The allure of 70s glam rock! A host of masterpieces that colored a dazzling chapter of music history
Glam rock, which took the world by storm in the 1970s with glitter-drenched makeup and flamboyant costumes.
It went beyond mere fashion, revolutionizing the music scene with genderless expression and highly artistic songs.
Although it is now recognized as an important subgenre of rock, at the time it was a shocking presence that overturned existing values.
In this article, we introduce glam rock from its birth and development to the signature songs that defined its golden era.
Enjoy the musical innovation hidden behind the flashy outfits and the timeless allure that never fades with age!
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The allure of 70s glam rock! A selection of masterpieces that colored a dazzling musical history (21–30)
Metal GuruT-REX
In Japan, “20th Century Boy,” which was used as the theme song for the film 20th Century Boys, might be the more famous track.
However, when it comes to T.
Rex, this song from the 1972 album The Slider is absolutely indispensable.
Frontman Marc Bolan—his look, style, singing, and even the way he lived (he died young in a car accident)—embodied glam rock in every sense.
Space OddityDavid Bowie
Through the 1980s, the ’90s, and into the 21st century, Bowie continually transformed both his style and his appearance.
The early ’70s, however, can be described as his glam rock period—sparkling costumes, heavy makeup, and a stage presence only Bowie could deliver.
The performances he unveiled at that time were often described as theatrical.
Early Bowie’s Space Oddity remains a masterpiece that still evokes a cosmic expansiveness today.
Malibu Beach NightmareHanoi rocks
Hanoi Rocks is a band from Finland.
The vocalist, Michael Monroe, was especially popular in Japan, where female fans even called him by the nickname “Mon-chan.” This work is their biggest hit.
It’s flamboyant hard rock, and if you just listen to the track, it might come across as simple rock.
However, because the members’ fashion and stage presence were flashy and glitzy, they’re often discussed in the context of glam rock.
Too Fast For LoveMötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe were called a representative band of “glam metal,” playing metal with flashy makeup and fashion when they debuted in the 1980s.
Looking at live images from 1981, you can see their distinctive fashion trends.
While their sound is pure heavy metal, this too is a form of glam rock.
Can The CanSuzi Quatro
Suzi Quatro enjoyed tremendous popularity in Japan and helped define an era as a quintessential female rocker.
Many male fans were surely enthralled by the sight of her, a petite figure with a bass in hand, belting out powerful shouts.
In Japan, she’s strongly associated with playing straight-ahead hard rock, but in the UK she was reportedly known for a time as the “Queen of Glam.” With that in mind, if you look at her early album covers, she’s indeed wearing metallic, form-fitting outfits.
The track is “Can the Can,” which was also a hit in Japan, released in 1973.