Glam rock

Glam rock is a style of rock music popularised in the 1970s, and was mostly a British phenomenon. It was distinguished by the costumes and stage acts of the performers rather than any particular aspect of their music. The emphasis was on superficiality and an unabashed embracing of fame and wealth, a statement of sorts against such acts as Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Yes and Genesis, whose music was often referred to by critics as art rock.

Male glam performers often dressed androgynously in make up and glittery, outrageous costumes, not dissimilar to the kind of thing Liberace or Elvis Presley wore when performing in cabaret. The most famous example is David Bowie during his Ziggy Stardust phase. Sexual ambiguity became a game; Bowie told the press he was gay simply for the publicity, while the late Jobraith is thought really to have been rock's first openly gay star.

Although credit for starting the trend in Britain is often given to Gary Glitter and his band, it was probably Roxy Music, headed by former art teacher Bryan Ferry who led the field, though they avoided the excesses of many of their imitators. Ferry's brainwave was to give his young audience an excuse to dress up for concerts; as he put it, "It would be like a night at the opera for them." Other bands/acts who might be considered part of the glam scene include:

Glam rock was a major influence upon the late 1970s UK punk rock movement, particularly the Sex Pistols.