Jeff Price is the Founder and CEO of TuneCore
I discovered David Bowie
in 10th grade when Karen, a senior in my high school that I had a huge
crush on, drove me to the Friendship Mall in Washington, D.C.. Pouring
out of her cranked up stereo was a song set to an emotional "wall of
sound", imbued with rock and an incredibly emotional singer wailing
about Major Tom, a man that died floating in his tin can circling the
earth.
I had to hear more. My discovery of Bowie's alter-ego Ziggy Stardust began my neverending relationship with "Glam Rock". Mott The Hoople (All The Young Dudes, written by David Bowie, and Rock n roll Queen,
eerily suggestive of the forthcoming sound of the Sex Pistols) ended up
on just about every mix tape I had. My daily music fix became a glam
mixture of Slade (now a TuneCore Arist - whoo hoo!!), Gary Glitter (before he was arrested for ummm, unmentionables), ELO, T Rex, and the New York Dolls.
In particular, it was the New York Dolls that I became most fascinated with. Loud, angry, flamboyant and, in the words of Monty Python, dressed in woman’s clothing, the New York Dolls unabashedly portrayed to me what I thought Glam should be. Their song Personality Crisis became THE song I wish I had written and got to play on stage (but as fate would have it, I am not able to actually play any instrument very well. Those who can't play, start record labels!)
The New York Dolls kicked ass. Stylized, raw, punk, rock, angry and glam! They went on to influence a legion of bands (and David Johansen even ended up getting some choice parts in movies - i.e. the taxi driver in Bill Murray's Scrooged)
In particular, it was the New York Dolls that I became most fascinated with. Loud, angry, flamboyant and, in the words of Monty Python, dressed in woman’s clothing, the New York Dolls unabashedly portrayed to me what I thought Glam should be. Their song Personality Crisis became THE song I wish I had written and got to play on stage (but as fate would have it, I am not able to actually play any instrument very well. Those who can't play, start record labels!)
The New York Dolls kicked ass. Stylized, raw, punk, rock, angry and glam! They went on to influence a legion of bands (and David Johansen even ended up getting some choice parts in movies - i.e. the taxi driver in Bill Murray's Scrooged)
TuneCore just distributed an amazing documentary called New York Doll: The Movie which (to use their description):
“ …tells the story of glam-rock band the New York Dolls, from their meteoric rise to their drug-and-alcohol-riddled demise. But the film's main focus is a current portrait of bassist and leader Arthur "Killer" Kane, a recovering alcoholic who now lives a quiet life as a Mormon. When rocker Morrissey (yes, that Morrissey) plans a reunion of the band, director Greg Whiteley captures Kane and the rest of the group as the attempt a surprising comeback."
“ …tells the story of glam-rock band the New York Dolls, from their meteoric rise to their drug-and-alcohol-riddled demise. But the film's main focus is a current portrait of bassist and leader Arthur "Killer" Kane, a recovering alcoholic who now lives a quiet life as a Mormon. When rocker Morrissey (yes, that Morrissey) plans a reunion of the band, director Greg Whiteley captures Kane and the rest of the group as the attempt a surprising comeback."
Nutshell, seriously, you have to see this movie. It’s a great story that happens to be about a band that got to influence the world in heels and makeup.
A freakin' huge GLAM ROCK THUMBS UP
Share your thoughts on the TuneCore blog.
Hi, I'm a HUGE New York Dolls fan and a fan of just about any and every "glam rock" band from the 60's on. I've followed my passion for this style by playing bars and clubs since age 15 in my native Indiana. I played in a pretty well known glam band in Hollywood in 1995-1996 called GUTTERSLUTS. I got the pleasure to meet Killer Kane in 1995 at the now defunct Coconut Teaser in Hollywood..he said I reminded him of Johnny Thunders if he could play! (see website for old pics of me)www.mattmoss.com I'm actually re-releasing some of my old 80's style glam rock anthems on July 6th, 2009...available on itunes. Most people associate any band that wears make-up a "glam" band...I think it depends on the attitude behind the music too. Is Goth "glam"? There's so many different ways to wear make-up, fem-glam, punk, metal, pop...all in all, what I DO like, is that these bands who wear make-up are not boring! Everyone from Alice Cooper to Kiss, Poison and Motley Crue..whatever u call it, it's all good to me! Long live rock and Glam rock!!!
Posted by: Matt Moss | June 11, 2009 at 06:11 PM
Well, this explains alot. David Bowie is not a "glam rock artist" and you stopped abruptly.....you have named only the most superficial artists associated with "glam"...top forty "glam". I also see you did not name one female glam artist. The New York Dolls did not consider themselves glam at the time, and were punk (that is why they dressed in actual "women's clothing" instead of the exotic threads of La Bowie).
I guess I am a tad speechless, since you are the CEO and could have asked someone for a rundown of a list of real glam rockers. This entry makes me doubt the veracity of the product you are trying to sell. It also makes me uncomfortable about Tunecore's mission.
Rawk on!
Bette Dillinger
Posted by: Bette Dillinger | June 06, 2009 at 09:05 PM
Glam is alive and kicking in Liverpool, i saw this band two days ago and they were amazing!!
The Vanities.
www.myspace.com/initiationv
Jo
Posted by: jo warren | June 05, 2009 at 07:23 AM
Changes One by Bowie was the first albumn i ever owned,ziggy stardust was brilliant,not really a huge glam rock guy,i dont consider bowie glam,he was an innovater,along with iggy,they were rock and roll i feel glam was concieved after the fact.you shouldnt pidgeon hole what made rock,i just hate the word glam,as if there was no substance,this music was real,not like the record company restricted crap that is being produced today,do yourself a favour check out bowies Hunky Dory,Micket Mouse Has Grown Up A Cow,It's all been done before because these guys did it,Scott
Posted by: scott ferguson | June 04, 2009 at 08:13 PM