
Metal bands were the most popular and sought-after bands with fans and followers all around the world. There are several genres in metal bands – Funk metal, Black metal, Hair metal, etc. Melodyful doles out a list of ’80s hair metal bands that made people sway to their music!
TAP to the BEAT!
The hair metal bands styled themselves with long and shaggy hair, makeup, and gaudy clothing and accessories. However, their style wasn’t appreciated by everyone.
An American vocalist and the front man of the rock band―The B-52’s―had said, “The hairstyles of most Heavy Metal bands are pretty horrendous.” Nonetheless, it got them attention!
Hair metal, also known as glam metal and sleaze metal, originated in early ’80s. It is a sub-genre of heavy metal and hard rock. Hair metal is a combination of two genres with pop music and punk rock. It derives its name on the basis of the elements―big hair and makeup. Bands like Aerosmith, Kiss, Boston, Slade are bands that contributed to the evolution of hair metal music.
Hair metal bands used traditional heavy metal songs, incorporating a very polished cocktail of hard rock and punk rock. Catchy hooks, guitar riffs, powerful ballads were the characteristics of hair metal. Almost every song in the genre had a guitar solo in it. Songs were harmoniously slow and gradually pitched up to a powerful end. The songs had a love and lust theme, typically directed to a particular woman.
List of the famous and best hair bands of the ’80s gives you a fair idea of the number of hair metal bands that were formed, despite the dispute that some of them cannot be counted as one among them.
Top Hair Metal Bands of the ’80s
Warrant
Formed by guitarist Erik Turner, in 1984, in Hollywood, California, their popularity soared with a record sale of over 10 millions copies between 1986 and 1996. Their single, Heaven rendered no.1 position by the Rolling Stone (magazine), and the no. 2 spot in the Billboard Hot 100.
Poison
Formed in 1983, in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, with a sale of over 45 million records, the band became an icon in the MTV era. They found new success in 1999 during their reunion tour.
Cinderella
Formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1983, they surfaced with multi-platinum albums and single hits. The band’s popularity declined in the mid-90s; however, they still perform live today.
Twisted Sisters
Formed in 1972, in Long Island, New York, by John Segall (Jay Jay French), this band gained fame for its aggressive music and monstrous makeup. They rose to the 73rd rank in VH1’s 100 Greatest Artist of Hard Rock list. A gradual decline in popularity resulted in the breakup of the band.
L. A. Guns
Formed in 1983 by guitarist Tracii Guns from Los Angeles, California, it united with the band, Hollywood Rose, in 1985, to form Guns N’ Roses. After several changes in the band, the main members reunited in 1999 to change the band name back to L. A. Guns. The band still performs.
Quiet Riot
Founded in 1973 by guitarist Randy Rhodes and bassist Kelly Garni, it gained the 100th spot on VH1’s 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock list. A series of lineup changes and the Kevin DuBrow’s death, lead vocalist, led to a breakup only to be revived again by Frankie Banali―drummer.
Dokken
Formed in 1978 by Don Dokken, it split in 1989; however, revived in 1993. The band recorded a sale of 10 million albums around the world and was nominated for a Grammy in 1989.
Bon Jovi
Formed in 1983 by the lead singer Jon Bon Jovi, guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboard player David Bryan, and drummer Tico Torres, in Sayreville, New Jersey with a sale of over 100 million records and over 2700 live concerts, made them one of the world’s best-selling bands.
Tesla
Formed in Sacramento, California in 1982 by bassist Brian Wheat and guitarist Frank Hannon, they recorded a sale of over 14 million albums in the United States alone. The band broke up around 1998 and was re-formed in 2000.
W.A.S.P.
Emerged in 1982 from Los Angeles, California. Speculations surround the name without anyone having a clue of what the abbreviation means. The band’s debut album topped to no. 84 on the VH1’s 100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs of All Time list. The band continues with a different lineup.
Skid Row
Formed by bassist Rachel Boleyn and guitarist David―The Snake― Sabo in 1986, in Toms River, New Jersey. The band recorded a worldwide sale of over 20 million albums. In 2014, the band gave its largest show with a packed audience of 500,000.
Ratt
Emerged as Firedone from Hollywood, California, in 1971, it changed its name to Ratt in 1976. The band’s first commercial success was a result of their song ranking no. 12 on Billboard’s Top 40. The year 2010 saw their latest release―Infestation.
Mötley Crüe
Founded by the bassist Nikki Sixx and the drummer Tommy Lee in 1981, in Los Angeles, California. The band was considered a part of the first wave of the glam metal era. It has been described as one of the best-selling bands of all time. The band has decided to retire in 2015.
Guns N’ Roses
In 1985, two bands―L. A. Guns and Hollywood Rose―united together to form this band. It topped the national sales chart within a short span of 8 months. The band still continues to play with a different lineup than the original. In 2002, Guns N’ Roses topped Q magazine’s list―50 Bands to See Before You Die.
Hanoi Rocks
Finnish rock band formed in 1979, in Helsinki, by Michael Monroe and Andy McCoy was one of the most successful rock bands of the ’80s, and the first one to tour Asia. This cult band gained commercial success and was critically acclaimed worldwide. It broke up in 1985 after the death of the drummer Nicholas “Razzle” Dingley.
Other Hair Metal Bands of the ’80s
Choose your favorite from list of hair metal bands of the ’80s, groove to their scintillating music and enjoy their unique styles!