The Top 5 Heavy (Hair!) Metal Albums of the 1980s

In the late 1980s, MTV's Headbanger's Ball was a great place to catch bands of all "metal" levels, from thrash to glam. For me, it was a time dominated by "hair metal" - radio-friendly hits on rockin' albums, big hair, tight clothes, and lots of makeup and attitude. It's from this influence that I present to you the best heavy (hair!) metal albums of the 1980s.

Each of these albums represents a breakthrough for the band or the genre, and all are albums that charted on the mainstream charts and had radio hits, but were also strong albums in their entirety.

#1: Bon Jovi: Slippery When Wet

Released in 1986, this album has sold more that 27,000,000 copies worldwide. Often criticized for "smiling too much" to be metal, Jon and the boys showed that you could rock AND have a soft side - and make a lot of money doing what you love. Radio hits include: "You Give Love A Bad Name," "Livin' On A Prayer," "Wanted Dead Or Alive," and "Never Say Goodbye." Bon Jovi was one of the strongest bands for songwriting, which is why their music, and their band, is still popular today.

#2: Guns n' Roses: Appetite for Destruction

When this album came out in 1987, it didn't get much notice. It wasn't until a couple years later when "Sweet Child O' Mine" was released as a single that people sat up and took notice. Though a touch "glam" to start with (witness singer Axl Rose's big hair in the "Welcome to the Jungle" video), these guys knew how to rock and rock heavy. In addition to the two aforementioned songs, "Paradise City," and, to a lesser extent, "Mr. Brownstone," were radio hits.

#3: Poison: Open Up and Say...Ahh!

Though "Look What the Cat Dragged In" (1986), Poison's debut album, is perhaps a stronger album overall, it was 1988's "Open Up and Say...Ahh!" that launched them into the mainstream, making them MTV regulars. Hits include "Nothin' But A Good Time," "Fallen Angel," "Your Mama Don't Dance," and the still popular "Every Rose Has Its Thorn."

#4: AC/DC: Back in Black

Not a "hair band," but undeniably one of the best albums ever! Released in 1980, this was AC/DC's first album with new singer Brian Johnson, replacing the late Bon Scott. There were doubts over whether or not the fans would accept Johnson, and whether the band could even continue as "AC/DC." This album proved both to be unquestionably true. Radio hits include "Hells Bells," "Shoot To Thrill," "You Shook Me All Night Long," "Rock And Roll Ain't Noise Pollution," and the unforgettable "Back In Black," which is often played at concerts today, between acts, and always gets a wild response from the crowd.

#5: Bon Jovi: New Jersey

Another Bon Jovi album! With sales of almost 18 million worldwide, 1988's "New Jersey" continued Bon Jovi's hit machine and cemented them as possibly the most successful band of the 1980s. Radio hits include: "Lay Your Hands On Me," "Bad Medicine," "Born To Be My Baby," "Living In Sin," "I'll Be There For You."

I have to give honorable mentions to Motley Crue - "Dr. Feelgood" (1989) and Skid Row - "Skid Row" (1989) for both producing a string of hits on heavier, sleazier albums.