Now I don't know about you, but when I was growing up in the Seventies my prime introduction to music was Top of the Pops. And in the halcyon days at the start of the decade, when you tuned in you stumbled across a whole heap of boys in glitter with raunchy guitars. And every song was a party song.
Recently, a book presentation I was helping someone out with led me back to check out some early T.Rex and Roxy Music material, and blew me away anew. True, some of this might be rosy-tinted nostalgia for childhood, but dammit for me there's something really magnetic about good glam. It's catchy. The guitars buzz like angry hornets, but they're somehow not macho and overbearing. And, of course, it's got camp to spare. Remember 'This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us' by Sparks? How bonkers is that track? It's veers wildly and joyously between raucous rock and opera and it's guaranteed to make you smile. You can see why Morrissey took to glam like an ugly duckling to water, and why he revered Marc Bolan and Sparks so.
Me, I'm off to slap on a bit of eyeliner and curl a feather boa round my neck. Meantime, may I leave you with my Glam Top Ten of the moment, in no particular order? And if some of these oldies are new to you, why not give ’em a little temporary place in your life?
1. This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us – Sparks
2. 20th Century Boy – T.Rex
3. Ballroom Blitz – The Sweet
4. Mother of Pearl – Roxy Music
5. Cosmic Dancer – T.Rex
6. Rock On – David Essex
7. Suffragette City – David Bowie
8. All the Young Dudes – Mott the Hoople
9. Mama Weer All Crazee Now – Slade
10. All I Want Is You – Roxy Music
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Hello there Rob,
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say what a wonderful way with words you have...
Also I like your top ten but think I would put in somewhere T.Rex 'Telegram sam' and Bowie's "Changes'...
Anyway take care,
love Raph
Now then, Now then, Urerrr, Urerrr. Guys and Gals with the magic of hindsight here are my Glam Rock top ten, as it happens.
ReplyDelete1. Get it On – T.Rex
2. Starman – David Bowie
3. Hello- Gary Glitter
4. Groover-T.Rex
5. Ballroom Blitz- Sweet
6. Mama Weer All Crazee Now – Slade
7. Do the Strand- Roxy Music
8. All the Young Dudes – Mott the Hoople
9. Gary Glitter- Leader of the Gang
10. Can the Can- Suzi Quattro (controversial!)
Gary's probably not getting alot of royalties any more?
I’m so pleased you included a Slade song. I was actually a big fan of theirs, and am saddened that they are now essentially remembered for a cheesy Christmas song. I first listened to them when they were a skinhead band; they had to change their appearance because it didn’t match the musical tastes of the skinheads to came to hear them. Somewhere I have my Slade albums still, on vinyl, and did see them live, at the Finsbury Park Rainbow, in what I believe was 1973. Such an excellent set: as well as their hits, several of which I had paid my 6s8d for (Gudbuy T’Jane; Get Down and Get With It, etc.) they did a number of covers, which are to be found on Slade Alive: Hear Me Calling, Darling Be Home Soon and Born to be Wild were the stand-out tracks. The highlight however was Coz I Luv You, with the bass guitarist (I think) playing electric violin: boy was he good!
ReplyDeleteRob
ReplyDeleteFor me, there has to be a place for:
Starman - Bowie
Blockbuster - Sweet
Devil Gate Drive - Suzi Quatro
Tiger Feet - Mud (on the uncooler side of the Glam fence).