The 1980s represented a fiercely competitive era for rock bands, yet our curated list of 5 Iconic Hair Metal Songs Featuring Renowned Guest Performers highlights moments of collaboration that transcended rivalry. During this vibrant time, hair metal—often dubbed glam metal or pop-metal—emerged as the dominant rock subgenre, captivating audiences everywhere. Artists and producers discovered that strategic partnerships could amplify their success, making collaborations not just beneficial but essential.

These notable guest appearances often provided opportunities for rock musicians to connect with their idols or acknowledge past collaborations. In some instances, these partnerships were orchestrated to solidify relationships within the industry and maximize commercial success through united efforts.

Continue reading to uncover the stories behind 5 Notable Hair Metal Songs Featuring High-Profile Collaborations that left an indelible mark on the genre.

Alice Cooper’s “Only My Heart Talkin'” Featuring Steven Tyler: A Star-Studded Collaboration

Under the expert guidance of producer Desmond Child, Alice Cooper’s 1989 comeback album Trash became an extraordinary showcase of talent, featuring an impressive array of guest artists. Almost every track on this album boasts contributions from renowned collaborators, including members of Aerosmith, such as Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Kip Winger, and Steve Lukather. Among these, the standout track “Only My Heart Talkin'” features the iconic vocals of Steven Tyler, delivering a powerful ballad that could have easily been a hit on Aerosmith’s own album, Permanent Vacation.

But there’s more to explore! In terms of guitar prowess, both Joe Perry and Sambora contribute their unique styles to tracks like “House of Fire” and “Hell Is Living Without You,” showcasing the brilliant musical synergy. The collaborations continued on Cooper’s subsequent album, Hey Stoopid, where the title track features an electrifying guitar solo from Slash and backing vocals from Ozzy Osbourne. Additionally, the standout single “Feed My Frankenstein” includes bass from Nikki Sixx and a dual-guitar solo from Steve Vai and Joe Satriani, further solidifying Cooper’s legacy in the rock genre.

Michael Monroe’s “Dead, Jail or Rock ‘n’ Roll” Featuring Axl Rose: A Nod to Influences

Given that Guns N’ Roses were ardent admirers of Hanoi Rocks, it was only fitting for Axl Rose to lend his voice to frontman Michael Monroe‘s 1989 solo album, Not Fakin’ It. Rose’s unmistakable vocal style makes a brief yet memorable appearance on the lead single “Dead, Jail or Rock ‘n’ Roll” and the album’s title track, which is a cover of a classic by Nazareth.

In an interview with Classic Rock in 2023, Monroe remarked, “We were both Nazareth fans,” noting the influence of Dan McCafferty on Rose’s vocal delivery. Interestingly, Rose was unaware that “Not Fakin’ It” was a Nazareth cover, which only increased his appreciation for Monroe’s album. Monroe later reciprocated by playing harmonica on the Guns N’ Roses track “Bad Obsession” and contributing vocals to their rendition of the Dead Boys‘ “Ain’t It Fun,” which appeared on the album The Spaghetti Incident?. This album also included Guns N’ Roses’ version of “Hair of the Dog,” further intertwining their musical paths.

Motley Crue’s “Slice of Your Pie” Featuring Steven Tyler: A Perfect Meeting of Legends

During the late ’80s, both Motley Crue and Aerosmith were recording their respective albums, Dr. Feelgood and Pump, at Vancouver’s Little Mountain Sound Studios. This proximity allowed Steven Tyler to easily join the sessions and add his distinctive vocal flair to the intro of Motley Crue‘s “Slice of Your Pie.” Tyler’s contributions extend to backing vocals on other tracks like “Same Ol’ Situation” and “Sticky Sweet,” where he is joined by Bryan Adams and Jack Blades.

The guest appearances on the star-studded Dr. Feelgood don’t stop there; Cheap Trick‘s Robin Zander and Rick Nielsen provide backup vocals on “She Goes Down,” while the entire Skid Row band lends their harmonies to “Time for Change.” These collaborations exemplify the camaraderie among rock icons during this dynamic era.

Ratt’s “Heads I Win, Tails You Lose” Featuring Jon Bon Jovi: A Circle of Support

In 1985, Ratt played a significant role in boosting Jon Bon Jovi‘s early career by inviting the emerging rock band as their supporting act on tour. Years later, Bon Jovi returned the favor by providing backing vocals on “Heads I Win, Tails You Lose,” a track from Ratt’s 1990 album Detonator. This album was co-produced and co-written by Desmond Child, who had previously collaborated with Bon Jovi on their blockbuster albums Slippery When Wet and New Jersey, making this connection even more significant.

Reflecting on this collaboration, Ratt’s frontman Stephen Pearcy shared his excitement with Mitch Lafon in 2021, saying, “He came in there, yodeled and that was cool, man. He threw us a bone for making them so fucking huge.” This mutual support illustrates the tight-knit yet competitive nature of the rock scene during this golden age.

Warrant’s “Cherry Pie” Featuring C.C. DeVille: A Collaboration of Rock Titans

As two of the most prominent and audacious rock bands on the Sunset Strip in the early ’90s, Poison and Warrant were destined to collaborate. Frontman Jani Lane of Warrant invited C.C. DeVille, the guitarist from Poison, to contribute a solo to the band’s hit “Cherry Pie,” aiming to strengthen their relationship and secure a support slot on Poison’s upcoming tour.

This strategic networking proved fruitful, although the producer of “Cherry Pie,” Beau Hill, expressed his dissatisfaction with the collaboration. In Richard Bienstock and Tom Beaujour’s 2021 book Nothin’ but a Good Time, Hill described the experience as “the most painful” of his life, stating, “C.C., on a good day, would never come up to my standards of something that I would want to put my name on and release to the public. But I bent over backwards to accommodate the greater good, if you will.”

Despite the producer’s reservations, “Cherry Pie” became a massive Top 10 hit, with DeVille’s wild guitar solo perfectly complementing the song’s over-the-top attitude and spirit.