Glam Rock After the Psychedelic Era

Glam rock was a musical movement that began in the late 1960s and peaked in the early 1970s. The genre was born out of the British Psychedelic Scene and was a direct reaction to the perceived excesses of that movement. Glam rock was characterised by its flamboyant visual style and its reliance on commercial themes and hooks.

Glam Rock Origins

Glam rock is a style of rock music that emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It was developed during the glam era of rock and roll, which itself was a subgenre of rock music. Glam rock is characterized by its glittery, often flamboyant costumes, stage sets, and make-up.

The British Invasion

The British Invasion of the early 1960s brought British rock band The Beatles to the United States, where their popularity led to the rise of other British bands such as The Rolling Stones, Herman’s Hermits, and The Animals. In 1964, American guitarists Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page formed the band The Yardbirds, which soon gained popularity in the UK. Inspired by The Yardbirds’ success, English bassist John Entwistle and drummer Keith Moon formed the rock band The Who in 1964. also that year, English guitarist Eric Clapton joined the blues rock band John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers.

The Beatles

Even before the advent of glam rock, the Beatles had been experimenting with outrageous fashion and appearance. In 1967, they caused a sensation with the release of their album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, which featured them dressed in brightly-coloured military-style uniforms on the cover. This was followed by their film Magical Mystery Tour, in which they appeared in psychedelic outfits. By 1968, the group’s look had become more funky and streetwise, inspired by the fashions of contemporary African American musicians such as James Brown and Sly Stone.

The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones started as a British blues band in the early 1960s. They were heavily influenced by black R&B artists such as Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf. The Rolling Stones soon began to experiment with other genres, including country and western, and they are credited with helping to pioneer the sound of glam rock in the 1970s.

Glam rock is a subgenre of rock music that originated in the United Kingdom in the early 1970s. Glam rock was a reaction against the hippie values of peace and love, and was associated with fashion and outrageous stage performances. Glam rock artists such as David Bowie and Marc Bolan created a flamboyant image that was aimed at shocking or upsetting mainstream audiences.

The Rolling Stones continued to be successful throughout the 1970s and 1980s, with hits such as “Start Me Up” and “Mixed Emotions.” The band is still active today, and their popularity shows no signs of waning.

Glam Rock in the Psychedelic Era

Glam rock was a music genre that developed in the United Kingdom in the late 1960s. It was a reaction to the hippie and psychedelic trends of the time. Glam rock was characterized by its outrageous fashion and make-up, and its rebellious attitude. The genre was also known for its embrace of sexuality and androgyny. Glam rock bands such as T. Rex, David Bowie, and Roxy Music were some of the most popular acts of the time.

The Kinks

The Kinks’ been largely forgotten in the pantheon of important glam rock bands, but they were hugely influential in the early days of the genre. Formed in 1963, The Kinks are considered one of the “big four” of the British Invasion, along with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Who. They were one of the first bands to experiment with distorted power chords and feedback, which would go on to become essential components of heavy metal and punk rock.

The Kinks’ Leader, Ray Davies, was an accomplished songwriter, and his compositions often dealt with working-class life in England. Songs like “Waterloo Sunset” and “Lola” became hits in both the UK and US, and the band enjoyed a long and successful career. However, by the late 1970s, glam rock was on the wane, and The Kinks struggled to keep up with the changing times. They ultimately disbanded in 1996.

The Who

The Who is considered by many to have been the first true glam rock band. Emerging from the British Mod scene in the mid-60s, The Who combined energetic rock with over-the-top theatricality and fashion sense. They popularized the “power chord” sound that would come to define many glam and hard rock bands in the 1970s. Though they began as a Mod band, The Who quickly developed their own unique style that would come to be known as “Maximum R&B.” This new sound combined their original R&B influences with elements of art and pop music to create something fresh and exciting. The Who’s 1967 album “My Generation” is often cited as one of the most influential records of the psychedelic era.

The Jimi Hendrix Experience

By 1967, the Jimi Hendrix Experience was the biggest band in the world, and their sonic innovations would change rock guitar forever. After two groundbreaking albums, Are You Experienced (1967) and Axis: Bold as Love (1967), Hendrix released Electric Ladyland (1968), a record that saw him expanding his sound with more psychedelic and blues-influenced tracks.

Glam Rock After the Psychedelic Era

Glam rockers were a dying breed in the early seventies. The sounds and fashion of the sixties had been played out, and the new hard rock groups were not interested in what the old guard had to offer. Glam rockers were openly derided and ridiculed by the music press, and it seemed that their days were numbered. But glam rock made a comeback in the mid-seventies, and it did so with a vengeance.

David Bowie

David Bowie (born David Robert Jones on 8 January 1947) is an English singer, songwriter and actor. A leading figure in the music industry, Bowie is renowned as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s. His androgynous appearance was an iconic element of his image, particularly in the 1974 track “Rebel Rebel”.

Queen

Queen is a British rock band that formed in 1970. The band’s classic lineup consisted of lead singer Freddie Mercury, guitarist Brian May, drummer Roger Taylor, and bassist John Deacon. Queen’s early works were influenced by psychedelic rock, but the band gradually ventured into more conventional and radio-friendly rock territory. By the early 1980s, Queen had become one of the biggest bands in the world with the release of their album “The Game” and their signature song “Bohemian Rhapsody.”Queen continued to enjoy success throughout the 1980s and 1990s, and they remain one of the best-selling bands of all time with sales of over 300 million records worldwide.

Elton John

Elton John is one of the most successful recording artists of all time. In a career spanning five decades, he has sold more than 300 million records and has sold over 100 million records worldwide. His career began in the psychedelic era with his debut album, “Empty Sky”, released in 1969. He achieved success with his second album, “Tumbleweed Connection”, which reached number two in the UK and number five in the US. After a short break from recording, he returned with his third album, “Madman Across the Water”, which was another success, reaching number four in the UK and number eight in the US.