80s Rock- And Why it Was the Best Era

Jaydenoharper
Rock History Class page F ‘23
4 min readDec 9, 2023

From the beginning of rock too now, there have been countless names, bands, groups, artists, musicians, and people who have influenced this style of music. There are countless songs and albums that exist in this form of music. So when you really talk about the best time of rock to ever exist on this planet, it can be very hard to determine when that was.

In my opinion, the 1980s rock era was the best of all time. Not only was it the most popular, but some of the best songs ever were created during this time period. When you think about true rock, and some of the most influential groups and artists of all time, you think about the 1980s. Let me give you some examples.

Metallica is one of the best rock bands of all time, perhaps THE best.

1. Grammy Awards: Metallica has won multiple Grammy Awards, including Best Metal Performance for songs like “One,” “My Apocalypse,” “St. Anger,” and “The Ecstasy of Gold.”

2. Sales: Metallica is one of the best-selling music artists globally, with over 125 million records sold in the United States alone. Their self-titled album, commonly known as the “Black Album,” is one of the best-selling albums of all time.

3. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Metallica was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009.

Guns and Roses- another of the greatest bands to ever do it.

  1. Album Sales: Guns N’ Roses’ debut studio album, “Appetite for Destruction,” is one of the best-selling albums of all time, with over 30 million copies sold in the United States alone.

2. Grammy Awards: Guns N’ Roses won several Grammy Awards in the late 1980s and early 1990s, including Best Hard Rock Performance for “Sweet Child o’ Mine.”

Motley Crue- one of the biggest rock influences ever.

  1. Album Sales: Mötley Crüe has sold over 100 million albums worldwide. Their album “Dr. Feelgood” (1989) is particularly notable for its commercial success.

2. Grammy Nominations: Mötley Crüe has received Grammy nominations, notably for Best Hard Rock Performance with Vocal for the song “Dr. Feelgood.

3. VH1’s “100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock”: The band was ranked at number 29 on VH1’s list of the “100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock.”

Red Hot Chili Peppers- changed the game for good, and my personal favorite.

  1. Grammy Awards: The Red Hot Chili Peppers have won multiple Grammy Awards, including Best Rock Album for “Stadium Arcadium” and “Californication,” and Best Rock Performance with Vocal for songs such as “Give It Away,” “Scar Tissue,” and “Dani California.”

2. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012.

3. Album Sales: The Red Hot Chili Peppers are one of the best-selling bands globally, with over 80 million records sold in the United States alone. Albums like “Blood Sugar Sex Magik,” “Californication,” and “Stadium Arcadium” have achieved significant commercial success.

AC/DC- last but not least, one of the best rock bands to ever do it. I would be suprosed if a single person in America hasnt heard at least one of their songs.

  1. Album Sales: AC/DC is one of the best-selling music artists in the world, with over 200 million records sold globally. Their album “Back in Black” is one of the highest-selling albums of all time.

2. Grammy Awards: AC/DC has received several Grammy nominations and won a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance with Vocal for their song “War Machine.”

3. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.

The 1980s saw the emergence and flourishing of various rock subgenres. From the rise of glam metal and hair metal bands to the continued influence of classic rock, punk, and new wave, the decade offered a diverse range of sounds and styles within the rock genre.

Innovation and Experimentation: The 1980s marked a period of experimentation and innovation in rock music. Bands explored new sounds, incorporating synthesizers and electronic elements into their music. This era witnessed the blending of rock with pop, funk, and other genres, leading to the creation of unique and groundbreaking sounds.

Iconic Bands and Artists: The 1980s produced numerous iconic rock bands and artists that left a lasting impact on the music industry. Bands like U2, Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, and Bon Jovi, among others, achieved massive success and became synonymous with the era.

Technological Advances:The availability of new recording technologies and music videos played a significant role in shaping the music of the 1980s. MTV, launched in 1981, became a powerful platform for artists to showcase their visual creativity, contributing to the global popularity of rock bands.

Globalization of Rock:The 1980s marked a period when rock music became increasingly global. Bands from different countries gained international recognition, and the genre’s influence spread across cultural and geographical boundaries.

Cultural Impact: Rock music in the 1980s became more than just a musical genre; it influenced fashion, attitudes, and even politics. The cultural impact of rock during this era is often associated with a sense of rebellion, individualism, and a celebration of diversity.

So for all of these reasons, we can determine tht the 1980’s rock era was the greatest to ever do it.

Memorable Albums and Songs: The 1980s produced many critically acclaimed albums and timeless songs that continue to be celebrated today. From iconic albums like U2’s “The Joshua Tree” to classic rock anthems like Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child o’ Mine,” the decade is remembered for its memorable music.

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