Greatest Rock Bands of the '80s

Queen, Just Amazing. They wrote classic and virtuoso hits from early 1970s - the 1980s and early 1990s which included different styles of music though always in the essence of Rock. However they wrote so many classic hits, their early albums are some of the greatest of all time including Queen, Sheer Heart Attack, A Night at the Opera but Queen II to me is the most musically brilliant albums of the past 40 years.

Major 70's bands, such as Queen, Journey, Duran Duran, definitely Leppard, AC/DC, Van Halen, Aerosmith, U2, Black Sabbath, Twisted Sister, KISS, Dokken, Quiet Riot, Foreigner, Pink Floyd, Stones, Led Zeppelin, the Police and plenty more are holding up spots for the REAL 80's bands

Queen was an influential and very talented band that knew how to appeal to popular tastes of many listeners. The theatrics of Freddie Mercury and the melding of the instruments from the band members always left listeners yearning to hear more of what these guys were doing musically.

Hello

Lyrics, vocals, stage presence, guitars, ballads, drums, great covers (often better than the originals), down and dirty rock'n'roll, Izzy Stradlin. They had it all.

I agree 1 million percent Guns N Roses are the best and Axl is an excellent singer I do not like it when people call him a bad singer because he is not and the best guitarist in the world Slash ROCK ON! - michaelwalton

How can this be 2nd. Axl Rose is one of the greatest singers ever and I am completely spellbound by SLASH the god of guitar.

Badass

R you kidding? Move it up! These people are the root of hard rock! No other music has the kind of power that acdc has, from their crazy riffs, to screaming solos. Long live bon scott!

This is simply the best band ever! Check sales. Three or more generations of rock fans. They still sell out every venue around the world. I miss Bon!

Talk about Showmanship Talent and Determination, These guys Are one of the main ingredients that make Rock and Roll taste so good!

3rd place? Are you kidding me? This needs to be number one as they are the greatest rock band of all time and are the only group that is relative today

The year 2000 brought two things: The album "Crush" and me. Crush brought with it songs like Two Story Town, I've Got the Girl, and one of Bon Jovi's greatest hits: It's My Life. So, yes, I wasn't around for Slippery When Wet, New Jersey, Keep the Faith, These Days (or Crossroads), in fact, the first album that I got really into was This House Is Not For Sale, but once I went to the concert in Dallas, I haven't stopped listening since, and I actually ordered Keep the Faith about three days ago. (I love that song, Bed of Roses). My point is, the man, and the band alike are timeless legends, whereas, AC/DC is only known for Highway to Hell.

No doubt this band is the best of the 80s. Livin On A Prayer is like the biggest hit of the 80s! By the way Livin On a Prayer topped more charts than Sweet Child O Mine. Guns n Roses only has one number one! Bon Jovi has four! How is Bon Jovi not number one! I went to vacation in a different country and even heard You Give Love a Bad Name, Bad Medicine, Always (90s), and Blaze Of Glory(90s). Shot through the heart! And you're to blame, You give love a Bad Name!

Most amazing classic 80's rock band EVER! Bon Jovi truly embraced the spirit of classic rock and the elements incorporated are priceless. Listening to him now. Literally. Love his song Livin' On A Prayer, Wanted Dead Or Alive, Blaze Of Glory and You Give Love A Bad Name. Bon Jovi forever!

There are a few songs that I frown upon, like “Hey God”, “Damned” (I’m starting to like that one. I will admit that.), “If I Was Your Mother” and “That’s What The Water Made Me”, but overall, this group is as timeless as (insert timeless thing here), and they know how to adapt their music style (like in This Left Feels Right) so they can guarantee success with the new generation, without losing fans who have been fans since Runaway. (Another good example is the album “Lost Highway”. Everything is pop, and the albums before and after Lost Highway were both more rock.) That’s playing with the strings (quite literally for the guitarists) and seeing what appeals to the new generation. Also, everyone in this band is alive, unlike a few others.

It's amazing how little credit this band get's sometimes. This is the band that changed the way a guitar is played. It virtually created the category hairbands, but there not considered a hairband because they are a 70's band. It basically saved heavy metal. This is the band that made it okay for radio stations to play heavy metal hard rock. The critics couldn't say that hard rock was Un talented musicians that just made a lot of noise, due to the virtuoso musicians the band had in it.

The 50s had Chuck Berry, the 60s had Jimi Hendrix, the 70s had Jimmy Page, and the 80s had Eddie Van Halen. Eddie re-defined the way guitar is played and he will forever be a guitar god. David Lee Roth is one of the most iconic frontmen of all time and he had such swagger in his voice. Alex and Michael made an awesome rhythm section.

Ok come on... Guns n roses?!?! Most overrated band of all time. Van Halen was the cream of the crop! Those riffs Eddie made were amazing. Everything about this band deserves it to be number one! Who the hell is Joy Division or X Japan?! Nothing!

Top rock band of the 80s (David Lee Roth version)

Definitely Leppard is the best band ever! They have have been making great music since 1977 and have continued throughout every decade. They are one of only a few bands to have TWO major selling albums, Pyromania and Hysteria. They make great music that will live on forever. They continue to tour the world to sold out arenas. Their new album is selling like hot cakes, definitely Leppard style!

By far the best 80s rock band. I've listened to it since I was 7 and I was born in 2000. Their Hysteria album could be the greatest album of all time with 6 hits on it. My favorite band ever and it needs to be at least top 3. the newer generation doesn't know what music is.

This is more like it. This is a nice list that you put them in the top 10. Like in a list on you tube someone put pour some sugar on me 1st. On the best rock band of all time list there 76th

Best rock band ever period! I have seen these guys play a dozen times and they still rock the house. Actually got to meet them before a concert, grade A band members. Rock n Roll hall of famers in my opinion.

They should have been #1. They are the best 80's band ever. Sad to see them go. But enjoyed it while they are still together. Thank God for you tube so we can hear these songs forever.

I agree they should have been number one! Guns N' Roses didn't gain popularly until the late 80s, come on people! Motley and also Van Halen were king of the 80s! Period

I grew up listening to Motley Crew and they are honestly my favorite. I personally think they should be #1.

Best ever

You must be kidding me. #14? Journey should in the top 5 at least!

They've been around longer than Queen. Reconsider your choice. - dwf4258

Steve Perry has one of the two best voices in rock. The other being Lou Gramm. Top two bands of Rock were Journey and Foreigner!

Journeys' song titled don't stop believing is and will always be a classic.

Great band

Every Album they make goes #1. Proved in the 80's that they can play fast AND technically difficult songs at the same time. Proved in the 90's that they don't even have to try hard to put out quality music. Proved in the 00's that they can withstand they drama and B.S. that destroys other bands. And finally with "Hardwired... to self Destruct" they proved that they can still be in there 50's and shred your face off.

Went multi platinum when barely played, if at all, on the radio! Didn't just fill football stadiums, they played on airports runways and tarmacs to crowds of 100's of thousands of fans!

It is hard to dislike someone who you attended school for over 7

Anal warts are tasty

Why is he on here if he's not a band?

Greatest rocker ever! For almost 50 years now. By far should be #1.

Best singer/song writer of the time. We love OZZY!

Should be number 1! No way queen is better than ozzy.

The scorpions released a string of fantastic albums from the 1970's but from 1979 to 1984 they released 4 masterpiece albums, Lovedrive, Animal Magnetism, Blackout and the commercial masterpiece Love at first sting. Over their career they released masterpieces such as; In Trance We'll burn the sky; Another Piece of Meat; Rock you like a Hurricane; The Zoo; Blackout; Dynamite; Wind of Change; Send me an Angel; Catch Your Train; Dynamite; Always Somewhere; and the beautiful ballad Still Loving You

They ran with the best and beat many of them. Beautiful guitars and drums and beautiful vocals. Just beautiful

Rock You Like a Hurricane, Still Lovin' You, The Zoo Lovedrive, Loving You Sunday Morning, Send Me an Angel. I think I made my point.

My faverate band growing up and will always be #1 in my heart

Not the best band of the 80's and maybe slightly too high, however they are an amazing band and I'm glad they have a place in the top 10, Bruce is an amazing singer who can even compare to Freddie Mercury, Adrian, Dave and even Janis are have amazing riffs and solos that are both heavy and melodlodic, Nicko the drummer plays it all with a single bass drum, as a drummer I know that this is very hard and finally Steve has three talents, first his "galloping" style of bass playing gives such energy and heavy melody and rhythm, also his song writing skills can be marched by only a few song writers and he's also a pretty good footballer ;) in summery a great band that has a song for every occasion, my favorite, thank you

Deserves Top 10, should be number 1. Their music tells many stories. They spark imagination and inspire the listener to learn of history and what has happened in this world. Greatest band of the 80 hands down!

So, who put this list together? My list of the best of is COMPLETELY different... The 80's was more "metal" than this one indicates.

Iron maiden leaves every other 80's band in the dust

Without Lou Gramm vocals, Foreigner would have been just another rock band screaming over loud guitar riffs.

A great band even today. I Want To Know What Love Is. His voice, the words, and the music make this one of my all time favorites.

Lou Gramm: No one could sing better. Beautiful voice.

One of the most underrated rock bands of our time. DEFINITELY belong in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame

Surprised there not top 5!

I can't believe they aren't number one considering Rolling Stone magazine called the band of the 80's.

This band has got to be the number 1! The Joshua Tree is a classic album.

They are absolutely the best band I have ever seen. This hurts they aren’t #1

Best solo guitar of the 80's virtuoso!

One of the few on this list who don't sing about sex, drugs and partying. - BrianScott01

In my opinion, they should be number 1.

Best rock band in history.

Great band and Mike Reno can still sing. He sounds great.

One of the best live bands I saw in the 80s.

Still love Loverboy, they put on a great show in St Augustine Florida. Hope they come back soon.

EVERYBODYS WORKIN FOR THE WEEKEND🎶 This band was a one hit wonder to be honest

These guys are awesome!

Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me.

Love their songs

the best

As good as Queen, if not better.

X Japan had some of the best music I never heard.

I love x Japan!

Top 3 band of all time, period. Page is 1 of the greatest guitar players to live, Plant had extreme range and swagger and Bonham is up there with the drum gods!

These guys aren't 80s

You should know more about them. Their last album was released in 80s. - zxm

Best rock band ever!

#1 most played rock song ever- stairway to heaven. These guys deserve to be high on the list.

The only band in history that had an "Army". People paid money to join the Kiss Army. They had their own cartoon on national television! Should be number one!

Kiss was a solid group in the 80's. They should be rank ahead of at least 3 bands above them on this list.

Kiss was not that bad in the 80s to be no 28.

Should rank up

The lead vocals looks like a girl and all they're known for is the Final Countdown really. I mean sure, they have more than one hit bit one people think of the band Europe, they think of the Final Countdown

Europe had some of the best rock music of the 80's! They had so many good and catchy songs, from Superstitious to Cherokee to The Final Countdown, and so much in between! They are right behind Bon Jovi for me, and I mean RIGHT BEHIND!

They have 3 songs that anyone can tolerate what is the final countdown anyway they should not be on this list never mind being listed at 19.

Still going strong. A really talented group. Ironically their most famous hit is not one of my favourites but these guys should not be underestimated!

Pink Floyd rules the universe. That is all.

Simply the best lead solos of all time

Simply the greatest band ever

För de som inte fattar I vilken dimension Pink Floyd rör sig I kan jag bara beklaga över att de kommer aldrig att förstå vilka dörrar musiken kan öppna I deras själ... de som har varit där med Pink Floyd vet vad jag pratar om!
Pink Floyd är bästa band någonsin!

Along with The Cars, The Police are arguably the best 1980's band.

Such a unique sound. So much talent.

The police is a great band with great classic melodies, intelligent lyrics filled with feeling and a unique sound. Brillliant singer/songwriter (sting), one of the best drummers of all time (stewart copeland), and great guitar riffs by andy summers.The best 80's band, really Should be much higher on the list

love them

They have been my favorite band since 1981!

MTV helped blow this band up in the early 80's

NO ONE BAND COULD TOUCH THESE GUYS IN THE 80S!.. THEY RULED!. Only other band I could think of was just as big was [ VAN HALEN[!. AT THAT TIME ANYWAY. DURAN SOLD OVER 110 MILLION ALBUMS WORLD WIDE!. Speaking for myself, THE REFLEX Is still my favorite on stage video of all time!. LOVE THE SONG!. THESE GUYS ARE AT 48?. SHOULD BE TOP 5 FOR SURE!. Plus they are still making new music every few years!. [ DURAN DURAN REMAINS! ]

These girls are a great group

Highly under rated band. For the 80's. Dokken should be a top ten

They should be in the top ten with all of their hits!

Whitesnake is the band that got me into the awesome world of hard rock and glam metal. It is definitely supposed to be in the top 3.

David Coverdale's vocals are second to none

Music videos made this group great in the late 80's

Greatest band,greatest voice

Powerful genre-defining garage punk. Ian Curtis.. tragic genius.. As tragically great as Kurt Cobain..

Doesn't get any better than this!

Love them!

The Smiths, The Cure and U2 should be top 3. Morrissey and Marr best combo ever. So many GREAT songs in a short time. Nothing compares to The Smiths.

Morrissey & Marr... TOGETHER, I rest my case... But they are not rockers

Such a huge inspiration to many other bands after them

Poison is the top band and the hottest guy in the world and they are so nice and sweet that why I love them so much and there song really move me and make me think about my life as well. there is no better band as poison cause they rock.

Poison was good but a band should be voted on by quality of music, not by the way they look.

Don't forget this great band

top 10

First off, they should be much higher on the list. Secondly, anybody who has heard the three albums Gary was on post Hi Infidelity would know he was getting pretty soft himself. Even on that album, Take it on the Run and In Your Letter, which are both great songs, are not exactly Kashmir.

Fantastic band, Hi Infidelity is one of the best albums in the early eighties.

Should be so much farther up this list, come on

top 10

How are these guys so far down the list? They were great! There is no way these guys shouldn't be in the top 10!

Best band of all time

Best Band Ever! They resurrected rock from the clutches of Disco!

top 5

Took a page out of KISS beauty book on showmanship, One great song

Awesome band the bestie my opinion

They weren't quite as "hair" as the rest, and their musical talent was unsurpassed.

Peaked early and faded away

Depeche Mode on a ROCK list? Don't get me wrong, I like Depeche Mode, but they're completely wrong here. Even the little text blurp calls them an "electronic and synth-pop band".

It is nuts that some cuckoo clocks say Depeche are not a rock band...that is insane...that they are 37 is what is wrong.

Not rock - Disturbedpotato

45th for a rock band that was constantly touring, making records, outsold concerts every year and sold millions of records during the 70's, 80's, 90's, 2000's and 2010's, come on! It's not fair! And with NO WITH NO HELP FROM THE MEDIA! Let alone the musicianship in their music, this band should and must be within the top 5!

Terrific band. Geddy Lee is the BEST high-pitch rock voice. Terrific high wattage power musical scales and riffs.

Best canadian band ever

Correction Best Band Ever!, Note: The musicianship and timeless classic works produced from these three are far and away beyond those of their contemporaries.

Rush is by far the best rock band ever. The most incredible rock trio that has stayed together and endured for most of our lifetimes.

2112 is one of the most epic albums ever and every song on Moving Pictures is a perfect hit.

Amazing band! So glad they're in the top ten! They have great music and the songs make you wanna sing...my favorite of theirs is "I REMEMBER YOU"great song...

I still love their music to this day! Their music will live on forever!

Another hair band that didn't create the fan base of a Poison and Crue

One of the best

Grossly underrated on this list

They are the best.

Early 90's. the death of hard rock music. AKA grunge music and a lot of the bands such as Poison, Motley Crue and Twisted Sisters have said so themselves.

Hair bands were on their way out anyway due to over partying and mismanagement of money. Nirvana just had to give them a little nudge.

They are my favorite band! I really like their song "Come as you are" and this is coming from a kid!

Nirvana only became a thing in the 90's! Wrong list! Also, where the hell is ZZTop? Shouldn't they be on this list as well?