Glam rock
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- Glam is also the lead singer of the glam rock group Wig Wam.
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 gay 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
- Iggy Pop
- Jobriath
- Kiss
- Klaus Nomi
- LaBelle
- Lou Reed
- Marilyn Manson
- Mott the Hoople
- Mud
- 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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