Glam Rock

Hmm, I'm curious as to whether or not we have any Glam Rock fans here? Well I, most obvously, am indeed a fan of Glam Rock, and many of the acts which fall under its umbrella. I'm really quite fascinated by the cultural changes the whole Glam explosion of the 70's caused, and it's great to see its effects still ringing throughout many of the acts today. I'm hopeless at actually trying to define what it was all about, so I'll let wikipedia have a go:

Glam rock (less commonly glitter rock), a style of rock music popularized in the 1970s, was mostly a British phenomenon and confined to larger cities in the U.S., such as New York and Los Angeles. It was distinguished by the costumes and stage acts of the performers rather than any particular aspect of their music. The emphasis was on superficiality and an unabashed embracing of decadence, fame, and sexuality, a statement of sorts against such acts as Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Yes and Genesis, whose music was often referred to by critics as art rock.

Glam performers often dressed androgynously in make up and glittery, outrageous costumes, not dissimilar to costumes that Liberace or Elvis Presley wore when performing in cabaret. The most famous example is David Bowie during his Ziggy Stardust phase. Sexual ambiguity became a game; Bowie told the press he was bisexual simply for the publicity while the late Jobriath is thought really to have been rock's first openly gay star. But probably one of the most famous examples of a homosexual (or presumed-to-be) glam rocker is Freddie Mercury of Queen, who eventually died in 1991 of complications due to AIDS.

Although credit for starting the trend in Britain is often given to David Bowie, it was probably Roxy Music, headed by Bryan Ferry and Brian Eno, that led the wave. However, Roxy Music avoided the excesses of many of their imitators. Ferry wanted to give his young audience an excuse to dress up for concerts, or as he said "It would be like a night at the opera for them."

Some also credit Marc Bolan of T. Rex as the progenitor of glam rock. However, in 1968-69, Alice Cooper sketched the first hints of glam rock when they used a transvestite look and an overtly sexual attitude as part of their outrageousness. Other bands/acts who might be considered part of the glam scene include:

* Abba
* Alice Cooper
* Angel
* Another Pretty Face
* Alvin Stardust
* Bay City Rollers
* David Bowie
* David Essex
* Elton John
* Electric Light Orchestra
* Gary Glitter
* Guns N' Roses
* Iggy Pop
* Jobriath
* Kiss
* Klaus Nomi
* LaBelle
* Lou Reed
* Marilyn Manson
* Mott the Hoople
* Mud
* Murderdolls
* The New York Dolls
* Poison
* The Rubettes
* Queen
* Roxy Music/Bryan Ferry
* Skyhooks
* Slade
* Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel
* Suzi Quatro
* Sweet
* T. Rex
* Wizzard

Glam rock was a major influence upon the late 1970s UK punk rock movement, particularly the Sex Pistols.

Glam rock also was reflected in the movies Brian DePalma's Phantom of the Paradise, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, David Bowie's "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust," Alice Cooper's "Good to See You Again," Slade's "Flame", Todd Haynes' Velvet Goldmine, and John Cameron Mitchell's glam rock musical, Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

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There are a few acts listed in that list, which I really wouldn't neccessarily agree with, although I suppose it is a concept wich really means different things to different people.

My favourite act is obviously David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust, although I also love Roxy Music, T Rex, Queen, and, most recently, Scissor Sisters. Their on stage energy is so electric, whilst their performances are such spectacles, it's really hard not to be drawen in.

Another example of one of the best things to come out of the whole Glam Rock thing, was the Rocky Horror Picture Show, which still delights today. I think it would be a safe bet to presume that many aspects of the show, particularly the soundtrack, have been heavily influenced by the likes of Roxy Music, and particularly Bowie's 'Aladdin Sane' album.

So yeah, discuss any aspect you enjoy/dislike about 'Glam Rock.'

Glam rock annoys me because the performers are more concerned about their make-up than their songs. In every case I have heard, a band has suffered musically because of this.

The music style of glam rock doesn't really appeal to me. Queen is the only exception, however, I think they are a pretty good band.

Glam Rock isnt exactly my favorite Genre, Like Sear said, they seem to be more focused on their appearance then actual musical talent.

Glam Rock isn't extremely musically talented, but it's often fun to listen to.

Guns N Roses, glam rock though? I don't think so...

Originally Posted by SearanoX

Glam rock annoys me because the performers are more concerned about their make-up than their songs. In every case I have heard, a band has suffered musically because of this.

Ditto.

With the exception of Abba and some Queen, I tend not to like those tpye of bands. And as people have said, too many people are immersed with their general appearence and such-- I'm sure you can look like crap and still be very musically talented as well.

There was a recent, well, last year, surge in the Glam rock stream in the UK with the quick blast form the Darkness!
I liked them, but after delivering their number one, they vanished from site quickly.

Glam Rock ain't my scene. Space Rock on the other hand...

Originally Posted by SearanoX

Glam rock annoys me because the performers are more concerned about their make-up than their songs. In every case I have heard, a band has suffered musically because of this.

I thought somebody might say that, and I'm curious as to which bands/acts you're refering to? If it is sombody like Gary Glitter *shudder* then it's not because he was so image conscious that his music suffered, it was more to do with the fact that his music was terrible to begin with.

You're right in that many people do go for image over music, however these people rarely go beyond that of cabaret or novelty status, however I wouldn't say that all of the acts were guilty of this. For example, the likes of Elton John, somebody whos image has always been extremly important to him, it's his music which has stood the test of time. I could say the same for Roxy Music, a band who felt that putting on show was detrimental to their performance, and are now stil touring and include many of their older songs in their sets. I don't think an onstage persona or image is neccessarily detrimental to the music which is produced. After all, the likes of The Beatles were very image conscious, and although it was certianly different to the likes of Ziggy Stardust, it was still instrumental in their career.

Originally Posted by Hoopy Frood

Glam Rock isn't extremely musically talented, but it's often fun to listen to.

I find this to be an extrodinary statement to make, especially when you consider that one of the definitive and important albums, from both a musical and cultural sence, came from that movement. I'm talking about 'The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars,' which is still performed today by Bowie, minus the make up and outlandish costume, and yet is still able to atract just as big, if not bigger, crowds than it did in the 70's.

The image of these people was really just to make live shows more a spectacle, something new and interesting. I don't think it had any real negative impact on the music.

From This:


To This:


It's the same music, only packaged differently, and it still sounds just as good.

Originally Posted by superdecimal

There was a recent, well, last year, surge in the Glam rock stream in the UK with the quick blast form the Darkness!
I liked them, but after delivering their number one, they vanished from site quickly.

Actually, the Darkness havn't vanished. They had a huge album, a string of hits, and then went off to tour the world, almost constantly in fact. They're still around, and Justin Hawkings (hopefully I've remembered his name) has, or is just about to, release a new single, under the name British Whale, after which, the Darkness will bring out a collective album again.