Who are the “Big 4” of East Coast hair metal bands? It’s not as ridiculous a proposition as you might think.
And before you get your hackles up: Yes, we know hair metal originated as a disparaging term retroactively applied to glam metal or pop-metal. It’s also the easiest way to describe a genre and aesthetic to people who are not intimately acquainted with the scene.
Moving on now!
Hair metal is most closely associated with Los Angeles and for good reason. Many of the big-haired, spandex-clad hard rock bands that dominated the ’80s cut their teeth playing Sunset Strip clubs like the Whisky a Go Go, the Troubadour and Gazzarri’s. Los Angeles itself came to represent the decadence and depravity of the glam metal movement.
But let’s not forget their East Coast brethren who worked hard to cut through the noise at the same time. Their geographic roots were evident in their tireless work ethic, defiant attitude and dogged efforts to connect with fans.
Although it doesn’t have the same notoriety as its Californian counterpart, the East Coast produced several esteemed pop-metal acts. New Jersey was the birthplace of Bon Jovi, who rose from Sayreville basements and neighboring clubs to stadium stages and became one of the bestselling bands of the ’80s. Not far up the Garden State Parkway, Skid Row emerged a few years later, going on tour with Bon Jovi and rising to multiplatinum status themselves.
Other hair metal heavy hitters included Cinderella, Poison and Britny Fox, all from Pennsylvania. Twisted Sister formed in Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey and relocated to Long Island, New York, where they spent years cutting their teeth on the club circuit before hitting the big leagues. Winger, White Lion and Danger Danger also hailed from the Big Apple, proving the major metropolis had plenty of star power nestled among its boroughs.
Needless to say, the East Coast spawned plenty of killer hair metal acts. Read on to see the Big 4 of East Coast hair metal.
The ‘Big 4’ of East Coast Hair Metal
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Gallery Credit: Bryan Rolli
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