A Bit of Glam Rock (Part Two)....

Last month I focused on three of the bands who spearheaded the British Glam Rock boom in the early '70's.  This time, we will look at another three groups, although one - as you will see - were a little different to the others.

While not quite as durable as Slade, the equally ostentatious Wizzard were huge for a while.  Led by the talented Roy Wood (formerly of The Move, and for a short time, ELO), Wizzard are best remembered today for one of the most popular Christmas hits of all-time, I Wish it Could Be Christmas Everyday.  After reaching No. 4 in the UK Charts in 1973, it was re-issued in 1981, making it it to No. 41.  Since then, the song has re-entered the charts on no less than eight occasions, including every year since 2007!

However, Wizzard also had some other massive successes, including the chart-toppers See My Baby Jive, and Angel Fingers (A Teen Ballad).  A further four numbers broke into the Top 10, with one of them being Rock 'N' Roll Winter.

Better known in the US than many of the Glam Rock bands of the era, Sweet (or sometimes THE Sweet) were a four-man group, comprising Steve Priest, Andy Scott, Mick Tucker, and lead vocalist Brian Connolly.  Formed in 1968, Sweet's early style had them associated with the "bubblegum" music of the '60's, and had major successes in 1971 with Funny, Funny (No. 13), and Co-Co (No. 2).

A year later, Little Willy was to become their first Transatlantic hit, reaching No. 4 in the UK, and one spot higher in the US.  This also signalled their development into a true rock band.  1973 was to be their most successful year, with Hell Raiser and The Ballroom Blitz both reaching No. 2, and their only Number One, Blockbuster.

From 1974, here is Wig-Wam Bam.

While still considered part of the Glam Rock movement, Roxy Music were much more progressive with their sound, and actually spearheaded the development of another genre, "Art Rock".  As a result, the band tended to appeal to a more mature audience.  Despite this, they did top the charts in 1981 with Jealous Guy, and had a string of hits over a period of ten years, including Virginia Plain, Love is the Drug, Avalon, and Street Life.

Lead vocalist Brian Ferry went on to have a very successful solo career, and Ferry's co-founder of the group, Brian Eno, has enjoyed a remarkable career as a musician, singer, composer, and record producer.

Here is Pyjamarama, that made it the Top Ten in 1973.