Walk of Life" – Dire Straits
• "Walls Come Tumbling Down" – The Style Council
• "We Are the World" – USA for Africa
• "We Built This City" – Starship
• "We Belong" – Pat Benatar (released in 1984)
• "We Close Our Eyes" – Go West
• "We Don't Need Another Hero" – Tina Turner
• "We Need Protection" – Picnic at the White House
• "We Work The Black Seam" – Sting
• "West End Girls" (second release) – Pet Shop Boys
• "When Love Breaks Down" – Prefab Sprout
• "The Whole Of The Moon" – The Waterboys
• "Wise Up" – Amy Grant
• "What You Need" – INXS
• "When Love Breaks Down" – Prefab Sprout
• "Who's Zoomin' Who?" – Aretha Franklin
• "Working Class Man" – Jimmy Barnes
• "Would I Lie To You?" – Eurythmics
• "Wrap Her Up" – Elton John
• "You Belong to the City" – Glenn Frey
• "You Give Good Love" – Whitney Houston
• "You Make Me Want to Make You Mine" – Juice Newton
• "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" – Dead or Alive
• "Your Personal Touch" – Evelyn "Champagne" King
• "You're My Heart, You're My Soul" – Modern Talking
• "You're Only Human (Second Wind)" – Billy Joel
• "You're the Inspiration" – Chicago (released in 1984)
• "You're the Voice" – John Farnham (#1 in Australia, South Africa, and Quebec; not released in Europe until 1987, released in USA in 1990)

Classical music

• John Adams – The Chairman Dances
• Kalevi Aho
  • Oboe Sonata
  • Solo II, for piano
• Pierre Boulez – Dialogue de l'ombre double
• Mario Davidovsky – Capriccio for two pianos
• Peter Maxwell Davies – An Orkney Wedding, with Sunrise
• Henri Dutilleux – L'arbre des Songes (violin concerto)
• Morton Feldman
  • For Bunita Marcus, for piano
  • Violin and String Quartet
  • Piano and String Quartet
• Lorenzo Ferrero
  • Canzoni d'amore (song cycle)
  • Empty Stage
  • My Rock
• Karel Goeyvaerts
  • Pas à pas, for solo piano
  • Les Voix de Verseau, for soprano, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, and piano
• Jacques Hétu – Missa pro trecentisimo anno
• Nicholas Jackson – Organ Sonata
• Tristan Keuris
  • String Quartet No. 2
  • Variations for Strings
  • Aria for flute and piano
• Witold Lutosławski – Chain 2 for violin and orchestra
• Andrew Lloyd Webber – Requiem
• John Rutter – Requiem
• Alfred Schnittke – String Trio
• Salvatore Sciarrino
  • Allegoria della notte, symphonic work
  • Canzona di ringraziamento
  • Lo spazio inverso
• Isabel Soveral – Fragmentos
• Karlheinz Stockhausen – Ave, for basset horn and alto flute
• Joan Tower – Piano Concerto
• Manfred Trojahn
  • Requiem
  • Symphony No. 3
• Robert Ward – Raleigh Divertimento

Opera

• Dominick Argento – Casanova's Homecoming
• Lorenzo Ferrero
  • Mare nostro
  • Night
• Philip Glass and Robert Moran – The Juniper Tree
• Hans Werner Henze – The English Cat (first English language production)
• Dorothy Rudd Moore – Frederick Douglass
• Salvatore Sciarrino – La perfezione di uno spirito sottile

Ballet

• Lorenzo Ferrero
  • Lotus Eaters
  • The Miracle

Jazz

Musical theater

• Big River – Broadway production opened at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre and ran for 1005 performances
• Dames at Sea – off Broadway revival
• The King and I (Rodgers & Hammerstein) – Broadway revival
• Leader of the Pack – Broadway production opened at the Ambassador Theatre and ran for 120 performances
• Me and My Girl (Noel Gay) – London revival
• Les Misérables – London production
• The Mystery of Edwin Drood – Broadway production opened at the Imperial Theatre and ran for 108 performances
• Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Saul Chaplin, Gene de Paul and Johnny Mercer) – London production
• Singin' in the Rain – Broadway production (based on 1952 film of the same name)
• Song and Dance – Broadway production opened at the Royale Theatre and ran for 474 performances

Musical films

• A Chorus Line
• Donga
• Kathodu Kathoram
• Krush Groove
• Rappin'
• That's Dancing!

Births

• January 2 – Luis Beza, American Trumpet player (Suburban Legends)
• January 3 – Justin Paul, American singer, composer, and lyricist (Pasek and Paul )
• January 6 – Amalie Bruun, Danish multi instrumentalist, singer and actress.
• January 8 – Rachael Lampa, American contemporary Christian singer, songwriter and record producer.
• January 16 – Gintaras Janusevicius, Lithuanian classical pianist
• January 18 – Simone Simons, Dutch symphonic metal singer/songwriter
• January 22 – Orianthi, Australian musician, singer and songwriter
• January 28 – J. Cole, German-American hip hop recording artist and record producer
• January 29 – Mikey Hachey, American bass player
• January 31 – Kalomira, American-Greek singer
• February 5 – Lindsey Cardinale, American singer
• February 8 – Jeremy Davis, American bass player and songwriter (Paramore)
• February 11 – William Beckett, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (The Academy Is...)
• February 14 – Havana Brown (musician), Australian DJ, recording artist, record producer and dancer
• February 19 – Haylie Duff, American actress, singer, songwriter, television host, writer, and fashion designer (Sister of Hilary Duff)
• February 20 – Yulia Volkova, Russian singer, (t.A.T.u.)
• February 28 – Fefe Dobson, Canadian songwriter
• March 4 – Scott Michael Foster, American actor and singer (Crazy Ex Girlfriend)
• March 29
  • Mirusia Louwerse, Dutch-Australian lyric soprano
  • Emil Nava, British music video director
• April 3 – Leona Lewis, British singer/songwriter
• April 13 – Ty Dolla Sign, American singer, songwriter, rapper and record producer.
• April 20 – Jadyn Douglas, Puerto Rican-American singer-songwriter and actress
• May 2 – Lily Allen, English singer-songwriter
• May 4 – Jidenna, Nigerian and American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer
• May 7 – J Balvin, Colombian reggaeton singer.
• May 10 – Ashley Poole, American singer (Dream)
• May 11 – Matt Giraud, American singer-songwriter and pianist
• May 17 – Derek Hough, American professional Latin and ballroom dancer, choreographer, actor and singer
• May 18 – Francesca Battistelli, American singer, CCM
• May 22 – Vangie Tang, Hong Kong singer
• May 28
  • Colbie Caillat, American singer/songwriter/musician
  • Carey Mulligan, English actress and singer
• May 30 – Katie Stelmanis, Canadian musician and producer
• June 2 – Ana Cristina, American singer-songwriter, dancer, and actress
• June 9 – Benj Pasek, American singer, songwriter and composer (Pasek and Paul)
• June 15 – Nadine Coyle Irish singer, songwriter, actress, and model. (Girls Aloud)
• June 21 – Lana Del Rey, American singer-songwriter, director, model
• June 22 – Scott MacIntyre, American singer-songwriter and pianist
• June 30
  • K.Flay, American singer and songwriter
  • Hugh Sheridan, Australian actor, singer, musician and television presenter
• July 2 – Ashley Tisdale, American singer, actress, producer, songwriter and youtuber (High School Musical, Vanessa Hudgens)
• July 5 – Alle Farben, German DJ and producer
• July 6
  • Diamond Rings, Canadian singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer (Matters)
  • D. Woods, American singer, dancer, and actress (Danity Kane)
• July 9 – Hee Ah Lee, South Korean handicapped pianist
• July 11 – Tobias Jesso Jr., Canadian musician
• July 15 – Nathaniel Willemse, South African-born Australian singer and songwriter
• July 17 – Tom Fletcher British singer/songwriter/musician (McFLY)
• July 18 – Hopsin, American rapper, producer, and actor
• July 19 – Amy Pearson, English singer-songwriter
• July 31
  • Alissa White-Gluz, Canadian singer-songwriter (The Agonist, Arch Enemy)
  • Allie X, Canadian singer-songwriter
• August 1 – Dina, Norwegian singer
• August 2 – Britt Nicole, American vocalist, songwriter and recording artist.
• August 3
  • Holly Blake-Arnstein, American singer (Dream)
  • Brent Kutzle (OneRepublic) American Musician
• August 4 – Kina Grannis, American singer-songwriter, guitarist and YouTuber.
• August 9 – Anna Kendrick, American actress/singer
• August 13 – Lacey Brown, American singer-songwriter
• August 16 – Cristin Milioti, American actress, singer and musician
• August 19 – Christina Perri, American singer/songwriter/musician
• August 29 – Achilles Liarmakopoulos, Greek trombonist (Canadian Brass)
• September 23 – Diana Ortiz, American singer (Dream)
• September 28 – Alina Ibragimova, Russian British violinist
• October 1 – Porcelain Black, American industrial indie pop singer-songwriter
• October 2 – Vogue Williams, Irish DJ, radio host, model and dancer
• October 5 – Nicola Roberts, English recording artist, fashion designer, and songwriter
• October 8
  • Bruno Mars, American singer/songwriter, dancer
  • Elliphant, Swedish singer, songwriter and rapper
• October 10 – Marina and the Diamonds, Welsh singer/songwriter
• October 15 – Nicola Roberts, Singer Of Girls Aloud (British)
• October 22 – Zac Hanson. American singer/songwriter (Hanson)
• October 23 – Miguel, American singer-songwriter, producer
• October 25 – Ciara, American singer, actress and dancer
• October 26 – Soko (singer), French singer-songwriter, musician and actress.
• October 28 – Tina Guo, Chinese-American cellist and erhuist
• November 4 – Vanessa Struhler, German singer and songwriter
• November 5 – Kate DeAraugo, Australian singer-songwriter, winner of Australian Idol 3
• November 15 – Nick Fradiani, American singer
• November 19 – Ricki-Lee Coulter, New Zealand born, Australian singer-songwriter, Australian Idol contestant
• November 21 –
  • Carly Rae Jepsen, Canadian singer, songwriter and musician
  • Ruelle (singer), American EDM pop singer/songwriter
• November 22 – Austin Brown, American producer, singer, songwriter and musician
• November 23 – Troy Ave, American rapper
• December 1 – Janelle Monae, American recording artist, record producer, singer-songwriter, model, actor, businesswomen, activist
• December 3 – Amanda Seyfried, American singer, musical star, actor
• December 10 – Raven-Symoné, American actress and singer
• December 12 – Erika Van Pelt, American singer
• December 22 – Kate Tempest, English poet, spoken-word artist, rapper and playwright
• December 23 – Dev Hynes, British singer, songwriter, composer, producer and author
• December 23 – Harry Judd, Of the band McFLY (British)
• December 29 – Alexa Ray Joel, American singer-songwriter and pianist

Deaths

• January 3 – Lucien Cailliet, clarinetist, conductor, arranger and composer, 87
• January 4 – Lovro von Matačić, Croatian conductor, 85
• January 10 – Anton Karas, Austrian zither player and composer, 78
• January 25 – Paul Smith, American film and television composer, 78
• January 30 – Ivar Haglund, folk singer and restaurateur, 79 (heart attack)
• February 7 – Matt Monro, English singer, 54 (liver cancer)
• February 11 – Heinz Eric Roemheld, American composer, 83
• February 12 – Leslie Sarony, English singer, comedian and songwriter, 87
• February 18
  • Willy Alberti, Dutch singer, 58 (liver cancer)
  • Gábor Darvas, composer and musicologist, 74
• February 22 – Delores Marie "D'Marie" Warren, founding member of Alton McClain & Destiny, 32 (car crash)
  • Efrem Zimbalist, violinist, 94
• February 28 – David Byron, vocalist of Uriah Heep, 38 (alcohol-related)
• March 1 – Eugene List, American classical pianist, 66
• March 16 – Roger Sessions, American composer, 88
• March 23 – Zoot Sims, jazz saxophonist, 59
• March 31 – Jeanine Deckers, known as The Singing Nun, 51 (suicide)
• May 2
  • Bridget D'Oyly Carte, opera impresario, 77
  • Leonard Falcone, baritone/eupohonium virtuosos and director of bands at Michigan State, 86
• May 8 – Karl Marx, composer and conductor, 87
• May 12 – Rodolfo Arizaga, Argentinian composer
• May 19 – Hilding Rosenberg, composer, 92
• July 23 – Kay Kyser, US bandleader, 80
• July 30 – Peter Knight, conductor, arranger and composer, 68
• August 11 – Nick Ceroli, jazz drummer, 45
• August 12 – Kyu Sakamoto, Japanese singer, 43 (plane crash)
• August 24 – Paul Creston, American composer, 78
• September 6 – Little Brother Montgomery, jazz and blues pianist and singer, 79
• September 8 – Frederick May, Irish composer, 74
• September 11 – William Alwyn, English composer, 79
• September 18 – Ed Lewis, jazz trumpeter, 76
• September 19 – Rockdrigo González, folk & rock singer-songwriter, 34 (1985 Mexico City earthquake)
• October 6
  • Lola Gjoka, Albanian pianist, 75
  • Nelson Riddle, US conductor, composer and arranger, 64
• October 11 – Tex Williams, US country singer, 68
• October 12 – Ricky Wilson, guitarist (The B-52's), 32
• October 14 – Emil Gilels, pianist, 68
• October 18 – Stefan Askenase, pianist, 94
• October 20 – Boris Lisanevich, dancer, 80
• October 22 – Viorica Ursuleac, operatic soprano, 91
• November 15 – Seán Ryan, Irish fiddler and whistler
• November 18 – Stephan Henrik Barratt-Due, Norwegian violinist and music teacher, 66
• November 24 – Big Joe Turner, blues singer, 74
• December 12 – Ian Stewart (The Rolling Stones), 42 (heart attack)^[10]
• December 22 – D. Boon, lead singer of Minutemen, 27 (car accident)
• December 31 – Ricky Nelson, singer, former teen idol, 45 (plane crash) ^[11]

Awards

• Eurovision Song Contest 1985
• 27th Japan Record Awards

Charts

• Billboard (USA)

See also

• Hot 100 number-one hits of 1985 (United States)
• Record labels established in 1985

References