Howard Benson Discusses the Downfall of Hair Metal

In a recent interview, renowned rock producer Howard Benson shared his insights on the decline of hair metal, a genre that dominated the late ’80s and early ’90s. According to Benson, the narrative surrounding grunge’s role in this shift is more complex than many believe.

Benson, who has worked with iconic bands like My Chemical Romance and Halestorm, pointed out that the introduction of Nielsen SoundScan in 1991 played a crucial role in this transformation. This system provided more accurate sales data, revealing a stark reality: hair metal bands were not as popular as previously thought.

“When SoundScan came in, it showed what we were really selling,” Benson explained. “Suddenly, artists like Garth Brooks topped the charts, and hair bands found themselves at the bottom.” This shift in visibility led record labels to pivot away from signing glam metal acts almost overnight.

Reflecting on the evolution of the music industry, Benson expressed a sense of relief that the old system is gone, stating, “It made the songs more important.” Today, his label, Judge & Jury Records, aims to provide artists with equitable deals, allowing them to focus on what truly matters: creating great music.

Source: loudwire.com

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