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)
Group led by singer/guitarist/pianist Ian Hunter.
BALLROOM BLITZ
(Mike Chapman/Nicky Chinn)
by Sweet
Pro: Phil Wainman
Arr: Sweet (Capitol: 1973)
British group formed by singer Brian Connolly and drummer Mick Tucker.
BANG A GONG
(Marc Bolan)
by T. Rex
Pro: Tony Visconti
(Reprise: 1971)
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)
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)
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)
A #3 UK hit by drummer Cozy Powell
DEBORA
(Marc Bolan)
by Tyrannosaurus Rex
Pro: Tony Visconti
(A&M: 1968)
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)
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)
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)
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)
MAMA WEER ALL CRAZEE NOW
(Noddy Holder/Jim Lea)
by Slade
Pro: Chas. Chandler
(Polydor: 1972)
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)
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)
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)
RIDE A WHITE SWAN
(Marc Bolan)
by Tyrannosaurus Rex
Pro: Tony Visconti
(Blue Thumb: 1970)
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).
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
TIGER FEET
(Mike Chapman/Nicky Chinn)
by Mud
Pro: Mike Chapman & Nicky Chinn
(Bell: 1974)
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
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.