Who is your favorite Glam Rock band?

granitecanyon71 said:I suppose my very first purchase was actually that double compilation featuring Sweet and their track Strung Up. I absolutely adored them back then. Honestly, they even held up quite well once they started writing their own material.
I seem to recall being in school, working on some sort of art project—drawing a poster or something along those lines—and I ended up using the inner sleeve of that double album as inspiration, trying to sketch those figures that look like little puppets on strings. It turned out to be an absolute disaster, if I'm being honest. 😁

The true father figure of Glam rock was really Marc Bolan and his band T. Rex, though tragically he passed away in a car accident around '77, leaving behind a whole era defined by bands like Sweet, Slade, Suzy Quatro, Gary Glitter, David Bowie, Bryan Ferry, and Alice Cooper.

analoggull52 said:The father of Glam rock was basically Marc Bolan and his band T. Rex—they died in a car wreck back in '77—along with bands like Sweet, Slade, Suzy Quatro, Gary Glitter, and David Bowie

I mean, I listened to Gary Glitter at least, and I caught up on Bowie later on. I almost forgot about Suzy Quatro, but I pretty much re-listened to her whole catalog recently. The same duo wrote for her as they did for Sweet early on, I guess.

analoggull52 said:The father of Glam rock was Marc Bolan—his band T. Rex tragically died in a car accident back in '77-- along with bands like Sweet, Slade, Suzy Quatro, Gary Glitter, David Bowie, Bryan Ferry, and Alice Cooper

Wait, didn't Queen (and maybe even Kiss or Jon Bon Jovi) also get categorized under glam rock? I think I saw that mentioned somewhere once.

Personally, if we're talking about this genre, Bolden would probably be my top pick for favorite band—and Bowie is definitely my favorite performer. I guess I also have a soft spot for Susie Q (didn't realize she fell under glam rock), and a few others have some good tracks, but I haven't listened to them enough to really say much. 🙂

Charles Ramos4 said:Wouldn't you say Queen—and maybe even Kiss or Bon Jovi—were also lumped in with the glam rock bands? I think I remember seeing that somewhere.

Generally speaking, if we're discussing this specific genre, those bolded names would probably be my top picks for favorite bands, whereas I'd view Bowie more as a solo artist. Though, I suppose I have a soft spot for Suzy Quatro too (I actually had no idea she was considered part of the glam rock scene), and I'm sure the others have some great tracks, but I haven't delved deeply enough into their discographies to really comment on them. 🙂

Well, I suppose you have a point there, though I’ve always felt Queen leans more toward hard rock. To me, Glam rock is less about being a distinct genre of Rock music and more about a certain flamboyant styling. Back in the 70s, I spent quite a bit of time listening to Sweet, Slade, T. Rex, and Suzy Quatro. It’s actually pretty interesting to think about how a Glam rock group like Slade would have performed back in the States during that era.

Slade - Mama Weer


Slade - Cum on Feel the Noize 1973

analoggull52 said:I mean, you've got a point—Queen is really more of a hard rock band. Glam rock is more about that glamorous aesthetic than anything else. I spent my whole youth in the 70s listening to Sweet, Slade, T. Rex, and Suzy Quatro back when they were dropping all those hits. Honestly, Glam rock isn't even its own distinct genre of rock music—it’s more of a style or a look. It is pretty wild to think about, though—like how Slade actually played a show out in a place like St. Louis back in '77.

I get that names are more about the branding and the look than the actual sound—that’s why I brought up Queen and the rest, because they definitely fit that vibe. So, I'm a little surprised you mentioned Suzy Quatro—I've watched some of her clips on YouTube, and I just didn't really get that same impression, I guess. 😁

Charles Ramos4 said:I realize the name is more about the aesthetic than the actual sound, which is why I’m bringing up Queen and the rest, since they seem to fit perfectly here. That's actually why I find it a bit odd that you mentioned Suzy Quatro; from what I've gathered watching some of her clips on YouTube, she didn't really give me that specific impression. 😁

You make a fair point, I suppose; her style leaned a bit more toward that classic rock look—you know, the black leather pants and jackets—but personally, I’ve always sort of categorized her as a Glam rock singer.

analoggull52 said:you're right, she used to dress more like a classic rocker—black leather pants, jackets, all that—but personally, I’ve always felt she fit right into that Glam rock vibe

That's because it wasn't just about the clothes. See, Glam rock was really about this whole over-the-top, theatrical persona. Sure, the outfit is the main thing, but there's more to it than just what you wear. That's why I put her in that category.

Look, I’ve never heard anyone group Bon Jovi into that genre. People usually slap them in the hair metal or hair hard-rock camp, but never glam rock. By the time Bon Jovi blew up, that whole glam rock movement had pretty much moved on—that was more of a 70s thing. At least, that's how it played out for me.

Yeah, look, glam rock was the 70s thing, then glam metal took over in the 80s. In both cases, you’re looking at groups of bands with questionable musical similarities where the whole categorization is really just about the heavy emphasis on their image.

I’ve previously shared some tracks from T. Rex and Slade here, though I don't believe anyone has offered any commentary on them yet. Regarding Marc Bolan—it’s often suggested that he is essentially the father of Glam rock—but I suppose I wonder what your collective thoughts are on these artists? Which of their songs tend to resonate most with you?

I absolutely love that era, and this right here is one of my all-time favorites

analoggull52 said:I was posting some tracks from T. Rex and Slade here, but nobody really said anything about them—what do you guys think? People call Marc Bolan the father of Glam rock, so I'm curious... what's your take on them? Any favorite songs?

Both bands are top-tier, though I’d probably give a slight edge to T. Rex—they just feel more unique, I guess. A bit more distinct from everyone else. I haven't listened to Slade quite as much, maybe because their sound feels a little more standard, so they didn't stick in my head as much. They actually remind me a fair amount of Status Quo, which I'm pretty fond of.
As far as their songs go, aside from their massive hit Cum on Feel the Noize—the one Quiet Riot covered—I'd pick these two

Charles Ramos4 said:I suppose both bands are truly top-tier, though I might lean slightly toward T. Rex just because they felt a bit more unique and distinctive compared to their peers. I haven't spent quite as much time diving into Slade, I guess, perhaps because their sound feels somewhat more conventional, so they didn't grab my attention quite as intensely. They actually remind me quite a bit of one of my own favorites, Status Quo.
As far as their tracks go—aside from their massive hit "Cum on Feel the Noize," which was famously covered by Quiet Riot—I’d say these two really stand out

Well, yes, but Slade managed to hit USA No1, while T. Rex had four, and Sweet had three, even if Sweet was probably more popular around here. As for Marc Bolan, people often call him the father of Glam rock, though tragically he passed away in a car accident back in 1977. I actually caught a Status Quo concert sometime around '77 or '78.

T. Rex - Metal Guru 1972


T. Rex - Get It On (1971)

...seriously, nobody is saying enough about these guys...it’s true they stumbled into the Glam rock scene basically by being in the right place at the right time, but still...

I suppose I find this one a bit more appealing myself

Mott the Hoople - All The Young Dudes

analoggull52 said:I actually dig this one better

Mott the Hoople - All The Young Dudes

...but hey, that's just Bowie for you...

velvetmarlin472 said:...but then again, that's just Bowie.

Technically, it’s his song, but I suppose we’re really here to discuss them as a group and the whole Glam rock movement, aren't we? Even The Beatles didn't write every single track they released under their own name, though, I guess, you have to look at who is actually credited as the songwriter.

I suppose one might consider "All The Young Dudes," that quintessential anthem penned by David Bowie, to be a fascinating piece of history, especially since it was originally captured and launched as a single by Mott the Hoople back in 1972.

analoggull52 said:I posted some tracks from T. Rex and Slade here before and nobody said a word. People call Marc Bolan the father of Glam rock, so what's the verdict? What do you guys think of them? Any favorite songs?

Look, since you're asking, T. Rex and Slade aren't really my main focus—it’s more about Sweet for me.

In my book, they’re the ones who actually define that whole Glam rock sound we’re talking about.

I even posted "New York Groove" a while back as the perfect example of that vibe. It’s basically that sound, just leveled up.

Patrick Martin said:well, since you asked—for me, it isn't really T. Rex or even Slade that stands out as much as Sweet.

I guess they’re just that specific sound people look for when we talk about Glam rock.

I actually mentioned "New York Groove" before as a perfect example of that sound—maybe even a slightly more polished version of it.

I honestly think it's the fashion, rather than the actual music, that gets tied to the term Glam rock. I don't know how else you'd group Bowie, T. Rex, Kiss, Roxy Music, Sweet, Queen, and Bon Jovi together if it wasn't for that "campy" style and look they leaned into for at least part of their careers. It's not like they were all playing the exact same kind of music.

analoggull52, you've got a point there, because it all really started with Marc Bolan, who everyone pretty much considers the pioneer of Glam rock.

analoggull52 said:I mean, it's his song, sure, but we’re out here talking about them as a band and the whole vibe of glam rock. Even The Beatles didn't write every single track they released under their own name—it just shows up in the credits who actually wrote what.

thanks, I totally get all that... I just brought up that Hunter track as an example because it’s such a classic "glam stomper."

Charles Ramos4 said:I honestly think it's the fashion style, not the actual sound, that gets lumped into the whole Glam rock category. I mean, how else would you group Bowie, T. Rex, KISS, Roxy Music, Sweet, Queen, and Bon Jovi together if it wasn't for that "cheesy" look and vibe they rocked at some point in their careers? It's not like they were all playing the exact same kind of music.

Look, my take is that since so much time has passed, we really ought to be evaluating—or ranking—Glam rock a bit differently today. Like, focus more on the actual music and put the outfits and all that flashy stuff to the side.

For me, say, blockbuster by Sweet is the perfect example of what that specific sound is actually about, because neither Bowie nor T. Rex had a sound like that, and definitely not Roxy Music, Queen, or KISS...

Slade is probably the closest to that vibe among the names mentioned. And Garry Glitter too.

The biggest hallmarks of that style are those simple, slower guitar riffs and the drum beats. Dammit, I can't even put it into words properly, you just have to feel it...

Just listen a little closer and you'll hear the difference...

Man, those guys just don't have that sound.🤷