Was Alice Cooper the godfather of glam?

[Masherbrum]

T. Rex was the first Glam band, end of story.

[rtbuck]

Alice Cooper from 1968

[Cosmic Harmony]

Originally Posted by rtbuck Alice Cooper from 1968

There is that old expression of "You can put lipstick on a pig....". Now I'm not comparing Alice Cooper to pigs are saying they're ugly but the point of the expression is that you can dress something a certain way but that doesn't change what they are or make them anything else. I mean, if we're just going with clothes then who is to say that George Clinton isn't the godfather of glam for all of the crazy outfits everyone in P-Funk wore?

[Cincinnatus]

mark bolan may have something to say about all this

[rtbuck]

Parliament didn't come into existence until 1970

I never said Cooper was the first, I posted a picture. In a previous post I even said I never had too much interest in Bolan's history. I have listened to the early Tyrannasaurus Rex albums & didn't hear or feel too much Glam in that(just my opinion). As I also stated, Johnny Thunders of the NY Dolls was into Bolan in the late 60's/early 70's & cited him as an influence so I'm sure something was there.

I do feel that Cooper's tune "Reflected" & "Levity Ball" from their debut were much more glam than the hippie shit Bolan created on his early albums.Maybe I'm wrong about this but that's the way I see & hear it.

...and I'm still not saying Cooper was the first...I just happen to be a Cooper freak & just writing what I know

[Masherbrum]

Originally Posted by Cincinnatus mark bolan may have something to say about all this

...and he was playing before 1968 came around too.

[rtbuck]

Alice's music career began in 1964 & began recording & releasing in 1965

[Foxhound]

I agree with Bucky. Tyrannosuarus Rex was a hippie/folk combo in the sixties. The T.Rex incarnation metamorphosed into glam only in 1970.

Meanwhile, Alice Cooper was glam from the start and Alice Cooper's first studio album was released in August 1969.

[Flower]

Originally Posted by Cincinnatus mark bolan may have something to say about all this

You speak to the dead?



Sorry .. I couldn't resist ....

[FretBuzz]

[Drifter]

I don't think you can point to one particular person or group and say they 'started' glam. It was like a collective mindset against the drab denim and tie-die look of the hippies and was bound to happen regardless. Andy Warhol and his Factory crowd had a lot to do with glamming up the 60's and many people were taking pointers from them on both sides of the Atlantic. Either way, Alice Cooper still isn't given his proper due. The fact that he still isn't in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame shows what a farce that institution is.

[Hepcat]

Somehow tie-dye clothing just doesn't fit my definition of "drab":

[Mr. Shadow]

The Georgia Peach... Little Richard may have started things off....

[Cosmic Harmony]

Originally Posted by Mr. Shadow The Georgia Peach... Little Richard may have started things off....

Not to turn this into a "Who do you think started glam?" thread or anything but if we're going to go with a flamboyant pianist then I think there is someone that takes seniority over Little Richard...

[MusicMistress]

I do think Alice Cooper would place the lot of ye' on a firing squad if he knew you called him the godfather of Glam.

Alice Cooper is the Master of Shock.


You can crown Marc Bolen and David Bowie as the Glam Parents.