Description
Glam rock, also known as glitter rock, emerged in the United Kingdom in the early 1970s as a subgenre of rock music marked by theatrical presentation and stylistic eclecticism. Drawing on influences such as 1950s rock and roll, bubblegum pop, cabaret, science fiction, and art rock, glam performers adopted flamboyant costumes, platform shoes, makeup, and extravagant hairstyles, often using camp and androgynous imagery to challenge conventional gender norms. The movement reached its commercial peak in the UK between 1971 and 1975, with Marc Bolan’s performance of “Hot Love” on Top of the Pops frequently cited as a defining moment. Key artists included David Bowie, T. Rex, Roxy Music, Slade, Sweet, and Mott the Hoople, while American acts such as the New York Dolls and Alice Cooper also achieved prominence. Although glam rock declined by the mid-1970s, it had a lasting influence on later genres including punk, gothic rock, glam metal, and the New Romantic movement.
