The Eighties: Greatest Era of Music

Does the sound of "Nothin' But a Good Time" stir a certain memory and bring a long lost smile to your face? When you think of "spandex, do you picture Don Dokken, Dee Snider or John Bon Jovi? How about Aqua Net commercials, do they make your hair hurt from the thought of endless teasing and spraying? If so, you were definitely one of the luckiest people in the world, you took part in the greatest era of music; the eighties.

Metal music, up until this time, had only one sound. The eighties changed all of that. Several catagories grew from the "metal" sound and expanded the music to video and radio. Air play was almost unheard of for a metal group, but the introduction of "glam metal" made such a monumental change in radio that it completely captivated the airways. Metal ballads became all the rage and in perspective, a great compromise for dating couples. Guys were cool for having a "Cinderella" tape in their car and their girlfriends were still able to listen to love songs while on a date. Bands like "Dokken", "Whitesnake" and "Poison" were all famous for their ballads and many children were conceived while playing these famous classics.

Guys were encouraged to experiment with lipstick and eye liner. They grew their hair out and permed it until the ends were completely fried. Spandex, leather, scarves and anything else that would draw attention, were part of the wardrobe. "Bon Jovi" is often credited with bringing (pretty) back to metal. Whoever it was,"Thank you!" The guys never looked better. "Guns N Roses" started out as glam, but after "Welcome to the Jungle" they figured out that the look just wasn't for them. This was the beginning of the end for the glam look.

As explosive as the eighties glam metal scene started, it ended just as abruptly. Few bands are still surviving today. Credit must be given to "Motley Crue" and "Poison" as they continue to evolve and sell out tours throughout the US. They have been able to overcome the eighties stigma and produce songs that fit into a younger generation.
Los Angeles, is the spot where it all began and it is still the home of one of the largest metal stomping grounds today. Nestled on the Sunset Strip, The Rainbow Bar and Grill is one of the few eighties Metal Meccas left in the world. Any given night, you can see Lemmy Kilmeister, Jani Lane or C.C. Deville dining with their friends. If you were a band in the eighties, you spent many nights at The Rainbow. The history is displayed on the walls and you can feel the energy as you walk in the front door. The years will slip away and the sudden urge for a beer bong and Aqua Net will hit you. It is a good thing to keep in touch with your inner "eighties child." Just look at Keith Richards, he is still calling on his inner "fifties child" and it has kept him rocking all the way.