Famous Rock Bands of the 80s

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Initially, rock ‘n’ roll was a musical experimentation. It was quite harsh and had a drug-related and anti-establishment content. Rock music is characterized by a melodious and strong rhythm, guitar riffs, and simple accompaniment.  Three guitars are used for bass, rhythm, and lead to produce rock music. Vocals, keyboards, and drums are also basic instruments used in rock music. Except for Southern Gospel, rock ‘n’ roll music is usually applied to a range of music styles where the beat is not on the third or first note. Many Christian leaders are unhappy with rock ‘n’ roll music and many consider it demonic. However, in 1980, Christian rock performers succeeded in entering the mainstream, and artists like Amy Grant and Cliff Richard were liked by the Christian communities. Some Christian Rock bands like Petra and Stryper were successful but controversial too.

1. Guns N Roses

Guns N Roses
Guns N Roses

Guns N Roses, the hard rock band, was formed in Los Angeles, California in 1985. Originally, it was comprised of band members including vocalist Axel Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKagan, and drummer Steven Adler. All the members except Axl Rose have been replaced by current members: keyboardist Dizzy Reed, lead guitarists Ashba and Ron Thal, rhythm gutarist Richard Fortus, bassist Tommy Stinson, drummer Frank Ferrer, and keyboardist Chris Pitman. Just a year after its album Appetite for Destruction debuted, it attained first position at Billboard’s 200, and ‘Sweet Child o’ Mine’ was a super hit and ranked #1 on Billboard’s ‘Hot 100.’ More than 28 million copies have been sold worldwide. The band, including Reed and Matt Sorum, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012.

2. Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi was formed in 1983 in Sayreville, New Jersey. Its initial formation was comprised of: Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, David Bryan, Tico Torres, and Hugh McDonald. The band membership remained unchanged and stable with the exceptional replacement of Alec John by Hugh McDonald. The band came into prominence after the release of its third album Slippery When Wet in 1986. The band has performed 2,600 concerts in more than 50 countries and has sold over 130 million records worldwide. The band was inducted into the U.K. Music Hall of Fame in 2006, and received an Award of Merit at the American Music Awards in 2004. In 2009, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora were inducted into Songwriters hall of fame.

3. Motley Crue

Motley Crue
Motley Crue

Motley Crue is a famous heavy metal band formed in 1981 by bass guitarist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee. Formerly, the band members included John Corabi, Randy Castillo, and Samantha Maloney. Currently its members are: Mick Mars, Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee, and Vince Neil. The band has sold over 8o million copies of their albums. Almost all of the members of the band are known for their special lifestyle and association with alcohol and drugs. The band was tenth on the list of MTV’s ‘Top 10 Heavy Metal Bands of All Time’ and ranked #9 on VH1’s ‘All Time Top Ten Metal Bands.’

4. Poison

Poison
Poison

Comprised of  members: Bret Michaels, Bobby Dall, Rikki Rocket, and C.C. DeVille, Poison is an American Glam Metal band.  The subgenre of hard rock and heavy metal, ‘glam metal’ is also known as ‘hair metal’ or ‘pop metal.’ The band came into prominence after the release of its debut album Look What the Cat Dragged In was released in 1986. ‘Every Rose Has Its Thorns’ was #1 in the ‘Hot Hundred’ list. The multi-platinum selling Open Up and Say Ahh! was the most successful album of the band. The band was iconic in the 80s MTV era.

5. Cinderella

Cinderella
Cinderella

The rock band was founded by Tom Keifer and Erric Brittingham in 1983 in Clifton Heights, Pennsylvania, U.S. They became famous after the release of a series of multi-platinum albums in the mid-80s. They were famous as a glam metal band. The initial members of the band included: Michael Smerick and Destra. Cinderella came into prominence when Jon Bon Bovi saw them performing at the Empire Rock Club. Night Songs released on August 2, 1986 was a triple platinum album and attained #3 on the Billboard’s charts in February, 1987.

6.  Van Halen

Van Halen
Van Halen

Van Halen is an American hard rock band. It was formed in Pasadena, California in 1972 but came into prominence in the 80s.  The band was comprised of: Alex Van Halen, David Lee Roth, and Wolfgang Van Halen. Initially it also included Mark Stone, Michael Anthony, Sammy Hagar, and Gary Cherone. Due to multiple exits of its members, the band faced quite a few ups and downs. On March 12, 2007 the band was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

7. Twisted Sister

Twisted Sister
Twisted Sister

Twisted Sister, also known as Bent Brother and Silverstar, is an American rock band from Long Island. It contains the elements of conventional heavy metal bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest with an AC/DC-like hard rock style. In the 1980s, the band members included: Dee Sinder, Eddie ‘Fingers’ Ojeda, Jay Jay French, Mark ‘The Animal’ Mendoza, and Joey”œJoe ‘Seven’ Franco. Bent Sister’s grotesque feminine makeup and aggressive style distinguished it notably from the more androgenic glam metal groups like Motley Crue and Poison. Twisted Sister ranked #73 on the list of VH1’s ‘100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock.’

8. Warrant

Warrant
Warrant

Warrant is a heavy metal band from Hollywood, California, U.S. It is comprised of: Erik Turner, Jerry Dixon, Steven Sweet, Joey Allen, and Robert Mason. The band came into prominence in the late 1980s and continued its success in the following years. Its debut album Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich was double platinum while its single ‘Heaven’ topped the list of Rolling Stone and ranked #2 on Billboard’s ‘Hot 100’ list.

9. Metallica

Metallica
Metallica

Metallica is a famous rock band from Los Angeles, California, U.S. It is known as a heavy metal band as one of the founders of  ‘thrash metal’ along with Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax. Metallica was formed in 1981 in response to an advertisement by Lars Ulrich. The band is comprised of: Ron McGovney, Dave Mustaine, Cliff Burton and Jasdon Newsted. Metallica’s third album Master of Puppets released in 1986 is considered the most influential heavy thrash metal album. Metallica was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009.

10. AC/DC

AC/DC
AC/DC

The famous AC/DC rock band was formed by two brothers Malcolm and Angus Young in 1973. Progressively expanding their fan base in the 1980s they came into prominence. Classified by others as a heavy metal band, they prefer to be known simply as a rock ‘n’ roll band. On February 19, 1980, their lead singer, Bon Scott, expired, and they were disbanded for a short time. The band ranked #4 on VH1’s list of ‘100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock’ and #7 on MTV’s list of ‘Greatest Heavy Metal Bands of All Time.’

Conclusion:

Conventionally utilizing the electric guitar, bass guitar, and drum kit, few additional instruments like piano, Hammond organs, and synthesizers complemented rock music. The percussion produced from a drum kit was compatible with the tempo of the feelings expressed and the type of language used in rock music. There are no two opinions about it that music impacts human sentiments and social attitudes, though it is controversial that the effects produced by certain genres of music are good or bad. Whereas the performances of the famous bands of the 80s were a pure delight for many, it was quite distasteful for a few including some important people.

 


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