100 Best Glam Metal Bands of the ‘80s and ‘90s

Glam Metal Bands of the ‘80s and ‘90s

Glam metal also popularly known as hair metal achieved a great deal of commercial success in the ‘80s and early ‘90s. Borrowing from glam rock of the ‘70s, hair metal created it’s unique identity with aesthetically crafted upbeat rock anthems and emotionally charged power ballads.

Glam metal bands from these decades known for infusing elements of hard rock and pop metal sounds with traditional heavy metal. The characteristic flashy clothing and makeup gave hair metal artists their signature identity. The diverse forms of melodic sounds in the realms of glam metal helped usher the commercial accessibility of traditional heavy metal to a wider audience.

The list below showcases the best hair metal bands of the ‘80s and ‘90s. If you are a true fan of bands from this mesmerizing era, you will have a lot to say. Feel free with your views, opinions, and suggestions in the comments section.

10 Best Glam Metal Bands of the ’80 and ‘90s

1. Bon Jovi

2. Def Leppard

3. Guns N’ Roses

4. Van Halen

5. Motley Crue

6. Poison

7. Quiet Riot

8. Skid Row

9. Whitesnake

10. Aerosmith

What Is Glam Metal?

Glam metal, also referred to as hair metal is a heavy metal subgenre known for it’s catchy guitar riffs embalmed with a pop metal sound. The glam rock movement of the ‘70s paved the way for hair metal bands of the ‘80s. Glam metal incorporated melodic hard rock with traditional heavy metal to create an uplifting metal aesthetic.

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The anthemic choruses backed by a strong guitar-driven sound made hair metal the defining music movement of the ‘80s. Bands associated with glam metal in the ‘80s and the early ‘90s were known for their emotive slow rock songs and soul-stirring power ballads. The most popular lyrical themes in this genre were love, lust, and breakups.

#11—20

11. Scorpions

12. Europe

13. Mr. Big

14. Kiss

15. Warrant

16. Extreme

17. Cinderella

18. Night Ranger

19. Twisted Sister

20. Ratt

Characteristics of Hair Metal

Hair metal is characterized by an aesthetic amalgamation of heavy metal with hard rock. The foundation of this form of music is encompassed in catchy pop metal hooks and melodic guitar riffs. A noteworthy feature of hair metal is diverse power ballads known for their intense buildup in the chorus. Acoustic-intros form an integral part of the hair ballad blueprint.

A great number of glam metal songs feature jaw-dropping guitar solos and extensive use of vocal harmonies. Some of the best high-pitched voices and wide-ranged vocals in rock music came into prominence through ‘80s glam metal. While American hair metal bands were known for their hard-hitting metal sound, their European counterparts mesmerized audiences with pop metal aesthetics.

#21—40

21. Winger

22. Heart

23. Firehouse

24. W.A.S.P

25. Faster Pussycat

26. Bad Company

27. Great White

28. Y&T

29. White Lion

30. Tesla

31. Nelson

32. Triumph

33. Stryper

34. Damn Yankees

35. Autograph

36. Bad English

37. Loudness

38. Dokken

39. Steelheart

40. L.A. Guns

Fashion Trends in Glam Metal

Glam metal in the ‘80s paved the way for new fashion trends. Musicians associated with this form of music sported long hair and flashy clothing. While ripped denim and leather formed an integral part of the rocker persona, glam metal embraced spandex, lace, and makeup in a big way. Although certain music journalists criticized hair metal bands in the ‘80s for changing traditional fashion associated with heavy metal culture, the truth is glam metal fashion trends revolutionized the macho rocker image aesthetically.

Several glam metal musicians sporting accessories such as bangle bracelets and rings had a profound influence on rock fans who in turn implemented the trend in rock subculture. Glam metal fashion also popularized the use of headbands and bandanas in the ‘80s and early ‘90s. Thanks to glam metal artists of the ‘80s, tight spandex trousers, leather jeans, ripped jeans, patched denim jackets, and studded leather jackets became hugely popular in mainstream fashion. While fashion trends in rock landscapes change dramatically, this era of lipstick and leather will remain etched in hearts forever.

#41—60

41. Slaughter

42. Krokus

43. Hanoi Rocks

44. Blue Murder

45. Kix

46. Fastway

47. Trixter

48. Lynch Mob

49. T.N.T

50. Thunder

51. Bonham

52. McAuley Schenker Group

53. Dangerous Toys

54. Alias

55. Saigon Kick

56. Danger Danger

57. Giant

58. Enuff Z’ Nuff

59. Kingdom Come

60. Britny Fox

Hair Metal Bands in the ‘80s

As hair metal broke onto the music scene in the ‘80s, it achieved significant mainstream success. With the launch of American cable channel MTV in 1981, glam metal got considerable exposure through dedicated music segments. Several glam metal bands had chart-topping success with their singles and albums. Thanks to hair metal artists, some of the most memorable rock love songs and power ballads came into being in the ‘80s.

By the mid-80s glam metal garnered widespread popularity globally. Certain bands achieved both critical and commercial acclaim with their debut albums. As record sales grew significantly, and glam metal reached it’s commercial peak, major record companies started signing recording contracts with emerging acts associated with the genre.

Furthermore, to cash in on the hair metal trend, several record companies released compilation albums of hair metal artists. Some of the most supremely talented vocalists and guitarists came to the forefront of rock music through glam metal scene of the ‘80s. Several hair metal guitarists were known for employing a wide range of guitar techniques that included two-handed hammar-ons, tapping, harmonics, and pull-offs in their guitar solos. Several guitarists that released instrumental rock albums in the ‘80s emerged through the ranks of glam metal.

#61—80

61. Helix

62. Vixen

63. The Quireboys

64. Bonfire

65. Harem Scarem

66. Whitecross

67. Hurricane

68. BulletBoys

69. Shotgun Messiah

70. Keel

71. Vandenberg

72. Bang Tango

73. Nitro

74. The Dogs D’Amour

75. Vinnie Vincent Invasion

76. Tigertailz

77. Lizzy Borden

78. Honeymoon Suite

79. Black ‘n Blue

80. Roxy Blue

Glam Metal Bands in the ‘90s

Although the popularity of glam metal declined with the arrival of grunge and alternative, and many rock music enthusiasts changed loyalties in favor of emerging trends, certain hair metal bands from the ‘80s dedicatedly continued to release albums in a grunge-conducive environment in the ‘90s. While several glam metal bands could not sustain the grunge onslaught and disbanded in the ‘90s, few hair metal acts managed to weather the storm and had resounding chart-topping success with their releases in the decade.