1970s glam rock bands
Glam Rock Bands of the 1970s: The Glittering Sound of an Era
Glam rock, also known as glitter rock, was one of the defining musical and visual movements of the early 1970s. Characterized by flamboyant costumes, theatrical performances, and a mix of hard rock, pop, and proto-punk elements, glam rock was more than just music—it was a spectacle. The movement, which originated in the UK, produced some of the most iconic and influential bands of the decade.
Here’s a look at some of the most important glam rock bands of the 1970s and how they shaped the genre.
1970s glam rock bands
1. T. Rex
- Frontman: Marc Bolan
- Essential Songs: Get It On (Bang a Gong), Children of the Revolution, Metal Guru
- Why They Matter: Often credited with launching the glam rock movement, T. Rex blended catchy rock riffs with a glittery, theatrical style. Marc Bolan’s charisma and flamboyant fashion set the template for what glam rock would become.
2. David Bowie & The Spiders from Mars
- Frontman: David Bowie
- Essential Songs: Ziggy Stardust, Suffragette City, Starman
- Why They Matter: Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust persona became one of the most defining images of glam rock. His androgynous style, space-age aesthetics, and innovative songwriting pushed the genre beyond its boundaries, blending rock with science fiction and theatrical storytelling.
3. Roxy Music
- Frontman: Bryan Ferry
- Essential Songs: Virginia Plain, Do the Strand, Love Is the Drug
- Why They Matter: Roxy Music brought a sophisticated, art-rock sensibility to glam rock. Their blend of experimental sounds, surreal lyrics, and a futuristic image made them one of the most influential acts of the decade.
4. Slade
- Frontman: Noddy Holder
- Essential Songs: Cum On Feel the Noize, Mama Weer All Crazee Now, Merry Xmas Everybody
- Why They Matter: Slade’s anthemic, singalong rock style was a major influence on later glam and hard rock bands. Their raucous energy and wild stage presence made them one of the most beloved UK bands of the 70s.
5. Sweet
- Frontman: Brian Connolly
- Essential Songs: Ballroom Blitz, Fox on the Run, Love Is Like Oxygen
- Why They Matter: With their catchy melodies, high-energy performances, and bold, glittery outfits, Sweet became one of the quintessential glam rock bands. Their sound influenced both pop and hard rock in the years to come.
1970s glam rock bands
6. Mott the Hoople
- Frontman: Ian Hunter
- Essential Songs: All the Young Dudes, Roll Away the Stone, Honaloochie Boogie
- Why They Matter: Mott the Hoople blended glam with hard rock and blues. Their biggest hit, All the Young Dudes, was written by David Bowie, helping to cement their place in glam rock history.
7. Alice Cooper
- Frontman: Alice Cooper (Vincent Furnier)
- Essential Songs: School’s Out, Elected, No More Mr. Nice Guy
- Why They Matter: While often considered more hard rock or shock rock, Alice Cooper embraced many of the theatrical elements of glam rock. His horror-inspired stage shows, complete with guillotines, fake blood, and snakes, made him one of the most visually extreme artists of the era.
8. New York Dolls
- Frontman: David Johansen
- Essential Songs: Personality Crisis, Jet Boy, Trash
- Why They Matter: Although American bands were less associated with glam rock, the New York Dolls took the flamboyant fashion and theatricality of glam and mixed it with raw, proto-punk energy. Their influence on punk rock and later glam metal was enormous.
9. Mud
- Frontman: Les Gray
- Essential Songs: Tiger Feet, Dyna-mite, The Cat Crept In
- Why They Matter: Mud was one of the more pop-oriented glam rock bands, with a knack for catchy, danceable hits. They helped bring glam rock to a broader audience.
10. Gary Glitter & The Glitter Band
- Frontman: Gary Glitter
- Essential Songs: Rock and Roll (Part 2), Do You Wanna Touch Me?, I’m the Leader of the Gang
- Why They Matter: Though later overshadowed by controversy, Gary Glitter was a major glam rock figure in the 70s. His high-energy performances and anthemic, chant-heavy songs made him a staple of the era.
The Legacy of Glam Rock
By the mid-to-late 1970s, glam rock began to fade, replaced by punk, disco, and new wave. However, its impact was long-lasting, influencing:
- Punk Rock (Sex Pistols, Ramones)
- Glam Metal / Hair Metal (Mötley Crüe, Poison, Twisted Sister)
- New Wave & Synthpop (Duran Duran, Depeche Mode)
- Alternative & Indie Rock (Suede, The Darkness)
Even today, glam rock’s spirit lives on through artists who embrace theatricality, androgyny, and larger-than-life performances. Bands like Queen, Kiss, and Marilyn Manson all took cues from glam rock’s golden age.
Final Thoughts
Glam rock in the 1970s was a revolutionary mix of style, sound, and spectacle. Whether through the raw energy of T. Rex, the artistic vision of David Bowie, or the anthemic singalongs of Slade, the genre left an undeniable mark on rock history.
Which glam rock band is your favorite? Let’s talk about it!
