Heavy music and its subcultures have always been closely related to sex, decadence, and rebellion. Starting with pioneers as The Rolling Stones, Jimmy Hendrix and The Doors in the 1960s, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, AC/DC and KISS in the 1970s, they all have had the unifying pursuit of unattached love, musical success, and drugs, thus coining the timeless slogan “sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll”. Nevertheless, while proclaiming values as personal freedom, sexual liberation, and open-mindedness, the heavy music stays to a greater extent conservative, when it comes to sex and gender issues. Hard rock and all of its forms are considered as “essentially a male form of expression”: there are hardly few women as Patti Smith and Janis Joplin who managed to become “one of the boys” and to reach a cult status in time. In fact, the male connotation in the genre is present over all: starting from the macho look, through the lyrics, actually, the whole rock star attitude.
A deviation from this norm embodies glam rock and later glam metal subgenres which beginnings in the 1970s are marked by David Bowie with his high theatricality, the glittering Marc Bolan from T. Rex in the UK and by the controversial Jobriath and New York Dolls, who appeared almost at the same time in the USA. This book analyses various questions, concerning sex, gender and performance in glam rock music using theories from the fields of gender studies, media studies, feminism, and psychoanalysis. The book also discusses the socio-cultural context in which glam rock was born and the colossal shift in sexual politics, which it has brought with itself. Furthermore, the relationship to historical events, postmodern values and consumerism are taken into consideration.
From the text:
- Glam Rock;
- Glam Trouble;
- Female and Male Objectification;
- Gender Studies;
- David Bowie
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Theoretical background: Glam Trouble
- All Dolled Up: Image that Matters
- Ballrooms of Mars: Glam Aliens and Rock 'n' Roll Fairies
- Looks that Kill: Male and Female Objectification in Glam Rock
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This work analyzes sex and gender issues within the Glam Rock genre. It aims to explore the multifaceted ways in which gender roles and identities were challenged, performed, and ultimately, constructed through the visual and musical aesthetics of Glam Rock.
- The blurring of gender boundaries in Glam Rock's visual presentation.
- The objectification of both male and female performers within the genre.
- The use of androgynous imagery and its implications.
- The role of costume and makeup in shaping gender performance.
- The cultural context surrounding Glam Rock's exploration of gender.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis of sex and gender in Glam Rock, providing a brief overview of the genre's history and its significance within the larger context of rock music. It introduces the key questions and themes that will be explored throughout the book, highlighting the importance of analyzing the visual and performative aspects of Glam Rock in understanding its complex relationship with gender.
Theoretical background: Glam Trouble: This chapter lays the theoretical groundwork for the analysis by examining existing scholarly discourse on Glam Rock and its engagement with gender. It establishes a critical framework for interpreting the visual and performative aspects of the genre, drawing upon relevant theories of gender performance, queer theory, and visual culture studies. This chapter serves as a foundation for the subsequent chapters, which delve into specific examples and case studies.
All Dolled Up: Image that Matters: This chapter focuses on the crucial role of image and visual presentation in Glam Rock. It analyzes how artists utilized costume, makeup, and styling to create androgynous and gender-bending personas. Specific examples of artists and their iconic looks are discussed, exploring the deliberate strategies employed to challenge conventional gender norms. The chapter highlights the impact of these visual choices on audience reception and interpretation of the music.
Ballrooms of Mars: Glam Aliens and Rock 'n' Roll Fairies: This chapter explores the thematic elements of Glam Rock that further complicated gender norms. It analyzes the use of fantasy, mythology, and science fiction imagery to create alternative gender identities and narratives. The chapter examines how these themes were reflected in the music, lyrics, and visual presentation of the bands, illustrating how Glam Rock constructed a space for exploring gender fluidity and challenging societal expectations.
Looks that Kill: Male and Female Objectification in Glam Rock: This chapter delves into the complexities of objectification in Glam Rock, examining how both male and female performers were presented as objects of desire. The analysis considers the interplay of power dynamics, the use of sexualized imagery, and the ways in which these presentations contributed to the genre’s overall aesthetic and cultural impact. It explores both the celebratory and problematic aspects of this objectification.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Glam rock, gender, sexuality, performance, androgyny, objectification, visual culture, costume, makeup, image, identity, rock music, counterculture.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Glam Rock and Gender
What is the main topic of this language preview?
This preview focuses on the analysis of sex and gender issues within the Glam Rock genre. It explores how gender roles and identities were challenged, performed, and constructed through Glam Rock's visual and musical aesthetics.
What are the key themes explored in this work?
Key themes include the blurring of gender boundaries in Glam Rock's visual presentation, the objectification of both male and female performers, the use of androgynous imagery, the role of costume and makeup in shaping gender performance, and the cultural context surrounding Glam Rock's exploration of gender.
What is the structure of the language preview?
The preview includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. It provides a comprehensive overview of the main arguments and findings of the larger work.
What does the "Theoretical Background: Glam Trouble" chapter cover?
This chapter establishes the theoretical framework for the analysis, examining existing scholarly discourse on Glam Rock and gender. It draws upon theories of gender performance, queer theory, and visual culture studies to provide a critical lens for interpreting the genre.
What is discussed in the "All Dolled Up: Image that Matters" chapter?
This chapter analyzes the importance of visual presentation in Glam Rock, focusing on how artists used costume, makeup, and styling to create androgynous and gender-bending personas. It examines specific examples of artists and their iconic looks.
What is the focus of the "Ballrooms of Mars: Glam Aliens and Rock 'n' Roll Fairies" chapter?
This chapter explores the use of fantasy, mythology, and science fiction imagery in Glam Rock to create alternative gender identities and narratives. It examines how these themes were reflected in the music, lyrics, and visual presentation of the bands.
What does the "Looks that Kill: Male and Female Objectification in Glam Rock" chapter analyze?
This chapter delves into the complexities of objectification in Glam Rock, examining how both male and female performers were presented as objects of desire. It considers the interplay of power dynamics and the use of sexualized imagery.
What are the key words associated with this work?
Key words include: Glam rock, gender, sexuality, performance, androgyny, objectification, visual culture, costume, makeup, image, identity, rock music, counterculture.
What is the overall aim of this work?
The overall aim is to provide a detailed analysis of the complex relationship between Glam Rock and gender, exploring how the genre challenged, reinforced, and ultimately constructed notions of sex and gender through its visual and musical expressions.
What kind of audience is this language preview intended for?
This preview is intended for an academic audience interested in gender studies, music studies, and cultural studies, particularly those interested in the intersection of gender, music, and visual culture within the context of Glam Rock.
- Quote paper
- Lilyana Sharlandzhieva (Author), 2016, Dudes Look like Ladies. Analyzing Sex and Gender Issues in Glam Rock, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/364581
