Europe

From the Sunset Strip to the global stage, these bands helped define the year.

The hair metal era exploded in a big way while some classic rock and thrash favorites were still going strong in 1986.

These '80s bands had promising starts with critical or chart success, but their careers never quite lived up to all the initial hype.

Rock and metal songs provide a great musical foundation for events in U.S. history.

Fromage in hard rock ballad form.