The Complete Collection Of MTV’s Headbangers Ball: Watch 1,215 Videos from the Heyday of Metal Videos

Premiering in April 1987, MTV’s Headbangers Ball featured music videos from metal and hard rock bands of the 80s and 90s–everyone from AC/DC and Mötley Crüe, to Ozzy Osbourne, Def Leppard and Twisted Sister, to Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Van Halen. If you’re jonesing to revisit some metal classics, you’re in luck. Some enterprising soul has created a playlist of 1,215 music videos featured on Headbangers Ball. Watch them above. And all along, keep in mind, that the metalhead kids who passed their time watching these videos turned out alright in the end, largely becoming well-adjusted adults. Or so that’s what retrospective scientific studies show. Enjoy…

PS For those who want to re-experience another MTV show, visit this: All the Music Played on MTV’s 120 Minutes: A 2,500-Video Youtube Playlist

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via Brooklyn Vegan

Related Content 

1980s Metalhead Kids Are Alright: Scientific Study Shows That They Became Well-Adjusted Adults

Watch Heavy Metal Parking Lot, the Cult Classic Film That Ranks as One of the “Great Rock Documentaries” of All Time

Watch the First Two Hours of MTV’s Inaugural Broadcast (August 1, 1981)


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Comments (15)
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  • LWA says:

    This is fan-flippung-tastic! The good ‘ol days! Life was simpler and society didn’t have a stick up it’s ass.

  • Richie says:

    Yea who knew ol Nikki Sixx would abuse his fame to stalk a regular girl three decades later. Some girl named Vanessa with a username Brockettqueen on Instagram. He abused her then framed her and then she busted him stalking her. He’s the first celebrity in history to become obsessed with a regular fan. Look at her pinned content. She’s got courtroom surveillance with him in the case. He’s a prick with some serious mental problems.

  • Shyann Spencer says:

    I’m sorry, but i don’t know if I believe this, not that you care. I wouldn’t care, IF I were you. And if it was true, cause if it is, own it, BUT WHY ARE YOU ON HERE TALKING ABOUT IT? I THINK YOU’RE THE CHICK, VANESSA. I THINK YOU ARE “BRAGGING”& name dropping, and it’s funny- what are you trying to do with that story, anyway? THE GOAL??! We’re ALL human, why couldn’t he fall for a fan? What’s wrong with that, and you are wrong, GO FIGURE, yet again, 🤭He isn’t the first rockstar to fall in love w/a fan. JANI LANE/BOBBY BROWN Obsessed is the word you choose. YOU WISH. I THINK YOU WISH. YOU ARE VANESSA. YOU.😻MEOW.

  • Shyann Spencer says:

    Agreed. Time machine, please…. Like Axl in 1989…. (All year long, baby, yummy)! Ha ha If could, I go back to that simpler time, anyday… 😻😻!

  • Pez93 says:

    I’d love to have this on Blueray or DVD.
    Going back and watching some of the BEST
    Bands around, to this day, some getting their recognition because of Head Bangers Ball.

    Seeing all the old bands we loved. Knowing
    now, sadly, many of them are no longer with
    us.Dime & Vinnie, Chris Cornell, Layne, Randy
    Rhodes, Lenny……the list is too long.

    Couldn’t wait for Saturday night, hanging out with
    friends to watch Riki Rachtman, Hosting, Head
    Bangers Ball! Finally! A show with REAL “music.”
    Rock and Metal fans were glued to the TV waiting
    to see what NEW Band would become our Favorite
    this week. Never wanting to miss a minute of the
    BEST show on television— Head Bangers Ball!

    The early 90’s was an amazing time for Rock
    music. A time I’m thankful I was a part of.
    The memories this brings back is a nostalgic
    reminder of an idyllic time for many music lovers.
    I wish they would bring it back so the Rock and
    Metal lovers of today, could enjoy it like we did.

  • Rbuggica@gmail.com says:

    I’d love to have a list of all these bands and their songs to add to my library of music. I have a bunch of their cds but I’m sure I’ve missed some.

  • Jake says:

    It’s true. Your just mad cause you want his little wee wee

  • Roofmaster007 says:

    I remember it was on after school. Then moved to Saturday night. We would drink beer, play cards and crank the TV. It’s how I discovered bands like Sepultura,Testament,death angel, white Zombie and Minestry to name a few. No internet, no cell phones and people didn’t get their feelings hurt over every little thing. And all the HOT girls were into it. Great times indeed.

  • Jonathan says:

    I was a big fan of HB. Watched many bands get their start there including the first time a little song called “Welcome to the jungle” was played!

  • Jeffrey bishop says:

    If those 1215 videos were on dvds,i would buy them. What a collection.

  • Gordon says:

    That IS vanessa clark. she is a stalker and he had to take her to court.

  • Gordon says:

    Get some help Vanessa. Seriously. That’s enough.

  • Kay says:

    And you’re not ‘some girl’ You are a 40 year old woman with schitzophrenia. You cut that court room footage in to tiny segments. You need to be locked up.

  • Gordon says:

    Make that closer to 50 years old. Vanessa Clark has illness

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