Rock of Ages Artists photos

Outlaw Pride: After forming in the early 1980s, Bon Jovi - comprised of David Bryan (left), Tico Torres, singer Jon Bon Jovi, Alec John Such (past member) and Richie Sambora - hit Billboard's Hot 100 chart in 1986, with "Wanted Dead Or Alive." The song's lyrics tell the story of a steel-horse-riding criminal who just, frankly, rocks on.

The More Hair, the Merrier: In the mid-1970s, former Deep Purple frontman David Coverdale founded Whitesnake, a rock group known for its luscious locks and big vocals. The band—originally comprised of Bernie Marsden, Neil Murray and Micky Moody, along with longtime member Coverdale—scored a No. 1 hit in 1987, with "Here I Go Again," a song about moving on, and not wasting any time about it.

Star Wars: Following a legal battle between former Jefferson Starship singer Paul Kantner and his bandmates, Starship—a spin-off of the original rock group—emerged in the mid-1980s. Starship landed at the top of the charts in 1985, with "We Built This City." Original members, including Grace Slick and Mickey Thomas (in cart), posed for a photo in 1988, in Los Angeles, California.

Rock Respect: Joan Jett and the Blackhearts payed tribute to rock 'n roll music in 1981, with "I Love Rock 'N Roll." Originally recorded by the London-based band Arrows, Jett's soulful vocals and sexual undertones made the song famous.

Sister, You're Just Motoring: Bandmates Jeff Watson, Alan Fitzgerald, Jack Blades, Brad Gillis and Kelly Keagy, of Night Ranger, showed their sensitive side with 1984's "Sister Christian," a song offering words of advice to youth everywhere who are, simply, growing up too fast. The power ballad sprang to the top of Billboard's Hot 100 chart, where it stayed for several months.

Contrasting Chart-Toppers: Glam rock band Poison—including C.C. DeVille, Bret Michaels and Bobby Dall—hit the charts in early 1988 with "Nothin' But A Good Time," a powerful party song. Later that year, the group rose to No. 1 with "Every Rose Has Its Thorn," a soft, tearjerker tune about regret and loss.

Jilted Lovers' Anthem: "Harden My Heart," a 1981 chart-topper by Quarterflash, details a lover's burning betrayal and, subsequently, a motivational comeback, which shot to the top of music charts. The band—comprised of lead singer Rindy Ross and her husband, guitarist Marv Ross; Jack Charles, Rick DiGiallonardo and Rich Gooch—formed in 1980.

Leathered-Up Ladies' Man: David Lee Roth, with his wind-blown hair, tight rockstar garb and incredible vocal range, was an instant heartthrob for rocker women in the 1980s. After splitting from Van Halen in 1985, Roth returned to the airwaves in 1988, with "Just Like Paradise." The song depicts a girl named Suzie, her father's car, and overt excitement about going out on the town.

Head-Banging Heaven: Glam rock group Warrant's release of "Heaven" in 1989 met with worldwide appeal, including a No. 2 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The power ballad encourages listeners to focus on their aspirations, as they're not so far away.

Cruise Control: Following an upbeat, rock 'n roll style with their self-titled debut album in the early 1970s, REO Speedwagon adopted a softer, more pop-focused sound—along with a new lead singer— for the 1984 recording "Can't Fight This Feeling." The song, which describes falling in love with someone who's taken, jumped to No. 1 on the charts.

Heavy Metal, with a Twist: Following more than a decade of minimal fame, Twisted Sister burst into the music scene in 1984 with two major hits—powerful party anthems "I Wanna Rock" and "We're Not Gonna Take It." The band—including Mark Mendoza (left), Eddie Ojeda, Dee Snider, AJ Pero and JJ French—is known for its hybrid, metal-glam rock style.

Harmonious Homage: Nuno Bettencourt and Gary Cherone, of the funk-metal band Extreme, switched gears in 1990 to record "More Than Words," a soft, melodious ballad about loving beyond words. The song displays vocal harmonies between Cherone and Bettencourt, who also plays acoustic guitar.

Support Group: Known for their rich harmonies and rock-ballad style, Journey crept to the top of the music charts with "Any Way You Want It" and "Don't Stop Believin'" in 1980 and 1981, respectively. At that time, the group included members Neal Schon (left), Steve Smith, Steve Perry, Ross Valory and Gregg Rolie. While it was a major hit in the 1980s, "Don't Stop Believin'"—a supportive, motivational song about achieving dreams—has been a pop culture staple, used on television and in movies, for decades.

A Tale of Two Cities: Something special happened when British rockers Ian McDonald and Mick Jones paired up with New Yorker Lou Gramm: Foreigner was created. Three other members soon joined the ranks. After gaining popularity in the late 1970s, Foreigner exploded on the charts in the '80s, with such hit songs as "Juke Box Hero," "Waiting For A Girl Like You" and "I Want To Know What Love Is." The band is known for its innovative guitar parts and incorporation of several genres, including rock, pop and R&B.

Bandana-Rama: Guns N' Roses, identified in the 1980s by frontman Axl Rose and his trademarked bandana, is best known for the 1988 single "Paradise City," which landed on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song, part of the famed album Appetite for Destruction, is known for its fast-moving lyrics, catchy melody and Rose's piercing vocals.

Tauntress with a Tune: Soulful rock vocalist Pat Benatar demanded attention with her rendition of "Hit Me With Your Best Shot," which became a Top 10 Billboard hit when it was released in 1980. The song, written for the singer by Eddie Schwartz a year before its release, includes provoking lyrics toward an ex-lover. Benatar achieved wide fame again in 1982, with the chart-topping single "Shadows Of The Night."

When Rock Just Needs a Touch of Sugar: Following a spot on Billboard's Hot 100 chart in the early 1980s, with "Rock of Ages," Def Leppard came back with a roar later in the decade. The band's sexually driven, fast-paced single, "Pour Some Sugar On Me"—performed by frontman Joe Elliott—topped musical charts in 1987, and is regarded as one of the most memorable rock songs of the '80s.

Sometimes, Going 'Hurricane' is the Only Option: Heavy metal band Scorpions released the single "Rock You Like a Hurricane" and its corresponding album, Love at First Sting, in 1984. The song quickly rose to the top of Billboard's Hot 100 chart that year, and has been deemed one of the decade's most popular tunes. Scorpions, including guitarist Rudolf Schenker and lead singer Klaus Meine, was founded in Germany in the mid-1960s.

Breaking Ties, Making Hits and Taking Names: Before officially breaking ties with the pop rock band Journey, in the mid-1980s, Steve Perry began recording a solo album, Street Talk. One song from the album, "Oh, Sherrie," became an instant hit, topping music charts. Perry wrote the song about his girlfriend at the time, Sherrie Swafford. The couple parted ways soon after, in 1985.