Glam Metal Facts

Origins and early development

Glam metal evolved directly from the glam rock movement of the 1970s, combining visual elements from artists such as t. rex, david bowie, and the new york dolls with heavier metal influences from theatrical acts like alice cooper and kiss. The first examples began appearing in the late 1970s and early 1980s in the united states, particularly on the los angeles sunset strip. Early glam metal bands cited in the genre include mötley crüe, hanoi rocks, ratt, quiet riot, twisted sister, bon jovi, and dokken.

Evolution or diversification

Glam metal achieved significant commercial success from approximately 1982 to 1991, bringing prominence to bands such as poison, cinderella, and warrant. The genre declined in popularity in the early to mid 1990s as grunge and alternative rock shifted audience tastes toward a more stripped down aesthetic, leading many successful acts of the 1980s to disband. Since the late 1990s the genre has experienced a resurgence through reunion tours and the emergence of newer bands including the darkness, crashdïet, reckless love, steel panther, and black veil brides.

Cultural or musical significance

Aesthetically glam metal drew heavily on 1970s glam rock with long backcombed hair, makeup, tight and flashy clothing, and an androgynous presentation that contrasted with traditional metal fashion. The genre combined heavy metal sound with pop influenced hooks, harmonies, and power ballads that opened it to a wider audience and made it well suited to music television such as mtv. Glam metal performers also became noted in the press for debauched lifestyles, and the style has been described under various labels including hair metal, pop metal, and other commercial heavy metal designations.