Is there a band or artist who recorded music in the 1970’s and 1980’s that had better material in the 80’s than they had in the 70’s?

i liked alice coopers last few albums..
the travelling wilburys.. before they were wilburys..

Yes, lots of singers songwriters get better as the years roll forward. Lots spend their 2nd or 3rd decades of success repeating songs that were hits during their 1st decade, but not all.

Like I liked Lucinda Williams's first release, but after she took to her larynx with a bit of sandpaper she was better, and kept getting better. Then of course Willie Nelson who had to write and sing his way out of trouble with the IRS in the 1980s. also Freddy Fender just got better and better. There are hundreds more.

I think for some, success frees them to try to take a bigger bite, and for others it's like a treasure chest to sit on and guard.

Damn that's a good question..I would say Depeche Mode, Iron Maiden..but even still those bands first studio albums were still released in the 1980s so I'm not sure if that counts

A lot of bands that started late 70's took a while to find their sound, though purists will disagree. The classics are always solid.

ThE police
Motley Crue

Arguably, Judas Priest and Scorpions.

I liked Genesis’ music better in the 80s than in the 70s, although Iiked Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins.

👑 MJ 👑

U2