Y
1987

1987 in British Music

Guns N' Roses, acid house, and the indie-dance crossover begins.

Key Events

  • Guns N' Roses release Appetite for Destruction — hard rock gets dangerous again
  • Acid house parties begin across London and Manchester — a cultural revolution
  • Rick Astley becomes unlikely global pop phenomenon via Stock Aitken Waterman

Dominant Genres

IndiePopHard RockAcid House

Notable Trends

  • Stock Aitken Waterman production line dominates pop
  • The smiley face becomes acid house's universal symbol
  • Indie-dance crossover begins (New Order, Happy Mondays)

Key Artists of 1987

198619871988