A-HA

For a short time in the summer of 1985, a-ha were superstars. Thanks to their groundbreaking video for "Take on Me" - a clever clip that combined pencil sketches with live-action footage of the attractive band members -- the band had a huge hit single.

Their pleasantly catchy brand of synthesized pop in the vein of Duran Duran wasn't what made the song hit; it was the video. Consequently, the band wasn't able to score another big hit after "Take on Me," even though they tried valiently several times ("The Sun Always Shines on T.V." made a small dent on the charts in the beginning of 1986).

A-ha turned toward a more moody, synth-based adult-contemporary pop with their 1988 album, Stay on These Roads; they have pursued the same musical direction ever since.