These Stars Fully Embraced Big Hair in the '80s. See What They Looked Like Then and Now

Mar. 15, 2025

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

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

Everything aboutrock and pop musicgot big in the ’80s. Big sounds, big bands, big clothes, and — perhaps biggest of all — big hair!

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.

01of 12CherCher in 1981 and in 2024.Harry Langdon/Getty; Kevin Mazur/GettyAfter becoming known for her sheaf of straight hair in the ’70s,Cherwent 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.

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Cher

Cher in 1981 and in 2024.Harry Langdon/Getty; Kevin Mazur/Getty

Harry Langdon/Getty; Kevin Mazur/Getty

After becoming known for her sheaf of straight hair in the ’70s,Cherwent 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.

02of 12Lita FordLita Ford in 1984 and 2019.Fryderyk Gabowicz/picture alliance via Getty; Daniel Knighton/Getty"Kiss Me Deadly" rockerLita Ford’s teased tresses in 1984 are a marked contrast to her more subdued contemporary style.

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Lita Ford

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

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

“Kiss Me Deadly” rockerLita Ford’s teased tresses in 1984 are a marked contrast to her more subdued contemporary style.

03of 12Jon Bon JoviJon Bon Jovi in 1984 and 2023.Gutchie Kojima/Shinko Music/Getty; John Nacion/GettyIn the ’80s,Jon Bon Joviwas 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.

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Jon Bon Jovi

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

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

In the ’80s,Jon Bon Joviwas 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.

04of 12Tina TurnerTina Turner in 1985 and 2018.Ross Marino/Getty; Christian Charisius/picture alliance via GettyKnown for her fabulous wigs, soul R&B iconTina Turnerleaned in to an edgier rock ‘n’ roll look in the ’80s. Before her2023 death at the age of 83, she sported a more elegant ‘do.

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Tina Turner

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

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

Known for her fabulous wigs, soul R&B iconTina Turnerleaned in to an edgier rock ‘n’ roll look in the ’80s. Before her2023 death at the age of 83, she sported a more elegant ‘do.

05of 12Stevie NicksStevie Nicks in 1987 and 2018.Barry King/Sygma/Sygma via Getty; Kevin Mazur/GettyDuring her solo heyday in the 1980s,Fleetwood Macsinger-songwriterStevie Nickstraded 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.

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Stevie Nicks

Stevie Nicks in 1987 and 2018.Barry King/Sygma/Sygma via Getty; Kevin Mazur/Getty

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

During her solo heyday in the 1980s,Fleetwood Macsinger-songwriterStevie Nickstraded 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.

06of 12C.C. DeVilleC.C. DeVille in 1987 and 2018.Lynn McAfee/Corbis/VCG via Getty; Rob Grabowski/Invision/APAs a member ofPoison, 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.

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C.C. DeVille

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

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

As a member ofPoison, 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.

07of 12Ann WilsonAnn Wilson in 1983 and 2022.MpiRock/MediaPunch via Getty; Noam Galai/GettyHeart’s sound was always gutsy, but in the ’80s the band embraced the decade’s excess — and singerAnn Wilsonsported a coif to match. The hairgot even biggeras Heart moved into their glam rock phase, but these days Wilson favors tousled braids, while letting her powerhouse voice do the talking.

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Ann Wilson

Ann Wilson in 1983 and 2022.MpiRock/MediaPunch via Getty; Noam Galai/Getty

MpiRock/MediaPunch via Getty; Noam Galai/Getty

Heart’s sound was always gutsy, but in the ’80s the band embraced the decade’s excess — and singerAnn Wilsonsported a coif to match. The hairgot even biggeras Heart moved into their glam rock phase, but these days Wilson favors tousled braids, while letting her powerhouse voice do the talking.

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David Bowie

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

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

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Dee Snider

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

Richard E. Aaron/Redferns; Phillip Faraone/WireImage

10of 12Nikki SixxNikki Sixx in 1985 and 2019.Paul Natkin/Getty; Tasia Wells/GettyOf all the members ofMötley Crüe, bassistNikki Sixxmay 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.

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Nikki Sixx

Nikki Sixx in 1985 and 2019.Paul Natkin/Getty; Tasia Wells/Getty

Paul Natkin/Getty; Tasia Wells/Getty

Of all the members ofMötley Crüe, bassistNikki Sixxmay 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.

11of 12Grace SlickGrace Slick in 1980 and 2022.Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty; Michael Buckner/Variety via GettyLike other rock stars of the ’60s and ’70s, Grace Slick pumped up the volume in the go-go ’80s — both in terms ofJefferson 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.

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Grace Slick

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

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

Like other rock stars of the ’60s and ’70s, Grace Slick pumped up the volume in the go-go ’80s — both in terms ofJefferson 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.

12of 12SlashSlash in 1986 and 2024.Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty; John Salangsang/ShutterstockThe more things change, the more they stay the same.Guns N’ Roseslead guitaristSlashhas remained steadfastly loyal to his signature curls-and-top-hat look.

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Slash

Slash in 1986 and 2024.Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty; John Salangsang/Shutterstock

Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty; John Salangsang/Shutterstock

The more things change, the more they stay the same.Guns N’ Roseslead guitaristSlashhas remained steadfastly loyal to his signature curls-and-top-hat look.

source: people.com