Hair metal

Hair metal is a type of heavy metal music that arose in the late 1970s, in the United States, and was a strong force in popular music throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. Such bands are frequently called hair bands. Pejorative terms for hair metal include poodle rock, due to the teased, bushy hair of many performers, or other derogatory terms, such as cock rock reflect a fixation on sexual lyrics and deeds and the lack of respect afforded by some music critics.

Origins

Throughout the 1970s, heavy metal languished in filth and greatness. Several bands maintained large cult followings, like KISS, Queen, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Scorpions, Uriah Heep, and Ted Nugent, and there were occasional mainstream hits, like Blue Öyster Cult’s “Don’t Fear the Reaper.” Less commercially popular bands from the period such as Angel, Starz, Montrose, and Legs Diamond, combined the heavy metal and glam rock styles and have been cited as probable origins of what later came to be called hair metal. Music critics overwhelmingly hated the genre, and casual listeners generally avoided it because of its strangeness.

Related Topics:
1970s - Cult - KISS - Queen - Led Zeppelin - Aerosmith - Scorpions - Uriah Heep - Ted Nugent - Blue Öyster Cult - Angel - Starz - Montrose - Legs Diamond - Glam rock

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This changed in 1978, with the release of the hard rock band Van Halen’s ground-breaking debut. Guitarist Eddie Van Halen’s innovative tapping technique, and vocalist David Lee Roth’s mock-carnal presence brought hair metal into mainstream music. Countless bands relocated to Los Angeles to follow their example, and formed a colorful scene centering around the Sunset Strip.

Related Topics:
1978 - Van Halen - Eddie Van Halen - David Lee Roth - Los Angeles - Sunset Strip

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Most hair metal bands also cite Finnish rock & roll band Hanoi Rocks as a major influence. Due to this, Hanoi Rocks often gets labeled hair metal, even though their sound more closely resembles the Rolling Stones then their contemporary hair metal bands.

Related Topics:
Finnish rock & roll band - Hanoi Rocks - The Rolling Stones

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