GLAM ROCK The Image Changers

If truth be told, practically all the major players in the Glam Rock movement could be accused of band-wagon jumping. Even Bolan and Bowie emerged from unsuccessful careers, changing their appearances and musical styles. Following their leads, any number of artists added a little make-up and a touch of light, chart friendly pop to their repertoire, changed their names in some cases, and were rewarded with glittering careers. GARY GLITTER, MUD, SLADE, and even LOU REED all stand out as guilty parties.

MOTT THE HOOPLE had already been around a number of years, releasing several largely unsuccessful albums, when the adoption of glam fashions and the recording of Bowie’s anthemic ‘All the young dudes’ marked a turnaround in their commercial fortunes. By '74 things were falling apart (a story told in their song 'Ballad Of Mott' and in Ian Hunter's book 'Diary Of A Rock'N'Roll Star'), and Guitarist Mick Ralphs left for Bad Company, followed shortly afterwards by singer Ian Hunter. MICK RONSON was also in the group for a brief period after Bowie disbanded The Spiders From Mars. The remaining members recruited new singer Nigel Benjamin and continued for several more albums under the abbreviated title of MOTT.

ALVIN STARDUST, who had already had a moderately successful early sixties pop career under the name SHANE FENTON, chose a new name obviously intended to mirror the image of fellow sixties rehab GARY GLITTER (the former PAUL GADD / PAUL RAVEN), added a studded leather glove to his stage act, and transformed his fortunes overnight.

ROY WOOD’s position as an accepted glam rock icon is altogether a strange one. Exactly why Wood’s WIZZARD should be considered a glam rock group, while ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA, fronted by Wood’s compatriot from THE MOVE, Jeff Lynne, is not, is a mystery. The difference seems to be entirely down to Wood’s willingness to paint stars on his cheeks and wear multi-coloured fright wigs, although Lynne too did toy with the look, as can be witnessed on E.L.O.’s Top Of The Pops appearance performing ‘Roll Over Beethoven‘.