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Glam Slam Guide: (Where To Start)
The ultimate crash course in glitter – one icon at a time.
Short, sharp, and dripping in 70s excess – every guide gives you the essential albums, the must-hear tracks, the killer facts, and the deeper dive you need to go from curious to obsessed.Each guide also has links at the bottom to related categories.


A Beginner’s Guide - Alvin Stardust
Alvin Stardust (born Bernard William Jewry, September 27, 1942 – October 23, 2014) was an English singer, musician, and actor. A major star of the 1970s glam rock era, he was known for his charismatic stage presence, black leather outfits, quiff hairstyle, and energetic rock ‘n’ roll revival sound. With his larger-than-life persona and string of hit singles, Alvin Stardust became one of Britain’s most colourful and successful glam artists. EARLY LIFE & MUSICAL BEGINNINGS Born

Alvin Stardust
Jan 1, 2023


A Beginner’s Guide - Roy Wood
Roy Wood (born Ulysses Adrian Wood, November 8, 1946) is an English singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer. A true visionary of British rock, he co-founded The Move, Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), and Wizzard, leaving an indelible mark on 1960s and 1970s pop, rock, and glam. Known for his wild hair, theatrical style, and genre-blending creativity, Roy Wood is one of the most inventive figures in British music history. EARLY LIFE & MUSICAL BEGINNINGS Born in

Wizzard
Jan 1, 2023


A Beginner’s Guide - Lou Reed
Lou Reed (born Lewis Allan Reed, March 2, 1942 – October 27, 2013) was an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and poet. One of the most influential and uncompromising figures in rock history, he founded The Velvet Underground and went on to build a legendary solo career known for its raw honesty, literary depth, and fearless exploration of urban life, sexuality, addiction, and human darkness. EARLY LIFE & THE VELVET UNDERGROUND Born in Brooklyn and raised on Long Island,

Lou Reed
Jan 1, 2023


A Beginner’s Guide - Cockney Rebel
Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel was a British rock band formed in London in 1972, led by the charismatic and theatrical frontman Steve Harley (born Stephen Richard Nice, 1951–2024). Blending glam rock, art rock, progressive elements, and sharp, witty lyrics with a distinctive violin-driven sound, they stood out in the early-to-mid 1970s as one of the most stylish and intelligent acts of the glam era. CLASSIC LINEUPS Early Cockney Rebel (1972–1974): Steve Harley – vocals Jean-Pau

Cockney Rebel
Jan 1, 2023


A Beginner’s Guide - Ronnie Lane
Ronnie Lane (born Ronald Frederick Lane, April 1, 1946 – June 4, 1997) was an English bassist, singer, and songwriter. Nicknamed “Plonk,” he was a founding member of the Small Faces and later The Faces. Known for his melodic bass lines, soulful voice, cheeky charm, and songwriting, Lane brought warmth, humor, and rootsy SMALL FACES (1965–1969) Co-founded with Steve Marriott. Classic lineup: Steve Marriott – vocals, guitar Ronnie Lane – bass, vocals Kenney Jones – drums Ian Mc

Ronnie Lane
Jan 1, 2023


A Beginner’s Guide - The Glitter Band
The Glitter Band are a British glam rock band formed in 1973, originally as Gary Glitter’s backing band (initially called The Glittermen). They quickly became a successful act in their own right, known for their high-energy “stomp” sound, glittery stage outfits, saxophone-driven hooks, and catchy sing-along choruses. While tied to the Gary Glitter brand in the early days, they carved out their own identity with a string of UK hit singles in the mid-1970s. CLASSIC LINEUP (mid-

Glitter Band
Jan 1, 2023


A Beginner’s Guide - David Essex
David Essex (born David Albert Cook, July 23, 1947) is an English singer, songwriter, and actor. One of the biggest British pop stars of the 1970s, he blended glam rock, pop, and theatrical flair to become a teen idol and a major chart force. Known for his boyish good looks, warm voice, and charismatic stage presence, David Essex was a central figure in the glam rock and pop scenes of the era. EARLY LIFE & MUSICAL BEGINNINGS Born in London, David Essex began his career as an

David Essex
Jan 1, 2023


A Beginner’s Guide - New York Dolls
The New York Dolls were an American rock band formed in New York City in 1971. With their outrageous androgynous fashion, raw garage-rock energy, and street-tough attitude, they became one of the most influential proto-punk bands of all time. Though they only released two studio albums in their original run, their chaotic live shows and unpolished glam sound directly inspired the punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s (especially the Sex Pistols and The Ramones) CLASSIC LINEUP

New York Dolls
Jan 1, 2023


A Beginner’s Guide - Sparks
(The Eccentric Brothers of Witty Pop) Sparks is an American rock/pop band formed in Los Angeles in 1971, consisting primarily of the brothers Ron Mael (keyboards, songwriter) and Russell Mael (vocals). Known for their sharp, intelligent lyrics, theatrical style, genre-hopping sound, and striking visual contrast (Russell’s energetic falsetto performances vs. Ron’s deadpan, mustache-and-suit demeanor), Sparks have enjoyed one of the longest and most influential careers in music

Sparks
Jan 1, 2023


A Beginner’s Guide - Barry Blue
(The King of Saturday Night Glam) Barry Blue (born Barry Ian Green, December 4, 1950) is an English singer, songwriter, and producer. A prominent figure in the early 1970s glam rock and pop scene, he scored several memorable hits with his smooth voice, catchy hooks, and upbeat party anthems. Best known for his 1973 smash “Dancin’ (On a Saturday Night)”, Barry Blue became a teen idol and a staple of British charts during the height of glam. EARLY LIFE & MUSICAL BEGINNINGS Born

Barry Blue
Jan 1, 2023
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