Pete Clemons takes a look at Glam Rock in Coventry for his latest Coventry Telegraph article -
Wham Bam Thank You Glam!
by Pete Clemons.
I was surprised to be reminded that, in actual fact, the lead up to Christmas 2013 just happened to be the fortieth anniversary of those particular songs. For it was at the tail end of 1973 when Slade's 'Merry Xmas Everybody' and Wizzard's 'I Wish it Could be Christmas Everyday' fought it out for the top spot in the nation's top 10. Of course Slade came out on top in that instance but Wizzard did have their moments and had claimed a number one hit earlier in the year.
I must admit though that I, personally, must have been living in a bubble back then as I really cannot remember the term 'Glam Rock' being used at the time. But it certainly was a description applied to this form of rock music and was mentioned by David Bowie in a 1972 interview. In answer to a question about other artists who had adopted his lead he said, "I think glam rock is a lovely way to categorise me and it's even nicer to be one of the leaders of it.'" Wizzard's song came about as a result of their leader Roy Wood having spotted a gap in the market in as much that a full on rock 'n' roll Christmas song hadn't been released for years. He told Q Magazine in 1996, "There's nothing rock and roll about Christmas at all. The only song I can remember before ours was Brenda Lee's 'Rocking around the Christmas Tree'" which, incidentally, is still rolled out on all those Christmas compilations and TV adverts. The idea for Slade's song happened when bass player Jimmy Lea's mother-in-law had mentioned, tongue in cheek, that despite the band's huge success Bing Crosby's 'White Christmas' was still more popular than any of their hit records had ever been. Apparently it was only a coincidence that these two long remembered tunes were issued during the same year.
Another coincidence was that both bands had been products of the industrial Midlands with Wizzard being born out of Birmingham's Electric Light Orchestra while the members of Slade all originating from Walsall and Wolverhampton.
By the early 1970s rock had become a fairly serious business and that resulted in some pretty intense music. And, as if to counter that I guess, some musicians emerged during the same period and took it all a little light heartedly by keeping rock and roll at the heart of things. That's not to say the musicianship diminished in any way. Glam Rock did have its serious side and brought with it some very good music indeed.
Looking back though, it was arguably from when Marc Bolan and T. Rex released 'Ride a White Swan' that the seeds of Glam Rock were planted. And by the time T.Rex appeared at the Lanchester Polytechnic Arts Festival in 1971 those seeds had grown into roots.
This was certainly seen as the period when Glam Rock was developing and when bands and artists were positioning themselves as to which side of the rock music fence they fell on.
At the time this type of stage attire complete with makeup, platform boots and corkscrew hair was all seen as fairly outrageous. But it did not take long for other bands to follow suit and visual styles, for some, quickly became an intrinsic part of the overall performance.
'Glitter Rock' was how I do remember the music of Marc Bolan, for example, being described as when he and his band T.Rex performed their hit 'Hot Love' on Top of the Pops during March 1971. If you cast your mind back you may recall that Marc was adorned in sparkly teardrops on his cheeks while wearing flamboyant satin clothing.
And it was during 1974, at a time when Glam Rock had arguably reached its peak, both Slade and Wizzard along with a host of other huge bands and artists who had been involved in that whole scene visited and performed in Coventry. And they really did bring the houses down!
By the early 1970s rock had become a fairly serious business and that resulted in some pretty intense music. And, as if to counter that I guess, some musicians emerged during the same period and took it all a little light heartedly by keeping rock and roll at the heart of things. That's not to say the musicianship diminished in any way. Glam Rock did have its serious side and brought with it some very good music indeed.
Looking back though, it was arguably from when Marc Bolan and T. Rex released 'Ride a White Swan' that the seeds of Glam Rock were planted. And by the time T.Rex appeared at the Lanchester Polytechnic Arts Festival in 1971 those seeds had grown into roots.
This was certainly seen as the period when Glam Rock was developing and when bands and artists were positioning themselves as to which side of the rock music fence they fell on.
At the time this type of stage attire complete with makeup, platform boots and corkscrew hair was all seen as fairly outrageous. But it did not take long for other bands to follow suit and visual styles, for some, quickly became an intrinsic part of the overall performance.
'Glitter Rock' was how I do remember the music of Marc Bolan, for example, being described as when he and his band T.Rex performed their hit 'Hot Love' on Top of the Pops during March 1971. If you cast your mind back you may recall that Marc was adorned in sparkly teardrops on his cheeks while wearing flamboyant satin clothing.
And it was during 1974, at a time when Glam Rock had arguably reached its peak, both Slade and Wizzard along with a host of other huge bands and artists who had been involved in that whole scene visited and performed in Coventry. And they really did bring the houses down!
The list included Roxy Music, Mud, Mott the Hoople, Alvin Stardust, Cockney Rebel, The Bay City Rollers, The Suzi Quatro Band, Sparks, and despite his fall from grace and subsequent downfall, Gary Glitter and the Glitter Band.
Of course, as it is not an exact science, it will be argued that not all those bands were actually 'glam' acts. But regardless of that, all those mentioned dominated the British single charts from about 1972 to 1976. And all those mentioned visited Coventry during that period.
One Glam Rock band who I was surprised to find absolutely no evidence that they ever played in Coventry was in fact one of the biggest of them all. And that was The Sweet. So if anyone out there knows different then please enlighten me.
Even established bands and artists, not usually considered to be central to the genre, took on and adopted a 'Glam' style.
It is acknowledged that performers including the likes of Queen, Rod Stewart and Elton John all embraced the whole scene.
During 1975 songs by bands associated with Glam Rock began to change. The songs seemed to move away from out and out rock 'n' roll to that of a more ballady nature. And by the end of that year, by way of chart successes at least, Glam Rock was effectively over. Well all apart from Noddy and Roy's Christmas anthems which are now as much a part of the festive season as mulled wine, turkey and tinsel.
I wouldn't have thought for a minute that when they created those tunes more than forty years ago that they would have had an inclination of the lasting impact they have since had. It simply would not be Christmas without those classic tunes... would it?
Of course, as it is not an exact science, it will be argued that not all those bands were actually 'glam' acts. But regardless of that, all those mentioned dominated the British single charts from about 1972 to 1976. And all those mentioned visited Coventry during that period.
One Glam Rock band who I was surprised to find absolutely no evidence that they ever played in Coventry was in fact one of the biggest of them all. And that was The Sweet. So if anyone out there knows different then please enlighten me.
Even established bands and artists, not usually considered to be central to the genre, took on and adopted a 'Glam' style.
It is acknowledged that performers including the likes of Queen, Rod Stewart and Elton John all embraced the whole scene.
During 1975 songs by bands associated with Glam Rock began to change. The songs seemed to move away from out and out rock 'n' roll to that of a more ballady nature. And by the end of that year, by way of chart successes at least, Glam Rock was effectively over. Well all apart from Noddy and Roy's Christmas anthems which are now as much a part of the festive season as mulled wine, turkey and tinsel.
I wouldn't have thought for a minute that when they created those tunes more than forty years ago that they would have had an inclination of the lasting impact they have since had. It simply would not be Christmas without those classic tunes... would it?
Early Rock n Roll Christmas songs
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