Hello guys, In this article, we will be looking for the best rock bands of the 80s of all time. In the 80s many rock bands were formed including, Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, R.E.M., Red Hot Chili Peppers, etc. The 80s was a time for massive rock supremacy with glam rock and a lot of new artists gaining popularity.
The 80s was the best decade for the music industry, the decade gave us some of the finest albums and bands in rock history. So guys, without wasting our time, let’s check out our best 80s rock bands. Also, you must know about the best Greatest Rock Bands of the 90s.
14 Best Rock Bands Of The 80s You Should Know
1 – Guns N’ Roses
Guns N’ Roses is the most influential American hard rock band from Los Angeles, California, they formed in 1985. The band comprised vocalist Axl Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKagan, and drummer Steven Adler. It’s one of the Best Rock Bands Of The 80s.
2 – Metallica
The band was formed in 1981 in Los Angeles by vocalist/guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich. Metallica is known for being an American heavy metal band. It consists of members including, James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, & Robert Trujillo.
3 – Bon Jovi
American rock band, Bon Jovi formed in 1983 in Sayreville, New Jersey. Consists of singer Jon Bon Jovi, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, guitarist Phil X, and bassist Hugh McDonald. Bon Jovi has released 16 studio albums, five compilations, and three live albums. It’s one of the Best Rock Bands Of The 80s.
4 – R.E.M.
American rock band, R.E.M. from Athens, Georgia, was formed in 1980 by Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Michael Stipe. R.E.M.’s most commercially successful albums were Out of Time (1991) and Automatic for the People (1992). In 2007, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
5 – Mötley Crüe
American heavy metal band, Mötley Crüe formed in Los Angeles in 1981. The group was founded by bassist Nikki Sixx, drummer Tommy Lee, lead guitarist Mick Mars, and lead singer Vince Neil. Mötley Crüe has sold over 100 million albums worldwide.
On March 22, 2019, the band released four new songs on the soundtrack for its Netflix biopic The Dirt, based on the band’s New York Times best-selling autobiography of the same name. It is one of the Best Rock Bands Of The 80s.
6 – Poison
American glam metal band, Poison formed in 1983, in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. The band achieved commercial success in the mid-1980s through the mid-1990s and has sold 15 million records in the United States and over 50 million albums worldwide.
7 – Skid Row
American rock band, Skid Row formed in 1986 in Toms River, New Jersey. Their current lineup comprises bassist Rachel Bolan, guitarists Dave Sabo and Scotti Hill, drummer Rob Hammersmith, and vocalist ZP Theart. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, The group gained commercial success, with its first two albums Skid Row (1989) and Slave to the Grind (1991) certified multi-platinum.
8 – Red Hot Chili Peppers
American rock band, The Red Hot Chili Peppers formed in Los Angeles in 1983. They are the most successful band in the history of alternative rock. Current members include Anthony Kiedis, Flea, Chad Smith & John Frusciante. It’s one of the Best Rock Bands Of The 80s.
9 – Ratt
American glam metal band, Ratt was formed in San Diego in 1977, however, the band gained success in the 1980s, with their albums having been certified as gold, platinum, and multi-platinum by the RIAA.
The band’s classic line-up consisted of Stephen Pearcy, Robbin Crosby, Warren DeMartini, Juan Croucier, and Bobby Blotzer.
10 – Warrant
American glam metal band, Warrant formed in 1984 in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, experienced success from 1988 to 1996 with five albums reaching international sales of over 10 million. It is one of the Best Rock Bands Of The 80s.
11 – Winger
American heavy metal band, Winger formed in New York City, Winger gained popularity during the late 1980s and early 1990s. In 1990, the band was nominated for an American Music Award for “Best New Heavy Metal Band.”
12 – The Bangles
American pop-rock band, The Bangles formed in Los Angeles in 1981. The band recorded several singles that reached the U.S. top 10 during the 1980s, including “Manic Monday”, “Walk Like an Egyptian”, “Hazy Shade of Winter”, “In Your Room”, and “Eternal Flame.”
The band’s classic lineup consisted of founding members Susanna Hoffs, Vicki Peterson, Debbi Peterson, with Michael Steele. It’s one of the Best Rock Bands Of The 80s.
13 – Blur
English rock band, Blur formed in London in 1988, the group consists of singer Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree. Blur’s debut album Leisure incorporated the sounds of Madchester and shoegazing.
14 – Sonic Youth
American rock band, Sonic Youth based in New York City, formed in 1981. The band experienced mainstream success throughout the 1990s and 2000s after signing to major label DGC in 1990 and headlining the 1995 Lollapalooza festival.
Founding members Thurston Moore, Kim Gordon, and Lee Ranaldo, while Steve Shelley followed a series of short-term drummers in 1985. Jim O’Rourke was also a member of the band from 1999 to 2005 Mark Ibold. It’s one of the Best Rock Bands Of The 80s.
