We always like to offer a bit of an explanation.  A Definition.  A clarification of what we are searching for. What is Hair Metal? Pop Metal? Glam Metal? How is it different than hard rock?  What makes it what it is?

 

Sugary background vocals. That 80s era snare drum - the gated reverb- that keeps the 4/4 beat. Guitars that sounded like a good time.

 

It was the glam rock movement of the 1970s combined with heavy metal or hard rock to create a template. The Los Angeles Sunset Strip music scene with Motley Crue, Ratt, Quiet Riot, and Dokken. Def Leppard played a part. Bon Jovi, Twisted Sister, Poison, Skid Row, Cinderella, and Warrant too. Lots of others.  We take a dive into figuring out some of the big moments and some of the bands that kicked the door down for hair metal to rule radio.