Psh, Paradise City is a MUUUUCH better song than Sweet Child O' Mine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc11shaHicA
I saw Iron Maiden live last year, and rock out to them regularly. The 80's also had Metallica, The Misfits, Van Halen (partially), and DIO.
****ing Holy Diver one of the best albums ever.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSQ2_8HvMaw
Overall though, I think the 70's were the absolute best decade for music. Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin (even though both bands started in the late 60's), Queen's best work, Yes' early stuff, Styx's early stuff, albums like Machine Head, MMMMM.