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

<p>Harry Langdon/Getty; Ross Marino/Getty; Chris Walter/WireImage</p>

Harry Langdon/Getty; Ross Marino/Getty; Chris Walter/WireImage

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

<p>Harry Langdon/Getty; Kevin Mazur/Getty</p> Cher in 1981 and in 2024

Harry Langdon/Getty; Kevin Mazur/Getty

Cher in 1981 and in 2024

After 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

<p>Fryderyk Gabowicz/picture alliance via Getty; Daniel Knighton/Getty </p> Lita Ford in 1984 and 2019

Fryderyk Gabowicz/picture alliance via Getty; Daniel Knighton/Getty

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

<p>Gutchie Kojima/Shinko Music/Getty; John Nacion/Getty</p> Jon Bon Jovi in 1984 and 2023

Gutchie Kojima/Shinko Music/Getty; John Nacion/Getty

Jon Bon Jovi in 1984 and 2023

In 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

<p>Ross Marino/Getty; Christian Charisius/picture alliance via Getty </p> Tina Turner in 1985 and 2018

Ross Marino/Getty; Christian Charisius/picture alliance via Getty

Tina Turner in 1985 and 2018

Known 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

<p>Barry King/Sygma/Sygma via Getty; Kevin Mazur/Getty</p> Stevie Nicks in 1987 and 2018

Barry King/Sygma/Sygma via Getty; Kevin Mazur/Getty

Stevie Nicks in 1987 and 2018

During 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

<p>Lynn McAfee/Corbis/VCG via Getty; Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP</p> C.C. DeVille in 1987 and 2018

Lynn McAfee/Corbis/VCG via Getty; Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP

C.C. DeVille in 1987 and 2018

As 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

<p>MpiRock/MediaPunch via Getty; Noam Galai/Getty</p> Ann Wilson in 1983 and 2022

MpiRock/MediaPunch via Getty; Noam Galai/Getty

Ann Wilson in 1983 and 2022

Heart'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

<p>Jim Henson Productions/Kobal/Shutterstock; Andrew H. Walker/Getty</p> David Bowie in 1986 and 2010

Jim Henson Productions/Kobal/Shutterstock; Andrew H. Walker/Getty

David Bowie in 1986 and 2010

David 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

<p>Richard E. Aaron/Redferns; Phillip Faraone/WireImage</p> Dee Snider in 1984 and 2022

Richard E. Aaron/Redferns; Phillip Faraone/WireImage

Dee Snider in 1984 and 2022

While 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

<p>Paul Natkin/Getty; Tasia Wells/Getty</p> Nikki Sixx in 1985 and 2019

Paul Natkin/Getty; Tasia Wells/Getty

Nikki Sixx in 1985 and 2019

Of all the members of M?tley 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

<p>Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty; Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty</p> Grace Slick in 1980 and 2022

Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty; Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty

Grace Slick in 1980 and 2022

Like 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

<p>Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty; John Salangsang/Shutterstock </p> Slash in 1986 and 2024

Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty; John Salangsang/Shutterstock

Slash in 1986 and 2024

The 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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