Deep Dive: David Bowie, Glam Rock

Who doesn’t love rock stars in platform shoes and glitter?

From Marc Bolan of T. Rex (have you ever seen episodes of his short-lived TV show?) to Freddie Mercury, Sweet,  and Slade, the UK music scene launched a new take on rock and roll.  Fewer US bands embraced glam, but New York Dolls and Iggy Pop influenced generations of musicians.

Glam combined fashion, performance art, and music.  As an artistic expression, glam deeply touched the British arts world.  In the States, David Bowie embodied glam to American audiences.  Back across the pond, though, critics viewed his as the slick and packaged version.

Nonetheless, David Bowie’s glam rock era, included the album and film of Ziggy Stardust, The Man Who Sold the World, Hunky Dory, Diamond Dogs, and Aladdin Sane.