The 1980s were an exciting time for rock music, with bands pushing the limits of sound and style. Rock bands continued to build off the multitude of subgenres popularized in the 70s, such as glam, punk, hard rock, heavy rock, metal, and prog-rock. Let’s dive into a list of some of the most influential and memorable rock bands in the 80s.
| Band | Genre and Subgenre | Top Album |
|---|---|---|
| Guns N’ Roses | Hard Rock/Glam Metal | Appetite for Destruction (1987) |
| Bon Jovi | Rock/Hard Rock/Glam Metal | New Jersey (1988) |
| Aerosmith | Rock/Blues Rock | Pump (1989) |
| AC/DC | Hard Rock | Back in Black (1980) |
| Metallica | Heavy Metal/Thrash Metal | Master of Puppets (1986) |
| Foreigner | Rock/Hard Rock | 4 (1981) |
| Journey | Rock/Hard Rock | Escape (1981) |
| Queen | Rock | The Game (1980) |
| Motörhead | Heavy Metal/Speed Metal | Ace of Spades (1980) |
| The Police | Rock | Synchronicity (1983) |
| U2 | Rock | The Joshua Tree (1987) |
| Judas Priest | Heavy Metal | Screaming for Vengeance (1982) |
| Mötley Crüe | Glam Metal/Hard Rock | Shout at the Devil (1983) |
| Whitesnake | Hard Rock | Whitesnake (1987) |
| Def Leppard | Rock/Hard Rock | Pyromania (1983) |
| REO Speedwagon | Rock/Hard Rock | Hi Infidelity (1980) |
| Pat Benetar | Rock/Hard Rock/Pop Rock | Crimes of Passion (1980) |
| Iron Maiden | Heavy Metal | Number of the Beast (1982) |
| ZZ Top | Rock/Blues Rock | Eliminator (1983) |
| R.E.M. | Rock/Alternative Rock | Murmur (1983) |
Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses burst onto the scene in 1987 with their debut album Appetite for Destruction, which became one of the best-selling albums of all time, selling over 30 million copies. Known for their gritty vocals and equally crunchy guitar riffs, hits like "Sweet Child O' Mine" and "Welcome to the Jungle" made them one of the most successful American rock bands of the 80s. They received multiple awards, including two MTV Video Music Awards in the 80s alone.
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi's breakout came with his 1986 album Slippery When Wet, which featured the massive hits "Livin' on a Prayer" and "Wanted Dead or Alive." This album alone sold over 12 million copies worldwide. The band’s intriguing musical sound combined with triumphant vocals and Bon Jovi’s alluring stage presence made him a fixture in the list of popular 80s rock bands.
Aerosmith
Aerosmith's foray into 80s rock saw their reinvention with Permanent Vacation (1987), which included hits like "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)" and “Ragdoll.” By the end of the decade, the band had sold over 100 million albums worldwide. Their blend of 70s-inspired hard rock and blues, along with lead singer Steven Tyler’s iconic voice, led to their sustained success and iconic status.
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AC/DC
AC/DC’s Back in Black (1980) remains one of the best-selling albums of all time, with over 50 million copies sold worldwide. Their raw, high-energy sound and electrifying performances earned them a reputation as one of the best live bands ever. With hits like "You Shook Me All Night Long," AC/DC became legends of heavy rock and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, like many of the other bands on our lists.
Metallica
With their 1983 debut Kill 'Em All, Metallica helped define thrash metal, and by 1988, ...And Justice for All brought them widespread mainstream success. Their aggressive, fast-paced sound and dark lyrics are firmly in the metal genre, but much of their music also incorporates rock elements. By the end of the decade, Metallica had sold millions of albums, with Master of Puppets considered one of the greatest albums in metal history. The next era of rock got a heavy dose of inspiration from this group.
Foreigner
Foreigner’s powerful ballads and stadium anthems made them one of the best rock bands of the 80s. Their album 4 (1981) featured hits like "Waiting for a Girl Like You," "I Want to Know What Love Is, " and "Juke Box Hero," which propelled the band to international fame. Their blend of rock and pop elements resonated with millions, earning them multiple Platinum certifications and a lasting legacy in classic rock.
The band's name is a reference to the fact that half the members were from England and half were from the US; no matter where they went, at least half the group were foreigners.
Journey
Journey was at the top of the rock world in the early 80s, thanks to their album Escape (1981), which included the smash hit "Don’t Stop Believin’” which continues to be a cultural cornerstone. The album sold over 12 million copies, proving Journey’s status as one of the best 80s rock bands. Journey’s melodic rock sound and intriguing lyrics combined with Steve Perry’s melodic voice helped them become one of the most popular bands of the decade.
Queen
Queen’s genre-defying sound was a perfect fit for the 80s. Their 1980 album The Game produced hits like "Another One Bites the Dust" and "Crazy Little Thing Called Love." Queen was known for their theatrical performances and blending rock with pop, opera, and electronic elements. Their massive influence on both rock and pop culture continues to be felt through the generations.
Motörhead
Led by the legendary Lemmy Kilmister, Motörhead became synonymous with the raw energy of heavy metal. Their 1980 album Ace of Spades became a cult classic, with the title track becoming one of the band’s most iconic songs. The signature loud and fast essence of their music keeps fans headbanging along with the beat.
The Police
The Police blended rock with reggae and punk influences, creating a sound that was both unique and widely popular; overall, they became a hallmark of pop rock at the time. Their 1983 album Synchronicity included the hit "Every Breath You Take," which topped the charts worldwide. With five Grammy Awards and worldwide sales exceeding 75 million albums, The Police are no doubt one of the greats in rock.
U2
U2’s rise to fame began with their 1980 debut Boy, but it was The Joshua Tree (1987) that solidified their global status. The album sold over 25 million copies worldwide, and the singles "With or Without You" and "I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For" became iconic anthems. U2's politically charged lyrics and soaring sound, combined with their activism and philanthropy, made them one of the most culturally important bands of the 80s.
Judas Priest
Judas Priest is best known for shaping the sound of heavy metal in the 80s with their album British Steel (1980), which featured tracks like "Living After Midnight" and "Breaking the Law." Their rugged vocals and fast tempos became the blueprint for many heavy metal bands that followed. By the end of the decade, they had achieved multiple Platinum certifications and widespread acclaim.
Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe was the ultimate embodiment of 80s glam metal, known for their hedonistic lifestyle and catchy music. Their 1981 debut Too Fast for Love and the follow-up Shout at the Devil (1983) propelled them into superstardom. Songs like "Dr. Feelgood" became synonymous with 80s rock. With over 100 million records sold, the band is undoubtedly one of the most iconic rock bands 80s. They are still making music and touring in the new millennium.
Whitesnake
Whitesnake achieved mainstream success in the 1980s with their album 1987, which featured hits like "Here I Go Again." The album went Platinum multiple times, cementing Whitesnake’s place in rock history. Frontman David Coverdale’s powerful vocals and the band's hard rock sound became signature elements of the era's popular glam metal scene.
Def Leppard
Def Leppard's Hysteria (1987) was a defining album of the 80s, with hits like "Pour Some Sugar on Me" and "Love Bites." It sold over 20 million copies worldwide and earned them multiple Platinum certifications. With their impressive musical mastery, Def Leppard became one of the most successful rock bands of the decade.
REO Speedwagon
REO Speedwagon’s Hi Infidelity (1981) remains one of the best-selling albums of all time, with hits like "Keep on Loving You" and "Take It on the Run." Their powerful arena rock sound, very different from the heavy and glam rock tones of other bands at the time, resonated with fans around the world, leading to over 40 million albums sold. The band's mix of melodic rock and heartfelt ballads made them a favorite throughout the 80s.
Pat Benatar
Pat Benatar became one of the most powerful voices in rock during the 80s, blending hard rock with pop. Her breakthrough came with Crimes of Passion (1980), which featured the hit "Hit Me with Your Best Shot." The album went 4× Platinum, and she became one of the first female rock singers to achieve mainstream success. Over the years, she has won four consecutive Grammy Awards and released multiple Platinum albums. With her bold stage presence and powerhouse vocals, Benatar paved the way for women in rock music.
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden’s unique sound and larger-than-life performances made them one of the most influential heavy metal bands of the 80s. Their 1982 album The Number of the Beast featured hits like "Run to the Hills" and "Hallowed Be Thy Name," propelling them into international stardom. Iron Maiden's music, characterized by powerful vocals and intricate guitar work, inspired fans across the world.
ZZ Top
ZZ Top's 1983 album Eliminator marked a shift in their sound, incorporating synths and electronic elements, which led to massive mainstream success. The album produced hits like "Sharp Dressed Man" and "Legs," which became fundamentals on any rock fan’s mixtape. With over 20 million copies sold worldwide, ZZ Top’s blend of blues rock and hard rock made them among the top rock bands of the 80s.
R.E.M.
R.E.M. began their rise in the early 80s with their 1983 debut Murmur, and their 1987 album Document featured the iconic track "The One I Love." Known for their introspective lyrics and jangly guitar sound, R.E.M. set the stage for the alternative rock movement. Over the course of the band’s career, they became one of the best-selling music acts ever with more than 90 million albums sold worldwide.
The 80s were an exciting and transformative time for rock music. Earlier rock legends primarily hailed from California and London, but as the movement picked up, more and more musical geniuses emerged from other places across the US and the UK.
From the explosion of heavy metal to the rise of glam rock, these bands each brought something unique to the genre, creating music that allowed for even greater expansion in rock in the decades to come.
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You forgot Slayer.
Hello Shane! Unfortunately, we couldn’t name every 80s rock band, but we would love to hear more of your favorites in the comments! 🎸🤘🏽