Backstage from the 1980s

Rare backstage footage of famous musicians from the 1980s. Browse 25 clips below.

All BackstageAll 1980s

About Backstage Footage

Backstage footage captures the world that exists just out of the audience’s sight — the nervous energy before going on, the adrenaline after coming off, the camaraderie, the tension, and the mundane reality of life on the road. These clips humanise artists in a way that stage performances and interviews rarely do.

The 1980s in Music

The 1980s brought MTV, the synthesiser revolution, and the globalisation of pop music. Michael Jackson, Prince, Madonna, U2, and Run-DMC dominated the mainstream, while underground scenes — post-punk, hardcore, hip-hop, and indie — were building the foundation for the next decade. The explosion of home video meant more behind-the-scenes footage was captured than ever before. Tour documentaries, making-of specials, and backstage footage from the 80s reveal an industry in rapid transformation.

Artists

Sammy HagarConcertR.E.M.NWACreamSlashMichael JacksonY&TDallaBill WymanLittle Anthony and the ImperialsSiouxsie and the BansheesJoe BethancourtSchool of FishMelvinsPaul WesterbergWeenStevie WonderMinnie RipertonChaka KhanHerbie HancockNew wave of British heavy metalNMEStingThe SmithsMorrisseyPat MethenyRick AllenThe DoorsSongwriterThe BandBrian MayAC/DC