The Top 9 Best 80’s Hair Bands
From the 95.9 The Hawk panel of experts…
9. Warrant: Warrant’s melodic hooks and catchy choruses made them a prominent hair band of the 80s. Their power ballad “Heaven” became a massive hit, and other tracks like “Cherry Pie” showcased their energetic and party-oriented sound.
8. Whitesnake: Whitesnake’s blues-infused hard rock sound, led by David Coverdale’s soulful vocals, gained significant popularity in the 80s. Their power ballads like “Is This Love” and the iconic “Here I Go Again” propelled them to mainstream success.
7. Skid Row: Skid Row burst onto the scene with their self-titled debut album, led by the charismatic vocals of Sebastian Bach. Hits like “18 and Life” and “Youth Gone Wild” showcased their hard-hitting sound and Bach’s impressive vocal range.
6. Van Halen: Led by guitar virtuoso Eddie Van Halen, Van Halen blended hard rock with catchy pop hooks and unforgettable guitar solos. David Lee Roth’s flamboyant frontman persona and distinctive vocals contributed to their success, with hits like “Jump” and “Panama.”
5. Guns N’ Roses: Combining elements of hard rock, punk, and blues, Guns N’ Roses brought a raw and rebellious edge to the hair band era. With Axl Rose’s powerful vocals and Slash’s iconic guitar playing, they became one of the most influential rock bands of all time. Hits like “Sweet Child o’ Mine” and “Welcome to the Jungle” solidified their status.
4. Def Leppard: Def Leppard’s melodic hard rock sound, characterized by catchy hooks and layered harmonies, made them a staple of 80s rock. Their album “Hysteria” achieved massive success, featuring hits like “Pour Some Sugar on Me” and “Love Bites.”
3. Bon Jovi: Known for their catchy anthems and energetic performances, Bon Jovi became one of the biggest bands of the 80s. Their blend of hard rock and pop sensibilities, led by frontman Jon Bon Jovi’s charismatic vocals, produced hits like “Livin’ on a Prayer” and “Wanted Dead or Alive.”
2. Poison: Poison epitomized the glam metal sound and image of the 80s. With Bret Michaels’ energetic vocals and their catchy party anthems, such as “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” and “Talk Dirty to Me,” they became one of the most commercially successful hair bands.
1. Motley Crue: Motley Crue’s outrageous stage presence and rebellious image perfectly captured the excesses of the 80s. With their mix of glam metal and hard rock, along with Vince Neil’s distinctive vocals, they delivered hits such as “Dr. Feelgood” and “Girls, Girls, Girls.”