Bon Jovi hate being "hair band"

Bon Jovi has admitted they hated being described as a "hair band".

The rockers were famous for their long permed mullet hairstyles in the 80s but now wish they'd stuck with a short back and sides look. Frontman Jon Bon Jovi and guitarist Richie Sambora are convinced less daring hairdos would have forced critics to take them more seriously.

"We've never been the critics' darling," Richie said. "Because we were labelled with that 'hair band' thing when we came up."

The group claim their image is the reason they were snubbed by the Rock 'N' Roll Hall Of Fame when they became eligible for induction earlier this year.

While Richie, David Bryan and Tico Torres insist they're happy to be a "people's band", Jon was devastated by the rebuff. "It bothers me a lot," he fumed to the USA Today newspaper. "Yeah, I'll tell you that it bothers me. It disappointed me greatly. Who wouldn't want to be in a club along with The Beatles and The Rolling Stones?"