Top 10 "hair metal" bands of all time! (according to about.com)

That 70s Guy · 08-28-2010, 04:32 PM

about.com

10.White Lion
9.LA Guns
8.Slaughter
7.Winger
6.Cinderella
5.Dokken
4.Warrant
3.Ratt
2.Motley Crue

1.Poison

That 70s Guy · 08-28-2010, 04:33 PM

Looks like Bon Jovi doesn't get any respect from about.com.

Dairenn · 08-30-2010, 05:06 PM

I wonder what their criteria was? If based on looks and pomp alone, then, yeah, Poison was definitely the proto-type. If by best hair metal band, amazing musicians/solos and/or songs? I wouldn't have gone in that order. It'd be hard for me to make my own top 10 list, because every band released a bunch of horrible songs, AND a bunch of really good songs...including idols of mine. Plus, are we talking about just recordings or are we talking about the concert-going experience, too? I LOVED "Heartbreak Boulevard" by Shotgun Messiah...on CD. I watched a YouTube of it live and there was no attempt to even come close to the sound or the energy of the recording. So, that sucks. Hard to know how to feel about a list like this.

**METALPRIEST** · 08-31-2010, 12:29 AM

^^^ Shotgun Messiah

Wow!!! I like those guys. Not sure why Bon Jovi is not making these lists. I'm thinking it's because he was a bit different than the others and went on to what he is today. Not sure...but look at CRUE so who knows.

Anyway it's not a bad list, IMO, but I think Motley and Poison should be switched.

annie · 08-31-2010, 01:35 AM

I have albums by Cinderella and Dokken and the entire Bon Jovi collection. Haven't heard the others.

**METALPRIEST** · 08-31-2010, 01:58 AM

Originally Posted by annie

I have albums by Cinderella and Dokken and the entire Bon Jovi collection. Haven't heard the others.

You haven't heard Motley Crue or Poison??
You have to at least grab some CRUE

aeroplane · 09-04-2010, 12:10 PM

Some observations.

-With the exception of Slaughter, all of the bands featured still tour and/or record regularly. This helps.

-Bon Jovi isn't on here, but then again neither are Def Leppard, Whitesnake or Guns N' Roses, all of whom could be included on at least a borderline basis. Def Leppard and Whitesnake sold A LOT of fu**ing records, more than most of the bands on the list. Great White was reasonably successful, though it is pretty clear why they are not on the list.

-If Bret Michaels wasn't all over the radar again with his television shows and appearances, I'm "pretty sure" Poison would have been #2 and Motley Crue would have finished first. Pretty sure.

-Shotgun Messiah recorded some pretty good music, but nobody would ever think to include them because none of their albums were widely successful, their sound changed each time out and they went through two singers over the course of three albums. However, it wouldn't have been a huge stretch to include them just to mention that bassist and singer Tim Skold ended up in KMFDM and Marilyn Manson.

**Cosmic Harmony** · 09-04-2010, 12:14 PM

Originally Posted by aeroplane

-If Bret Michaels wasn't all over the radar again with his television shows and appearances, I'm "pretty sure" Poison would have been #2 and Motley Crue would have finished first. Pretty sure.

Maybe. To me though Poison will always be the epitome of 80's glam so I see them taking the #1 spot fairly.

Travelin' Man · 09-04-2010, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by That 70s Guy

1.Poison

If Poison was the #1 hair band of the 80s does that make them the #1 bandana band of the present?

Bandana band is just fun to say.

Astrid Kirchherr65 · 09-08-2010, 05:27 PM

What about TESLA ? I actually like /and listened to alot of those bands back in the day except I never got into Cinderella, Dunno why ?

As much as I detest Poison /Bret Michaels..they ARE the poster for hairbands imo..if it based on overall definition..

bands like Crue and Bon Jovi were more talented and had more respect by larger groups of fans beyond hairband /they went more mainsteam after the highpoints of this era. They hung in there longer and matured a bit more...i mean in songwriting and musically...so outlived the stereotype imo a bit more

I mean I admit I LIKE Crue/Bon Jovi alot more than most of those up on this list, still

Dairenn · 11-16-2010, 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by aeroplane

Some observations.

-With the exception of Slaughter, all of the bands featured still tour and/or record regularly. This helps.

Yeah you're right about that. Ultimately, staying power is the most important thing.

**Lynch** · 11-17-2010, 12:01 AM

I wouldn't consider half of those bands to be "hair bands". I don't have a problem with that title, but I just wouldn't classify them that way. AK brought up Tesla... and I feel the same way about them. They were a straight up rock and roll band, not what I'd call Hair Band at all, and I LOVE Tesla as much as anyone on earth, as well as most of the bands on the list.

**METALPRIEST** · 11-17-2010, 12:13 AM

Originally Posted by Lynch

I wouldn't consider half of those bands to be "hair bands". I don't have a problem with that title, but I just wouldn't classify them that way. AK brought up Tesla... and I feel the same way about them. They were a straight up rock and roll band, not what I'd call Hair Band at all, and I LOVE Tesla as much as anyone on earth, as well as most of the bands on the list.

**Magic** · 11-17-2010, 02:28 AM

No KISS on the list either or Scorpions or Twisted Sister. This really surprises me!

I would have put Motley Crue as #1, most definitely.

**METALPRIEST** · 11-17-2010, 02:32 AM

Originally Posted by Magic

No KISS on the list either or Scorpions or Twisted Sister. This really surprises me!

I would have put Motley Crue as #1, most definitely.

Agreed...I think if there was a king of the genre, it would have to go to Quiet Riot or Crue..and IMO CRUE edges them out a bit on the strength of their hair, tunes, attitude, make up, album art, stage shows...ect.