glam rock: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal, Cultural/Historical
Quick answer
What does “glam rock” mean?
A style of rock music and fashion that emerged in the early 1970s, characterized by flamboyant theatricality, glittery costumes, heavy makeup, and androgynous imagery.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A style of rock music and fashion that emerged in the early 1970s, characterized by flamboyant theatricality, glittery costumes, heavy makeup, and androgynous imagery.
Beyond the specific musical genre, it can refer to a retro aesthetic or attitude that embraces theatrical excess, bold visual presentation, and a deliberate challenge to traditional gender norms in performance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is identical in both dialects. The UK is widely considered the birthplace and epicenter of the genre, with figures like David Bowie, T. Rex, and Roxy Music, whereas in the US it is strongly associated with specific acts like Alice Cooper and the New York Dolls.
Connotations
In the UK, it is a deeply ingrained part of popular music history. In the US, it may sometimes be conflated with or seen as a precursor to the later, more commercially-oriented 'hair metal' of the 1980s.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK cultural discourse due to its stronger historical roots there.
Grammar
How to Use “glam rock” in a Sentence
[Noun] is influenced by glam rock.The [band/era] epitomizes glam rock.They played [a type of] glam rock.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “glam rock” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The documentary explored the glam-rock fashion of the seventies.
American English
- They have a glam-rock vibe with their platform boots and sequins.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in music/entertainment industry discussions (e.g., 'The label is reissuing a glam rock catalog.').
Academic
Used in cultural studies, musicology, and fashion history contexts.
Everyday
Used in discussions about music history, fashion, or retro culture.
Technical
Used in music journalism and criticism to categorize a specific subgenre and its stylistic hallmarks.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “glam rock”
- Using 'glam rock' as an adjective without a hyphen (e.g., 'a glam rock singer' is correct; 'a glamrock singer' is less standard).
- Confusing key artists (e.g., David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust is quintessential glam rock; The Beatles are not).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Glam rock is a 1970s genre (Bowie, T. Rex). Glam metal (or 'hair metal') is a 1980s US genre (Mötley Crüe, Poison) focused on hard rock and pop hooks, though it borrowed the visual theatrics.
Yes, in an attributive sense (before a noun). For example: 'a glam-rock icon,' 'glam-rock aesthetics.' It is typically hyphenated when used attributively.
Glam rock (early 70s) embraced theatricality, artistry, and often complex music. Punk rock (mid-late 70s) reacted against this with a DIY ethos, raw simplicity, and anti-establishment aggression.
The genre developed primarily in London, driven by UK music charts, TV shows like 'Top of the Pops,' and a post-war youth culture ripe for flamboyant escapism and social commentary.
A style of rock music and fashion that emerged in the early 1970s, characterized by flamboyant theatricality, glittery costumes, heavy makeup, and androgynous imagery.
Glam rock is usually informal, cultural/historical in register.
Glam rock: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡlæm rɒk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡlæm rɑːk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of GLAMorous ROCK stars wearing glitter and makeup.
Conceptual Metaphor
MUSIC IS A THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE; ROCK MUSIC IS A SPECTACLE.
Practice
Quiz
Which of these artists is most closely associated with the glam rock movement?