The 50+ Best 80s Rock Bands, Ranked

Jared Baly
Updated June 4, 2024 52 items
Ranked By
11.1K votes
969 voters

The 1980s were a golden era for rock music, with a slew of unforgettable bands rising to fame. From glam rock to heavy metal, the best '80s rock bands left a lasting mark on music history. Whether you were headbanging in your room or rocking out at a concert, these bands provided the soundtrack to an entire decade.

Think about legendary bands like Guns N' Roses with their rebellious swagger, or Bon Jovi and their arena anthems. Then there’s Queen, who continued to dominate the charts with their theatrical rock, and Metallica, pioneers of thrash metal with their intense riffs. Let’s not forget Def Leppard and their catchy, polished hits that defined much of the decade’s rock music.

Now it's your turn to make your voice heard. Scroll through our list and vote for your favorite rock band that defined the '80s. Let’s see which band truly rocked the hardest in your book.

Most divisive: Ramones
Over 900 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The 50+ Best 80s Rock Bands, Ranked