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 for sure deserves to be number 1! There will never be another voice like Freddie and they have put on the best live concerts of any band for the past 40+ years!

80s Queen was the biggest band in the world for most of the decade. LiveAid 1985 is still considered the best concert ever.

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.

Bon Jovi has been my favourite band since I was a little kid, and I don't think that will ever change! They had some great rock, I really wish I was alive then when they were big! How could anyone not love these guys? If somehow you DON'T love them, then 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!

The Ten Commandments of Rock and Roll
1: Bon Jovi is top dog
2: #1 NEVER changes
3: We don't run
4: I am a rock, not another grain of sand
5: Count me out, count me in, I'll be bouncing back again
6: I ain't gonna live forever. I just want to live while I'm alive
7: Have a nice day
8: If you don't love me, lie to me
9: This Romeo is bleeding
10: Come back 'cause I need your love - BonJovi17

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!

Best band

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

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!

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

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.

My favorite band of all time

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

best band

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

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

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

Should be #1 on this list
the god father

AC DC Guns and Roses should be the top three in any order. Aerosmith was the greatest turn around band of all time. No one will ever match the transformation they accomplished being they released their first record in 1974. They still rock like no other. Best live concert band of all time. 32 tractor trailers just to set there show up. Tyler still can sing unlike any other band on this list. Aerosmith can be either number 1 2 or 3. Their record Rocks influenced Guns and Roses according to Slash.

By far best rock band from 1985 into the early nineties. Also one of the best rock band of seventies. Also top rock song of all time, Sweet Emotion.

There's a top ten for that and last time I checked, thriller and Eye of the Tiger were the best. (they don't filter out regular artist and bands into their own top 10) Sorry. - dwf4258

Dream on did not make Aerosmith. Whoever posted that knows nothing about Aerosmith. Not even a top ten song of theirs. By far best American rock band of all time

Because! Duh!

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!

Promoting satanism in the rocking way! - isoldmysoulforrocknroll

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.

Very good

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

THIS IS THE BEST ROCK BAND IT SHOULD BE #1 ON THIS LIST
THEY ARE AND WILL ALWAYS BE THE BEST

As good as Queen, if not better.

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

I love x Japan!

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.

Top 70s, but still kings in 80s. Move up!

Should rank up

Simply the greatest band ever

Best rock band ever!

These guys aren't 80s

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

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

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

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

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 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.

Overrated - Disturbedpotato

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

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

Peaked early and faded away

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

Awesome band the bestie my opinion

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".

Not rock - Disturbedpotato

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

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

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 were great... It's a shame that Kurt (lead singer) shot himself in the face

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?

Do they actually count as an 80s rock band? I know, they were most successful in the 80s, but they were formed in the 70s. My favorite band of all time, it still just doesn't seem right to have them on this list.

Not the most appreciated band by the average listener, but one of the most talented groups there was. Great harmonies.

Best band ever! Sure they their hit but the their back catalogue is even better, each album is great, and they are amazing live. Definitely the best band ever!

They rock as musicians, multitalents, songwriters, record producers. Love them and their music. Big respect for them! - zee_ma

My favourite band love playing their riffs on guitar. They should be on top Michael Hutchence is the greatest singer ever.

Have not been the same since death of lead singer a nice run for a few years

If you have never listen to their album before go now for the KICK!

If not for ACDC they were the best ever Aussie Rock band of all time. Classic after classic! should be way higher on this list!

Great 70's band- not so much in the 80's

Was the #1 group in the 80's

Eagles are the best

#1 enough said!