The Door To Yesterday. Alan Warner. 2020. Glam Rock.

 

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 Glam Rock was an early 70’s UK phenomenon 

which didn’t take itself too seriously 

but delivered a group of memorable hook-laden songs.

Marc Bolan and David Bowie led the revolution.

Bands ranging from Queen to Roxy Music 

exhibited early glam roots and over here, 

the New York Dolls, Iggy Pop, Lou Reed and Sparks 

drew from the same influence.


 Flashy, outrageous costumes went hand in hand with the glam culture 

which was also personified in Richard O’Brien’s “The Rocky Horror Show” 

theatrical musical in 1973.


The remarkable David Bowie launched his alter-ego Ziggy Stardust, 

creating his own rock theatrics and a string of astounding singles 

Not to mention  rescuing Mott The Hoople with his song 

ALL THE YOUNG DUDES.


I personally became a Marc Bolan fan after attending a 

Tyrannosaurus Rex concert hosted by DJ John Peel in London in ’69. 

That’s when singer/guitarist Marc and percussionist Steve Peregrine Took 

were an acoustic folk duo prior to Steve leaving and Mickey Finn 

joining followed by Marc launching the glam band T. Rex. 


Here’s a group of my favorite glam rock songs…


ALL THE YOUNG DUDES 

(David Bowie)

by Mott The Hoople

Pro & Arr: David Bowie

A Mainman Prod. 

(Columbia: 1972) 

https://youtu.be/yNHdPPJGowY 

Group led by singer/guitarist/pianist Ian Hunter.


BALLROOM BLITZ 

(Mike Chapman/Nicky Chinn)

by Sweet

Pro: Phil Wainman

Arr: Sweet (Capitol: 1973) 

https://youtu.be/cN9jTnxv0RU 

British group formed by singer Brian Connolly and drummer Mick Tucker.


BANG A GONG 

(Marc Bolan)

by T. Rex

Pro: Tony Visconti 

(Reprise: 1971) 

https://youtu.be/FyzWDl0nz00 

Singer/songwriter/guitarist Marc Bolan’s most successful U.S. single. 

Originally issued in the UK as GET IT ON where it was the second T.Rex #1. 

Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman of The Turtles sang backup. 

As BANG A GONG (GET IT ON), it hit the Top 10 here in ’72.


CAN THE CAN 

(Mike Chapman/Nicky Chinn)

by Suzi Quatro

Pro: Mike Chapman & Nicky Chinn 

(UK RAK: 1973)

 https://youtu.be/xYoogY-UGio 

Released here on Big Tree where it charted briefly in ’76. Detroit-born 

leather-clad singer/guitarist Suzi Quatro hit #1 in the UK with CAN THE CAN 

and later charted here with Chris Norman on another Chapman/Chinn song 

STUMBLIN’ IN.
 

CUM ON FEEL THE NOIZE 

(Noddy Holder/Jim Lea) 

by Slade

Pro: Chas. Chandler 

(Polydor: 1973) 

https://youtu.be/Qu_ozjAu_vM 

Bombastic singer/guitarist Noddy Holder fronted Slade whose first UK hit in ’71 

was GET DOWN AND GET WITH IT, originally GET DOWN WITH IT written and 

recorded by Bobby Marchan and later released as DO THE JERK by Little Richard. 


DANCE WITH THE DEVIL 

(Philip Dennys/Michael Hayes)

by Cozy Powell

Pro: Mickie Most

(Chrysalis: 1973) 

https://youtu.be/JZZGZsSRf_g  

A #3 UK hit by drummer Cozy Powell


DEBORA 

(Marc Bolan)

by Tyrannosaurus Rex

Pro: Tony Visconti 

(A&M: 1968) 

https://youtu.be/JZZGZsSRf_g

Became a Top Ten UK hit when reissued in ’72 

coupled with ONE INCH ROCK.


GOODBYE MY LOVE 

(Gerry Shephard)

by The Glitter Band

Pro: Mike Leander 

(Arista: 1975) 

https://youtu.be/xWICPoeM8ds 

Gary Glitter’s backing musicians who clocked up a few hits of their own 

including this, recorded & issued in ’74 on Bell in the UK, 

it crested at #2 there in early ’75.


HOT LOVE 

(Marc Bolan)

by T. Rex

Pro: Tony Visconti (Reprise: 1971)

https://youtu.be/fwC-GUHL2gU 

The first T. Rex single to hit #1 in the UK.


THE JEAN GENIE

(David Bowie)

by David Bowie

Pro: David Bowie 

(RCA Victor: 1972) 

https://youtu.be/BLbi6y4ktgc

From his glorious “Aladdin Sane” album featuring his outstanding 

‘Spiders From Mars’ band including guitar-ace Mick Ronson.


JEEPSTER 

(Marc Bolan)

by T. Rex

Pro: Tony Visconti 

(Reprise: 1971) 

https://youtu.be/G3PznrYmWzc


MAMA WEER ALL CRAZEE NOW 

(Noddy Holder/Jim Lea) 

by Slade

Pro: Chas. Chandler 

(Polydor: 1972) 

https://youtu.be/tn3kvTCJMZQ 

Slade were produced and managed by Chas Chandler, 

former bass-playing member of The Animals.


METAL GURU 

(Marc Bolan)

by T. Rex

Pro: Tony Visconti 

(Reprise: 1972) 

https://youtu.be/dLX8FK9S2R8

Recorded in France,

this was the 4th T.Rex #1 in the UK.


MY COO-CA-CHOO 

(Peter Shelley)   

by Alvin Stardust

Pro: Peter Shelley 

(Bell: 1974) 

https://youtu.be/G9TqCdbCkYg 

Debut UK hit (it reached #2 there in December ’73) 

by the singer previously known as Shane Fenton.


REBEL REBEL 

(David Bowie)

by David Bowie

Arr & Pro: David Bowie 

(RCA: 1973) 

https://youtu.be/U9l23zncj08


RIDE A WHITE SWAN 

(Marc Bolan)

by Tyrannosaurus Rex

Pro: Tony Visconti 

(Blue Thumb: 1970) 

https://youtu.be/skjvDLpeh4c

The first major T.Rex UK hit, it reached No.2 there.


ROCK AND ROLL Part 2 

(Gary Glitter/Mike Leander)

by Gary Glitter

Pro: Mike Leander 

(Bell: 1972). 

https://youtu.be/XKDf8bNgqPM 

ROCK AND ROLL Parts 1 & 2 was the debut UK smash hit 

by disgraced English-born singer who had earlier recorded 

unsuccessfully as Paul Raven. Part 2 made the Billboard Top Ten.


SCHOOL’S OUT 

(Alice Cooper/Glen Buxton/

Michael Bruce/Dennis Dunaway/Neal Smith)

by Alice Cooper

Pro: Bob Ezrin

An Alive Enterprises Prod. 

(Warner Bros: 1972)

https://youtu.be/gcVEhtojXlc 

This was the anthem that became a trademark teenage call-to-arms for 

Detroit-born singer Alice Cooper who paraded on stage with a live boa constrictor 

and sporting own visual image highlighted by huge painted circles round his eyes.


SEE MY BABY JIVE 

(Roy Wood)

by Wizzard

Vocal Backing: The Suedettes

Pro: Roy Wood 

(United Artists: 1973) 

https://youtu.be/c_niF1GHuDo 

Originally a UK#1 on EMI’s Harvest label. Wizzard was formed 

by Roy Wood previously with The Move and the Electric Light Orchestra.


STARMAN 

(David Bowie)  

by David Bowie

Pro: Ken Scott & David Bowie 

(RCA Victor: 1972) 

https://youtu.be/aBKEt3MhNMM 

From Bowie’s ‘Ziggy Stardust’ album.


SUGAR BABY LOVE 

(Wayne Bickerton/Tony Waddington) 

by The Rubettes

A Wayne Bickerton Prod.

Arr: Gerry Shury 

(Polydor: 1974) 

https://youtu.be/O7alF_4XoeM 

A UK #1 hit, it featured falsetto singer Paul Da Vinci.  

Messrs. Bickerton and Waddington also wrote NOTHING BUT A HEARTACHE, 

a minor hit here in ‘69 by English female trio The Flirtations.


TELEGRAM SAM 

(Marc Bolan)

by T. Rex

Pro: Tony Visconti 

(Reprise: 1972) 

https://youtu.be/9b3q2zRBLrc


TIGER FEET 

(Mike Chapman/Nicky Chinn) 

by Mud

Pro: Mike Chapman & Nicky Chinn 

(Bell: 1974) 

https://youtu.be/2rrtXCFyMII  

A UK #1 hit on Mickie Most’s RAK label. Mud had previously charted

 with another Chapman/Chinn song DYNA-MITE which Mike & Nicky had 

unsuccessfully pitched to Sweet.


As in all my postings, 

the recordings listed and referenced above 

are in no way intended as definitive collections.


Please send any comments or suggestions to

 thedoortoyesterday@gmail.com


Rock on.


Alan Warner 


© Alan Warner, 2020. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Alan Warner with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.







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