Glam rock is an often overlooked social and musical phenomenon. A movement that began in the seventies, few have acknowledged its far-reaching and powerful impact on the succeeding decades. Its influence is almost imperceptible because of how deeply embedded it has become in pop culture. But a watered-down version of its image and theatricality is still present in contemporary music.
Glam rock emerged in the early 1970s. Artists like T.Rex, David Bowie, and Roxy Music shocked both mainstream society and the rebels of the counter-culture. With its overtly camp lyrics and concentration on vocals rather than the instrumentals, glam was something different. However, it was the image that overshadowed the music. Glam rock provided new views of sexuality. It displayed a campy effeminate masculinity complete with form-fitting extravagant clothing, platform boots, and embellished make-up.
Its blatant presence would fade by the 80s. However, its legacy would not. Much of its influence would manifest itself in subtle changes. One way being that it facilitated tolerance for effeminacy. Long hair, for example, once was associated with homosexuality. But as more glam rockers came on the scene so did the tolerance for long haired men. Today this isn’t seen as a display of sexual orientation and is somewhat of a stylish trend.
Punk Rock and the Emo Image
It is widely recognized that the sound of David Bowie and Roxy Music would instigate a new genre, that being punk rock. However, little is said about how their images gave a nod to glam as well. The modern punk and emo look is one in which its male participants commonly wear dark makeup such as black eyeliner, mascara, and nail polish as well as skin-tight pants. Accessorizing with excessive wristbands, chains, and bracelets is also popular.
These details come together to form an overall slender look of effeminacy. Needless to say, the wearing of makeup by men in past decades along with feminine clothing would’ve been considered transvestitism. It could almost be said that punk and emo are really just gothic glam as both glam and punk rockers tend to have androgynous appearances.
Rock's Theatricality
Perhaps one of the most lasting aspects that glam rock has left is its theatricalization of rock. As Philip Auslander states in his book Performing Glam Rock: Gender and Theatricality in Popular Music, the concept of rock as theatre didn’t appear until David Bowie brought out his alter-ego Ziggy Stardust in the early 1970s. To enhance the theatrical atmosphere Bowie frequented costume changes as well as decorating the stage and even mime performances.
These theatrical elements can be seen in subsequent bands and artists. With the advent of technology many have used elaborate sets and special effects along with showy entrances to transform the concert into a spectacle as well. And occasionally some songs are performed as skits on stage.
Heavy Metal seems to have incorporated this very well into their performances. Slipknot, for example, uses masks to enhance their theatricality and fit the macabre nature of their music. It is a curious thing to note how cross-dressing (an aspect largely associated with the glam rock movement) has become more common among performers. Korn’s lead singer Jonathan David for example is known for wearing skirts in his music videos and concerts.
Pop Rock and the Sound of Glam
Pop rock also mirrors many of the same concepts as the sound of seventies glam. Pop rock rarely concentrates on the instrumental part of the music and instead on the singer’s vocals. It also has a very calm and cheerful ambiance comparable to the light atmosphere of glam rock bands like T.Rex and Slade. Many of these bands also have adopted a cleaner, more put-together image than other genres of heavier rock.
Moreover, many pop rock singers sing in falsetto. Falsetto has become a very popular way of singing in all genres of music. The lead singer of Coheed and Cambria for example, sings in an effeminate voice similar to glam artists like Marc Bolan or Freddie Mercury. The quirky nasally voice is another aspect of glam vocals that’s re-emerged particularly in the late 90s and early 21st century with bands like Blink-182 and The All-American Rejects.
Though under appreciated, glam rock has left its mark on music both then and now as well as on its image and performance. Its influence goes beyond just rock and broke barriers both musically and socially.
Image was provided under the CC Attribution 2.0 Generic License.
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