Glam Rock

“I’m your toy, your 20th century boy” T.Rex, ‘20th Century Boy’, 1973

Glam rock burst onto the scene in the early 1970s, in contrast to the heavy nature of some British rock at the time. Teenage fans embraced the flamboyant, futuristic costumes, make-up and chant-like pop songs of this new style.

Buoyed by the huge success of Marc Bolan and David Bowie in early 1972, glam continued to dominate the pop chart until 1974. Their distinctive fashions, androgynous style and teenage lyrics influenced a whole generation of new musicians.

Groups like The Sweet and Slade rode the new wave, as did female rocker Suzi Quatro, whose ‘Can The Can’ achieved the top spot in 1973. Roxy Music brought a different, urbane glamour to their debut single ‘Virginia Plain’ in 1972, which paved the way for a new British art rock style.

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