50 ESSENTIAL GLAM METAL ALBUMS 1978 - 1990

Van Halen – Van Halen 

Released: February 10, 1978, Warner Bros.

Produced by Ted Templeman

US Billboard: #19

Certification: Diamond (10,000,000)

David Lee Roth - vocals, Eddie Van Halen - guitars, Michael Anthony - bass, Alex Van Halen - drums 

Best songs: "Eruption", "You Really Got Me", "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love", "Ice Cream Man"

Loverboy – Get Lucky  

Released: October 7, 1981, Columbia

Produced by Bruce Fairbairn and Paul Dean

US Billboard: #7

Certification: 4x Platinum (4,000,000)

Mike Reno - vocals, Paul Dean - guitars, Doug Johnson - keyboards, Scott Smith - bass, Matt Frenette - drums

Best songs: "Working for the Weekend", "When It's Over", "Jump", "Lucky Ones"

Hanoi Rocks – Self Destruction Blues

Released: August 1982, Johanna

Produced by Andy McCoy and Michael Monroe

Finish Albums Chart: #28

Michael Monroe - vocals, saxophone, harmonica, Andy McCoy - guitar, Nasty Suicide - guitar, Sam Yaffa - bass, Gyp Casino - drums

Best songs: "Cafe Avenue", "Nothing New", "Self Destruction Blues", "Dead by X-Mas"

Mötley Crüe – Too Fast for Love

Released: August 20, 1982, Elektra

Produced by Mötley Crüe

US Billboard: #77

Certification: Platinum (1,000,000)

Vince Neil - vocals, Nikki Sixx - bass, Mick Mars - guitar, Tommy Lee - drums

Best songs: "Live Wire", "Public Enemy #1", "Too Fast for Love", "On with the Show"

KISS – Creatures of the Night

Released: October 25, 1982

Produced by Michael James Jackson

US Billboard: #45

Certification: Gold (500,000)

Paul Stanley - vocals, rhythm guitar, Gene Simmons - vocals, bass, Vinnie Vincent - lead guitar, Eric Carr - drums

Best songs: "Creatures of the Night", "I Love It Loud", "I Still Love You", "War Machine"

Night Ranger – Dawn Patrol

Released: November 1982, Boardwalk

Produced by Pat Glasser

US Billboard: #38

Jack Blades - bass, vocals, Jeff Watson - guitar, Brad Gillis - guitar, Alan Fitzgerald - keyboards, Kelly Keagy - drums, vocals

Best songs: "Don't Tell Me You Love Me", "Sing Me Away", "Eddie's Comin' Out Tonight", "Night Ranger"

 

Def Leppard – Pyromania

Released: January 20, 1983, Vertigo

Produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange

US Billboard: #2

Certification: Diamond (10,000,000)

Joe Elliot - vocals, Steve Clark - guitar, Phil Collen - guitar, Pete Willis - guitar, Rick Savage - bass, Rick Allen - drums

Best songs: "Photograph", "Too Late for Love", "Foolin'", "Rock of Ages"

Helix – No Rest for the Wicked

Released: March 11, 1983, Capitol

Produced by Tom Treumuth

US Billboard: #186

Certification: Gold in Canada (50,000)

Brian Vollmer - vocals, Paul Hackman - guitar, Brent Doerner - guitar, Mike Uzelac - bass, Greg Hinz - drums

Best songs: "Does a Fool Ever Learn", "Heavy Metal Love", "No Rest for the Wicked", "Never Want to Lose You"

Quiet Riot – Metal Health

Released: March 11, 1983, Pasha

Produced by Spencer Proffer

US Billboard: #1

Certification: 6x Platinum (6,000,000)

Kevin DuBrow - vocals, Carlos Cavazo - guitars, Rudy Sarzo - bass, Frankie Banali - drums

Best songs: "Metal Health (Bang Your Head)", "Cum On Feel the Noize", "Slick Black Cadillac","Run for Cover"

KISS – Lick It Up

Released: September 22, 1983, Mercury

Produced by Michael James Jackson

US Billboard: #24

Certification: Platinum (1,000,000)

Paul Stanley - vocals, rhythm guitar, Gene Simmons - vocals, bass, Vinnie Vincent - lead guitar, Eric Carr - drums

Best songs: "Not for the Innocent", "Lick It Up", "Gimme More", "All Hell's Breakin' Loose"

Mötley Crüe – Shout at the Devil

Released: September 23, 1983, Elektra

Produced by Tom Werman

US Billboard: #17

Certification: 4x Platinum (4,000,000)

Vince Neil - vocals, Nikki Sixx - bass, Mick Mars - guitars, Tommy Lee - drums

Best songs: "In the Beginning", "Shout at the Devil", "Helter Skelter", "Too Young to Fall in Love"

Van Halen – 1984

Released: January 9, 1984, Warner Bros.

Produced by Ted Templeman

US Billboard: #2

Certification: Diamond (10,000,000)

David Lee Roth - vocals, Eddie Van Halen - guitars, keyboards, Michael Anthony - bass, Alex Van Halen - drums 

Best songs: "Jump","Panama", "Hot for Teacher", "I'll Wait"

Ratt – Out of the Cellar

Released: February 17, 1984, Atlantic

Produced by Beau Hill

US Billboard: #7

Certification: 3x Platinum (3,000,000)

Stephen Pearcy - vocals, Robbin Crosby - guitar, Warren DeMartini - guitar, Juan Croucier - bass, Bobby Blotzer - drums

Best songs: "Wanted Man","You're in Trouble", "Round and Round", "Lack of Communication"

Scorpions – Love at First Sting

Released: March 1984, Harvest/EMI

Produced by Dieter Dierks

US Billboard: #6

Certification: 3x Platinum (3,000,000)

Klaus Meine - vocals, Rudolf Schenker - guitars, Matthias Jabs - guitars, Francis Buchholz - bass, Herman Rarebell - drums

Best songs: "Bad Boys Running Wild", "Rock You Like a Hurricane", "Big City Nights", "Still Loving You" 

Whitesnake – Slide It In

Released: April 16, 1984, Geffen

Produced by Martin Birch

US Billboard: #40, UK Albums: #9

Certification: 2x Platinum (2,000,000), Worldwide: 6,000,000

David Coverdale - vocals, Mel Galley - guitar, John Sykes - guitar, Neil Murray - bass, Cozy Powell - drums, Jon Lord - keyboards

Best songs: "Slide It In", Slow an' Easy", "Love Ain't No Stranger", "Guilty of Love"

Twisted Sister – Stay Hungry

Released: May 10, 1984, Atlantic

Produced by Tom Werman

US Billboard: #15

Certification: 3x Platinum (3,000,000)

Dee Snider - vocals, Eddie Ojeda - guitar, Jay Jay French - guitar, Mark Mendoza - bass, A. J. Pero - drums

Best songs: "We're Not Gonna Take It", "Burn in Hell", "I Wanna Rock", "The Price"

Hanoi Rocks – Two Steps from the Move

Released: August 7, 1984, CBS

Produced by Bob Ezrin

UK Albums: #28, Finnish Albums Chart: #9

Michael Monroe - vocals, saxophon, harmonica, Andy McCoy - guitar, Nasty Suicide - guitar, Sam Yaffa - bass, Nicholas "Razzle" Dingley - drums

Best songs: "Up Around the Bend", "High School", "Don't You Ever Leave Me", "Boulevard of Broken Dreams"

W.A.S.P. – W.A.S.P.

Released: August 17, 1984, Capitol

Produced by Mike Varney and Blackie Lawless

US Billboard: #74

Certification: Gold (500,000)

Blackie Lawless - vocals, bass, Chris Holmes - guitar, Randy Piper - guitar, Tony Richards - drums

Best songs: "I Wanna Be Somebody", "L.O.V.E. Machine", "School Daze", "Sleeping (In the Fire)"

Dokken – Tooth and Nail

Released: September 14, 1984, Elektra

Produced by Roy Thomas Baker and Tom Werman

US Billboard: #49

Certification: Platinum (1,000,000)

Don Dokken - vocals, George Lynch - guitars, Jeff Pilson - bass, Mick Brown - drums

Best songs: "Tooth and Nail", "Just Got Lucky", "Into the Fire", "Turn on the Action"

Autograph – Sign in Please

Released: September 27, 1984, RCA

Produced by Neil Kernon

US Billboard: #29

Certification: Gold (500,000)

Steve Plunkett - vocals, Steve Lynch - guitars, Randy Rand - bass, Steven Isham - keyboards, Keni Richards - drums

Best songs: "Send Her to Me", "Turn Up the Radio", "Night Teen & Non-Stop", "Thrill of Love"

Heart – Heart

Released: June 21, 1985, Capitol

Produced by Ron Nevison

US Billboard: #1

Certification: 5x Platinum (5,000,000)

Ann Wilson - vocals, Nancy Wilson - guitar, vocals, Howard Leese - guitar, keyboards, Mark Andes - bass, Denny Carmassi - drums

Best songs: "If Looks Could Kill", "What About Love", "Never", "These Dreams"

Mötley Crüe – Theatre of Pain

Released: June 24, 1985, Elektra

Produced by Tom Werman

US Billboard: #6

Certification: 4x Platinum (4,000,000)

Vince Neil - vocals, harmonica, Nikki Sixx - bass, synthesizers, Mick Mars - guitars, Tommy Lee - drums, piano

Best songs: "City Boy Blues", "Smokin' in the Boys Room", "Keep Your Eye on the Money", "Home Sweet Home"

Ozzy Osbourne – The Ultimate Sin

Released: January 24, 1986, Epic

Produced by Ron Nevison

US Billboard: #6

Certification: 2x Platinum (2,000,000)

Ozzy Osbourne - vocals, Jake E. Lee - guitars, Phil Soussan - bass, Randy Castillo - drums

Best songs: "Secret Loser", "Thank God for the Bomb", "Killer of Giants", "Shot in the Dark"

Judas Priest – Turbo

Released: March 21, 1986, Columbia

Produced by Tom Allom

US Billboard: #17

Certification: Platinum (1,000,000)

Rob Halford - vocals, K. K. Downing - guitars, Glenn Tipton - guitars, Ian Hill - bass, dave Holland - drums

Best songs: "Turbo Lover", "Locked In", "Parental Guidance", "Out in the Cold"

Van Halen – 5150

Released: March 24, 1986, Warner Bros.

Produced by Mick Jones, Donn Landee and Van Halen

US Billboard: #1

Certification: 6x Platinum (6,000,000)

Sammy Hagar - vocals, keyboards, Eddie Van Halen - guitars, keyboards, Michael Anthony - bass, Alex Van Halen - drums

Best songs: "Why Can't This Be Love", "Dreams", "Best of Both Worlds", "Inside"

Poison – Look What the Cat Dragged In

Released: May 23, 1986, Enigma

Produced by Ric Browde

US Billboard: #3

Certification: 3x Platinum (3,000,000)

Bret Michaels - vocals, C. C. DeVille - guitar, Bobby Dall - bass, Rikki Rockett - drums

Best songs: "Cry Tough", "I Want Action", "Look What the Cat Dragged In", "Talk Dirty to Me"

Europe – The Final Countdown

Released: May 30, 1986, Epic

Produced by Kevin Elson

US Billboard: #8

Certification: 3x Platinum (3,000,000)

Joey Tempest - vocals, John Norum - guitars, Mic Michaeli - keyboards, John Levén - bass, Ian Haugland - drums

Best songs: "The Final Countdown", "Rock the Night", "Carrie", "Cherokee"

Cinderella – Night Songs

Released: June 9, 1986, Mercury

Produced by Andy Johns

US Billboard: #3

Certification: 3x Platinum (3,000,000)

Tom Keifer - vocals, guitar, piano, Jeff LaBar - guitar, Eric Brittingham - bass, Jody Cortez - drums

Best songs: "Night Songs", "Shake Me", "Nobody's Fool", "Somebody Save Me"

Bon Jovi – Slippery When Wet

Released: August 18, 1986, Mercury

Produced by Bruce Fairbairn

US Billboard: #1

Certification: 12x Platinum (12,000,000)

Jon Bon Jovi - vocals, Richie Sambora - guitars, David Bryan - keyboards, Alec John Such - bass, Tico Torres - drums

Best songs: "You Give Love a Bad Name", Livin' on a Prayer", "Wanted Dead or Alive", "Raise Your Hands"

Whitesnake – Whitesnake

Released: March 23, 1987, Geffen

Produced by Keith Olsen & Mike Stone

US Billboard: #2

Certification: 8x Platinum (8,000,000)

David Coverdale - vocals, John Sykes - guitars, Neil Murray - bass, Aynsley Dunbar - drums

Best songs: "Still of the Night", "Is This Love", "Here I Go Again", "Straight for the Heart"

The Cult – Electric

Released: April 6, 1987, Beggars Banquet

Produced by Rick Rubin

US Billboard: #38, UK Albums: #4

Certification: Platinum (1,000,000)

Ian Astbury - vocals, Billy Duffy - guitars, Jamie Stewart - bass, Les Warner - drums

Best songs: "Wild Flower", "Lil' Devil", "Electric Ocean", "King Contrary Man"

Guns N' Roses – Appetite for Destruction

Released: July 21, 1987, Geffen

Produced by Mike Clink

US Billboard: #1, UK Albums: #5

Certification: 18x Platinum (18,000,000)

Axl Rose - vocals, Slash - guitar, Izzy Stradlin - guitar, Duff McKagan - bass, Steven Adler - drums

Best songs: "Welcome to the Jungle", "Paradise City", "My Michelle", "Sweet Child O' Mine"

Def Leppard – Hysteria

Released: August 3, 1987, Phonogram

Produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange

US Billboard: #1, UK Albums: #1

Certification: 12x Platinum

Joe Elliot - vocals, Phil Collen - guitar, Steve Clark - guitar, Rick Savage - bass, Rick Allen - drums

Best songs: "Rocket", "Animal", "Love Bites", "Run Riot"

Twisted Sister – Love Is for Suckers

Released: August 13, 1987

Produced by Beau Hill

US Billboard: #74

Dee Snider - vocals, Eddie Ojeda - guitar, Jay Jay French - guitar, Mark Mendoza - bass, Joey Franco - drums

Best songs: "Wake Up (The Sleeping Giant)", "Hot Love", "Love Is for Suckers", "Yeah Right"

 

Aerosmith – Permanent Vacation

Released: August 25, 1987, Geffen

Produced by Bruce Fairbairn

US Billboard: #11

Certification: 5x Platinum (5,000,000)

Steven Tyler - vocals, harmonica, Joe Perry - guitars, Brad Whitford - guitars, Tom Hamilton - bass, Joey Kramer - drums

Best songs: "Rag Doll", "Dude (Looks Like a Lady", "St. John", "Hangman Jury"

Lita Ford – Lita

Released: February 2, 1988, RCA

Produced by Mike Chapman

US Billboard: #29

Certification: Platinum (1,000,000)

Lita Ford - guitar, vocals, David Ezrin - keyboards, Don Nossov - bass, Myron Grombacher - drums

Best songs: "Back to the Cave", "Can't Catch Me", "Kiss Me Deadly", "Close My Eyes Forever" (feat. Ozzy Osbourne)

Zodiac Mindwarp and The Love Reaction – Tattooed Beat Messiah

Released: February 16, 1988, Vertigo

Produced by Bill Drummond and David Balfe

US Billboard: #132, UK Albums: #20

Zodiac Mindwarp - vocals, Cobalt Stargazer - guitar, Flash Bastard - guitar, Trash D. Garbage - bass, Slam Thunderhide - drums

Best songs: "Prime Mover", "Back Seat Education", "Born to Be Wild", "Holy Gasoline"

Cinderella – Long Cold Winter

Released: July 5, 1988, Mercury

Produced by Andy Johns and Cinderella

US Billboard: #10

Certification: 3x Platinum (3,000,000)

Tom Keifer - vocals, guitar, Jeff LaBar - guitar, Eric Brittingham - bass, Cozy Powell - drums

Best songs: "Gypsy Road", "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)", "The Last Mile", "If You Don't Like It"

Vixen – Vixen

Released: August 31, 1988, EMI Manhattan

Produced by David Cole, Spencer Proffer and Richard Marx

US Billboard: #41

Certification: Gold (500.000)

Janet Gardner - vocals, Jan Kuehnemund - guitars, Share Pedersen - bass, Roxy Petrucci - drums

Best songs: "Edge of a Broken Heart", "Cryin'", "Desperate", "Love Made Me"

Poison – Open Up and Say...Ahh!

Released: April 27, 1988, Enigma

Produced by Tom Werman

US Billboard: #2

Certification: 5x Platinum (5,000,000)

Bret Michaels - vocals, harmonica, C. C. DeVille - guitars, Bobby Dall - bass, Rikki Rockett - drums

Best songs: "Nothin' But a Good Time", "Fallen Angel", "Every Rose Has Its Thorn", "Your Mama Don't Dance"

The Dogs D'Amour – In the Dynamite Jet Saloon

Released: 1988, China

Produced by Mark Dearnley and The Dogs D'Amour

Tyla - vocals, Jo Almeida - guitars, Steve James - bass, Bam - drums

Best songs: "Debauchery", "How Come It Never Rains", "Gonna Get It Right", "Billy Two Rivers"

 

Skid Row – Skid Row

Released: January 24, 1989

Produced by Michael Wagener

US Billboard: #6

Certification: 5x Platinum (5,000,000)

Sebastian Bach - vocals, Dave Sabo - guitar, Scotti Hill - guitar, Rachel Bolan - bass, Rob Affuso - drums

Best songs: "Big Guns", "18 and Life", "Youth Gone Wild", "I Remember You" 

D-A-D – No Fuel Left for the Pilgrims

Released: March 3, 1989, Medley

Produced by D-A-D and Nick Foss

US Billboard: #116, Swedish Albums Chart: #25

Jesper Binzer - vocals, rhythm guitar, Jacob Binzer - lead guitar, Stig Pedersen - bass, Peter Jensen - drums

Best songs: "Sleeping My Day Away", "Jihad", "Point of View", "ZCMI"

The Cult – Sonic Temple

Released: April 10, 1989, Beggars Banquet

Produced by Bob Rock

US Billboard: #10

Certification: Platinum (1,000,000)

Ian Astbury - vocals, Billy Duffy - guitars, Jamie Stewart - bass, Mickey Curry - drums

Best songs: "Sun King", "Edie (Ciao Baby)", "Sweet Soul Sister", "New York City"

Alice Cooper – Trash

Released: July 25, 1989, Epic

Produced by Desmond Child

US Billboard: #20, UK Albums: #2

Certification: Platinum (1,000,000)

Alice Cooper - vocals, John McCurry - guitars, Alan St. John - keyboards, Hugh McDonald - bass, Bobby Chounard - drums

Best songs: "Poison", Spark in the Dark", "House of Fire", "Hell Is Living Without You"

Mötley Crüe – Dr. Feelgood

Released: August 28, 1989, Elektra

Produced by Bob Rock

US Billboard: #1, UK Albums: #4

Certification: 6x Platinum (6,000,000)

Vince Neil - vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica, Nikki Sixx - bass, keyboards, Mick Mars - guitars, Tommy Lee - drums

Best songs: "Dr. Feelgood", "Kickstart My Heart", "Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)", "Time for Change"

Aerosmith – Pump

Released: September 12, 1989, Geffen

Produced by Bruce Fairbairn

US Billboard: #5, UK Albums: #3

Certification: 7x Platinum (7,000,000)

Steven Tyler - vocals, harmonica, Joe Perry - guitars, Brad Whitford - guitars, Tom Hamilton - bass, Joey Kramer - drums

Best songs: "Young Lust", "Love in an Elevator", "The Other Side", "Hoodoo Voodoo Medicine Man"

Quireboys – A Bit of What You Fancy

Released: January 29, 1990, Parlophone

Produced by Joe Cregan and George Tutko

US Billboard: #111, UK Albums: #2

Certification: Gold in UK (100,000)

Spike - vocals, Guy Bailey - guitar, Guy Griffin - guitar, Chris Johnstone - keyboards, Nigel Mogg - bass, Ian Wallace - drums

Best songs: "7 O'Clock", "Whippin' Boy", "Misled", "There She Goes Again"

Poison – Flesh & Blood

Released: July 2, 1990, Enigma

Produced by Bruce Fairbairn

US Billboard: #2, UK Albums: #3

Certification: 3x Platinum (3,000,000)

Bret Michaels - vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica, C. C. DeVille - guitars, Bobby Dall - bass, piano, Rikki Rockett - drums

Best songs: "Valley of Lost Souls", "Unskinny Bop", "Ride the Wind", "Poor Boy Blues"

Warrant – Cherry Pie

Released: September 11, 1990, Columbia

Produced by Beau Hill

US Billboard: #7

Certification: 2x Platinum (2,000,000)

Jani Lane - vocals, Joey Allen - guitar, Erik Turner - guitar, Jerry Dixon - bass, Steven Sweet - drums

Best songs: "Cherry Pie", "Uncle Tom's Cabin", "You're the Only Hell Your Mama Ever Raised", "Mr. Rainmaker"