These Stars Fully Embraced Big Hair in the '80s. See What They Looked Like Then and Now
See the wild throwback photos from the AquaNet era to their more demure, updated looks today
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Everything about rock and pop music got big in the '80s. Big sounds, big bands, big clothes, and — perhaps biggest of all — big hair!
The decade that introduced Hair Metal saw newly minted rock stars doubling down on the glam and teasing their hair till it was sky-high. Even veteran celebs of the '60s and '70s gave in to the over-the-top style of the era, trading in disco glitz and hippie chic for mountainous manes held aloft by enough AquaNet to puncture the Ozone layer. It was inarguably a distinctive moment in pop culture style that burned bright and ultimately burned out.
Take a look back at some of the musicians whose hair towered tallest in the '80s — and see how their style evolved after the decade ended.
Cher
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Cher in 1981 and in 2024After becoming known for her sheaf of straight hair in the '70s, Cher went big in the '80s. These days, the "Believe" singer is something of a chameleon, perpetually changing it up, as she did with this blonde look at a pre-Grammys party in February 2024.
Lita Ford
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Lita Ford in 1984 and 2019"Kiss Me Deadly" rocker Lita Ford's teased tresses in 1984 are a marked contrast to her more subdued contemporary style.
Jon Bon Jovi
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Jon Bon Jovi in 1984 and 2023In the '80s, Jon Bon Jovi was known as much for his luxurious mane as he was for hits like "Livin' on a Prayer." These days, the 62-year-old is a silver fox whose grey mop still harkens back to his shaggier youth.
Tina Turner
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Tina Turner in 1985 and 2018Known for her fabulous wigs, soul R&B icon Tina Turner leaned in to an edgier rock 'n' roll look in the '80s. Before her 2023 death at the age of 83, she sported a more elegant 'do.
Stevie Nicks
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Stevie Nicks in 1987 and 2018During her solo heyday in the 1980s, Fleetwood Mac singer-songwriter Stevie Nicks traded hippie chic for big, bold new romantic style. In recent years, the 76-year-old has gone from a smooth cascade of flaxen locks to embracing curls once again on her current tour.
C.C. DeVille
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C.C. DeVille in 1987 and 2018As a member of Poison, guitarist C.C. DeVille helped define the hair metal era. The '80s may have come and gone, but the 62-year-old still looks every inch the rock star — even if his hair isn't as high as it used to be.
Ann Wilson
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Ann Wilson in 1983 and 2022Heart's sound was always gutsy, but in the '80s the band embraced the decade's excess — and singer Ann Wilson sported a coif to match. The hair got even bigger as Heart moved into their glam rock phase, but these days Wilson favors tousled braids, while letting her powerhouse voice do the talking.
David Bowie
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David Bowie in 1986 and 2010David Bowie may have only donned this impressive wig for his role in 1986's Labyrinth, but it is quintessentially '80s. By the time of his 2016 death at the age of 69, the iconoclastic pop star had long since adopted a stylishly short 'do.
Dee Snider
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Dee Snider in 1984 and 2022While Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider teased his naturally curly hair to high heaven back in the '80s, these days the 69-year-old rocker tames that voluminous mane by pulling it back.
Nikki Sixx
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Nikki Sixx in 1985 and 2019Of all the members of Mötley Crüe, bassist Nikki Sixx may have had the biggest hair. The 65-year-old may have downsized in recent years, but his current rocker shag is still vaguely reminiscent of its '80s glory.
Grace Slick
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Grace Slick in 1980 and 2022Like other rock stars of the '60s and '70s, Grace Slick pumped up the volume in the go-go '80s — both in terms of Jefferson Starship's music and her hair. Flash forward to today, and the 84-year-old singer has let her once-dark tresses go luxuriantly silver.
Slash
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Slash in 1986 and 2024The more things change, the more they stay the same. Guns N' Roses lead guitarist Slash has remained steadfastly loyal to his signature curls-and-top-hat look.
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