THE PRETTIEST STARS


In the early seventies a new revolution in pop music called "Glam" or "Glitter Rock" was spearheaded by artists Marc Bolan and David Bowie.

Outré fashions and flirtation with bisexuality and sexual ambiguity were the hallmark of the style, and oh yes, the music rocked!

Bands that were at the center of this musical movement were The Sweet, Slade, Suzi Quatro , Gary Glitter, Queen, Roxy Music, and New York Dolls.

As the seventies dawned in England, Marc Bolan's freshly renamed band T-Rex, were beginning to make the crossover from underground radio, and performing coffee houses and the college circuit, to mainstream pop on the energy of the singles "Ride A White Swan", and the Flo And Eddie fuelled "Hot Love". With this success, came a new vamped up style. Marc, being the dandy that he was, chose to spice up his image with the use of make-up, satin clothes, feather boas, and platform shoes.This glamour boy image was highly charged with bisexual overtones.

David Bowie, a close friend of Marc's, who's first big pop single, Space Oddity, had recently given him his first taste of real success, emulated Marc's stylistc prowess, and, in adding his own theatrical ideas to the mix, took Glam Rock to the next level. Although the original cover for his second album "Man Who Sold The World" where he is seen wearing a dress was never utilized, his forthright admission to Melody Maker magazine regarding his bisexuality, made Bowie the new central focus in the music media machine's hype of the Glitter style. By the time he released "The Rise And Fall of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars", many had already dubbed him the new "King of Glitter". The emotionally charged ballad "Lady Stardust" was more than just a simple tip of the hat to his friend, and one-time idol Marc Bolan.

Other Bands that were associated, or borrowed elements from the Glitter/Glam style included Mott The Hoople, Lou Reed, Alice Cooper, Iggy Pop, Sparks, and The Sensational Alex Harvey Band.

More on this to come.
(Work in progress)

For thirty-seven thousand dollars you can look like your sister tonight...
I think it'll work out right...
Glamour Boy - The Guess Who (Burton Cummings)