Seventies Glam Rock, Music & Fashion

T. Rex, Iggy Pop, Gary Glitter - All of these famous names and more have one thread of commonality: glam rock. Set apart from the other popular music styles of its time by highlighting the use of flamboyant fashions, big hair, and outrageous make-up, the musicians involved in glam rock set out to break the mould, embracing camp, androgyny, and shattering what the world had come to expect from rock and roll.

In the wake of the late 1960's psychedelic scene came the early 1970's glam rock, charging its way into public consciousness with a fierceness achieved exclusively with the use of platform boots and copious amounts of glitter. Intended as an extension of the art rock trend, glam rock placed as much focus on the visual aspect of its musicians as the tone and quality of the music itself. The roots of the genre can be traced back to Marc Bolan, a pioneer of rock and roll who pushed the limits of music trends by performing on stage with his band, T. Rex, in extravagant feather boas, top hats, and glitter sprinkled over his cheeks, but one of the most notable examples of glam rock and the cult followings that resulted comes from Bolan's friend and artistic rival, David Bowie.

A minor star in the late 1960's, Bowie reinvented himself and in 1971, he catapulted his way back into the music scene with a new persona: Ziggy Stardust. Accompanied by his band, The Spiders From Mars, Bowie's inventive new character embodied the glam rock style, sporting red hair, heavy makeup, and incorporating elements of performance art when he took the stage. By becoming Ziggy, Bowie achieved an international superstar status, a status that one can attribute to his wild and memorable use of visuals and performance art unique to glam rock and its later castoffs.

At its core, glam rock is about three things: the look, the look, and the look. A glam rocker will never step out of the house without looking his (or her) absolute best. Eyeliner is a must and any article of clothing with faux leopard print is acceptable. Language is equally important. Anyone can achieve a glam rock look with enough leather and glitter, but a true glam rocker is well-read, articulate and can quote Oscar Wilde from memory. Wilde himself said it best: The man who can dominate a London dinner-table can dominate the world.