100 Greatest Glam Metal Bands and Hair Metal Bands of the 80s and 90s
When the talk is about glam metal, long haired rockers in colorful attire belting out melodic power ballads come to mind. This article showcases a list of the best glam metal bands and hair metal bands from the 80s and 90s.
When the talk is about glam metal, long haired rockers in colorful attire belting out melodic power ballads come to mind. This article showcases a list of the best glam metal bands and hair metal bands from the 80s and 90s.
The glam rock scene came into limelight in the 70s and spawned an explosion of glam acts in the 80s and early 90s. Memorable anthems of several glam metal bands evoke special memories of the past. Shrill voices accompanied with thunderous drums, bass, keyboards and guitar mesmerized crowds. The hair metal era peaked in the 80s and early 90s. Acoustic rock ballads and power ballads ruled supreme.
As grunge and alternative bands burst onto the scene, the focus shifted. The overwhelming response grunge got led to a decline in glam bands with only a few able to stand ground. It’s only recently that one has witnessed a revival with a few hair metal bands from the heydays reuniting to relive the mayhem and nostalgia of the past.
History of Glam
The term ‘glam’ that gained popularity in the 60s and 70s is relatively broad based and was used in context with individuals sporting different styles of clothing, hairstyles and make up as a part of a stage act, or performance. Emerging from different streams of psychedelic and art rock, glam came into its own. Varied styles and designs of clothing formed an integral part of glam acts. Here’s a list of the pioneering glam bands and artists that led to a surge in glam metal, hair bands and sleaze bands in the 80s and 90s.
Pioneers of Glam
- Marc Bolan
- T Rex
- Sweet
- Brian Eno
- Roxy Music
- Mud
- David Bowie
- New York Dolls
- Iron Virgin
- Iggy Pop
- Hello
- Alvin Stardust
- The Glitter Band
- Gary Glitter
- Wizzard
- Jobriath
- Slade
- Mott the Hoople
- Iggy Pop
- The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
- Kenny
Arrival of Glam Metal/Hair Metal
With the 80s came bands with a heavier sound. Hard Rock established its roots firmly. The long hair grew longer, the make-up got brighter, and the audiences larger. Glam metal had arrived. Flamboyant lifestyle and visually appealing attire formed the core of glam acts. Make up, leather trousers, spandex trousers, ripped denim jeans, jewelry and headbands ruled. There were innumerable bands dishing out their own brand of metal that appealed to the world. Each band had a unique sound and a loyal fan base. Balladry infused with heavy metal riffs and rock n roll gave glam metal bands their unique sound. Hair metal bands from the 80s gave new identity to power ballads and acoustic rock ballads. The AOR scene that catapulted in the 70s evolved greatly in the 80s and early 90s. The raw power of music unleashed with an amalgamation of harmonies in choruses earned the respect of rock critics globally. A striking feature of hair metal bands was the melodic aspect embedded in the roots of each band. Beautiful high pitched voices set to the back drop of an acoustic guitar gave the world some of the best hair ballads. Here’s a list of glam metal bands and hair metal bands from the 80s and 90s that have enthralled listeners and audiences with their trademark style.
100 Greatest Glam Metal Bands and Hair Metal Bands
- Quiet Riot
- Skid Row
- Cinderella
- Warrant
- Firehouse
- Trixter
- Nelson
- Steelheart
- Motley Crue
- Poison
- Dokken
- Loudness
- Aerosmith
- Ratt
- Kiss
- Guns N’ Roses
- Stryper
- EZO
- Scorpions
- Tesla
- Giant
- Lizzy Borden
- Damn Yankees
- W.A.S.P
- Hanoi Rocks
- Twisted Sister
- Lita Ford
- Faster Pussycat
- Enuff Z’ Nuff
- L.A. Guns
- Slaughter
- Blue Murder
- Britny Fox
- Def Leppard
- Salty Dog
- David Lee Roth
- Junkyard
- Mr. Big
- Great White
- Dangerous Toys
- Bonfire
- T.N.T
- Europe
- Jetboy
- Shotgun Messiah
- Winger
- Danger Danger
- White Lion
- Extreme
- Aldo Nova
- Whitesnake
- Bang Tango
- The Quireboys
- Vixen
- Tora Tora
- Steeler
- Jackyl
- Alice Cooper
- Keel
- Whitecross
- Pretty Boy Floyd
- Tesla
- Kix
- Y&T
- Bon Jovi
- Roxx Gang
- Saraya
- Nitro
- Wildside
- Thunder
- Babylon A.D.
- Dogs D’Amour
- Roxy Blue
- Helix
- Tyketto
- XYZ
- Diamond Rexx
- Wrathchild
- Vain
- Candy Harlots
- Lynch Mob
- Tuff
- The Darkness
- King Cobra
- House of Lords
- Vandenberg
- Wild Boyz
- Love/Hate
- Killer Dwarfs
- Southgang
- Angel
- Tigertailz
- Vinnie Vincent Invasion
- Badlands
- Sleeze Beez
- Autograph
- Pure Rubbish
- Saints and Sinners
- Kick Axe
- Dirty Penny
Other Unforgettable Glam Metal Bands/Hair Metal Bands of the 80s and 90s
- Private Line
- Black ‘n Blue
- Hawk
- Cold Sweat
- Shark Island
- Shameless
- Jackviper
- Kik Tracee
- Lordi
- Steel Panther
- Child’s Play
- Beggars & Thieves
- Smashed Gladys
- Hardcore Superstar
- Hardline
- Sweet Pain
- Rough Cutt
- The Throbs
- White Tiger
- Sweet F.A.
- Gorky Park
- Femme Fatale
- Lillian Axe
- Stage Dolls
- Bangalore Choir
- Arcade
- Big Bang Babies
- Hericane Alice
- Peppermint Creeps
- Sea Hags
- Blue Tears
- Icon
- Cry Wolf
- Griva
- The 69 Eyes
- Shy
- Alleycat Scratch
- Brighton Rock
- Masque
This list is not an attempt at ranking bands. It’s a celebration of the magical glam era that gave us some of the best anthems. If you’re an aficionado of hair metal you will have an opinion. Voice that opinion. Feel free to mention glam metal bands that deserve to be on the list and help it grow. This is the beginning. Keep Rocking.