Top 10 Greatest Hair Metal Bands

1. Guns N' Roses

   

   Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band from Los Angeles formed in 1985. The classic lineup, signed to Geffen Records in 1986, consisted of vocalist Axl Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKagan, and drummer Steven Adler. In addition to hard rock, they are also... read more

   How can people say Van Halen is heavy metal but this isn't? I think it's because people don't like them, because musically it's undeniable they're glam metal. I partially understand the hate because Axl Rose as a person is the worst, but come on, their songs are incredible. Great band to listen to.

   Problems with hair metal lists, as always. You have to make up your mind if you want bands like Guns N' Roses, Van Halen, or Aerosmith on this list because they are all borderline. But if they are on the list, Guns and Van Halen are 1 and 2. Aerosmith influenced the bands who influenced hair metal. They came before.

2. Mötley Crüe

   

   Mötley Crüe is an American metal band formed in Los Angeles, California on January 17, 1981. The group was founded by bassist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, along with lead vocalist Vince Neil and lead guitarist Mick Mars. They are known for their hedonistic lifestyle and iconic albums such as Dr... read more

   They are one of the best glam metal bands of all time and the first hair metal bands ever and the most notorious rock band in the world. They have the best albums of the 80s, for example, Dr. Feelgood, Shout at the Devil, Girls, Girls, Girls, Too Fast for Love, and Theatre of Pain are some of the most successful albums of the 1980s, and nobody can beat Mötley Crüe in this list, so deal with it!

   Easily the best hair metal band. Guns N' Roses and Van Halen don't count. They're hard rock/heavy metal, not hair metal.

   This is more than simple glam metal. This is some kind of passage between glam and heavy metal.

3. Def Leppard

   

   Def Leppard are an English hard rock band formed in 1977 in Sheffield as part of the new wave of British heavy metal movement.

   The band rose to international fame with albums like Pyromania (1983) and Hysteria (1987), the latter of which sold over 20 million copies worldwide. They were inducted... read more

   I love Bon Jovi, Guns N' Roses, and Van Halen, but they are NOT Hair Metal. They didn't even have a hair-metal phase (apart from Bon Jovi), and you could say Def Leppard is no different, but Hysteria definitely qualifies. Def Leppard has consistently good quality and never let me down with a song.

   Oh yes, they have the best guitar duos ever. Phil Collen, Steve Clark, and Pete Willis made Def Leppard a strong band thanks to the guitar solos in each song. They became the best British hair metal band of all time and as new wave of British heavy metal of the decade.

   Pyromania and Hysteria are the best albums of Def Leppard, and they became diamond, selling more than 10 million copies in the United States.

4. Bon Jovi

   

   Bon Jovi is a hard rock and pop rock band formed in 1983. The original lineup consisted of lead vocalist Jon Bon Jovi, guitarist Richie Sambora (who left in 2013), bassist Alec John Such (who left in 1994), keyboardist David Bryan, and drummer Tico Torres.... read more

   Besides having nice long hair, it's also about what's inside the band members. The band members in Motley Crue and Poison all act like psychopaths, but Bon Jovi is actually one of the only popular glam metal bands that act normally.

   Statistically, Bon Jovi is actually the most popular Hair Metal band there was. They have made some really popular anthems like "Livin' On A Prayer" and "You Give Love A Bad Name."

   What glam metal band is still producing and selling records to this day like Bon Jovi? Get them up the list pronto.

5. Kiss

   

   Kiss, often stylized as KISS, was an American rock band formed in New York City in 1973. The original members were Paul Stanley (vocals, rhythm guitar), Gene Simmons (vocals, bass guitar), Ace Frehley (lead guitar, vocals), and Peter Criss (drums, vocals). Known for their face paint and elaborate stage... read more

   For all you people with the "KISS can't write songs" argument, explain how KISS made the Hall of Fame? There are a bunch of bands, supposedly better, who haven't even sniffed that honor yet!

6. Skid Row

   

   Skid Row is an American heavy metal band formed in 1986 in Toms River, New Jersey. They achieved major success in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and their first two albums were both certified multi‑platinum. They became best known for hits such as 18 and Life and I Remember You.

   Totally my favorite. Even after Bach left the band, they were still good. With Bach, I have to say my favorites are Sweet Little Sister, 18 and Life, and Monkey Business. Without Bach, Ghost is probably my favorite, but old school Skid Row was the best.

   This list is a little jacked up. Half of them aren't true glam bands. They just happened to be around during glam's heyday. Having said that, Skid Row is better than everyone on here except for Guns N' Roses and maybe Motley Crue.

7. Whitesnake

   

   Whitesnake is an English rock band formed in London in 1978 by singer David Coverdale after his departure from Deep Purple. Originally assembled as Coverdale's backing group, the band quickly developed its own identity, though Coverdale remained the sole consistent member throughout its history.... read more

   Whitesnake and Iron Maiden are way better than Guns N' Roses.

   They ruled the late '80s. Whitesnake was printing money.

   Whitesnake '87 album is the best glam metal album!

8. Van Halen

   

   Van Halen was an American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. From 1974 until 1985, the band's lineup consisted of guitarist Eddie Van Halen, vocalist David Lee Roth, drummer Alex Van Halen, and bassist Michael Anthony.... read more

   Eddie's guitar solos, David's bravado, Alex's skill, Michael's cool factor minus Sammy's awfulness equals the best hair metal band ever.

9. Poison

   

   Poison is an American glam metal and hard rock band. The group achieved major commercial success from the mid-1980s through the mid-1990s with hit singles such as Every Rose Has Its Thorn and Nothin' but a Good Time. They remain active and continue to tour with the original lineup.

   While not my favorite, they are without question the most "Glam Metal" of any of these bands.

10. Twisted Sister

    

    Twisted Sister was an American heavy metal band originally from Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey, later based in Long Island, New York. The band was active from the early 1970s until 2016 and is best known for hits like We're Not Gonna Take It and I Wanna Rock. Twisted Sister achieved significant commercial success... read more

    Let's set the record straight: Guns N' Roses were good, but now it's just Axl and his band. And Bon Jovi? Overrated and terrible! He destroyed Skid Row. Twisted Sister kicks more ass than Bon Jovi ever could!

    All with the knack get to run with the pack.

    Great band, and better than Bon Jovi.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Gotthard

12. ?

    Spinal Tap

    

    Spinal Tap is a parody band that satirizes the style and behavior of heavy metal groups. The band first appeared in a 1979 ABC TV sketch comedy pilot called The T.V. Show, starring Rob Reiner. They became widely known after the 1984 mockumentary film This Is Spinal Tap.

The Contenders

13. Quiet Riot

    

    Quiet Riot is an American heavy metal band that was founded in 1973 by guitarist Randy Rhoads and bassist Kelly Garni. The group initially went by the name Mach 1, then changed it to Little Women, and finally settled on Quiet Riot in May 1975.... read more

14. Cinderella

    

    Cinderella was an American glam metal and hard rock band that came from the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The band rose to fame in the mid-1980s with a series of multi-platinum albums. Their music videos received heavy rotation on MTV, contributing significantly to their popularity.

    It's hard to really look at who the top hair bands are, but Cinderella can thank Bon Jovi. Cinderella kind of helped Poison. Jeff LaBar wore a torn-up tour shirt that had Poison's Look What The Cat Dragged In. You find that particular in Cinderella's feature, a cameo of Sambora and Bon Jovi. The song Somebody Save Me is a highlight.

    I'd put them in the top 5. Great musicians, one of the best lead singers, amazing vocals, catchy lyrics, and the best bluesy sound in the genre. Much more than some hair and makeup, completely underrated.

15. Dokken

    

    Dokken is an American metal band that was originally formed in Los Angeles in 1978 under the name Airbourne. The group gained commercial success in the 1980s with hit songs like Alone Again, In My Dreams, and Burning Like a Flame. They broke up in 1989 but reunited in 1993 and have continued to release... read more

    The unique voices of Don Dokken, combined with the nifty guitar work of George Lynch, bring out a classic glam/hair metal lineup that works well, considering they were around during the roaring era of hair metal. Oh, and DragonForce, albeit a fantastic band, I mean the guitarists - come on - they are not a hair metal band. Guns N' Roses, on the other hand, is one of the bands that truly shaped the concept of hair metal, which went on to influence many other bands, including Dokken. So, many consider them to be awesome.

    Dokken was still my favorite glam metal band! The vocals of Don Dokken and the guitar playing of George Lynch really fit together.

    "Under Lock and Key" is still, after 33 years, my number one album! This band should be in the top 5 of the best glam metal bands.

16. Aerosmith

    

    Aerosmith is an American rock band formed in Boston in 1970. The group consists of Steven Tyler (vocals), Joe Perry (guitar), Tom Hamilton (bass), Joey Kramer (drums), and Brad Whitford (guitar).

    Their style, rooted in blues-based hard rock, also incorporates elements of pop rock, heavy metal... read more

    What the hell, come on guys, Aerosmith is the best rock band ever and you have them at No. 16? No way, bro. They must be number one, at least in my opinion. Joe Perry and Steven are one of my favorite members of the band. They look awesome. It's not fair to have this legendary hard rock band so low on this list. Put it at number one.

    Their '70s and '90s-present music is awesome too! And why below Bon Jovi? Aerosmith is way better!

17. Ratt

    

    Ratt is an American heavy metal band that found major commercial success in the 1980s. Several of their albums achieved gold, platinum, and multi-platinum certification by the RIAA. The band is best known for hits like Round and Round and for being a prominent part of the glam metal scene.

    They should be top 3. I think their stuff holds up much better over time than Motley Crue. I can't even listen to Motley Crue anymore. So aged. Their music doesn't stand the test of time. But RATT? Still so wicked, and the intros to Way Cool Jr. and Lay It Down are just badass.

    Was pretty big, but should have been bigger. Good songs and underrated vocals.

18. Tesla

    

    Tesla is an American rock band formed in Sacramento, California, in late 1981 by bassist Brian Wheat and guitarist Frank Hannon under the name Earthshaker. The band changed its name to City Kidd before ultimately becoming Tesla. By 1984, the lineup was completed with the addition of lead vocalist Jeff... read more

19. X Japan

    

    All I got to say is Hide had pink hair, and it was AMAZING! Enough said! Toshi's hair just stuck right up, haha! And Pata dyed it so much from red, pink, brown, yet he looked the most normal out of all of them, and Taiji, he had his hair like this one guy from Poison! Yoshiki had it spiked on one side, and the rest just hung down but still epic as hell. Love it, all of them are boss enough to do it!

    Hide had the craziest hair over the years, but they all looked good.

    Great band. Hide and the friends!

20. Scorpions

    

    Scorpions are a German rock band formed in 1965 in Hanover by guitarist Rudolf Schenker. Early members included vocalist Klaus Meine and guitarist Michael Schenker, later replaced by Matthias Jabs. The band first gained international attention in the late 1970s, and has since explored styles ranging... read more

    Maybe they were not glam metal at the beginning, but they definitely had a lot to do with the genre in the '80s. Most of their songs from that time were glam metal, and they should be higher. A sadly underrated band.

    I'm telling you, the singer still sounds as good today as he did 40 years ago. Worth it.

21. Ugly Kid Joe

    I'm not sure that I agree these guys were a "hair band," but I like some of their music and will give them my vote. Pretty sure Guns N' Roses isn't hair either.

22. Warrant

    

    Warrant is an American glam metal band formed in 1984 in Hollywood, California. The band achieved major success from 1989 to 1996, with five albums collectively selling over 10 million copies internationally. Their best-known hits include Cherry Pie and Heaven.

    They don't take themselves super seriously, which automatically makes them better. They seem like they're actually having fun.

23. FireHouse

24. Winger

    

    Winger is an American rock band that has combined elements of glam metal and progressive metal. Formed in New York City, Winger gained popularity during the late 1980s and early 1990s. The band's self-titled debut album was released in 1988 and went platinum in the United States.

    Winger is sadly one of the most hated bands for some reason. They accidentally became the Nickelback of the early '90s, but Winger, Poison, and Pantera are the greatest glam metal bands.

    Winger should be in the top 3 along with Ratt and Cinderella, in my opinion. No other band had the groove they did.

25. Pantera

    

    Pantera was an American heavy metal band formed in 1981 by guitarist Dimebag Darrell and drummer Vinnie Paul.

    The band started out as a glam metal act in the 1980s with little success. After replacing their original lead vocalist and enlisting Phil Anselmo, they signed a major record deal with... read more

    Should be in the top 3. Their glam metal songs are some of the best.

    Yeah, so glammy and hair-metally. Phil Anselmo has the best hair in glam metal.

26. White Lion

    

    White Lion was a Danish American rock band formed in New York City in 1983 by Danish vocalist and rhythm guitarist Mike Tramp and American lead guitarist Vito Bratta. The band was primarily active during the 1980s and early 1990s. They released their debut album Fight to Survive in 1985 and became known... read more

    White Lion is a better hard rock band than others that I see in higher positions.

27. Loudness