These are bands who might’ve started in the 70’s and also may have lived on in the 90’s, but were really part of the 80’s Metal-outside-the-mainstream-but-getting-closer zeitgeist.  At least, IMHO.

• Judas Priest
• Iron Maiden
• Quiet Riot
• Motley Crue
• Metallica

Metallica is interestingly unique as they actually did break through and became quite mainstream successes.  You can almost lump Motley Crue into that category as well, but I think Tommy Lee and Vince Neil became famous for other things besides the band.

Yours truly,

Former 80’s metalhead