If you have fond memories of the 80s, you might want to check out the hair bands of that era. These bands ranged from Skid Row to Motley Crue and from Ratt to Poison. They were a lot of fun to listen to and their music will always have a special place in your heart.
Motley Crue
Fans of 80s hair bands can no longer ignore the band Motley Crue. The band formed in London on January 17, 1981. After Nikki Sixx left the group, Tommy Lee and Greg Leon formed Suite 19. They sought out new members. Mick Mars answered an ad in the Recycler and auditioned for the band.
The members of hair metal bands were notorious for their debauchery, and Motley Crue were no exception. Lead singer Nikki Sixx was once declared dead after an overdose from heroin. He was revived after a hospital stay, but he relapsed and shot up again when he got home. Fortunately, the rest of the band is still alive.
Skid Row
The hair metal group Skid Row made their debut in the late 1980s and quickly rose to prominence. Their youthful energy and knack for writing catchy songs made them a popular force in the genre. Although they have had a number of lineup changes over the years, the group still maintains a loyal fan base and continues to tour and record.
After splitting up in the mid-80s, Skid Row reformed a few years later with singer and guitarist Johnny Solinger replacing Gary Bach. The band’s reunion resulted in two albums and two EPs. These releases received mixed reviews. The band’s first full-length album was released in 2003 and a second was released in 2014. In 2018, ZP Theart became the band’s official lead singer.
The hair metal band was very popular in the 1980s, but soon fell out of favor as the genre shifted. As grunge began to take over the airwaves, Hair metal bands found their popularity decreasing. After their debut album, “Subhuman Race,” Skid Row tried to move beyond their melodic roots to make music with a harder sound. Although this album didn’t make the chart, it was well received by critics. The band later toured with Van Halen on their “Balance” tour.
One of the most popular hair bands from the 1980s is Guns N’ Roses. The band was formed in 1977 and released their first album in 1987, which put them on the music map. Since then, Guns N’ Roses have continued to release albums, and still perform live. Another top-selling hair band from the 1980s is Def Leppard. The group formed in 1977 and released albums throughout the 80s. Their single “Hysteria” reached number one in the UK in August 1987.
Poison
The music scene in the 1980s was filled with the glam metal sounds of glam rock bands like Poison. These bands, like Poison, were a popular part of the Hollywood nightlife. Their songs, like “Poison” or “Teardrops,” were incorporated into Poison’s sound. It is believed that Poison’s guitarist, C.C. DeVille, auditioned for the Kid Rocker band before joining Poison. DeVille was allegedly shown completed songs and was even loaned master studio tapes.
Poison’s debut album blew the music industry by storm. The band’s style was highly glamorized, and they quickly became the next big rock sensations. Poison’s song “Nothin’ But a Good Time” became a hit single, and they were a major attraction on MTV. They have also released numerous albums since their 1980s debut. They are still active on the live circuit.
The legendary Hair metal band Poison is one of the best-known from the 80s. They had a huge commercial success, and many of their songs even have music videos. Regardless of their raunchy image, Poison fans can’t go wrong by buying any merchandise from the band. These items are available in many styles, from greeting cards to posters to t-shirts.
Poison was formed in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Its members included lead vocalist Bret Michaels, guitarist Matt Smith, bassist Bobby Dall, and drummer Rikki Rockett.
Slaughter
Slaughter is a hair metal band from Las Vegas, Nevada. The group formed in late 1988. The members were originally from a band called Vinnie Vincent Invasion. After leaving that band, Slaughter formed their own group. The members were Mark Slaughter, Dana Strum, Tim Kelly, and Blas Elias. The group developed a sound that combined catchy pop melodies with driving metal.
In 1995, Slaughter signed with CMC International, a record label that distributed heavy metal and hard rock acts. The band’s first album, Fear No Evil, didn’t chart well in North America and Europe but did well in Japan. The band also toured extensively with Motley Crue and Quiet Riot.
After being banned from several music festivals, the band decided to reunite and release a new album. The album was a hit with the public, and it quickly became a top-selling album. The band’s first single, “Searchin’,” was released the following year. Slaughter’s last studio album, “Back to Reality”, was released in 1999. The album sold well and brought the band new fans.
Slaughter was also known for their Hairstyles. Their members wore Hairstyle reminiscent of male rockers. Many of the members had the same hair color as male band members, although there were few women wearing makeup. The band formed in Minnesota in 1981, but the members came from colder regions. In fact, Jan Kuehnemund, the lead singer, had started the band in Minnesota. Roxy Petrucci, the drummer, had previously played with Detroit’s Madam X.
Twisted Sister
The hair and makeup of Twisted Sister have become iconic in the 80s Hair metal scene, and the band’s sound combines elements of early Judas Priest and KISS. The band’s signature makeup evokes images of monsters from horror films, while their lyrics explore feelings of anger and rebellion.
Twisted Sister reached international fame with their song Stay Hungry, which hit stores on May 10, 1984. The song was supported by the young Metallica, and by the summer of 1985, the single had sold over two million copies. It went on to sell over three million copies over the next few years and remains the band’s most successful single. Its success is attributed to its psychedelic lyrics and catchy riffs.
In the late Eighties, Twisted Sister topped the MTV hit parade. In 2001, the band reunited and became a fixture in the retro-metal tour circuit. Although their reunion announcement came a little late, it was not unexpected considering the passing of Pero. The group’s fan base, known as “SMFs,” continues to cheer them on.
Hair bands from the 1980s had their share of controversy. The Parents Music Resource Center in Washington, DC was formed to combat the popularity of obscene music. This group criticized bands like Prince and King Diamond for using vulgar language and playing sexy songs. Twisted Sister’s popularity was further damaged by the controversy surrounding them.
