How do they not mention Van Halen? I mean they were the blue print. The whole structure of the subgenre comes from them. Pretty bottle blond lead singer, shredding guitar player, good time party lyrics. Plus of course work your chops on the strip (yes there are non-LA hair bands... but are there REALLY?). Sure they came before it, and were a bit different in the soundscape. But they grew the tree.
Heavy Metal Parking Lot
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whZuz5Dwtw8
I wonder how many back then, knew about Rob Halford?
You’re right - Van Halen was the quintessential 80s band.
Maybe they were left off the list because their first albums came out in the late 70’s.
For whatever reason, Van Halen does not get much credit in whatever is left of music journalism. I think a part of it is that nobody wants to say something nice about David Lee Roth while he's still alive.
Personally, I think Ratt consistently gets more credit than it deserves as a "top" group in the same way Van Halen consistently gets left off these sorts of lists. Some other groups like Quiet Riot, White Lion, Cinderella, Kix, and even Slaughter (they weren't necessarily great, but they were absolutley everywhere for the brief period of time they were popular, which was when the hairband thing was at its crest) should at least get billing alongside Europe and Dokken.
I believe some folks think of a rhythm guitar when they think of 80's rock. Not saying that's the right definition.