The 80s marked a time when music and commerce would become indelibly intertwined – record companies did away with old artist development models in favour of capitalizing on a growing talent pool. And with MTV now providing a visual aspect to accompany a song, music would rely on image like never before.

This week on NSTS we look at the bigger, brighter, and money-driven music of the 1980s, starting right at the beginning – in 1980. The creation and impact of the Sony Walkman, why one-hit wonders proliferated in the 80s, who The Rolling Stones’ Angie was about, the tragic death of Joy Division singer Ian Curtis, and more. Don’t miss it.

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