20 Best Rock Bands of the 80s

The 1980s were a time of experimentation and excess that saw the birth of hair metal, thrash metal, alternative rock, new wave, and other new genres. Solo artists and pop excluded, here are the 20 Best rock bands of the 80s.

20. Whitesnake

Founded in 1978 by former Deep Purple singer David Coverdale. Whitesnake had huge success in the 1980s boosted by heavy MTV airplay, which led to a string of top 40 singles and three consecutive platinum albums. The band also became a huge concert draw with the addition of a superstar lineup.

19. The Pretenders

Formed in 1978, and labeled as one of the first new wave groups, this band’s self-titled debut sizzled with hard rocking grooves like “Precious” and “Tattooed Love Boys.” The Pretenders had a string of gold and platinum albums through the 80s into the mid-90s. The Pretenders were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005.

18. Poison

Disparaged by critics, glam rock band Poison has sold over 40 million records worldwide. Formed in 1983, Poison is best known for their #1 single “Every Rose Has Its Thorn.” They dominated the 1980s MTV era with 6 top ten singles and two others reaching the top 13. Lead singer Bret Michaels had a successful reality TV run.

17. The Cars

The Cars are considered a new wave band but the label didn’t exist when the band delivered their 1978 self-titled debut. They scored 4 top ten and 13 top 40 hits during the 1980s, including “Shake It Up” (#4) and “Drive”(#3 ). The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.

16. Judas Priest

This pioneering heavy-metal group was formed in Birmingham in 1969, but the 1980s were their era. Their influence would set the template for every metal band that followed, particularly 1980s hair metal. Although not a radio singles-oriented band, they cracked the US top 10 in 1981 and 1982. Judas Priest has sold over 50 million records worldwide.

15. The Police

Formed in London in 1977, The Police were first labeled as new wave. However, the band played a blend of rock, reggae, jazz, and punk. Success came in the 1980s, with a string of top ten hits including “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” (#3) and “Every Breath You Take” (#1). Only releasing five studio albums, The Police are one of the best-selling artists of all time with over 75 million records sold worldwide.

14. Van Halen

Van Halen was formed in 1973 but the 1980s was their most successful era. Fans called the incarnation with singer Sammy Hagar “Van Hagar.” 1983’s “Jump” was the band’s first #1 single thanks to heavy MTV play. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. At that point, Van Halen had sold 75 million albums worldwide.

13. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers formed in Florida in 1976. They had 3 successful albums during the 70s, but they had numerous radio hits during the 1980s that propelled the group into the mainstream. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.

12. R.E.M.

R.E.M was formed in 1980 and is considered among the first alternative rock bands. Two songs broke the top ten on the Hot 100 chart during the 80s: “The One I Love” (#9) and “Stand” (#6). R.E.M released 15 studio albums, selling more than 90 million albums worldwide, making them one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

11. Scorpions

Formed in Germany in 1965, Scorpions saw success in the 70s but skyrocketed during the 1980s and continued into the 90s. Their success was largely due to FM radio and heavy touring. They cracked the top 40 once with “Rock You Like a Hurricane” (#25) in 1984. Scorpions have sold between 75-100 million records worldwide.

10. Dire Straits

Formed in London in 1977, their 1978 self-titled debut album reached the top ten in the UK and US with their top 4 single “Sultans of Swing.” But the 80s were their heyday, driven by the #1 hit “Money for Nothing.” The group released six albums through 1991, all of which went multiplatinum and have sold over 100 million records.

9. Mötley Crüe

Dismissed by critics, Mötley Crüe first built their reputation on live shows and word-of-mouth. The group has attained as much notoriety offstage as with their music. They first broke into the top 20 with a cover of “Smokin’ in the Boys Room” (#16) in 1985. Their first five albums all went platinum and they’ve sold more than 100 million albums worldwide.

8. Def Leppard

Def Leppard formed in 1976 as part of the new wave of British heavy metal. But during the 80s, largely due to the influence and songwriting of producer Mutt Lange, Def Leppard began kicking out radio-friendly pop rock that turned them into one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Def Leppard have sold more than 100 million records worldwide.

7. Journey

Journey was formed in 1973. But their greatest success came during the 1980s when 9 of their singles finally cracked the top 20. “Open Arms” was their first #1 single. Three others cracked the top ten including “Who’s Crying Now” (#3) and “Don’t Stop Believin'” (#8). Journey released 25 gold and platinum albums, selling over 100 million records globally.

6. Guns N’ Roses

Formed in 1985, Guns N’ Roses injected a return of classic rock sensibilities into the hair metal scene. Their debut album Appetite for Destruction is one of the best-selling albums ever, with over 30 million sold. Guns N’ Roses is one of the best-selling groups in history with over 100 million albums sold. Their 6 studio albums all went platinum.

5. Metallica

Formed in 1981, Metallica is one of the most influential heavy metal bands and pioneered the genre of thrash metal. Commercial success came with their third album, Master of Puppets (1986). Of their 11 studio releases, only the most recent has not yet reached platinum. Metallica has won 10 Grammy awards. The band has sold more than 125 million albums worldwide.

4. Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi was formed in 1983. Although identified with the hair metal scene, they injected pop sensibilities into their sound, particularly with help from songwriter Desmond Child. From 1986-1989, every Bon Jovi single hit the top ten except one, with four going to #1. The band has sold more than 130 million records worldwide.

3. U2

U2 formed in 1976. They had two #1 hits in 1987 with “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” and “With or Without You.” They became one of the top live draws in the world. U2 has released 15 studio albums and 84 singles. They are among the highest-selling artists of all time with 175 million records sold worldwide.

2. Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden was instrumental in defining the genre of heavy metal music and influential for the bands that followed. Formed in London in 1975, Iron Maiden is known for their progressive style and dual lead guitar harmonies. The operatic style of new vocalist Bruce Dickinson propelled the band to six consecutive platinum albums. They have sold over 200 million albums worldwide.

1. AC/DC

AC/DC was formed in 1973. Although successful in the 1970s, the band achieved their first #1 album with 1981’s For Those About to Rock We Salute You. Live performances and FM radio drove their success. AC/DC have sold over 200 million albums worldwide and Back in Black (1980)sold 50 million copies worldwide making it the second best-selling album in history.