Throughout the vibrant and fiercely competitive landscape of the 1980s, rock bands thrived in a musical era marked by creative rivalry and innovation. Our compilation of 5 Iconic Hair Metal Songs Featuring Renowned Guest Performers showcases the instances when these artists collaborated harmoniously, proving that they could unite for memorable musical moments.

As hair metal—also known as glam metal, pop-metal, or various other terms—emerged as the dominant rock subgenre, dominating radio airwaves, artists and producers recognized the lucrative potential of strategic collaborations. These partnerships not only amplified their musical output but also expanded their audience reach, creating opportunities for both established and emerging artists.

Many of these noteworthy collaborations allowed rock musicians to connect with their idols or reciprocate favors extended to them earlier in their careers. In other cases, these collaborations were strategically planned to help bands ingratiate themselves within the industry and maximize their commercial potential through relationships with influential peers.

Continue reading to discover more about 5 Iconic Hair Metal Songs Featuring Renowned Guest Performers that left an indelible mark on the music scene.

Alice Cooper’s “Only My Heart Talkin'” Featuring Steven Tyler: A Power Ballad Collaboration

Under the expert guidance of producer and songwriter Desmond Child, Alice Cooper’s 1989 comeback album Trash transformed into a glittering showcase of talent. The album boasts numerous collaborations with prominent artists, including four members of Aerosmith (excluding Brad Whitford), Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Kip Winger, and Steve Lukather, among others. While it’s challenging to select just one standout track, “Only My Heart Talkin'” shines brightly as a vibrant power ballad featuring the unmistakable vocals of Steven Tyler. This song could seamlessly fit alongside Aerosmith’s own hits, such as “Angel” from their album Permanent Vacation.

For those craving more musical prowess, guitar legends Joe Perry and Sambora contribute their signature styles to tracks like “House of Fire” and “Hell Is Living Without You,” respectively, enhancing the album’s rock appeal.

The collaborative spirit continued with Cooper’s follow-up album, Hey Stoopid, featuring a blistering guitar solo from Slash on the title track and backing vocals from none other than Ozzy Osbourne. Additionally, the hit single “Feed My Frankenstein” showcases the bass work of Nikki Sixx and a dual-guitar solo featuring the talents of Steve Vai and Joe Satriani, making it a true rock anthem.

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

Guns N’ Roses, known for their admiration of Hanoi Rocks, found it only natural for Axl Rose to lend his powerful voice to frontman Michael Monroe’s 1989 solo album Not Fakin’ It. Rose’s signature banshee wail makes a memorable appearance on the lead single “Dead, Jail or Rock ‘n’ Roll” as well as on the title track, which is a cover of a classic Nazareth song.

Monroe reflected on this collaboration in a 2023 interview with Classic Rock, stating, “We were both fans of Nazareth.” He noted how Rose’s vocal style was influenced by the legendary singer Dan McCafferty. Interestingly, Rose was initially unfamiliar with the song “Not Fakin’ It,” but learning that it was a Nazareth cover further endeared the album to him.

In a gesture of gratitude, Monroe later contributed harmonica to Guns N’ Roses’ track “Bad Obsession” from their iconic album Use Your Illusion and provided vocals on their rendition of the Dead Boys’ classic “Ain’t It Fun.” This latter track appeared on The Spaghetti Incident?, which also featured Guns N’ Roses’ interpretation of Nazareth’s “Hair of the Dog.”

Motley Crue’s “Slice of Your Pie” Featuring Steven Tyler: A Cross-Band Collaboration

During the late ’80s, both Motley Crue and Aerosmith were recording their respective albums—Dr. Feelgood and Pump—at Little Mountain Sound Studios in Vancouver. This proximity made it easy for Steven Tyler to drop in on a session and lend his iconic vocal flair to the intro of Motley Crue’s “Slice of Your Pie.” Tyler also added backing vocals on tracks “Same Ol’ Situation” and “Sticky Sweet,” collaborating alongside Bryan Adams and Jack Blades, further enriching the album’s sonic landscape.

The star-studded Dr. Feelgood also features guest performances from Cheap Trick’s Robin Zander and Rick Nielsen, who contribute their voices on “She Goes Down,” and the members of Skid Row providing backing vocals on “Time for Change.” These collaborations exemplify the interconnected relationships that defined the hair metal scene.

Ratt’s “Heads I Win, Tails You Lose” Featuring Jon Bon Jovi: A Payback Performance

Ratt played an instrumental role in launching Jon Bon Jovi’s career by inviting the budding rock star to serve as their opening act during their 1985 tour. Years later, Bon Jovi returned the favor by providing backup 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 the legendary Desmond Child, who had previously collaborated with Bon Jovi on their blockbuster albums Slippery When Wet and New Jersey, alongside several other iconic releases from that era.

In a 2021 interview with Mitch Lafon, Ratt frontman Stephen Pearcy recalled, “He came in there, yodeled and that was cool, man. He threw us a bone for making them so fucking huge.” This statement highlights the camaraderie and mutual respect shared between these prominent rock acts.

Warrant’s “Cherry Pie” Featuring C.C. DeVille: A Strategic Collaboration

As two of the most popular and provocative rock bands on the Sunset Strip at the dawn of the ’90s, Warrant and Poison’s collaboration was a perfect example of brand synergy. Warrant frontman Jani Lane invited Poison guitarist C.C. DeVille to contribute a solo on their hit song “Cherry Pie,” hoping to gain favor and secure a spot on Poison’s tour.

This networking effort proved fruitful, though Cherry Pie producer Beau Hill expressed his dissatisfaction with the process. He described the experience of working with C.C. as “the most painful experience of my life” in the book Nothin’ but a Good Time by Richard Bienstock and Tom Beaujour. Despite Hill’s reservations, he recognized the importance of accommodating the greater good within the industry.

Despite the challenges faced during production, “Cherry Pie” became a Top 10 hit, with DeVille’s chaotic yet memorable solo perfectly complementing the song’s outrageous vibe, solidifying its place in rock history.