While America was entertained or tormented by disco, England was going through an odd phase, where hippies and makeup combined to create the Glam Rock scene. Satin was in. Nuttiness was in. It eventually played itself out by becoming too bubble-gummy. The goofball outfits of Slade and the pop of The Sweet
led to the nice, safe, calculated Bay City Rollers. But for awhile it was a lot of fun.
"I ain't no square with my corkscrew hair". I met Marc Bolan in New York. He had the delightful hobby of going to shows and telling everyone he was going to be a big star, while handing out his business card! Here he is with T Rex, doing a terrific Telegram Sam.
These fellows were ripped off in the U.S. by Quiet Riot. (Did I mention my band played on the bill with Quiet Riot? I didn't like them.) Anyway, this English band originated this particular style. They also looked like they came out of A Clockwork Orange.
I was looking for La-la-la-Lucy from Mud, couldn't find it. This one is good too, though. From London. That's in England.
The Sweet had a bunch of hits. Jumpsuits, baby! Their story reminds me of the Lemon Pipers. You know, Green Tambourine. Both groups saw themselves as heavier than their records. Nothing wrong with those tunes though. Here's a winner.
Here's a guy who knocked around for a decade before achieving success. You all know him for his questionable behavioral activity. But that was much later, probably.
Alvin Stardust had a fascinating career. He got pressed into taking over the singing duties for a group called Shane Fenton and the Fentones. I think I posted their "I'm a Moody Guy" awhile back. Anyway, their singer, "Shane", died and Bernard, the roadie!, became Shane. Years later he returned in the Alvin Stardust persona.
This is pushing the definition of Glam Rock but it's a song I like from the time, by a fellow named Barry Blue. Interestingly that's a stage name. Real name? Barry Green. I dunno. You tell me why.
Anyone else see "That'll Be the Day" with David Essex? I liked that a lot. Had Ringo, Keith Moon, Billy Fury. Here's the huge super-hit "Rock On".
It's interesting to see where Bowie got his inspiration because, as you all know, Bowie started out as an R&B style singer in a beat group, turned into a hippie singing about gnomes, then went glam. He was influenced by The Move (see some earlier Tuesday post) and this Mott the Hoople classic.
