80′s Metal Hair Bands
The most popular rock music in the 1980s was called hard rock or heavy metal, sometimes referred to as glam rock or hair bands. This was the kind of music that you could bang your head to.
The music evolved from the late 70s to early 80s with bands like Aerosmith, The New York Dolls and Kiss. In particular, the theatrical make-up and live shows of Kiss elevated rock to the spectacle.
Throughout the 80s, bands like Bon Jovi, Poison and Def Leppard pushed the excesses of “sex, drugs and rock n’ roll” to the limit that by the early 90s most of these bands had become caricatures of their former selves.
Though it may be easy to dismiss some of this music as silly and excessive, it’s hard to listen to the following songs without reveling in the excess as well.
Characteristics:
- Androgynous looking hair and make-up
- Shredding guitar solos
- Love ballads
- Hypersexualized lyrics
- Tight leather or spandex pants
Van Halen – Jump (1984)
Def Leppard – Pour Some Sugar on Me (1987)
Motley Crue – Kickstart My Heart (1989)
Guns and Roses – Sweet Child O Mine (1987)
Bon Jovi – Livin' on a Prayer (1986)
Poison – Every Rose Has Its Thorn (1988)
White Snake – Here I Go Again (1982)
Quiet Riot – Cum on Feel the Noize (1973)
Twisted SIster – We're Not Gonna Take it (1984)
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