Sure, some of you won't think all four of these bands are hair metal bands. And that's cool. But they started off their careers during the hair metal / sleaze rock ear of the 80s and early 90s, they had big hair, probably wore make-up at one point or another, lots of spandex, and their songs were true Arena Rock champions!!!!! In terms of album sales, billboard success, concert tour numbers, music video popularity and iconic nature of the band members, these are clearly the four most successful bands of the hair metal generation. WHICH BAND DO YOU THINK IS THE BEST????????? Bon Jovi Guns N Roses Def Leppard Motley Crue Rank them!
Such a loose term, but I've never liked "hair metal" bands all that much. If I had to rank these... Def Leppard GNR Motley Crue Bon Jovi I'd listen to just about anything rock/metal wise above Bon Jovi, that's for sure (please don't excommunicate me). The other three have very sturdy and powerful debuts and one or two decent albums afterwards, but they all lose a lot of momentum. Overall, Def Leppard gets my vote... And like I said before, not too avid of a fan of any of these.
I wouldn't call any of those bands "hair metal". Maybe Def Leppard during Hysteria and Adrenalize era, but not before that. GnR was straight up hard rock/rock and roll. Same with most of Motley's career. Bon Jovi maybe a bit 'hair', but I'd be more apt to just call them 'pop hard rock' or 'cock rock' (similar to Def Lepp) as they didn't really do much of anything resembling 'metal'. Just my own humble opinion. That being said, I do like all 4 bands and especially love everything that they all did in the 80's. My favorite of the 4 would probably be Motley Crue based on 5 rock solid albums.
I can't stand Hair Metal. I'd have to choose GNR. They track closer to the Stones->Aerosmith genetics. Slash is more of a blues rock styled guitarist.
When i first heard and saw the imagery of those Def Leppard videos on MTV, that made a profound impact on me musically. Plus Mutt Lange..... I would add Winger as Honorable Mention. Great musicianship and 'higher-end hairmetal' then just pretty hair.
W.A.S.P is highly underrated and defnitely one of if not my favourite 80s hair band. Ranking the ones you listed, I'd say 1. Motley Crue 2. Def Leppard 3. Bon Jovi 4. GnR
