Did Hair Metal rule the music industry back in the 80s?

Question

Like were bands such as Motley Crue, Ratt, and Poison the most popular artists of the time and did every single person listen to them?

My mom grew up in the 80s and said that they didn't and that pop-stars like Michael Jackson and Madonna ruled (which I know they did), but I also think Hair Metal had to be up there with the likes of Michael Jackson.

Answer 1

It didn't rule the industry, but it sure as he*l dominated the charts. Michael Jackson and Madonna certainly ruled the 80's, but you could hear Motley Crue and Poison on the same stations played them. You could hear "Like a Prayer" followed by "Fallen Angel" on many top-40 stations at the time. Just about every hair metal band then had at least one power ballad which was usually on the top 40 charts. For every act the likes of Madonna, there were probably about 5 acts the likes of Ratt. It made listening to the radio in the 80's very interesting.

Answer 2

I was a cocktail waitress at a bar called "The Rock Shop" in the 80's, 2 stages with 2 live bands every night. I don't recall ever hearing any Madonna or Michael Jackson there, but I did hear a lot of Poison, Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Judas Priest, Cinderella, Great White . . .. you get the idea.

Answer 3

Metal, and rock was huge in the 80's. Hair metal isn't really a genre. Metal such as what you listed did rule which is above. Guns N' Roses were very popular who were rock along with Aerosmith and AC/DC.Pop was not such a big industry but MJ was huge. And there was no crap music like Justin Beiber, Katy Perry, etc. (Thank God). But yes, metal and rock were the biggest genres of the 80s

Answer 4

Yes, hair-metal was HUGE from like 1981 - 1991. Your mom probably didn't listen to rock then. But the youth (teenagers) did and the money rolled right in for hair metal bands. But yes pop was also pretty big in the 80s too.

Answer 5

Immediately when I read your question, I was thinking to myself...yes it did, but it was probably a mix of different genres being popular from pop (Michael Jackson, etc) to Hair metal (Motley Crue, etc). It was all popular probably.

Answer 6

Yes. Have you noticed how many of those bands start with a W? Whitesnake, winger, warrant, white lion....

Answer 7

metal did rule at that time, ur mother says no cause she probably didnt like it