An Attempt to Explain

Glam Rock, sometimes refereed to as "Glitter "Rock" or simply "Glam", grew out of the UK as a reaction to the Hippie movement of the late 1960s early 1970s. Glam was performed by singers and musicians wearing outrageous clothes, wild makeup, extreme hairstyles, and platform-soled boots. Musically Glam is very much guitar-driven and has a distinctive Rock feel, incorporating elements of Punk, Protopunk, Soul and 50's Rock n Roll.

Another major feature would be the flamboyant lyrics, with catchy chorus lines that were easy to sing along to, and the performances had a very visual, camp, and theatrical feel, often blending up nostalgic references with science fiction and old movies, the music was a return to a simpler time, and could be seen as a reaction to the perceived excesses of the Psychedelic Rock and Progressive Rock scenes.

Largely a British phenomenon, Glam Rock had its peak during the early 1970s with the likes of Marc Bolan and T.Rex, Sweet and Slade, as well as David Bowie, Roxy Music, Mud, Queen, Mott the Hoople, Brian Eno and Suzi Quatro.

There is also the subtly different Glam Metal scene as well.