Glam Rock

All things glam, all things rock.

[glamandrock]

How “The Chain” Was Made

Fleetwood Mac was at their wits end in 1976. Christine (singer/keyboardist) and John McVie (bassist) were in the middle of a messy divorce and not on speaking terms outside the studio. Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham were in the midst of a tumultuous on-again-off-again relationship and Mick Fleetwood Was separating from his wife. On top of this, some members were nursing serious cocaine addictions and the media was hounding the band non-stop. Somehow amidst all this pressure, the band managed to record one of the greatest albums of all time; Rumours. At the center of this album sits what could possibly be the most important song of Fleetwood Mac's career. This is how the band created The Chain.

Rumours Is an album loaded with classics front to back. It produced four incredible singles that still get airplay today and has sold over 40 million copies. Perhaps part of the reason for this album's success is its universal appeal. We've all been through breakups and the album speaks to that lyrically. It's an airing of grievances about lovers from start to finish in songs like Go Your Own Way. You can hear the tension in the band through the lyrics but the music is incredibly inspiring and upbeat. Much of the album sounds like this. Band members taking shots at each other over the top of jaunty tunes and happy harmonies. 

But halfway through the album, we encounter something different. The album's B-side opens with The Chain; the only track on the entire album to feature writing credits from all five band members. Instead of the upbeat rock that has dominated the album, The Chain starts out dark, mysterious, and heavy with tension.

Buckingham Nicks - Lola (My Love)

https://youtu.be/5CYncRAemg8

The song opens with a guitar lick recycled from Lola My Love, a track originally released on Buckingham and Nick's self-titled debut album. On top of the Lola riff, we get intense poetic lyrics by Stevie Nicks. Looking at the original demo of The Chain, it clearly starts out as Nick's venting her frustrations with Buckingham. By the time the song is complete, the lyrics have transformed almost entirely. They're much vaguer now, but still, paint a clear picture of tension and dissonance. 

The verses are full of venom and frustration, but the chorus hints at what's to come when it name drops The Chain. For two verses and choruses, the song hangs in these tense emotions. Then we hit a drastic shift. Everything drops out and we hear a now iconic, bass riff. That John McVie Riff and Mick Fleetwood drum combination was originally used in a discarded Christine McVie song called Keep Me There. The Keep Me There lick builds tension and it grows to a breaking point where Buckingham explodes into a powerful and emotional guitar solo; A release of the anger and frustration that the band had with each other.

Finally, we reach the climactic outro with the repetition of two phrases: “Chain keep us together. Running in the shadows”. The band harmonized as they sing about unity, but beneath they have this undercurrent. They're running in the shadows. The darkness is all around them. These lyrics are the essence of the song

Despite the tensions in the band and despite the media pressure outside of the band, the chain is keeping the band together. At its heart, the chain is the music, the connection that brought those five members together and held them strong up until this point. It’s an intense statement. A dark and desperate unity amidst an album full of bright discord the song continues to repeat echoing as it fades out.

Everything about The Chain mimics the band's life at a time when the group was fragmented and kept together only by their music, the song structurally pulled together pieces from each of their creative minds. By harkening back to a song from Buckingham Nicks the Band reveals the Pain they're feeling for the better times that they've passed. Even the very nature of chains reflects the band. They’re a symbol of strength and togetherness but at the same time chains can be imprisonment. Fleetwood Mac is being torn apart by being forced to work together yet they know they're creating something absolutely transcendent. This unity pulled the band through another decade of music before the lineup changed again. In that time, The Chain was featured front and Center in their live performance often opening up their shows. When the lineup reunited in 2014 The Chain was right there again opening up their setlist. Growing from bits of three different songs and ideas from all five band members, The Chain tells an important message. Fleetwood Mac was more important than any one individual possibly could be and thanks to the strength of The Chain and the music that it helped them create, the band will live on forever.

[glamandrock]

The Dark Side of the Moon: Explained

An in-depth blog post on my favorite album of all time was long overdue. Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon is still to this day arguably the best album ever made. I’d highly recommend listening to this album if you haven’t already, but if musical masterpieces aren’t really your thing, this is not the album for you. I constantly come across articles that explain how the album was made, but hardly any on analyzing the album’s meanings song by song. That is what I have challenged myself to do today. 

“Speak to Me”

Speak to Me is not a song you’ll hear at a music festival. There aren’t really any lyrics, as it mainly consists of random clips of conversations and various sound effects. When I took the time to really listen to the song, I started to understand its deeper meaning. In the 65 second song you hear the heartbeat sound effect used in “Eclipse”, the clock ticking heard in “Time”, the manic laughter of Peter Watts used in “Brain Damage”, the cash register in “Money”, the helicopter noise in “On the Run”, and vocalist Clare Tony’s scream in “The Great Gig in the Sky” towards the end of the song. Once the screaming stops, the song leads into “Breathe”. So what do all these noises communicate? I feel it gives a very dramatic summary of what themes and sounds the album contains. In this song particular, the theme of insanity is very prominent, as it’s quite the stressful song to listen to.

“Breathe (In the Air)”

Breathe is one of the prettier songs in this album. After the psychotic screams in the intro, it eases into a slow-paced rich guitar medley with David Gilmour’s blues-based chords and solos. Aside from the beautiful instrumentals, the lyrics are what really makes the song worth knowing. The song is full of mixed themes. The beginning tells you to relax and live life, as it’s the only life you get. Then it tells you to get a job and focus on that instead of the beauties of life. It warns you that work is a never-ending cycle. Later some of the lines expose our materialistic society convincing us we are happy when really we’re chained to a vicious cycle of consumerism. One of my favorite lyrics in the song is "All you touch and all you see Is all your life will ever be" as it really enforces one of the harsher realities of life.

“On the Run”

This is the second song in the album that uses sound effects and voice clips as it’s structure. The song gives the setting of a man running late for his flight and trying desperately to make it. There isn’t a lot I really have to say about this song, but it definitely adds to the albums exposure of how messed up adulthood is by showing how stressful it is.

“Time”

Time opens with extremely loud clips of different types of clocks ringing. Once all the clocks stop, there is a slow and deep guitar solo along with a fast-paced drum solo in the background. The song describes what time has to do with the tough transition from youth to adulthood. When we’re young we think we have all the time in the world. We don’t realize how quickly time passes by until we’re out of time and full of regret. You wasted your life trying to be comfortable, rather than living the crazy fun life you dreamed of when you were young. And now that you want to live that life, it's too late. You're out of time and luck. The song seems to be a great depiction of a rock 'n' roll midlife crisis. 

“The Great Gig in the Sky”

This song is a lyrical Interpretation of death, sorrow, happiness, joy, and pain, all at the same time. It opens with a man saying “ And I am not frightened of dying -Any time will do, I don't mind -Why should I be frightened of dying? There's no reason for it, you've gotta go sometime-If you can hear this whispering you are dying“. Deep, I know. The rest of the song is Clare Tony’s emotional and powerful vocals growing more and more with the music, till the piano slows and her voice calms. I feel this represents the angry and fearful feeling felt toward death escalation until finally, it’s accepted.

“Money”

Money is one of my all-time favorite Pink Floyd songs. This is a fun rock/jazz song with a catchy bass riff and iconic guitar solo but, like every other song on this album, it’s got a much deeper meaning. When you first take a look at the lyrics, you may think “Wow, Pink Floyd sure did love being millionaires”. That’s exactly what Waters wanted you to think when he wrote the song. When Gilmour sang “Money, it’s a hit. Don’t give me that do goody good bullshit”, it exposed the arrogance of the upper class. You don’t have to be filthy rich to associate yourself with some of the songs lyrics, as everyone has had some connection to greed. The overall theme of this song is how we evolve in our relationship with money.

“Us and Them”

The conversation closing Money then leads into the calming musical introduction of Us and Them. Most people think the songs only theme is war. I’d argue that it's not about war so much as it is about the tendency of humans to fight with each other. Not just on the battlefield, but in everyday situations. In an interview Waters discusses a bit of the meaning behind Us and Them: that we are constantly fighting each other and separating ourselves into an "us vs. them" mentality. The point is that we unnecessarily divide ourselves based on every little thing, concentrate on our differences, and forget to think about all the ways we're all in this thing together. So, yes, on a small scale, it's about war, but it's more about human nature in general. Not just the political idea of one country against another, but the very simple idea of one human against another. The powerful background vocals and sax solos communicate the importance of the theme of the song.

“Any Colour You Like”

This song is beautiful, but I haven’t quite discovered it’s meaning yet. There are no lyrics for me to analyze in this song. The only thing I can really comment on in the song is the fact that I feel like I’m on an insane psychedelic acid trip. 

“Brain Damage”

This song describes a man's final descent into insanity. The whole album itself poses the question "Can everyday life make you go insane?". The themes expressed in Time, Money, Us and Them, and so on all lead up to this when this normal person finally goes insane from his normal life. Finally, at the end of the song, you hear that manic laugh again. The lunatic really is in this guys head. I’d also like to add that some would argue this album was based on what Syd Barrett was going through with drug addiction. Wish You Were Here was without a doubt an ode to Syd, but I think the deep meanings this album presents are beyond Pink Floyd’s co-founder.

“Eclipse”

The final song in The Dark Side of the Moon is Eclipse. There are infinite themes and metaphors you can obtain from this song. Here’s how I see it. It's saying that everything in the universe is in perfect harmony and balance. It is only us humans that are messed up. The moon represents the chaos and madness of our minds that eclipses the god-giving light of the sun. That's why Dark Side of the Moon is really the dark side of human nature, as it blinds us, but it's also what makes us unique. As the last lines show, there is no dark side of the moon, it's all dark. It's only the sun that makes it bright. So in fact, everyone is crazy, and that is our purpose.

 I hope this post cleared up some of the confusion on what this album was communicating. In the end, only the writers of this album will know the true meaning.

[glamandrock]

Revisiting 80s Trends in the 21st Century

Whether you’re into it or not, 80s fashion is back and bolder than ever. It’s slowly making it’s way into pretty much every retail store, from fast fashion to high fashion. Forever 21’s window displays are more neon then ever, and Chanel is embracing the timeless power suit. Here are 8 trends you’ll surely see in recent and upcoming fashion trend reports.

1. Animal Print

Then

Now

I was raised on the idea that animal prints were tacky and would never come back into style. But it’s obvious now that that’s simply not the case. Fortunately, the real fur has become a lot more taboo, but faux or not, every large fashion label has experimented with this 80s trend.

2. Crop Tops

Then

Now

Okay, so maybe this trend never quite died, but I think it’s still worthy of a spot on this list considering how long it stayed in fashion. In fact, I’ve noticed that teenagers are even incorporating this trend into their prom dresses.

3. Power Suits

Then 

Now

Any fashion critic will criticize me for saying Chanel was the first brand to bring back this trend, but I don’t recall any other brand releasing it before Chanel, so I’m gonna go with that. To be fair Chanel never really stopped producing the power suit since the 80s, but just recently I noticed Zara and other retailers hopping on this 80s trend.

4. Drop Crotch Pants

Then 

Now

This is probably the least common trend you'll see on the streets unless you live in Los Angeles. The other day I spotted not one, not two, but three people on Rodeo rocking this trend. I do recall Justin Beiber wearing these funky pants back when Never Say Never was still a thing, but I guess the trend is still alive. Though these pants might still be seen as another ridiculous 80s trend, they look like the most comfortable thing on this list, so hopefully, someday I’ll have the confidence to rock these out and about. For now, I think my normal sweatpants will do.

5. Fanny Packs

Then

Now

Shockingly I’m actually growing on the idea of fanny packs coming back in style in full blast. I keep seeing Gucci fanny packs on the street, but to my surprise, they don’t look fresh out of a Party City 80s Halloween costume. What’s great about these funky little bags is they won’t strain your arms or shoulders and you can buy them in any color or style, from high-quality leather to neon PVC. 

6. Mom Jeans

Then

Now

Now, this is a trend I’m more than guilty of hopping on. Initially, the first time I tried mom jeans on I thought I’d look absolutely ridiculous. I must say if you find regular jeans to be uncomfortable, definitely invest in a good pair of mom jeans. The other day I ended up wairing them for 16 hours straight because they were so comfortable. Even if this trend were to die, I’d be the one still wearing it.

7. Funky Fur 

Then

Now

Ever since the “thrift store style” trend has boomed, every high fashion influencer has gotten their hands on a bold fur statement piece. Just like the animal print trend, it’s pretty rare to see a real fur jacket (especially since no one can afford one). Today’s furs are usually oversized and colorful to make any outfit a statement.

8. Ripped Jeans

Then

Now

Once again, a trend that never really went out of fashion, but I’m starting to see this stereotypical punk-teenager trend slowly work its way into the women’s section at every major retail store. Though the older generations will always see this trend as disrespectful, the fact is that ripped jeans give outfits edge, and that is what more and more people are starting to want.

Which 80s trend are you wearing?

[glamandrock]

The Impact of Music Biopics

It’s pretty clear that there has been a huge trend in the movie industry lately. It seems that Hollywood is cranking out a new biopic every week. Of course, music biopics are nothing new, but the glam rock movies seem to be dominating at the moment. With new movies like Bohemian Rhapsody and The Dirt, younger generations are starting to gain an appreciation for their parents' music. 

Before Bohemian Rhapsody, I was already pretty familiar with Queen. I knew every word of their top hits, had a basic understanding of Freddie and his great talent, but could never find someone my age who considered them more than just “dad rock”. Seeing Bohemian Rhapsody was a complete eye-opener, and fueled a very strong interest in glam rock. But I definitely wasn’t the only one who felt this movie really parked something. Within only a week from the premiere of the movie, my Instagram was flooding with Queen fan accounts and Queen memes. People in my class started singing lines from Bohemian Rhapsody and Under Pressure. 

But the Queen biopic wasn’t the only eye-opening movie to come out. Though not as popular, Mötley Crüe’s The Dirt is definitely worth mentioning. The Dirt is the definition of sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll. The writers didn’t hold back from displaying that at all. If you want to see what really goes on backstage of an 80s hair metal band, this is a movie worth watching. The movie isn’t supposed to be 100% accurate, but it definitely does a great job of exaggerating the darker side of the music industry.

One movie I’ve been looking forward to for a while now is Elton John’s biopic Rocketman. No shade to Bohemian Rhapsody, but since the artist this movie is based on is still alive to tell his story himself, this movie will be a lot more accurate to what really happened, at least from Elton’s perspective. From the previews it’s clearly not your average biopic. It’s a wacky whimsical experience that only Elton John or Mary Poppins could pull off. Also, it stars Taron Egerton as Elton John so classic rock fan or not, this is a movie you’ll have to see.

So what does this mean? Will there be more biopics in the future? I’ve definitely got my fingers crossed for a David Bowie or Stevie Nicks biopic. Hopefully, these movies were only the tip of the iceberg, and there are plenty more to come in the future. 

Who’s music biopic do you want to see?

[glamandrock]

The British Invasion

It all started on February 9, 1964, when a British boy band by the name of The Beatles made their first appearance on American television with an extremely publicized performance on The Ed Sullivan Show. Bringing 73 million viewers, the show was both a musical and cultural phenomenon. Soon after, British artists like The Rolling Stones and Petula Clark appeared on the show, topping the record charts and starting what many consider now to be one of the most influential eras of music history: The British Invasion.

Music Prior to the British Invasion

Although the British Invasion may have begun in 1964, there were several American artists that were paving the way for this musical rebirth. In fact, British groups like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones started out performing covers of American blues singers who were not particularly successful in their own country due to the racial discrimination of the time. Rock and roll icon Elvis also had an extremely important part in igniting the British Invasion with British teenagers connecting with The King’s rebellious character and captivating image.

While Elvis and American blues inspired British artists, it is also important to note the climate of American radio during the late 50s and early 60s. At the time, America’s record industry was releasing single after single, with artists’ sole focus being quick radio hits. Music scholars believe that Americans, particularly the youth, were no longer interested in these radio singles and instead were looking for music that was more artistic and even slightly rebellious.

The British Invasion

The title of this era of music is no hyperbole – prior to The Beatles appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show, the only two songs to ever top Billboard Hot 100 chart were instrumentals: Acker Bilk’s “Stranger on the Shore” and the Tornadoes’ “Telstar.” Two months after their performance, The Beatles would have all of the top five spots on the prestigious Billboard Hot 100 chart. To this day, no other artist has even secured the top three spots. Following The Beatles appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, a number of British artists would enter the chart for the first time, some of which include Peter and Gordon, Petula Clark, the Dave Clark Five, the Troggs and Donovan.

With the high acclaim from both fans and media outlets, The Beatles soon became the heroes of the music industry. Yet as The Beatles enjoyed the positive public attention, the ever rebellious, roots-oriented The Rolling Stones were gaining popularity with listeners seeking music outside of the mainstream. Although equally as popular, the Stones were considered by the press as dangerous, particularly because their performances were being called off early due to the young women who would stampede the stage. Despite the bad press, the Rolling Stones would achieve eight number one songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and eventually become music legends in their own right.

New Musical Components

The British Invasion predominately consisted of English boy bands covering or copying American rock and roll and blues, but that’s not to say that these artists did not add new components to the history of music. One of the essential elements of music components brought on by the British Invasion was the unique combination of clean pop and gritty blues. This combination can be heard in a number of early Beatles and Stones songs where the instrumentation, largely the guitars and drums, is grimy and hard hitting while the vocals are radio-friendly pop melodies. Another new component of the British Invasion is the heavy use of distortion and fuzz pedals which helped add to the much-needed instrumentation grit.

Essential Songs of the British Invasion

When considering the British Invasion, The Beatles and Rolling Stones often receive the most recognition, but there were a number of other bands and songs that spawned from this era of music. Some of the most important include:

“A World Without Love” by Peter and Gordon – written by Paul McCartney, this song was the first song to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart after The Beatles.

https://youtu.be/Tdx6lLvvRyg

“The House of the Rising Sun”–  topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart thanks to The Animals who recorded and released this song in late 1964.

https://youtu.be/OKdN5aSC4HE

The Dave Clark Five – appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show just two weeks after The Beatles and topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in December of 1965 with the song, “Over and Over.”

https://youtu.be/F6ds-T2AaGs

Petula Clark – One of the key female figures of the British Invasion movement, Petula Clark topped the charts with classic pop hits such as “Downtown” and “My Love.”

https://youtu.be/awABWEFkWc0

By 1967, the number of British and America bands playing similar music was so great that many consider this year to be the official end of this music and cultural phenomenon. Although passed, the influence of this era continues to permeate in even today’s music industry, with many modern musicians like Harry Styles citing The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and other British artists of the era as their main inspiration.

[glamandrock]

New Romantics

Around a year ago I stepped out of my 70s classic rock comfort zone and discovered a British 80s Synthpop playlist on Spotify. From there I obsessed over everything 80s, from fashion to movies. Discovering the New Romantic movement was an incredible eye-opener to me, and I feel it’s time to use my platform to educate everyone on what makes this movement so incredible.

History

The New Romantic movement was a pop culture movement that arose in the UK in the late 1970s. The movement developed from the nightclub scene in London at world famous venues such as Billy's and The Blitz. The New Romantic movement was characterized by flamboyant, eccentric fashion inspired by British fashion boutiques. Early followers of the movement were often referred to by the press by such names as Blitz Kids, New Dandies and Romantic Rebels.

Inspired by David Bowie, Marc Bolan, and Roxy Music, it formed glam rock fashions, gaining its name from the styles of the early Romantic period. 

Several music acts at the start of the 1980s adopted the style of the movement and became known to epitomize it within the music and mainstream press, including Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, A Flock of Seagulls, Classix Nouveaux and Boy George (of Culture Club).

 Ultravox was also often identified as New Romantics by the press though they didn’t present the same styles of the movement. A number of these bands started using synthesizers and helped to develop synth-pop in the early 1980s, which, combined with the distinctive New Romantic visuals, helped them first to national success in the UK, and then, via MTV, play a major part in the Second British Invasion of the U.S. charts.

Music

One word: Synthpop. Synthesizers were big in the 80’s thanks to New Romantics. Synth Pop was one of the most distinctive subgenres of new wave. Initially, in the hands of artists like Gary Numan, the Human League, and Depeche Mode, the sound was described as eerie, sterile, and vaguely menacing, since the electronics droned on relentlessly without any change in inflections. However, these first stabs at synth pop were transformed into danceable, synthesized pop by Duran Duran, who made the synthesized hooks warmer and catchier by grafting them onto a dance beat. 

Soon, a flood of bands followed Duran Duran's lead and although some of the groups weren't as infectious as that band, they nevertheless relied on the conventions of three-minute pop. Duran Duran became stars, while most other synth-pop groups were lucky to have more than one hit. There were some exceptions, The Human League and Eurythmics had several hits, as did Howard Jones, but the field was mainly occupied by one-hit wonders like A Flock of Seagulls. 

By 1984, unfortunately, synth pop had begun to die out, but the music had helped establish the synthesizer as a primary instrument in mainstream pop music during its time in the spotlight.

Fashion

Aside from the music, the next big influence New Romantics had on 80s aesthetics was the fashion. Fashion was based on varied looks inspired by historical romantic themes, including frilly fop shirts in the style of the English Romantic period, Russian constructivism, Bonnie Prince Charlie, French Incroyables and 1930s' Cabaret, Hollywood starlets, Puritans, and the Pierrot clown, with any look is possible if it was adapted to be unusual and striking. 

Another genre-defining trend was androgyny. Both sexes often dressed in counter-sexual or androgynous clothing and wore cosmetics such as eyeliner and lipstick, partly derived from earlier punk fashions. This style was particularly evident in figures such as Boy George of Culture Club and Marilyn (Peter Robinson). Common hairstyles included quiffs, mullets, and wedges. Soon after they began to gain mainstream attention, however, many New Romantic bands dropped the eclectic clothes and make-up in favor of sharp suits.

To conclude this blog, the New Romantics movement was incredibly influential in 80s pop culture and inspired countless 80s fashion trends while also bringing acceptance to expressing your style, no matter how bold. It also brought us the greatest 80s synthpop songs that are timeless to this day. 

[glamandrock]

My Favorite Guitarists

About a month ago I started playing electric guitar. The powerful instrument is a rock staple, but it’s not the easiest thing to play. It requires rhythm, speed, accuracy, and a whole lot of skill. There are a lot of guitarists I look up to that inspire me to keep practicing. Each of these legendary rockstars all play the same instrument, but no two sound alike. Some have a passionate blues tone to them, while others are very fast-paced hard rock. If your favorite guitarist isn’t on this list, please let me know who they are so I can check them out. Here are the guitarists who have inspired me the most (not in order).

Jimmy Hendrix

Of course, there is no top guitarists list complete without the legendary American singer-songwriter and guitarist Jimmy Hendrix. His best and most recognizable quality was his innovative mind. His riffs were very unique. He played them in a way that sounded like two guitars were playing when in reality, it was only one riff. Another important characteristic in his playing was the use and invention of the “Hendrix Chord”, otherwise known as E7#9. This was featured in many of his songs, including his most well known, Purple Haze. His guitar playing is also very powerful, as he uses a muting technique along with six-string strumming to get the most sound out of his guitar. This particular technique has influenced many bands, including the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and John Mayor. While his louder riffs were quite impressive, his softer and soulful riffs are equally moving. He could really do it all, from hard rock to blues.

Slash

A lot of guitar snobs love to explain why Slash is not technically proficient. He’s admitted in several interviews that he’s nowhere near educated in music theory. But Slash doesn’t write his solos based on patterns and intervals, he writes them from his heart. His creative riffs such as Sweet Child, Paradise City, and Welcome to the Jungle are completely unbounded, and that is what makes them so great. Since his notes play so perfectly with his songs, it’s proof that he’s got amazing ears for musicality and tone. There are faster guitar players, there are more educated guitar players, but what Slash can play purely by ear is very impressive, and for that, I consider him one of the greatest guitar players of all time.

Brian May

Queen’s lead guitarist was by far the biggest reason I chose to learn guitar. Seeing and hearing the passion he plays with is remarkably moving. There’s a lot that most don’t know about May. When he decided he wanted to play guitar, he couldn't afford one so he built one from scratch with his dad using materials around the house. That’s why the tremolo had almost no friction. He also strums with coins rather than guitar picks, creating that very unique Brian May sound. May is the definition of a musical genius. He creates solos in his mind before playing them on guitar (yes, even bohemian rhapsody). Outside of music, he’s got a doctorate degree in Astrophysics, he’s an animal welfare advocate, and has experience in theater production. So yeah, he’s a cool guy.

Jimmy Page

Like Slash, Jimmy Page has also been called out by guitar snobs for being a sloppy player. However, his solos and riffs had a lot of feel, which I value much more than technicality. Technical ability can’t quite speak to people the way groove does. Page was a powerhouse of groovy, memorable riffs. It’s unquestionable that he borrowed some of his riffs from other artists, but when he moved away from that, there was no end to his creativity. He was a man of intensity and tonal creativity. He was a charismatic showman. And he wasn’t afraid to experiment to get new and interesting sounds. My favorite trait of Page was his authenticity as a guitar player. He expressed his emotions through music. You could tell when he was having personal problems the riffs were rough. This proves how connected Page is to his music.

Stevie Ray Vaughan

Rhythm is undoubtedly the most important skills to have as a guitar player. This is why Stevie Ray Vaughan is one of my favorite guitar players, he’s the king of rhythm. Similar to Hendrix, he plays with the muting and strumming technique, which is highly effective for getting the grooviest rhythm possible. One trick I’ve learned from Vaughan is the efficiency of blending the minor and major pentatonic sound. When applying this trick, you get both a catchy tune as well as soulful rhythm. When I listen to Vaughan play. I can both hear and feel the passion he puts into his licks. I remember watching one video where he and his band were only doing a sound check, but it was still incredibly clear that he was feeling the rhythm and played with that feeling, despite it not being a performance for his crowd.

Eric Clapton

When I hear the name Eric Clapton, the word “flexible” quickly comes to mind. He was no gymnast, but he sure could pull off a variety of different riffs. He demonstrated his blindingly fast technique when he played for Cream, but his slow and soulful licks were equally as impressive. Many guitarists could play faster than Clapton, but very few could pull off the Slowhand licks and sound just as good. Another characteristic of Clapton’s skill is his incredibly technical structure. When he writes songs, he tells a story. Songs will often start slow and build over time. This is clear in one of my favorites, “Sunshine of Your Love”. Clapton was also known for being an innovator. He used his knowledge of blues and incorporated them into rock. This idea was done before, but it didn’t quite catch on until Clapton started playing it.

Eddie Van Halen

I have a very clear memory of my first time listening to Eruption by Van Halen. My jaw dropped the entire time. To this day I can’t recall a better shred. Eddie’s tone is incredibly personal to him, as his fast-paced tapping technique is more than unique. As I mentioned before with Clapton, many can play faster, but not with near as much passion. Eddie is the exception to this. When he performs these lightning fast solos, he plays them with immense passion. His solos flow perfectly with each Van Halen song they’re featured in. If the song needs sound, Eddie will easily make the guitar scream.

David Gilmour

And finally, my last (but most definitely not least) favorite guitarist of all time would have to be Pink Floyd’s, David Gilmour. Pink Floyd was the epidemy of experimental rock, and this wouldn’t have been possible without Gilmour. I’ve said this with every artist on this list, but originality really is key. Gilmour started off trying to play just like Clapton and Hendrix, but couldn’t quite achieve it, so he formed his own unique style. Thus proving that being your own original self really does pay off. Gilmour calls himself a lazy guitarist for not practicing scales over and over again, but his exploratory riffs are much better than any boring scale. Similar to Clapton, Gilmour incorporates blues into his music, giving it rhythm and taste. Aside from being a brilliant musician, Gilmour really is a great person. He’s donated millions to different charities.

As you can see, though these guitarists all fall under the same rock category, their styles of playing are nothing alike. It’s clear that each of these guitarists contributed greatly to rock’s greatest hits, and continue to inspire young rockers (like me) to this day.

[glamandrock]

Is Harry Styles the New Face of Glam Rock?

I’ve been a pretty big fan of Harry Styles for a while now. I know what you’re thinking, Isn’t that the guy from One Direction? Yes, yes it is. He’s changed quite drastically from his teen heartthrob days. It’s clear that he’s taken a new direction. He’s traded his Chelsea boots for Gucci suits. His music is highly influenced by 70s rock legends. And the best part, he’s inspiring a whole new generation of young teens to recognize and appreciate older music. So, without further ado, is Harry Styles the new face of glam rock?

Harry grew up in Holmes Chapel, Cheshire. He first sang in a band in a school competition, but it wasn’t till 2010 when he performed on X Factor. Simon Cowell, one of the judges paired him with the other contestants Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik to form One Direction. Though they didn’t win the show, they received a recording contract and went on to become a best-selling boy band. The band produced five great albums but broke up in 2016 after announcing their hiatus. The boys all went on to create their solo careers.

Harry took a break from touring and worked on his self titled album Harry Styles. He even managed to act in the academy award-winning film Dunkirk, directed by Christopher Nolan. He released his album on May 12, 2017. And that was where everything changed.

When I first listened to his album, I was shocked, proud, emotional, and overwhelmed with joy. My biggest fear was that all the songs would be top 40s pop only produced to win Grammys and make money. The album was far from that. Some of the songs were deep and emotional, while others were loud rock anthems.

Harry’s songs were influenced by some of my favorite 70s songs. Meet Me in the Hallway sounds like Breathe by Pink Floyd. Two Ghosts sounds like Melissa by The Allman Brothers. Sweet Creature sounds like Blackbird by The Beatles. And Kiwi gives the same vibe as Are You Gonna Be My Girl by Jet. Bringing back these legendary songs proves how timeless they are.

I was lucky enough to get to go see Harry live in concert last summer (without a doubt the best concert I’ve ever been to). Before the show started as fans waited with high anticipation, the venue played songs by Eagles, Queen, Van Morrison, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Elton John, and several other legendary artists. He was very interactive with his fans and even reminded me of Freddie Mercury. The best part was he ended the concert with The Chain by Fleetwood Mac. Seeing thousands of teens singing a song I thought they would never know is definitely a sight to see.

It's obvious that I’m not the only one who thinks Harry is the modern day rockstar we needed. He was lucky enough to perform with one of my favorite artists, Stevie Nicks.

Now, a glam rockstar wouldn’t be a glam rockstar without the over-the-top fashion. Harry wore all kinds of custom suits by big luxury brands like Gucci and newer smaller brands like Harris Reed. The suits ranged from 70s style velvet to elegant floral suits. 

After taking a break, Harry modeled for Gucci’s Men’s Tailoring cruise 2019 campaign, and it was breathtaking. If anyone knows how to pull off a Gucci suit, it’s Harry Styles.

To conclude this blog, yes, Harry Styles is undoubtedly the new face of glam rock. His music and fashion are highly influenced by the 70s Glam Rock era. He has done a great job with introducing his younger fans to older music they might have not ever heard of. I’m beyond excited to see which artists influence his next album.

[glamandrock]

Fashion History: Elton John (Part 2)

This blog will continue the rich fashion history highlights of Elton John from 1982 to his recent farewell tour. Fashion is what separated Elton from all the other rockstars of the era. Designers such as the late Bill Whitten, one of the brilliant masterminds behind both Elton John and Michael Jackson's legendary stage looks played a significant role in his success.

1982

I couldn’t think of any better photo than this one. Two of glam rock’s biggest icons, Freddie Mercury and Elton John performing together at a concert in Manchester, 1982. This picture definitely gives me chills to this day. These two had such a powerful eye for fashion and weren’t even the slightest bit afraid to show it. Each one of Elton John’s “Captain Fantastic” outfits had their own twist, but this one looked the most detailed.

1983

Elton’s Party City phase was definitely memorable. He was truly a character, and he knew it would make sense to dress the part. He and his team put a lot of work into the stage design and costumes to give his shows a more theatrical flair. They definitely achieved the mood they were going for.

1983

I’ve probably said this about every outfit, but this one has to be the absolute most extravagant one to top any Dior Haute Couture show. The gound looks like something straight out of The Crown. When say that Elton wasn’t afraid to express his flamboyant self, this is the picture to prove it.

1986

Here’s Elton in Bob Mackie's "Amadeus" outfit performing in Australia. This reminds me of how the 1700s French hierarchy were portrayed in History Channel documentaries. Though the suit itself is more on the plain side (especially compared to the previous outfit), the hair and makeup make this look unforgettable. 

1986

In 1986, when Elton John performed at Madison Square Garden, he wore an outrageous bright pink Mohawk wig, an outlandish glitter fringe jacket, crazy sparkly striped pants, pink asymmetric glasses, and a bold lime green belt. On any other performer, the outfit wouldn’t at all make sense. But this is Elton John were talking about.

2019

In recent years, Elton John significantly toned down his clothes because he said he is too old for his crazy outfits. John believes that he’s finally reached that point in his life where he decided to act more like an adult. Though I’m saddened by this, I know the extravagant outfits of his past will forever live on.

To end this blog, Elton John’s fashion through the years says a lot about expressing yourself, even if that means putting on a powdered wig. Elton’s bedazzled suits and Gucci goggles show his wild whimsical personality that will live on till the end of time. 

[glamandrock]

Fashion History: Elton John (Part 1)

Thank you all so much for the notes on my previous blog! Of course, I love Queen with all my heart, but there are a lot of glam rock artists and bands who deserve the spotlight as well. This blog will be on the history behind the extravagant outfits worn by one of glam rock’s boldest icons, Sir Elton John.

1970

August 25, 1970, was the most important night of Elton John’s career. That night at the Troubador, a very select few of celebrities and music producers got to witness the performance that started it all. The outfit itself is definitely Elton’s more low-key looks, but the show he gave was legendary.

1973

This is definitely my personal favorite outfit. Elton wearing a feather-trimmed white suit and his infamous rhinestone encrusted sunglasses is one of his more well-known outfits, probably because of its overwhelming boldness. Elton John had the amazing voice, he had the songwriting skills, but topping it all off with the whimsical yet high fashion was what really brought him to fame.

1973

In outfit #3, Elton is wearing a velvet suit, silver platform clogs, and his iconic glam goggles. What caught my attention in this photo was how despite the potential met-gala outfit, he manages to make it look so casual. I think one of Elton John’s best qualities is his unpredictability, and this is the photo to prove it.

1974

 Here Elton manages quite the stylish appearance prior to boarding a flight before his big 1974 US tour. His very 70s all-white outfit wouldn’t be a legendary 70s outfit with the clogs.

1974

During a shoot for the cover of “Elton John’s Greatest Hits”. Elton’s fans have become very familiar with this particular look. Elton stunted the white hat with a black ribbon in several looks and loved it so much he included it on the cover of his album.

1974

Elton’s 1974 tour was so legendary for the fashion industry, I could probably write a blog on the tour alone. This tour was packed full of insane outfits. Name any color, any material, and any accessory, and it was probably worn on this tour. I can appreciate the work and creativity that went into every single outfit, but this one was my overall favorite. The glitter fringe trim covering his suit from head to toe, the bedazzled grand piano, his insane curly fry glasses, and just when I thought it couldn’t get any wackier, the oversized glammed out velvet Elizabethan cap.

1975

This wouldn’t be the fashion history of Elton John without the legendary glam bedazzled Dodger suit he wore at his 1975 Dodger Stadium show in Los Angeles. The look got plenty of attention at the time, and recently, even more, when Harry Styles wore it at a Halloween party. 

Three of the biggest 70s artists in one picture. It’s one of the most iconic photos of that era. The bright orange velvet suit lined with bling perfectly complements Diana Ross’ fluffy yellow feather dress and Cher’s silver glitter two-piece.

To be Continued...

[glamandrock]

Fashion History: Freddie Mercury

Mercury was born on September 5th, 1946 on the Island of Zanzibar. Freddie was not actually born Freddie Mercury but rather Farrokh Bulsara. His early beginning in fashion started with a British-Indian boarding school uniform designed to mimic British uniforms, but be suitable for the hot climate. Though he came from a very wealthy family, once his parents moved the family to west London they decided they wanted to live the traditional middle-class British lifestyle. Freddie decided that he wanted to study art, but he had none of the qualifications to apply, so he studied fashion instead. After doing well in his course, he went on to study graphic design and illustration. Freddie was highly influenced by the mod-style of the 1960s and followed his parent’s rule of fitting in as well as his art teachers rule of always being one step ahead in fashion (though I would argue he was at least four steps ahead). 

A little while after Freddie started school, he got really into the artist Jimi Hendrix. Hendrix was becoming extremely popular at the time and had an ostentatious and over-the-top style which Freddie started to mirror. This was also around the time Freddie met his soon to be Queen bandmates Brian May and Roger Taylor. During this time Freddie got really into the fashion scene of Kensington. He went on to graduate college and left behind the idea of blending in and realized that he was really born to stand out. 

He fell in love with a store named Biba where he met the love of his life Mary Austin. After their instant connection, they fell in love and went on to get engaged but when Freddie came out as bisexual to her the relationship was broken off. It’s clear that fashion not only influenced his professional life, but also his personal life. 

After the band scouted their bassist John Deacon, they changed their name from Smile to Queen. Freddie drew an amazing logo for the band which had each of the band members horoscopes on it.

Once the band started to book more gigs, Freddie started to wear his outrageous and over-the-top outfits. These on-stage looks that went so far beyond the average 1970s outfits were so past normal I don’t understand how he even survived. One article written by The Guardian wrote in 1974 described the look Freddie wore to the interview as “tight oyster-grey satin pants, an antique market cream satin blouse, and a scarlet red victorian bed jacket.” I don’t even know what that means but it sounds ridiculous and glorious. 

The looks Freddie wore on stage came from a plethora of places from Viva to his local market stalls. Eventually, he began to reach out to designers, one being Zhandra Rhodes who designed clothes for all four bandmates. The clothes were nature inspired and definitely stood out, which was exactly what Freddie wanted. Mercury used his knowledge of fashion and garment making to better his performances by being very particular with fabrics flexibility and appeal. Another really interesting piece that Freddie often wore during performances were leotards. The flexible outfits made it easy to move around in and allowed Freddie to give his performances his all. Freddie used quite a lot of Camp in most of his performances and songwriting.

One of his biggest inspirations was the poet and playwright William Shakespeare. Shakespeare lived during the Elizabethan Era where tights were commonplace and men dressing up in very feminine outfits was also something that was done a lot on stage. Freddie was also obsessed with Ballet where it was common for male dancers to wear tights, hosiery, and leotards in order to perform because of the fabrics stretchability. In reality, Freddie’s fashion choices weren’t outrageous or crazy at all, they were just a stroke of brilliance from a man who was already seventeen steps ahead of everyone else. This also made me realize that Freddie’s fashion could have also been a way for him to attract a different audience.

I think one of their most interesting travels was to Japan because there was quite a variety of photos taken that showed a range of 70s looks from all the band members. There were flare pants, go-go boots, and full denim sets. What more could you possibly ask for?

Freddie, being his adventurous self also got really into Kimonos. Probably almost as much as Alessandro Michele. It seemed the trip to Japan only fueled Freddie’s desire and love for Kimonos. My personal favorite image of Freddie is him wearing this extremely long complex Kimono. And while I love the crazy pattern and embroidery, my favorite part is the bottom of the robe with all the dirt inside of it. This small detail most would find gross or irrelevant shows that Freddie really performed and didn’t allow the clothing to stop him from doing his job. Despite the high price tag of the garment, he was willing to get down and dirty to give his audience the show they came for.

Freddie continued to wear his crazy outfits throughout the seventies from the oversized jumpsuits to Paco Rabanne leotards

By the end of the early 80s, in keeping with Queen style of never staying stagnant, Freddie stitched up his look. He cut his hair and went for a slicked back style. His 70s glam rock days were over and he traded the bell bottoms for skinny jeans. Here are some of his best 80s looks.

First, we have Freddie’s 3-piece leather suit minus two pieces. This does perfectly demonstrate Freddie’s new style but still stays consistent with his over-the-top looks. It’s interesting to see how he switched his feminine 70s looks for a more rugged masculine style without adding any less originality.

Next, we have this amazing shirtless Olympian look. Mercury was definitely the reason for the sweatband craze.

Then there is the famous Wembley yellow jacket look Freddie is so commonly depicted in. It’s obvious why pop culture fell in love with this bold jacket.

Style icon Freddie Mercury may be dead, but his fashion influence is still very much alive.

[glamandrock]

Top 6 Queen Performances

One of the many reasons why Queen won the hearts of generations and generations to come was the band's ability to perform. They managed to make arenas feel like personal gigs. Of course, Queen put all their heart and soul into every performance, but these six performances were the ones that stood out the most to me.

6. Bohemian Rhapsody (Hammersmith Odeon)

https://youtu.be/VucVi1UGlKI

This was the show that gave Bohemian Rhapsody its fame that still lives on today. What made this one of Queen’s best performances was the passion and emotion Freddie put in it, as he did in the song itself. It wasn’t only Freddie who had been touched by the song, it seemed to also be the band and the audience. There was also a beautiful and seamless transition from Bohemian Rhapsody to Killer Queen.

5. We Will Rock You (Live in Montreal)

https://youtu.be/_uVb7Ju8VQk

Coming in at number five is the We Will Rock You performance. From the very beginning, I could tell this performance had to be one of my favorites. The show began with Roger putting everything into his drum solo. Then Deacy and Brian came in showing off their utter talent. Then Freddie came in wearing nothing more than a red bandana and tiny white shorts. Some say he took “Less is more” a little too far, but I say he knew exactly what he was doing. Between the loudness of the instruments, the power in Freddie’s voice, and the high energy crowd, saying that Queen rocked that performance would be an understatement.

4. Now I’m Here (Hammersmith Odeon)

https://youtu.be/uvOuRt_BiRI

This performance was absolutely perfect. In fact, I prefer it to the studio version because it sounds so great. Freddie tossed his beautiful 70s hair back and forth about 50 times adding that charisma that made him so famous in the first place. His voice was stronger than ever. Roger, John, and Brian were amazing in their over-the-top glam rock outfits, and all had a stunning performance. Brian also seemed to show a lot of his Freddie-like dance moves such as dancing around the stage and kneeling before the audience, which is priceless.

3. Keep Yourself Alive (The Rainbow)

https://youtu.be/wBrb0jIR2_8

This is by far one of my all time favorite songs to bang my head to. What's great about this performance is that it’s so great most fans listen to it live rather than the studio version. Freddie didn’t even sing the same lyrics he wrote for the song, and though it was probably not supposed to happen, you really couldn’t tell because he truly sold the performance. Despite this being Queen’s earlier performances at a very small venue, it was the band’s first concert to make headlines.

2. Radio Ga Ga (Live Aid)

https://youtu.be/0omja1ivpx0

It’s no surprise that Queen’s iconic Live Aid performance made it on this list. There are a number of reasons why this show was so memorable. Firstly, Freddie was practically exploding with energy. He strutted, danced and jumped across the stage without losing his breath which is absolutely remarkable. He also (like he regularly does) made every single person in the giant Wembley stadium do the infamous Radio Ga Ga clap, seen in the very 80’s music video. There was also the powerful notes Freddie added towards the end of the performance. Probably topping all these reasons was the adorable tongue thing at the end.

1. Love of my Life (The Wembley)

https://youtu.be/jO9C7frk2ss

Topping this list is the legendary Love of my Life performance live at The Wembley. Starting with Brian May’s drastic change from his infamous electric guitar shredding to the romantic and emotionally overpowering acoustic solo, it’s almost impossible for me to watch this without crying. As always, Freddie’s voice was brilliant, but what really made this my most memorable Queen performance was Freddie’s connection with the audience. An arena of thousands of people singing their hearts out to one of the band’s more emotional songs is truly a sight to see and hear.

[glamandrock]

What Makes Bohemian Rhapsody One of the Greatest Songs of All Time:

Earlier today I was in the car with my friend when Bohemian Rhapsody came on the radio. A jolt of excitement hit me as soon as I recognized it. So, like most Queen fans, I turned to my friend and started to scream the lyrics. To my surprise, my non-Queen-fan friend asked me “Why do you even like this song anyway?” In this blog, I am going to go into detail and explain why Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody is (in my opinion) the best song ever written. 

I. Uniqueness 

The chances of knowing a song even the slightest bit similar to Bohemian Rhapsody are... well, impossible really. Before hearing the song, if someone told me a song combined a capella, ballad, rock, and opera, I would think they were out of their mind. the combination of rock and opera alone blow my mind.

II. Lyrics

The lyrics in the song are extraordinarily powerful. The actual meaning of them have been interpreted in several ways, but what I see the song as is Freddie’s personal journey and struggle with coming out as bisexual. Verse 1: "Put a gun against his head, pulled my trigger, now he's dead" can be interpreted as Freddie destroying his past self, the straight man he was trying to be. "I see a little silhouetto of a man" is Freddie being haunted by what he’s done and what he is.

III. Capella

Here’s a link to the Capella alone in Bohemian Rhapsody.

https://youtu.be/5fk0Y6Lu_uA 

In this video, it’s easy to here the range, emotion, and passion in Freddie’s voice. The song starts off with the Capella. Despite the lack of instruments, Freddie’s voice actually carries the song with his emotion. In the opera section of the song, it’s shocking that the high pitched “Galileo” was produced by the band’s drummer, Roger Taylor. The layers and layers of Freddie’s voice went along perfectly with the tone the song and lyrics were communicating. The intro was soft and pleasant. The opera was loud and powerful. The rock was strong and aggressive.

IV. Ballad

The Ballad of Bohemian Rhapsody:

https://youtu.be/y8xR1B5h02E

The ballad starts off soft and almost depressing. The mention of death sets a dark tone, along with the delicate piano. 35 seconds into the song, Freddie starts to drag out his voice more and put more effort, communicating emotion, but then slows down again. He then eases into the second verse with even more power and some aggression. The song then kicks off into Brian May’s (the band's guitarist) solo. After this, the overwhelming rock-opera comes in. The ballad then continues into a soft tone, similar to the one it started with.

VI. Opera

Something no one expected from a 70s rock band was an opera. This part of the song was so impressive that it even got its own song on the album A Night At The Opera. What’s great about the operatic section of the song is that it’s not just any random song lyrics sung in opera, it really does sound like a legit opera. Words like could only make sense in an actual opera, where nothing is supposed to make sense. 

V. Rock

The last part of Bohemian Rhapsody is the rock section, what most Queen fans are used to. This is also the queue to start headbanging. It starts with Brian May’s second guitar solo in the song along with Roger Taylors fast paced drumming. Then Freddie comes in with more aggressive lyrics with a perfectly fitting aggressive voice. The line “So you think you can love me and leave me to die... can’t do this to me baby” enhances the confidence in Freddie’s voice. The song slows down into the second part of the ballad and ends with the infamous gong in the last note of the song.

[glamandrock]

Ziggy Stardust l David Bowie

David Bowie was one of the most creative artists in rock n roll history. Not only was he a singer-songwriter, actor, and performer, but he was also a visionary. Bowie created several alter egos that influenced his songs, fashion, and even his personality. The characters he created were all one of a kind and all had stories of their own. Bowie’s first and most well-known characters was Ziggy Stardust. Ziggy was introduced in 1972 when he released his concept album “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars”.

The name Ziggy Stardust actually came from a variety of inspirations. The idea of an extraterrestrial being was inspired by British rock singer Vince Taylor, who once considered himself a cross between an alien and a god. “Ziggy” was inspired by a tailor shop bowie passed by while on a train. While he never actually went into the shop, he fell in love with the sound of the name. And finally, the “Stardust” part came from the Legendary Stardust Cowboy, who was one of the pioneers of the 1960s genre “psychobilly”.

As I mentioned before, every character has it’s own story behind it. To analyze the character, it’s important to listen to the album in order. The conceptual story about a fictional futuristic rock star begins with "Five Years," which paints a picture of a dystopian doomed planet. From the lyrics to the melody, the whole song plays along with a dark and depressing theme. The album then develops a brighter and romantic mood in the songs “Soul Love” and my favorite songs “Moonage Daydream” and “Suffragette City”. The tale of Ziggy Stardust continues with songs like "Lady Stardust," which references glam icon, Marc Bolan, "Hang Onto Yourself," powered by a space-age Eddie Cochran riff that had a strong influence on the upcoming punk generation, and "Ziggy Stardust," the album's centerpiece that sets up the main character's story using lyrics; "Ziggy really sang, screwed-up eyes and screwed-down hairdo / Like some cat from Japan, he could lick 'em by smiling / He could leave 'em to hang / 'Came on so loaded man, well hung and snow-white tan."

And finally, one of the biggest elements of Ziggy Stardust; his fashion. Before Ziggy, Bowie was absolutely obsessed with Japanese designer Kansai Yamamoto. He insisted that Yamamoto fly from Tokyo to New York immediately to design all of Ziggy's extraterrestrial looks. The designer’s work expressed the Japanese concept of Basara, meaning “extravagance, eccentricity, and excess”, which was very much expressed in Bowie’s outfits. From the androgyny to the psychedelic makeup, Bowie’s impact on fashion was absolutely remarkable and has and will inspire fashion for generations to come.

To conclude this blog, I wanted to thank David Bowie for creating and becoming his most famous persona; Ziggy Stardust. With this character came a powerful story, great rock n roll music, and out of this world fashion.