1980s Music

Forty years ago this month, on 11 November 1985, Pete Townshend released one of the most ambitious albums of his solo career. White City: A Novel arrived at a defining point in his artistic evolution. The Who had wound down as a touring force three years earlier, and Townshend, free from the arena-sized weight of his band's legacy, was exploring more personal and socially grounded songwriting.

Four decades have passed since The Power Station rewired the mid-80s pop landscape with a blast of rock, funk and high-gloss glamour. Now, the short-lived yet explosive supergroup will be honoured with deluxe reissues of their self-titled 1985 debut. Rhino Records will release a 4 CD box set and a 2 LP edition on 23 January, delivering a comprehensive look back at one of the decade's most electrifying collaborations.

Dave Ball, the pioneering electronic musician and one half of legendary British synth-pop duo Soft Cell, has died in London at the age of 66. His death comes just days after completing Danceteria, the sixth and final Soft Cell studio album, due for release in early 2026.

Richard Marx will return to Australia in April 2026 for a five-city national tour, bringing with him a career that has stretched across four decades, 14 number one singles and more than 30 million albums sold worldwide.