Ooh, forgot about Def Leppard. I got into them around Hysteria time which was much later 80s (87?). It's music from the earlier 80s which brings back most memories for me.
I'm not as into Marillion as I was, but OH is and saw them relatively recently. My other choices I would still go and see if they toured - Bon Jovi is a regular date certainly!! Have seen quite a few on that list actually, and would still go to a lot, but you only asked for 5. Thinking about it, it would be easier to pick 5 I wouldn't go and see - Pet Shop Boys, Mr Jackson (I realise it would be tricky anyway!), REM...................
I really didn't get them at all, it was that high voice I think, I am a bit touchy on ultra-highs, examples, Loving You, Minnie Ripperton, Born To Try, Delta Goodrem - great songs but how do they hit those high notes?
I remember having Smalltown Boy as a single and when the music came out in gay terms, I found Erasure were much more my thing, here's a great track off The Innocents.
Just watching a programme called 'Synth Britannia at the BBC' on BBC4. It's about all the synth stuff of the 80s and has everyone on it!! Absolutely brilliant and a major blast from the past for OH and me. I've mentioned before that we got together in '81 so this is so much our era. Human League were the first band we saw together, in December 1981. If you want to be transported back there for a while try and watch it (just try and ignore the ubiquitous, and appalling, lip synching!!)
Just had a look and the whole programme appears to be on there at the moment AF. I liked all of them, to be honest - just because of the memories they evoked! Some clips were better than others though. I love Heaven 17, so that was good and I had forgotten just how much I liked David Sylvian's voice! Soft Cell, Tears For Fears, Annie Lennox with long black, curly hair - weird! - all of it most enjoyable.
I often forget to check YT so thanks for that - I'm off to watch it again!