The 80s was a decade filled with fantastic music. Iconic musicians like Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Prince dominated the airwaves, setting new standards for the industry. However, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. For every great musician, there seemed to be a band that everyone hated. Whether it was their music, their fashion sense, or their personas, these groups had a knack for grating on people’s nerves.
Here are some of the worst bands from the 80s and 90s that just about everyone hated.
Twisted Sister
Did you just groan? Twisted Sister’s heavy metal sound was torture to the ears, and their look was brutal to the eyes. Their exaggerated theatrics overshadowed their musical talent, and they eventually fizzled out. Ironically enough, they were one of the most popular metal bands of the 80s.
Milli Vanilli
This German duo was best known for lip-syncing their performances, a fact that was revealed to the public during a live concert in 1989. Their Grammy award was revoked in the aftermath, and they became the laughingstock of the music world.
The Thompson Twins
They had the look of hipsters, but their music was anything but. Their songs lacked substance and were forgettable, leading to their eventual fade into obscurity.
The Culture Club
We’re still scratching our heads over this one. The look, the music, the voice. How on earth did they get so popular? It’s anyone’s guess, really. But we’re glad they’re long gone.
Rick Astley
This British pop singer achieved massive success in the late 80s with his hit single “Never Gonna Give You Up.” However, his overly saccharine sound and image quickly became tiresome, leading to his inevitable decline.
Wham
Yes, we’re talking about George Michael’s former band. While they may have made some catchy pop songs, their sappy lyrics and fashion sense made some of us cringe hardcore. There was no grey area here: you either loved them or hated them, and for most, it was the latter.
A Flock of Seagulls
Sorry, their look was so bad we couldn’t even find an image of them anywhere on the internet to share with you. Known for their 80s hit, “I Ran (So Far Away),” this English rock band’s appearance on stage with their over-the-top haircuts made them the brunt of many jokes.
Poison
Glam-metal band Poison had legions of fans in the 80s, but their music videos and stage antics were criticized for objectifying women and encouraging problematic behavior. They were mostly loved for their hair.
Spandau Ballet
While their music may have been popular, their fashion took center stage. Their over-the-top glitz and glamour were a reflection of the excesses of the 80s. Was it too much? Definitely. We cringed. A lot.
Vanilla Ice
The rapper’s 1990 hit “Ice Ice Baby” may have been a chart-topping success, but his image and attitude were cringe-worthy. Many people disliked his ‘fakeness’ and his need for validation. He came off too strong; despite having millions of fans, there were many more millions on the other side of the fence with this guy.
Billy Ray Cyrus
Cyrus’s hit song “Achy Breaky Heart” was a huge hit, but his mullet hairstyle and cowboy attire were hard to take seriously. Seriously. The song was overplayed, and that hair was burned into our nightmares.
The New Kids on the Block
While the boy band was hugely popular in the late 80s and early 90s, their overly-produced pop wasn’t for everyone. While some teenage girls swooned, parents cringed.
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