Now that the retro fad of things '70s has run its course, interest in the silliest aspects of the '80s is picking up speed. Poison, Bon Jovi, Skid Row, Cinderella, Ratt and Motley Crue were some of the bigger names in which super-effeminate clothing, hairstyles and make-up on strutting "cock rockers" attracted millions of females who admired them and male fans who aspired to be like them. Steven Blush's "American Hair Metal" features the best archetypal and stylized photographs of big hair musicians both posing and in candid backstage scenes with friends, groupies and fans. Stunning excerpts from interviews and lyrics will be printed along with the most outrageous examples of album covers, posters, backstage passes and trading cards, in which we learn that in this musical genre, extravagant surface and show was all. Principal photographers include Frank White and Eddie Malluk who contributed to heavy metal magazines Circus, Creem, Hit Parader, Rip, and Metal Edge.