History of hair metal is a tale of glitz, glamour, and excess. Known for their long hair, leather jackets, and guitar riffs that bordered on the obscene, hair metal bands dominated the music scene in the late ’70s and ’80s. Their influence was felt in every aspect of pop culture, from fashion to films to popular TV shows. In this article, we’ll take a look back at the history of hair metal, its biggest players, and what led to its eventual decline.
The Early Days: Origins and Influences
The roots of hair metal can be traced back to the late ’60s and early ’70s, when rock bands like Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Deep Purple laid the foundation for the genre. These bands were known for their explosive live performances, guitar solos, and over-the-top outfits.
Their influence was felt throughout the ’70s, as bands like Kiss and Alice Cooper took the theatrics of rock to new heights. These bands were heavily influenced by glam rock, a subgenre of rock that featured outrageous costumes, makeup, and hair. Glam rock paved the way for hair metal, which emerged in the ’80s as a hybrid of heavy metal and glam rock.
The Golden Age: The ’80s Hair Metal Explosion
The ’80s were a time of excess, and nowhere was this more evident than in the hair metal scene. Bands like Motley Crue, Poison, and Bon Jovi were at the forefront of the movement, with their big hair, tight pants, and catchy hooks. The music was loud, fast, and fun, and it quickly became the soundtrack to a generation.
MTV played a huge role in the success of hair metal, with the channel’s music videos featuring the bands’ outrageous outfits and over-the-top performances. The music videos were as much a part of the scene as the music itself, and they helped to establish the look and feel of the genre.
MTV and Hair Metal: A Match Made in Heaven
MTV was launched in 1981, and it quickly became the go-to destination for music videos. The channel played a huge role in the success of hair metal, with bands like Guns N’ Roses, Def Leppard, and Van Halen dominating the airwaves. The videos featured scantily clad women, fast cars, and rock-and-roll excess, and they helped to create a fantasy world that fans couldn’t get enough of.
MTV was also responsible for introducing many hair metal bands to a wider audience. Before the channel’s launch, many of these bands had little mainstream exposure. But with the help of MTV, bands like Poison and Bon Jovi became household names.
The Decline: What Led to Hair Metal’s Demise?
As the ’80s gave way to the ’90s, the world began to change – and so did the music scene. Grunge and alternative rock were on the rise, and they quickly began to eclipse hair metal. Bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden had a sound and attitude that was the polar opposite of hair metal – they were anti-authority, angst-ridden, and devoid of the glitz and glamour that had defined the previous decade.
But it wasn’t just a change in musical tastes that led to hair metal’s decline. The excesses of the scene had also taken their toll. Bands like Guns N’ Roses and Motley Crue had earned a reputation for their wild, drug-fueled lifestyles, and as the ’80s gave way to the ’90s, the consequences of that lifestyle began to catch up with them. Members of these bands were dying or burning out – and their fans were beginning to lose interest.
The Legacy of Hair Metal
Although hair metal may be gone, it’s certainly not forgotten. The genre continues to be celebrated by fans worldwide, and its influence can be heard in the music of countless bands. And in many ways, the spirit of hair metal lives on. The attitude of the scene – the emphasis on fun, excess, and living in the moment – is still alive and well, even if the music has changed.
And who knows? It’s always possible that hair metal could make a comeback. After all, trends have a way of cycling back around. And until then, we’ll always have the memories – and the soundtracks.
Conclusion
History of hair metal is a story of a genre that defined an era, and then disappeared almost as quickly as it arrived. But its impact can still be felt to this day. The bands, the fashion, the music videos – all of it left an indelible mark on pop culture. And although hair metal may never return to its former glory, its spirit lives on. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just a casual listener, there’s no denying that hair metal was something special – a unique moment in time that will never be forgotten.
So let’s raise a glass to the bands, the fans, and the memories. Long live hair metal!
