from the Beatles in the late '60s and other groups in the '60s and early '70s, although it was a little before my time as a '80s teen.
Tons of great music from that time period: Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Beach Boys, Elvis still going strong; beginnings of bands/groups like REO Speedwagon, Styx, Boston, Queen, Simon and Garfunkel ("The Boxer" is one of my all-time favorite songs).
So much talent and experimentation (enhanced by PEDs or not) with new instruments and ideas.

http://digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/best_songs60s.html

https://digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/best_songs70-79.html

https://digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/music0.html