1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999
1990 Music Hits
The year 1990 was significant in many ways as it was the dawn of the new decade and transitions in celebrity status, music taste, management, and public interest took place that shook the industry.
It was a year that saw many legends in the music industry in one mess after another as though the new decade starting was too much for them to bear. Car accidents, arrests, it had fans around the world fearing that they wouldn't see their favorite stars anymore. Latin music star Gloria Estefan who exited the 80s at the top of the charts was involved in an accident when her tour bus crashed. Billy Idol who was still strong from his popular performances of the 80s had a devastating motorcycle accident that kept him out of tours, movies, videos and just about any public venue. The man considered one of the fathers of Rock and Roll along with Little Richard, Ike Turner was tossed into prison on drug charges. Add to the jailhouse blues was Tommy Lee of Motley Crue who got busted for wild public behavior.
All was not so dismal during 1990 as major breakthroughs occurred that set the tone for the coming decade and also opened new doors to the innovations that would follow in technology and celebrity. Every genre seemed to have a burst of attention and profit as more television venues on cable allowed for more concerts and interviews. From hip hop to classical music, the great and small made headlines.
Some rose and some fell. Most notably Celine Dion making her English singing debut. Her powerful voice and range would catch the attention of people around the world and she would exit the decade itself as one of the biggest stars ever. The most fallen was the group Milli Vanilli that caused a firestorm when they admitted to lip-synching which led to their Grammy Awards being revoked.
Pearl Jam debuted in 1990, MTV premiered its Unplugged show which brought musicians to the real deal of performing without major electronics nor special effects. Many artists were taken to task as it was a proving ground. Farm Aid IV saw the likes of Elton John, Neil Young, Willie Nelson, John Cougar Mellencamp and more donate their talents to help the agriculturalists. One of the biggest music events in history, a tribute to South African anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela was held an was seen in 61 countries. The enormous tribute held at Wembley Stadium features such luminaries as Tracy Chapman, Neil Young, Anita Baker, Peter Gabriel and more.
The hit songs for the year 1990 include some that totally revolutionized the way that music was performed on stage and television. The #1 hit of the year 1990 was Sinead O'Connor's “Nothing Compares 2 U”. Hot on her tail was Madonna's “Vogue” followed by Vanilla Ice's “Ice Ice Baby”. #4 pick, MC Hammer's “You Can't Touch This” dominated MTV and music videos everywhere. People around the world danced to this song and it seemed as though the video played around the clock.
About one hundred bands premiered professionally during 1990 including the Brian Setzer Orchestra, The Irish Descendants, Cinco Siglos, Pinhead Gunpowder, The Hang Ups, and even bands called Deee-Lite that had a hit single, The Kramdens and more. Most disappeared but a few gems were found in the rough and went on to greater stardom.