The Enduring Legacy of Warrant's "Cherry Pie" Video: A Retrospective

Thirty-four years after the release of Warrant's iconic "Cherry Pie" music video, the band members reflect on the lasting impact of the controversial visual that became a symbol of the glam metal era. In a new documentary, the band members and industry insiders offer a fresh perspective on the video's legacy, shedding light on the evolving attitudes towards the objectification of women in music.

Embracing the Past, Shaping the Future

The Glam Metal Phenomenon and the Rise of Music Videos

The 1980s saw the rise of the glam metal genre, a subculture that embraced flamboyant fashion, over-the-top stage performances, and a hedonistic lifestyle. As the music industry shifted towards the visual medium, music videos became a crucial component of an artist's success. Warrant, a quintessential glam metal band, found themselves at the forefront of this cultural phenomenon with the release of their hit single "Cherry Pie" and its accompanying music video.The "Cherry Pie" video, featuring lead singer Jani Lane's then-girlfriend Bobbie Brown as the central figure, became a symbol of the era's excesses and the objectification of women in the industry. Drummer Steven Sweet, now 58, acknowledges that the band did not initially perceive the video as misogynistic, but in hindsight, they recognize the problematic nature of the imagery.

Embracing the "Cherry Pie" Legacy

Bobbie Brown, who starred in the "Cherry Pie" video, has had a complex relationship with her role as the "video vixen." While she initially resented the fact that her identity was so closely tied to the video, she has since come to embrace it. "There was a time when I would go, 'Oh God, not that again.' I had done so many other things beyond just being in a music video and yet, I was just the 'Cherry Pie' girl," she explains. "But the older I got, the more I embraced it."Brown's perspective highlights the evolving attitudes towards the objectification of women in the music industry. She acknowledges that the "Cherry Pie" video was a product of its time, and she has chosen to celebrate her role in it rather than view it as a negative experience. "The reality is that this is how most people know me," she says. "This is why most people are interested in me … And it was never a negative experience in my life so there's no need to have negative feelings toward it."

The Downfall of Warrant and the Lasting Impact of "Cherry Pie"

The success of "Cherry Pie" and the band's subsequent fame were not without their consequences. Jani Lane's personal struggles, including his battle with alcoholism, ultimately led to the band's demise. Drummer Steven Sweet recounts the incident where Lane, drunk and frustrated, blamed Sweet for a mistake during a live performance, setting in motion a chain of events that would ultimately lead to Warrant's bankruptcy and breakup.Despite the band's tumultuous end, the legacy of "Cherry Pie" lives on. The video has become a cultural touchstone, a symbol of the excesses and controversies of the glam metal era. As the industry and society continue to grapple with the objectification of women, the "Cherry Pie" video serves as a reminder of the need for progress and the importance of reflecting on the past to shape a more inclusive and equitable future.The new documentary "Nöthin' But a Good Time: The Uncensored Story of '80s Hair Metal" provides a platform for Warrant and industry insiders to revisit the "Cherry Pie" video and its lasting impact. Through this retrospective, the band and the industry can engage in a meaningful dialogue about the evolution of attitudes towards gender representation in music, paving the way for a more nuanced understanding of the past and a more inclusive future.