Best Glam-Hair Metal Bands: Remembering The 80s and 90s

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The glam rock scene came into limelight in the seventies and spawned an explosion of glam acts in the eighties. Memorable anthems of several glam metal bands evoke special memories of the past. Shrill voices accompanied by thunderous drums, bass and guitar mesmerized crowds. Those were the glory days. The glam metal era peaked in the eighties and early nineties. As grunge and alternative bands burst onto the scene, the focus shifted. The overwhelming response grunge got led to a decline in glam bands with only a few able to stand ground. It’s only recently that one has witnessed a revival with a few hair metal bands from the heydays reuniting to relive the mayhem and nostalgia of the past.   

History of Glam

The term ‘glam’ is relatively broad based and was used in context with individuals sporting different styles of clothing, hairstyles and make up as a part of a stage act, or performance. Emerging from different streams of psychedelic and art rock, glam came into its own. Varied styles and designs of clothing formed an integral part of glam acts. Here’s a list of the pioneering glam bands and artists that led to a surge in glam metal and sleaze bands.

Pioneers of Glam

• Marc Bolan
• T Rex
• Sweet
• Brian Eno
• Roxy Music
• Mud
• David Bowie
• New York Dolls
• Iron Virgin
• Iggy Pop
• Hello
• Alvin Stardust
• The Glitter Band
• Gary Glitter
• Wizzard
• Jobriath
• Slade
• Mott the Hoople
• Iggy Pop
• The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
• Kenny

Arrival of Glam Metal

With the 80s came bands and artists with a heavier sound. The long hair grew longer, the make up got brighter and the audiences larger. Glam metal had arrived. Flamboyant lifestyle and visually appealing attire formed the core of glam acts. Make up, leather trousers, spandex trousers, ripped denim jeans, jewelry and headbands ruled. There were innumerable bands dishing out their own brand of metal that appealed to the world. Each band had a unique sound and a loyal fan base. Balladry infused with heavy metal riffs and rock n roll gave glam metal bands their unique sound. The raw power of music unleashed with an amalgamation of harmonies in choruses earned the respect of rock critics globally. A striking feature of hair metal bands was the melodic aspect embedded in the roots of each band. Beautiful high pitched voices set to the back drop of an acoustic guitar gave the world some of the best rock ballads. Here’s a list of glam bands and artists that have enthralled listeners and audiences with their trademark style.