glam rock
noun
: rock music characterized by performers wearing fanciful costumes and flamboyant makeup
It was 1972 and a new musical craze, glam rock, was on the rise. Characterised by glittery flamboyant outfits, extravagant make-up, androgynous stage personas, and loud anthemic songs, its prime exponents included David Bowie, Slade, Sweet, Alice Cooper, Roxy Music, Suzi Quatro and Mott The Hoople.—
David Morton
—often hyphenated when used before another nounDavid MortonTaking their inspiration from the old glam-rock bands like Alice Cooper and the New York Dolls, today's metal bands … arrived in carnival costumes and heavy make-up, singing catchy melodies and riding any one of the ever-popular bad boy myths.—Divina Infusino
Divina Infusinocalled also glam, glitter rock
Examples of glam rock in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Zora’s hyperpop influences and slick production chops still shine throughout the first half of the record, but her sonic palette has widened, incorporating glam rock guitar riffs and operatic vocals reminiscent of fellow Minneapolis musician Prince.
—James Factora, Them, 16 Jan. 2025
Daisy Jones & The Six premiered nearly two years ago, but Suki Waterhouse is still firmly planted in her ’70s glam rock era.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2025
An iconic band rooted in hard rock and heavy metal, with glam rock influences, KISS was formed in New York City by Stanley, Simmons, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss in 1973.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2024
Rubik’s Cubes, Beanie Babies, and glam rock might not have survived the test of time.
—Darpan Munjal, Forbes, 8 Sep. 2024
In the past fifteen years, Gaga’s discography has ranged from electronic pop and glam rock to opera and old Vegas jazz, her expertise from records to film.
—Livia Caligor, Vogue, 5 Sep. 2024
The hair got even bigger as Heart moved into their glam rock phase, but these days Wilson favors tousled braids, while letting her powerhouse voice do the talking.
—John Russell, Peoplemag, 17 Aug. 2024
The androgynous, disfigured Marc Bolan glam rock vibe was topped off with powdered makeup inspired by Bob Dylan.
—Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2024
This is the iconic horror baddie he was meant to play, a deeply unnerving dollmaker who warbles with musical malevolence, confounds the law with his Zodiac-like ciphers, and lives for glam rock and killing sprees.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 11 July 2024
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James Factora, Them, 16 Jan. 2025
Daisy Jones & The Six premiered nearly two years ago, but Suki Waterhouse is still firmly planted in her ’70s glam rock era.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2025
An iconic band rooted in hard rock and heavy metal, with glam rock influences, KISS was formed in New York City by Stanley, Simmons, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss in 1973.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2024
Rubik’s Cubes, Beanie Babies, and glam rock might not have survived the test of time.
—Darpan Munjal, Forbes, 8 Sep. 2024
In the past fifteen years, Gaga’s discography has ranged from electronic pop and glam rock to opera and old Vegas jazz, her expertise from records to film.
—Livia Caligor, Vogue, 5 Sep. 2024
The hair got even bigger as Heart moved into their glam rock phase, but these days Wilson favors tousled braids, while letting her powerhouse voice do the talking.
—John Russell, Peoplemag, 17 Aug. 2024
The androgynous, disfigured Marc Bolan glam rock vibe was topped off with powdered makeup inspired by Bob Dylan.
—Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2024
This is the iconic horror baddie he was meant to play, a deeply unnerving dollmaker who warbles with musical malevolence, confounds the law with his Zodiac-like ciphers, and lives for glam rock and killing sprees.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 11 July 2024
Dictionary Entries Near glam rock
Cite this Entry
“Glam rock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glam%20rock. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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