10 Iconic Hair Bands From the 80s That Deserve More Play Today

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Your local Target sells band t-shirts aimed at a Gen-Z demographic, and they blare out names like Def Leppard and The Rolling Stones. Have the people wearing the t-shirts heard of the bands they’re displaying? Possibly not, and it’s probably time that they did. With their notable long locks and heavy metal music, these ten hair bands from the 80s need to be added to playlists everywhere. Rock on!

What’s a Hair Band?

LOS ANGELES - MAR 20: KISS; Motley Crue at the Kiss and Motely Crue Tour Press Conference at the Roosevelt Hotel on March 20, 2012 in Los Angeles, CA
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No, it’s not what you would buy at Target to hold back your hair. It’s a nickname for glam metal bands or pop metal bands from the 1980s who notoriously had big hair.

1. Guns N’ Roses

NOVI SAD, SERBIA - JULY 15: Guns N' Roses performs at EXIT 2012 Music Festival, on July 15, 2012 at the Petrovaradin Fortress in Novi Sad, Serbia.
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Remember Axel Rose and his signature blond locks topped with a bandana? Guns N’ Roses was all about that! But they were more than just a rockstar image. Hits like “Sweet Child o’ Mine” and “Welcome to the Jungle” blared out of radios and blended hard rock with glam metal, propelling them to become one of the most successful bands of the era.

2. Bon Jovi

PRAGUE - JUNE 24: Famous American singer Jon Bon Jovi (right) of Bon Jovi rock band during performance in Prague, Czech republic, June 24, 2013
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Led by the charismatic Jon Bon Jovi himself, this band rocked the 80s scene. Their anthemic songs like “Livin’ on a Prayer” and “You Give Love a Bad Name” are instantly recognizable for anyone who lived during the 80s. They achieved massive commercial success, making them one of the defining bands of the decade.

3. Def Leppard

BUCHAREST, ROMANIA - JULY 8 : Def Leppard performs at Romexpo July 8, 2008 in Bucharest.
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Straight out of England, Def Leppard brought a unique mix of hard rock, heavy metal, and melodic sensibility. Their album “Hysteria” gave birth to several chart-topping hits that deserve a lot more play time, like “Pour Some Sugar on Me” and “Love Bites,” solidifying their place as rock icons.

4. Mötley Crüe

LOS ANGELES - MAR 20: KISS; Motley Crue at the Kiss and Motely Crue Tour Press Conference at the Roosevelt Hotel on March 20, 2012 in Los Angeles, CA
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When it came to rebelliousness and wild lifestyles, no one did it quite like Motley Crue. Their hard rock hits such as “Kickstart My Heart” and “Girls, Girls, Girls” captivated audiences throughout the 80s, leaving a lasting impact on the era.

5. Poison

Clarkston, MI / USA - June 8, 2018 - Poison performs on their Nothing But A Good Time tour at DTE Energy Music Theatre.
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These guys embraced the glam rock style with flair and catchy hooks. Poison’s hits like “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” and “Talk Dirty to Me” made them a prominent hair band. Their energetic performances and striking image earned them a dedicated following.

6. Van Halen

WANTAGH, NY-AUG 14: Eddie Van Halen (R) and son Wolfgang Van Halen of Van Halen perform onstage at Jones Beach Theater on August 14, 2015 in Wantagh, New York.
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Although they got their start in the late 70s, Van Halen truly soared to new heights in the 80s. Led by the incomparable Eddie Van Halen on guitar, the band produced iconic rock songs like “Jump,” “Panama,” and “Hot for Teacher” that continue to resonate with rock enthusiasts.

7. Whitesnake

BUCHAREST, ROMANIA - JULY 8 : Whitesnake performs at Romexpo July 8, 2008 in Bucharest.
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With frontman David Coverdale leading the way, Whitesnake brought a blues-infused hard rock sound to the 80s music scene. Their self-titled album, famously known as the “1987 album,” produced hits like “Here I Go Again” and “Is This Love.” And if you don’t know these just by the name, they’re worth a lookup. 

8. Warrant

Excited Man Yes
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If you weren’t singing “She’s my cherry pie, put a smile on your face ten miles wide,” you probably lived under a rock in 1990. Hailing from the glamorous Hollywood scene, Warrant quickly gained popularity with their debut album “Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich.” The album featured the hit single “Heaven” and the party anthem “Cherry Pie,” embodying the epitome of the glam metal sound.

9. Twisted Sister

PIESTANY, SLOVAKIA - JUNE 27: American heavy metal band Twisted Sister performs on music festival Topfest in Piestany, Slovakia on June 27, 2015
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Known for their rebellious image and catchy anthems, Twisted Sister became a household name. Songs like “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and “I Wanna Rock” were a favorite of every teenager in the 80s. It was all about not listening to unreasonable authority.

10. Skid Row

Woman Excited
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Fronted by the talented Sebastian Bach, Skid Row made a name for themselves with their self-titled debut album. Hard-hitting tracks like “18 and Life” and “Youth Gone Wild” showcased their raw energy and powerful vocals, impacting the hair metal genre.

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