20 Famous Rock Bands of the 1980s

The 1980s was a decade of excess, vibrant fashion, and unforgettable music, particularly in the realm of rock music. It was a time when big hair, leather jackets, and power ballads reigned supreme, and rock bands dominated the airwaves and MTV. From the hair metal bands of Sunset Strip to the alternative rock scene of the Pacific Northwest, the 1980s produced some of the most iconic and influential rock bands of all time. In this article, we will explore the top 20 famous rock bands of the 1980s and revisit their most memorable hits, examine their lasting impact on the music industry, and celebrate the legacies that they have left behind. These bands are still beloved by fans of all ages, and their music continues to inspire new generations of rock musicians. So, let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit the decade that gave us some of the most electrifying and unforgettable rock bands in history.

1. Mötley Crüe

Mötley Crüe is an American rock band that was formed in Los Angeles, California in 1981. The band consists of lead vocalist Vince Neil, guitarist Mick Mars, bassist Nikki Sixx, and drummer Tommy Lee. The band is known for their heavy metal sound, outrageous stage shows, and their rebellious, hard-partying lifestyle. Mötley Crüe rose to fame in the 1980s with their album “Shout at the Devil” which featured hits such as “Looks That Kill” and “Too Young to Fall in Love”. They continued to release successful albums throughout the 80s and 90s, including “Dr. Feelgood” and “Girls, Girls, Girls”.

Mötley Crüe is also known for their controversial and often outrageous behavior. The band members were infamous for their drug and alcohol abuse, as well as their wild and raunchy antics both on and off stage. Despite this, the band has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the most successful rock bands of all time. In 2019, the band released a biopic film called “The Dirt” which chronicled their rise to fame and the wild times that came with it.

2. Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi is an American rock band that was formed in Sayreville, New Jersey in 1983. The band consists of lead vocalist Jon Bon Jovi, guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, and bassist Alec John Such (later replaced by Hugh McDonald). Bon Jovi is known for their catchy, melodic rock songs, often with uplifting lyrics that resonate with audiences around the world.

Bon Jovi rose to fame in the 1980s with their album “Slippery When Wet” which featured hits such as “Livin’ on a Prayer” and “Wanted Dead or Alive”. They continued to release successful albums throughout the 80s and 90s, including “New Jersey” and “Keep the Faith”. The band has sold over 130 million records worldwide and has played over 2,700 concerts in over 50 countries.

Bon Jovi is also known for their philanthropic work. The band has supported numerous causes over the years, including the fight against homelessness and poverty, and has donated millions of dollars to charity. In 2018, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in recognition of their contributions to music.

3. Van Halen

Van Halen is an American rock band that was formed in Pasadena, California in 1972. The band was originally formed by brothers Eddie Van Halen and Alex Van Halen, along with vocalist David Lee Roth and bassist Michael Anthony. The band is known for their guitar-heavy sound, and Eddie Van Halen’s innovative and influential guitar techniques.

Van Halen rose to fame in the late 1970s and early 1980s with their self-titled debut album, which featured hits such as “Runnin’ with the Devil” and “Eruption”. They continued to release successful albums throughout the 80s and 90s, including “1984” and “For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge”. The band has sold over 80 million records worldwide, and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Van Halen’s music is known for its high energy and catchy hooks, and the band’s live shows were legendary for their pyrotechnics and over-the-top stage antics. Despite some lineup changes over the years, Van Halen remained one of the most popular and influential rock bands of all time, and their music continues to inspire new generations of fans.

4. Guns N’ Roses

Guns N’ Roses is an American rock band that was formed in Los Angeles, California in 1985. The band consists of vocalist Axl Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKagan, and drummer Steven Adler (later replaced by Matt Sorum). The band is known for their hard-hitting rock sound, as well as their rebellious and controversial lyrics.

Guns N’ Roses rose to fame in the late 1980s with their debut album “Appetite for Destruction”, which featured hits such as “Welcome to the Jungle” and “Sweet Child o’ Mine”. They continued to release successful albums throughout the 90s, including “Use Your Illusion I and II” and “The Spaghetti Incident?”. The band has sold over 100 million records worldwide, and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Guns N’ Roses is known for their explosive live shows, which often featured elaborate stage setups and pyrotechnics. The band’s music is characterized by its hard-driving guitar riffs and Axl Rose’s distinctive, high-pitched vocals. Despite some lineup changes and periods of inactivity over the years, Guns N’ Roses remains one of the most influential rock bands of all time.

5. Metallica

Metallica is an American heavy metal band that was formed in Los Angeles, California in 1981. The band consists of vocalist/guitarist James Hetfield, drummer Lars Ulrich, lead guitarist Kirk Hammett, and bassist Robert Trujillo (formerly Jason Newsted and Cliff Burton). Metallica is known for their aggressive, fast-paced sound, as well as their complex song structures and thought-provoking lyrics.

Metallica rose to fame in the 1980s with their albums “Kill ‘Em All” and “Ride the Lightning”, which helped to define the thrash metal genre. They continued to release successful albums throughout the 80s and 90s, including “Master of Puppets” and “The Black Album”. The band has sold over 125 million records worldwide, and has won numerous awards for their music.

Metallica’s music is known for its heavy guitar riffs, complex drum patterns, and Hetfield’s powerful vocals. The band’s live shows are legendary for their energy and intensity, and Metallica has been recognized as one of the greatest live acts in rock history.

6. Foreigner

Foreigner is a British-American rock band that was formed in New York City in 1976. The band was originally formed by guitarist Mick Jones, vocalist Lou Gramm, and multi-instrumentalist Ian McDonald. The band is known for their powerful rock ballads and catchy pop rock hits.

Foreigner rose to fame in the late 1970s and early 1980s with hits such as “Feels Like the First Time”, “Cold as Ice”, “Hot Blooded”, and “I Want to Know What Love Is”. They continued to release successful albums throughout the 80s and 90s, and the band has sold over 80 million records worldwide.

Foreigner’s music is characterized by its strong vocals and guitar-driven sound, with many of their songs featuring memorable hooks and catchy choruses. Despite some lineup changes over the years, Foreigner remains one of the most popular and enduring rock bands of all time.

7. Journey

Journey is an American rock band that was formed in San Francisco, California in 1973. The band was originally formed by guitarist Neal Schon and keyboardist Gregg Rolie, and they are known for their iconic power ballads and arena rock hits.

Journey rose to fame in the late 1970s and early 1980s with hits such as “Don’t Stop Believin'”, “Open Arms”, and “Separate Ways”. They continued to release successful albums throughout the 80s and 90s, and the band has sold over 80 million records worldwide.

Journey’s music is characterized by its soaring vocals and melodic guitar solos, as well as its anthemic choruses and uplifting lyrics. Despite some lineup changes over the years, Journey remains one of the most popular and beloved rock bands of all time.

8. ZZ Top

ZZ Top is an American rock band that was formed in Houston, Texas in 1969. The band consists of guitarist Billy Gibbons, bassist Dusty Hill, and drummer Frank Beard, and they are known for their blues-inspired rock sound and iconic bearded image.

ZZ Top rose to fame in the 1970s with hits such as “La Grange” and “Tush”, and they continued to release successful albums throughout the 80s and 90s. The band has sold over 50 million records worldwide, and they have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

ZZ Top’s music is characterized by its heavy guitar riffs, bluesy rhythms, and Gibbons’ distinctive, growling vocals. The band’s live shows are legendary for their high-energy performances and humorous stage antics, and they have inspired countless other rock bands over the years. Despite some lineup changes and periods of inactivity, ZZ Top remains one of the most influential and enduring rock bands of all time.

9. The Bangles

The Bangles are an American all-female rock band that was formed in Los Angeles, California in 1981. The band consists of Susanna Hoffs on vocals and guitar, Debbi Peterson on drums and vocals, and Vicki Peterson on guitar and vocals.

The Bangles rose to fame in the 1980s with hits such as “Manic Monday”, “Walk Like an Egyptian”, and “Eternal Flame”. Their music is characterized by its catchy pop hooks and harmonies, and the band has been credited with helping to popularize the “paisley underground” sound of the 80s.

Despite some lineup changes over the years, The Bangles continue to tour and release music to this day, and they remain one of the most popular and influential all-female rock bands of all time.

10. Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers

Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers were an American rock band that was formed in Gainesville, Florida in 1976. The band was led by singer-songwriter Tom Petty, and they are known for their classic rock hits and roots rock sound.

Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers rose to fame in the late 1970s and early 1980s with hits such as “American Girl”, “Refugee”, and “Don’t Do Me Like That”. They continued to release successful albums throughout the 80s and 90s, and the band has sold over 80 million records worldwide.

Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers’ music is characterized by its jangling guitar riffs, driving rhythms, and Petty’s distinctive, drawling vocals. The band’s live shows were legendary for their energy and musicianship, and they have influenced countless other rock bands over the years.

Tom Petty passed away in 2017, but his legacy and influence on rock music continue to be celebrated to this day.

11. Poison

Poison is an American rock band that was formed in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania in 1983. The band consists of Bret Michaels on vocals, Bobby Dall on bass, Rikki Rockett on drums, and C.C. DeVille on guitar.

Poison rose to fame in the 1980s with hits such as “Talk Dirty to Me”, “Nothin’ But a Good Time”, and “Every Rose Has Its Thorn”. Their music is characterized by its glam rock image, catchy choruses, and party-friendly lyrics.

Despite some lineup changes over the years, Poison continues to tour and release music to this day, and they remain one of the most popular and enduring rock bands of the 80s and 90s. They have sold over 45 million records worldwide, and their influence on the hair metal and glam rock genres cannot be overstated.

12. Def Leppard

Def Leppard is an English rock band that was formed in Sheffield in 1977. The band consists of Joe Elliott on vocals, Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell on guitars, Rick Savage on bass, and Rick Allen on drums.

Def Leppard rose to fame in the 1980s with hits such as “Pour Some Sugar on Me”, “Love Bites”, and “Photograph”. Their music is characterized by its catchy hooks, soaring guitar solos, and anthemic choruses, and they are considered one of the pioneers of the 80s hair metal genre.

Despite some setbacks, including the loss of drummer Rick Allen’s arm in a car accident, Def Leppard has continued to release successful albums and tour to this day. They have sold over 100 million records worldwide, and their influence on rock music cannot be overstated.

13. Devo

Devo is an American rock band that was formed in Akron, Ohio in 1973. The band consists of Mark Mothersbaugh on vocals and keyboards, Gerald Casale on vocals and bass, Bob Mothersbaugh and Bob Casale on guitars, and Alan Myers on drums.

Devo rose to fame in the late 1970s with hits such as “Whip It” and “Girl U Want”. Their music is characterized by its quirky, new wave sound, and their eccentric costumes and performances were a hallmark of their live shows.

Devo’s music and style have influenced countless other artists over the years, and they are widely considered one of the most innovative and influential bands of the 20th century.

14. Aerosmith

Aerosmith is an American rock band that was formed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1970. The band consists of Steven Tyler on vocals, Joe Perry and Brad Whitford on guitars, Tom Hamilton on bass, and Joey Kramer on drums.

Aerosmith rose to fame in the 1970s with hits such as “Dream On”, “Sweet Emotion”, and “Walk This Way”. Their music is characterized by its bluesy, hard rock sound, and Tyler’s distinctive, powerful vocals.

Despite some setbacks, including substance abuse and lineup changes, Aerosmith has continued to release successful albums and tour to this day. They have sold over 150 million records worldwide, and their influence on rock music cannot be overstated.

15. Queen

Queen is a British rock band that was formed in London in 1970. The band is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most innovative rock bands of all time, and their music is characterized by its eclectic range of styles, epic production, and Freddie Mercury’s flamboyant stage presence.

Queen rose to fame in the mid-1970s with hits such as “Bohemian Rhapsody”, “Somebody to Love”, and “We Are the Champions”. Their music often blended elements of hard rock, pop, opera, and even classical music, and they were known for their extravagant live shows and innovative music videos.

Despite the tragic loss of Freddie Mercury to AIDS in 1991, Queen has continued to release new music and tour with various guest vocalists, including Adam Lambert. Their influence on rock music cannot be overstated, and their music continues to inspire and entertain generations of fans around the world.

16. R.E.M.

R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980. The band consisted of four members: Michael Stipe (vocals), Peter Buck (guitar), Mike Mills (bass), and Bill Berry (drums). R.E.M. is considered one of the pioneers of the alternative rock genre, and their sound is characterized by jangly guitars, melodic basslines, and Stipe’s distinctive vocal style.

Throughout their career, R.E.M. released 15 studio albums and had numerous hits, including “Losing My Religion,” “Everybody Hurts,” and “Man on the Moon.” The band’s music often dealt with themes of politics, environmentalism, and personal introspection. They were known for their thought-provoking lyrics and for pushing the boundaries of what rock music could be.

R.E.M. was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, and their influence can still be heard in contemporary music today. Although the band disbanded in 2011, their legacy lives on through their music and their impact on the alternative rock genre.

17. Red Hot Chili Peppers

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The band consists of four members: Anthony Kiedis (vocals), Flea (bass), Chad Smith (drums), and John Frusciante (guitar). The band is known for their unique blend of funk, punk, and rock music, and for their energetic and charismatic live performances.

Throughout their career, the Red Hot Chili Peppers have released 11 studio albums and had numerous hits, including “Give It Away,” “Under the Bridge,” and “Californication.” The band’s music often deals with themes of love, sex, and spirituality, and they are known for their provocative lyrics and catchy melodies.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have won multiple Grammy Awards and are considered one of the most successful and influential bands of their generation. Their music has inspired countless other musicians and has helped to shape the alternative rock genre. Despite multiple lineup changes over the years, the band continues to tour and record new music, and their impact on popular culture shows no signs of slowing down.

18. The Cars

The Cars were an American rock band formed in Boston in 1976. The band consisted of five members: Ric Ocasek (vocals, guitar), Elliot Easton (guitar), Greg Hawkes (keyboards), Benjamin Orr (bass, vocals), and David Robinson (drums). The Cars are known for their unique blend of new wave, rock, and pop music, and for their catchy, radio-friendly hits.

Throughout their career, The Cars released six studio albums and had numerous hits, including “Just What I Needed,” “My Best Friend’s Girl,” and “Drive.” The band’s music often dealt with themes of love, relationships, and the complexities of modern life. They were known for their slick, polished sound and for their groundbreaking use of synthesizers and other electronic instruments.

The Cars were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018, and their music continues to be celebrated by fans around the world. Although the band disbanded in 1988, their influence can still be heard in contemporary music today.

19. Hall & Oates

Hall & Oates are an American pop rock duo formed in Philadelphia in 1970. The duo consists of two members: Daryl Hall (vocals, keyboards) and John Oates (guitar, vocals). Hall & Oates are known for their smooth harmonies, catchy melodies, and soulful, R&B-influenced sound.

Throughout their career, Hall & Oates released 18 studio albums and had numerous hits, including “Rich Girl,” “Maneater,” and “Private Eyes.” The duo’s music often dealt with themes of love, heartbreak, and the ups and downs of relationships. They were known for their polished, radio-friendly sound and for their ability to blend different genres of music into their songs.

Hall & Oates were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014, and their music continues to be celebrated by fans around the world. Although the duo is no longer actively recording and touring, their legacy lives on through their music and their impact on pop culture.

20. Sonic Youth

Sonic Youth is an American experimental rock band formed in New York City in 1981. The band consists of four members: Thurston Moore (vocals, guitar), Kim Gordon (vocals, bass), Lee Ranaldo (guitar, vocals), and Steve Shelley (drums). Sonic Youth is known for their unconventional approach to music, their use of unconventional instruments and tunings, and their innovative use of noise and feedback.

Throughout their career, Sonic Youth released 16 studio albums and had numerous hits, including “Teen Age Riot,” “Schizophrenia,” and “Kool Thing.” The band’s music often dealt with themes of alienation, disaffection, and the chaos of modern life. They were known for their experimental, avant-garde sound and for their willingness to push the boundaries of what rock music could be.

Sonic Youth were one of the most influential and important bands of the 1980s and 1990s, and their impact on alternative rock and experimental music can still be heard today. Although the band disbanded in 2011, their legacy lives on through their music and their impact on contemporary music.