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Glam Rock
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The early 1970s saw the onset of 

another variant of Rock – this was 

Glam Rock - a form of Rock

probably more famous for 

'appearances' rather than substance.

It was strutting 'Peacock' - or even

'cock' music, because this was the 

time when male Rock & Rollers 

really embraced their 'pretty' sides'.
Go to Rocking The World 
- 1970s Glam to Punk
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Glam Rock (aka 'Glitter Rock') developed in the United Kingdom in the early 1970s.
 
The most prominent early Glam Rocker was Marc Bolan. He set the standard in

many ways with singers and musicians following his lead, adopting outrageous 'camp' 

clothes often of silk and satin, make-up including eye-shadow and lipstick, and 'huge 

head'  hairstyles. This feminine 'androgynous 'pretty look' was underpinned by platform-

soled boots and glitter. 
Marc Bolan & T Rex  - Metal Guru

The flamboyant costumes and visual styles of Glam performers were often most camp or 

androgynous, and have been connected with new views of gender roles. Cross dressing was 

common in the Glam Rock era. David Bowie was another Glam leader.

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Slade - Mama We Are All Crazy Now

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Characteristics

As well as being a diverse fashion statement,

in terms of musical characteristics, Glam

Rock was also diverse - from simple 

revivalism of Rock n Roll by artists such as

Alvin Stardust to the more complex music 

of Roxy Music.


Fashion

As a fashion, Glam rock embraced many 

styles, ranging from the Hollywood

glamour of the 1930s, through to the 

1950s pin-up sex appeal, as well as 

pre-war Cabaret theatrics, Victorian 

era literary and symbolist styles, science

fiction extremes , to ancient and occult 

mysticism and mythology.

Outrageous clothes were manifest and 

everywhere as was also glittering make up

and blooming hairstyles, not to mention 

platform shoes.

All in all, Glam was most famous for its

sexual and gender ambiguity and 

representations of androgyny, beside 

the extensive use of theatrics.





Sweet - Ballroom Blitz
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Alvin Stardust
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Elton John
Wizzard - See My Baby Jive
Glam, had both a frivolous 

and serious side. As early

as 1971 the scene was

packed with glam rockers

such as Slade, T Rex,

David Bowie and Sweet.

All played high intensity

Rock dressed in sequins,

furs, sparkle and satin.

Make–up was important,

eye shadow, lipstick -  the

full female 'monty'.
The Darkness - I Believe In A Thing Called Love

Despite its teen appeal – Glam also had a serious side, theatrical side – its cue taken 

from a band that only enjoyed cult status in the 1960s, but whose influence would reach

through the next 30 years and beyond.
T Rex Concert - Wembley 1972

                                                    History

Glam Rock evolved from the psychedelic and art rock British scenes of the late 1960s. 

Marc Bolan and his Band T-Rex are generally regarded as the flag bearers of this

music, as was David Bowie a short time later.


Often described as the moment of inception of Glam was his appearance on the UK TV

Top of the Pops in March 1971. He was wearing glitter and satins, and performed what

became his second UK Top 10 hit (and first UK Number 1 hit), "Hot Love". This was

followed by Bowie with his Ziggy stardust persona underpinned with theatre and 

makeup from late 1971.
Marc Bolan, T Rex & Hot Love

David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust
Other performers soon followed the Glam lead such as Roxy Music, Sweet, Slade, Mott the 

Hoople and others. But it was really only Bowie who managed to influence the US rock scene 

and such artists as  Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, New York Dolls and some others, including a more 

darker side led by Alice Cooper. Glam Rock peaked during the mid-1970s with artists

including T. Rex, David Bowie, Sweet, Roxy Music and Gary Glitter in the UK and the New

York Dolls, Lou Reed and Jobriath in the US. It declined after 1976, but still managed to

splutter on as a fad for many years.

Glam Rock Artists
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Marc Bolan Show Episode 1

While Glam Rock declined in popularity past the mid 1970s, it considerably influenced

later prominent artists such as Kiss and American 'Glam Metal' acts like Quiet Riot, 

W.A.S.P., Twisted Sister and Mötley Crüe. It was also a major influence on the New 

Romantics in Britain, acts like Adam Ant and Flock of Seagulls extended it. Its 

androgyny and sexual politics were picked up by acts including Culture Club, Bronski 

Beat and Frankie Goes to Hollywood. It also  influenced the formation of Gothic Rock, 

and more.
Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
The Best Of Glam Rock

In the UK the term 'Glitter Rock' was borne after Gary Glitter and his Glitter band, took

Glam to extremes. Glam also caught on with some of the existing stars. Existing acts, 

some not usually considered central to the genre, also adopted Glam styles, including 

Rod Stewart, Elton John,Queen and, for a time, the Rolling Stones. Punk Rock, often 

regarded as a reaction to Glam, also used some elements of the genre including makeup

and involved cover versions of Glam Rock records, but still helped end the fashion for 

Glam from about 1976.
David Bowie - Jean Genie
Gary Glitter - Do You Wanna Touch Me
Ziggy Stardust & The Spiders From Mars
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Suzy Quatro

Suzy Quatro

Of course Glam was

not restricted to 

men, women were 

also involved. Suzie 

Quatro headed a second

wave of Glam Rock up 

until 1976, and inspired

the US all girl rock band

'The Runaways'. 
Suzi Quatro - Daytona Demon

                               The Contribution of Glam Rock

When it's all said and done, while Glam musically may not have contributed that much to the 

complexity and diversity of the evolution of Pop music at the time, it certainly did artistically.

Glam Rock turned Pop into an expression of musical theatre. Artists began to dress and act to 

their music which, with the advent MTV, set the scene for the explosion of dance and dress 

music, costumes, make up and 'Rock Theatre'.



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