In the 1980s, glam metal ( also called hair bands ) was one of the biggest genres in music. Hair bands like Poison, Mötley Crüe, and Bon Jovi were all topping the charts with their catchy hooks and heavy makeup.
While many criticized the genre for its over-the-top image and sometimes cheesy lyrics, there’s no doubt that these bands knew how to put on a show.
With their slick hair and tight jeans, glam metal bands were a sight to behold in the 1980s. And while the scene may have faded away in later years, there’s no doubt that it left a lasting impression on popular culture.
That said, here are 100 of the most popular hair bands of the 90s that were responsible for shaping the genre.
Top Best Hair Bands of the 80s
This list is entirely based on how well the band did in terms of commercial success at the time, the amount of top-shelf material produced, and influence on other bands.
- Bon Jovi
- Mötley Crüe
- Def Leppard
- Skid Row
- Ratt
- Poison
- Whitesnake
- Twisted Sister
- Quiet Riot
- Warrant
Female Hair Bands of the 80s
In the early 1980s, there was a wave of female-fronted hair metal bands that took the world by storm.
While many of these bands faded into obscurity over the years, a few have managed to remain popular to this day.
Some of the most well-known female hair bands include Vixen, Bitch, and Saraya.
These bands were responsible for some of the biggest hits of the 80s, including “Edge Of A Broken Heart” by Vixen, “Live for The Whip” by Bitch, ” and “Back to The Bullet” by Saraya.
Despite their popularity at the time, many people now look back on these bands with nostalgia rather than admiration.
- Lita Ford
- Vixen
- Bitch
- Saraya
- The Nymphs ( Female Fronted )
- Precious Metal
- Fiona
- Precious Metal
British Hair Bands of the 80s
When most people think of hair metal, they think of American bands like Motley Crue and Poison.
However, there was a thriving British glam metal scene in the 1980s. Some of the biggest names in British hair metal were Def Leppard, Wrathchild, and Whitesnake.
British glam metal bands were heavily influenced by American bands, but they also had their own unique sound. They often combined heavy metal with pop and glam rock, creating a sound that was distinctly British.
- Def Leppard
- Whitesnake
- Wrathchild
- Blue Murder
- The Cult
- The Dogs D’Amour
- Fastway
- Girl
- Jagged Edge
- The Quireboys
- Silverhead
- Soho Roses
- Spinal Tap
- Thunder
- Tormé
Early, Mid and Late 80s Hair Bands
In the early 80s, hair metal was born. Bands like Motley Crue and Def Leppard were at the forefront of the movement, with their flashy clothes and hard-rocking music.
The mid-80s saw the genre reach its peak, with bands like Bon Jovi and Guns N’ Roses becoming mainstream successes.
In the late 80s, however, hair metal began to lose its popularity.
Grunge music emerged as a new force in the music industry, and hair metal bands were unable to compete. As a result, many of them disbanded or changed their sound.
Early 80s Hair Bands
- Twisted Sister
- Quiet Riot
- Accept ( aka Band X )
- D.A.D.
- Europe
- The Cult
- Great White
- Pretty Maids
- Night Ranger
- Treat
- Warlock
Mid 80s Hair Bands
- Skid Row
- L.A. Guns
- Electric Boys
- Hollywood Rose ( Later became Guns n Roses )
- Hollywood Rose
- Sleze
- Sea Hags
Late 80s Hair Bands
- Babylon A.D.
- Bad English
- Candy Harlots
- Nitro
- Smashed Gladys
Forgotten Hair Bands of the 80s
In the 80s, hair metal bands were all over the radio. Their catchy tunes and flashy style made them a hit with audiences. However, as the years have gone by, many of these bands have been forgotten.
There are a few reasons why this might be the case.
First of all, hair metal bands were often associated with cheesy lyrics and over-the-top stage performances. This can make it difficult for people to take them seriously today.
Additionally, many of these bands broke up in the early 90s, right when grunge was starting to become popular. As a result, their music has been largely overshadowed by more recent genres.
Finally, hair metal bands often featured members who were more interested in their own image than in making good music. This can lead to sloppy performances and an overall lack of quality control.
Though many have been forgotten in the years since they left a lasting impact on the music industry. Here are ten Forgotten Hair Metal Bands of the 80s.
- Vinnie Vincent Invasion
- Steelheart
- Vanadium
- Tokyo Blade
- Rough Cutt
- Loudness
- Kik Tracee
- Little Caesar
- Lord Tracy
- Shotgun Messiah
Big (Long) Hair Metal Bands of 80s
Big (long) hair, mullets, and tight pants were all the rage in the 1980s thanks to the big hair metal bands. These groups brought glam metal music to the mainstream and helped make it one of the most popular genres of the decade.
While many big hair metal bands are now considered cheesy and dated, they remain iconic for their over-the-top style and catchy tunes.
Motley Crue was one of the earliest big hair metal bands, hitting it big in the early 1980s with songs like “Shout at the Devil” and “Dr. Feelgood.”
The band’s hard-partying lifestyle was as infamous as its music, and Motley Crue continued to churn out hits throughout the decade.
- Lord Tracy
- Pretty Boy Floyd
- Kiss
- Stryper
- Britny Fox
- Bang Tango
- Badlands
- Junkyard
- Black ‘N Blue
- Poison
- David Lee Roth
- Poison
Canadian Hair Bands of 80s
Canada was home to a thriving hair metal scene in the 80s.
Bands like Helix, April Wine, and Coney Hatch were popular throughout the country, and they often toured the United States and Europe.
These bands were known for their heavy guitars and catchy hooks, and they helped define the sound of glam metal in the 80s.
- Alias (band)
- Harem Scarem
- Helix (band)
- Kick Axe
- Killer Dwarfs
- Pretty Boy Floyd
- Saints & Sinners
- Slash Puppet
- Slik Toxik
- Sven Gali
- Thor
More Hair Bands from the 80s
- Badlands
- Bang Tango
- Nuno Bettencourt
- Child’s Play
- Circus of Power
- Black ‘n Blue
- Alice Cooper
- Danger Danger
- FireHouse
- Halloween
- Heart
- Kingdom Come
- Lynch Mob
- Roxx Gang
- Saigon Kick
- T-Ride
- Thunder
- Vain
- James LaBrie
- Shout
FAQs
What is Hair Metal?
Glam metal (aka Hair Meta ) is a subgenre of heavy metal that emerged in the early 1980s.
Popularized by bands such as Mötley Crüe, Ratt, and Poison, glam metal is noted for its glamour and theatricality, which can include elaborate costumes and makeup.
Who Started Hair (Glam) Metal?
The origins of glam metal can be traced back to the late 1970s when bands such as Kiss and Aerosmith began incorporating elements of glam rock into their music.
In the early 1980s, bands such as Mötley Crüe and Ratt began taking things a step further, with louder and more aggressive sounds.
Bon Jovi was one of the most successful glam metal bands of the era, scoring several hit singles including “Livin’ on a Prayer” and “You Give Love a Bad Name.
When was Glam (Hair) metal most popular?
Glam metal was most popular in the 1980s.
Bands like Poison, Motley Crue, and Bon Jovi were at the height of their popularity. They were known for their flashy clothes and big hair.
Their songs were about partying and having a good time. By the early 1990s, grunge had taken over and glam metal was all but forgotten.
Who was the most popular hair band of the 80s?
There are many contenders for the title of most popular hair band of the 80s, but the crown undoubtedly belongs to Bon Jovi.
With their slick hair, tight clothes, and energetic performances, they quickly won over fans across the world.
Other popular glam metal bands of the era included Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard, and Poison.
These bands were known for their catchy songs and outrageous stage antics, which helped them sell millions of records.
What Killed Glam Metal?
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, glam metal was one of the most popular genres of music. Bands like Quiet Riot, Mötley Crüe, and Poison were selling millions of records and playing to sold-out crowds. But by the early 1990s, glam metal had fallen out of favor. What caused this genre to decline so rapidly?
There are many theories as to why glam metal lost its popularity. Some say that grunge music, which emerged in the early 1990s, was to blame.
The heavy guitars and angst-filled lyrics of grunge bands like Nirvana were a stark contrast to the slick, over-the-top sound of glam metal.
Others say that the excesses of glam metal – the drugs, the alcohol, the wild lifestyle – led to its downfall.
