So many different types of music emerged in the 1970s. Among them, glam rock stood loud and proud amid the sparkling costumes and big heels. Add in some flamboyant characters bringing huge sounds during the first half of the decade, and you have the ingredients for that fabulous genre.
Many names jump out when you think of glam rock: The Sweet, Slade, T.Rex with Marc Bolan, Rod Stewart, and David Bowie. Elton John played a part, as did more rock and roll at core outfits like Geordie, with Brian Johnson pre-AC/DC, Mott the Hoople, and a host of others. The majority hailed from the UK, but bands like the New York Dolls played their part from the US.
The songs and the music were as diverse as the flamboyant artists. Fun stomps, heavier guitar-based rock, pop tunes, and, given those artists above, some classic rock. Many of the songs are still played often, but many have fallen by the wayside and are no longer played much.
Six brilliant glam rock songs from the 1970s
For some, the shine has gone from their glitter at that time, and they are rightly well away from playlists. Others are still great songs, but either didn't make it at the time or have slipped off the radar since. The six examples below would grace any playlist; they include a few hits and a couple of misses.
Alvin Stardust - “My Coo Ca Choo”
Let’s start with a hit single that has a few names behind it as the singer. It was written, sung, and recorded by Pete Shelley, the record producer and performer in his own right, not the man behind The Buzzcocks.
But when it hit the charts, Shelley decided to get someone else in as the performer. Enter Bernard Jewry, who was performing as Shane Fenton, but took up the mantle as Alvin Stardust.
Jewry did quite well from that deal, going on to score a few more hits in his new black-leathered guise. For this initial song, it’s easy to remember the simple chorus line, but there was more to it. The emphatic drumbeat, along with some simple but effective guitar riffs. All very typical of the glam rock era.
Iron - “Virgin Rebels Rule”
Next up is a song that didn't quite make it, but had all the necessary attributes for a glam rock hit. They made it to my playlists because they're a Scottish band, which always piques my interest. The song opens with what I’d label as glam rock drums. The vocals sound a bit distant, but behind them is some solid guitar work that drives the song along.
It builds to a rowdy and rebellious chorus by nature as well as name. If it sounds familiar but you can't quite place it, give “California Paradise” by The Runaways a listen, or, to be fair, many other glam rock treasures.
Sailor - “Girls, Girls, Girls”
A different element of glam rock where the pop part is more prominent. It’s a fun, slightly campy but colorful song. Check out the costumes and performance in the video.
Sailor’s other big hit was also pretty cool, “A Glass Of Champagne,” you don’t hear much of either now though sadly. Both songs featured their unique sound with a mix of synthesizers, keyboards, and glockenspiel blended along with a variety of others. It was fun times and they fitted well as a branch of glam rock.
Showaddywaddy - "Hey Rock and Roll"
This band was all quiffed up, looking like 1950s rockers with their drainpipes, crepe-soled shoes, and drape jackets. They did focus on reviving the music from the 50s, but there was also a glam rock flavor and influence to them.
This came in part from their eight-member lineup, which had two lead vocalists, two bassists, two guitarists, and most distinctly, two drummers. That accentuated the drum sound, a prominent feature in glam rock music.
"Hey, Rock and Roll" was their first hit and was written by the band. It peaked at number two in the UK charts. It is the most glam rock song in their catalog in my view. It fits well with the genre and is another fun and punchy example of it.
Hello - “Tell Him”
This started life as a song back in the 1960s. But it was glammed up by The Glitter Band in the 1970s. Hello decided to take it up a level and recorded their remake soon after. That took the song to its best UK chart position, number nine in 1974. It’s got the glam rock credentials again.
The more I listen to these songs, the more I realize how much that lies in the sound of the drums. The band followed it up with “New York Shuffle,” which Ace Frehley and Kiss picked up on for a huge hit.
Heavy Metal Kids - ”Delirious”
A bit heavier for this song. Perhaps it’s early punk, maybe it's a bit more metal. But the band was undoubtedly a bit glam too. They were formed in 1972, and their lead singer and frontman, Gary Holton, came with a theatrical background.
He’d been in a few operas and plays as a child. He did go on to star in some TV shows after the band. But this song shows him and the band at their rocking best. They didn't have any hits, but surely deserved better based on this song.