Headbangers Ball: The Evolution of What Was Considered Hard Rock & Metal Music, on Television

If you grew up in the late 80's to early 90's and loved music you may remember a legendary show, Headbangers Ball. It was on MTV and aired every Saturday at midnight.

Headbangers Ball featured mostly hard rock and metal videos, interviews and crazy antics. It arrived during the time of long hair on men, torn jeans and concert t-shirts. Men an women alike mastered the art of getting perms, perfecting the tall bulletproof hair, learned the style of back combing and went through thousands of bottles of hair spray. Many were iconic for their extreme distortion and brutalizing the use of the whammy bar and really, guitars in general. During this time the ever loved vinyl records were somewhat replaced by the compact disc (CD). Not in this house!!

Headbangers Ball included so many amazing artists. Anyone from Bon Jovi,

Guns N' Roses, Dokken, Motley Crew, White Lion, Lita Ford, Ozzy Osbourne (My long-time & personal favorite), to Twisted Sister, Metallica, White Zombie, Korn and so many more.

Headbangers Ball brought so many firsts to my life. The Screams became so iconic. Robert Plant, Ronnie James Dio and Steven Tyler to name a few. Most iconic, being Janice Joplin, James Brown and Little Richard. Still today, bands like Halestorm are keeping this trend alive. I believe the first scream I loved, was the late comedian Sam Kinison in the video Wild Thing.

Certain videos of which I was first introduced to on Headbangers Ball and will never quit watching and listening to, only to name a few, include:

• Guns N' Roses, November Rain: Featured my most loved guitar solo. Slash walking out of the wedding with his ever iconic top hat and walking out to play his amazing solo in front of the old church. Out in the middle of nowhere with the wind blowing and a cigarette in his mouth, it sets the perfectly scene for the one of the greatest solos.

• Genesis, Land of Confusion: It was different, kind of creepy, strange and ridiculously funny. A little like the world we live in today.

• Skid Row, 18 and Life: Reminds me of some my friends who had a hard time during those years. Some finding their way to prison or the worse alternative, they chose to stop living. Life can be a struggle!

I still sit and watch videos from back then. It brings a certain nostalgic feeling that I can never deny. There are so many musicians that were on Headbangers Ball that aren't with us anymore, such as, Randy Rhodes, Ronnie James Dio, Jim Morrison, Tom Petty and too many more!! They are truly missed!

Headbangers Ball, like all amazing things, came to an end in 1995. With the flood of Alternative Rock, Punk and Rap music it came to a sad close. I almost feel like Rock n Roll will never be the same again but one can always hope! I love todays music too but I sure miss Headbangers Ball!!!

Do you remember Headbangers Ball? What did you love most? Who did you love the most? How does it feel when you watch videos from that time? Is there any other musical mojo that helps to drive you?

I love all of you and I love the music, it is my mojo. I wish you all well & off to never never land!

Song: Enter Sandman. By Metallica

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