So in the 80s she was popular in the US with her version of 'The Loco-Motion', which sucked IMO compared to her 1987 Australian version which has her real vocals.

Compare the version, released in Europe and America:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkN4J2l1UaA

with the Australian one. released a year earlier (this one was simply titled 'Locomotion'):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyfAnqjc5mg
Which one do you find better? I think the Aussie version is better and her voice sounds less robotic.

As you probably know, Kylie did way better in Europe and Australa where she continued having hits, while she became a One Hit Wonder in the US.
Here is an extended version of another single from her first album:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2l_ePB7fko

And here is the first single from her second album, which is notable for its cheesy, typically 80s video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZ-rLAesmc4
LOL at that 40s haircut, looks like Kylie likes the 40s/early 50s pretty much?

Loved Kylie in the 80s. Her first 3 albums were great... "Enjoy Yourself" in 1989 being my personal favourite. Just nice happy pop tunes.

I liked Kylie Minogue in the 1980's,I prefer the robotic version of Locomotion.

I'm an Aussie but I never understood Kylie's appeal. I get that she looks cute...  but her talent is modest at best. To my knowledge she hasn't written any of her hits and her voice and dancing is average. She was successful in music primarily due to her role as Charlene on the hit tv series Neighbours (which was huge in Oz and the UK). She seized upon the fact that the UK had a large audience and headed off there shortly after Locomotion was released. Her biggest talent has been to change with the times and somehow remain relevant. Because she sources her songs from profession writers, she can pick and choose and sound fresh.

The other huge factor in her continuing success is that she actively cultivated the gay community audience (playing at the annual gay mardi gras in Sydney etc) ... and they have been very loyal to her. Her grand stage costumes and stage show also appeal to many.

I have never spent a cent on her music though...

As you probably know, Kylie did way better in Europe and Australa where she continued having hits


Correct.


while she became a One Hit Wonder in the US.


Incorrect.


For the UK and North America, all the hits she had in the 80s ...

1987 - I Should Be So Lucky
1988 - Got to Be Certain
1988 - The Locomotion
1988 - Je Ne Sais Pas Pourqoui
1988 - It's No Secret
1989 - Hand on Your Heart
1989 - Wouldn't Change A Thing
1989 - Never Too Late

She was also a featured singer on the 1989 version of 'Do They Know It's Christmas' by Band-Aid II, which failed to chart in the US, but was a #1 hit in the UK, and reached #38 in Canada