The sounds defining rock-n-roll have adhered to some basic tenets since the inception of the genre: propulsive beats, seductive chords and rebellious wails. These all combined to form the counter-culture template of succeeding generations. However, by the time glam rock came on the scene in the early 1970s, the sights that would greet fans and others had changed dramatically. Gone were the smart-casual suits of Elvis and Buddy Holly. Glam rock introduced far-out costumes, gender bending appearances and an overall emphasis on heightened theatrics.
Glam rock was largely a British affair. Performers like T. Rex, David Bowie, Sweet, Slade and others became the standard bearers for legions of fans that were referred to in the press of the time as “glitter kids.” As one source notes: 'Glam fans and performers distinguished themselves from the denim-clad hippiedom with a deliberately “artificial” look. This was derived in large part from a fusing of transvestism with futurism.' The futurism alluded to here can be seen to have sprung from the dawning of the space age. Humans were traveling to the moon! This era-defining achievement proved hugely influential in the appearance of glam rock's exponents.
Primary among these were Marc Bolan and his band T. Rex, David Bowie, and acts like Slade, Sweet, and Gary Glitter.
Glam rock was largely a British affair. Performers like T. Rex, David Bowie, Sweet, Slade and others became the standard bearers for legions of fans that were referred to in the press of the time as “glitter kids.” As one source notes: 'Glam fans and performers distinguished themselves from the denim-clad hippiedom with a deliberately “artificial” look. This was derived in large part from a fusing of transvestism with futurism.' The futurism alluded to here can be seen to have sprung from the dawning of the space age. Humans were traveling to the moon! This era-defining achievement proved hugely influential in the appearance of glam rock's exponents.
Primary among these were Marc Bolan and his band T. Rex, David Bowie, and acts like Slade, Sweet, and Gary Glitter.