The ‘80s was a vibrant time for the young people who got to grow up in it. Featuring flamboyant fashion statements, the emergence of synth, and a new form of pop music, this decade was defined by extravagance, excess, and musical experimentation. The sounds that defined the ‘80s range from hard rock to alternative, hair metal to grunge, punk to pop, and hip hop to electronica.
The heavy metal movement became fully established, along with subgenres like thrash that continue to inspire kids to learn to play the guitar (and grow their locks out long). Rock music, meanwhile, became more and more “weird” as people rejected the old norms and the tunes of the past in favor of new, experimental sounds. The musicians of this era were open to anything, and soon enough, their innovative thinking created a decade that will be long-remembered as representing a golden age in musical development.
While there are tons of bands and artists that could’ve made it onto this list, we distilled the brilliance of the ‘80s down to five of the greatest bands of the “big hair” decade.
5. The Cure
The English rock band was formed in 1976, and had a lasting influence on music culture; one that’s still felt to this day. In April of 2019, Trent Reznor delivered a heartfelt induction speech for the band when they entered the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Over their years together, The Cure crafted songs that rocked back and forth between abject darkness and cheeky, commercial popularity. Without question, Robert Smith and his fellow members molded the landscape of rock music in the ‘80s and beyond.
