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Today's mandatory glam content, complete with T. Rex video
I've never seen this one before.
Was glam any different from pop? Simon Reynolds has the answer in 'Shock and Awe'
By Elizabeth Hand
December 8, 2016 7:00 a.m.
....
T. Rex’s self-titled debut contained a few hippie holdovers, but glam finally made its entrance when Bolan sashayed onto the set of “Top of the Pops” in 1971, bedecked in satin and his wife’s glitter makeup, and warbled “Hot Love.” The album “Electric Warrior” appeared soon after, riding on the success of monster hit singles “Get It On” (in the U.S., “Bang a Gong”) and “Jeepster.”
....
Then came Bowie’s historic April 14, 1972 “Top of the Pops” performance of “Starman.” Bowie stood beside guitarist Mick Ronson, both gorgeously attired in outrageous outfits by designer Freddie Burretti. In a gesture that looks tame now, Bowie drew close to Ronson and suggestively snaked an arm over the guitarist’s lamé-clad shoulder and then sang the line, “I had to phone someone so I picked on you,” and with a sly, knowing smile, stared and pointed directly at the camera, beaming his message across the country.
For a generation awaiting their watershed moment — Elvis shaking his televised pelvis in 1956, the Beatles storming “Ed Sullivan” in 1964 — this was it.
....
Still, much U.K. glam was self-mocking and seemingly impervious to embarrassment. “Shock and Awe” encourages YouTube viewing of performances by nearly forgotten bands like the Sweet and Mud, whose deliriously silly “Dyna-Mite” and “Tiger Feet” spawned a dance known as the shoulder jive. A beefy Gary Glitter rolled eyes and hips, lip-syncing “Rock and Roll Part 2,” though amusement at his ludicrous prancing is undercut by knowledge of pedophilic crimes that he was sentenced for in 2015.
By Elizabeth Hand
December 8, 2016 7:00 a.m.
....
T. Rex’s self-titled debut contained a few hippie holdovers, but glam finally made its entrance when Bolan sashayed onto the set of “Top of the Pops” in 1971, bedecked in satin and his wife’s glitter makeup, and warbled “Hot Love.” The album “Electric Warrior” appeared soon after, riding on the success of monster hit singles “Get It On” (in the U.S., “Bang a Gong”) and “Jeepster.”
....
Then came Bowie’s historic April 14, 1972 “Top of the Pops” performance of “Starman.” Bowie stood beside guitarist Mick Ronson, both gorgeously attired in outrageous outfits by designer Freddie Burretti. In a gesture that looks tame now, Bowie drew close to Ronson and suggestively snaked an arm over the guitarist’s lamé-clad shoulder and then sang the line, “I had to phone someone so I picked on you,” and with a sly, knowing smile, stared and pointed directly at the camera, beaming his message across the country.
For a generation awaiting their watershed moment — Elvis shaking his televised pelvis in 1956, the Beatles storming “Ed Sullivan” in 1964 — this was it.
....
Still, much U.K. glam was self-mocking and seemingly impervious to embarrassment. “Shock and Awe” encourages YouTube viewing of performances by nearly forgotten bands like the Sweet and Mud, whose deliriously silly “Dyna-Mite” and “Tiger Feet” spawned a dance known as the shoulder jive. A beefy Gary Glitter rolled eyes and hips, lip-syncing “Rock and Roll Part 2,” though amusement at his ludicrous prancing is undercut by knowledge of pedophilic crimes that he was sentenced for in 2015.
5 replies
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