Toxic Glitter
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I'm a little torn this Toxic Tuesday. On one hand, I acknowledge the heavy-heavy greatness of glam-rock clown Gary Glitter's deathless Rock 'n Roll, Part 2 - the syncopated, near-tribal call-and-response hit single from 1972 that went on to become a go-to stadium anthem at all manner of sporting events, and still is to this very day. Then, there's my unabashed adoration of singer-songwriter Glitter's "Do You Wanna Touch Me?" which still floors me every time I hear it, whether it's the original or the frankly superior cover by Joan Jett.
But in 1997, Glitter was arrested in the U.K. for possession of child porn on his computer; then, in 2005, he was arrested and charged with molesting a couple of under-aged girls at his residence in Vietnam. The latter arrest was followed by another series of Vietnamese arrests and convictions for obscene acts with minors, leading to three years of imprisonment, giving the sex-o-licious lyrics to "Do You Wanna Touch Me?" a pervy, unfortunate spin. Pedophilia - as toxic as it gets.
Eventually, Glitter was released from the hoosegow in 'Nam and deported, returning to the U.K. where he had to sign the sex-offenders register. His alleged predilections and his later-in-life convictions aside, it's a matter of historical fact that Glitter scored a string of hit singles in his native England during the '70s. Most of them were insidiously catchy, regardless of the slim-to-non-existent lyrics. But there's no value whatsoever to his most boneheaded British chart-topper, 1973's clumsy and completely idiotic "I'm the Leader of the Gang (I Am)." Crappy, stumbling arrangement; moronic sentiment, complete with gang-bang reference; and maddeningly repetitive, sing-song melody. It's insufferably bad - as in mega-toxic
The following video for "I'm the Leader of the Gang (I Am)" shows exactly what a flaming anus Glitter was in his heyday. Look at the mixture of blankness and venality in his eyes. As for the glam-rock costumes, the sleek, angular, handsome, androgynous David Bowie might have gotten away with the wacky spaceman fashions back in the day, but on a lumpy working-class load like Glitter, it's another criminal offense. The band of toadies in matching garb just makes it more ridiculous.
Toxicity ahoy!
Comments (14)
Mega-toxic..yup. I think you are safe with this one, but you never know. It does seem like you might be opening the door to some accusations of classism..why can't a "working class load" wear a pretend space suit. At least he looks like he's been fed..unlike the upper crust Bowie. The band looks like the puritan fathers of Salem..from outer space. All this does not in any way diminish the toxicity of this cut.
It's always gotten me that he looked like a middle aged used car salesman/baptists preacher on a bad acid trip, even in the 70's. Both usually exhibit a certain creepiness. Maybe all that Glitter's is often guilded. Just don't let Glitter guild your lilly.
and BTW, most sex offender's should probably be sent to a third world prison, and probably never released. What are they doing in Siberia these days?
Mike. You convinced me...so i didn't listen.
....When you find the milk has spoiled...do you shove it under someone's nose demanding they take a whiff?
what's that smell?
It's the smell of pop hit desperation, Inny.
Phewww! You need say no more than "Flaming An*s". This is where the toxicity of the "artist" (notice I'm putting that in quotes) and the toxicity of the song come together in one glittery stinkin' pile. What was with the costuming on his band? Those collars -- were they trying to be the Glam Pilgrims???
Somehow, this one escaped my ears, back in the day... thankfully. I think you hit a home run with this one, Mike.
nothing like a pedophile to get the party jumpin'
Oh Gary Glitter ... so much to answer for ...
Regarding your rant about the fashion sense on display, I was going to say that the men don't know but the little girls understand. But given Glitter's criminal record that is waaay too close to being taken the wrong way.
Incidentally, I did a story on the Glitter Gang (the backup band) back in the day and learned from producer Mike Leander that the source material for 'Rock and Roll" was a combination of Dr. John The Night Tripper (the swamp sound) and Gary US Bonds (the crowd element).
I feel sonically violated.
So instead of asking for 'The Bathroom' in the UK, you use Rhyming Slang and ask 'Where's you Gary Glitter'
Reminds me of Adam Ant. Same creepiness, same sense that there's something fundamentally lacking and misdirected about the original creative impulse, and yet totally and undeniably catchy...
Unlike the U.S., you could never play "Rock and Roll Part 2" to rouse the crowd in any sports events in the UK, that's for sure.
To us Brits Gary Glitter's "Greatest Hits" are as appropriate as a bunch of Charles Manson tunes.
Cody B: Puritans? What would Pocahontas think?
contra: Vietnam is still pretty third-world-ish, is it not? Then again, he's out and eternally humiliated in his native England.
dmdm: Same as it ever was? And there's no crying over spilt or soured milk in these parts! When you get soured milk, you make cheese.
inrumford: It's olfactory-direct!
Lady Miss Ian: I believe these pilgrims would've been tossed off the Mayflower.
MusicRX: I hit a home run, yet we lost the game...
Rawkkiddoh: I hope you don't mean a Sweet Sixteen...
Dale: And the question is, "What was he thinking?"
Jonh: There's your proof that something can be way less than the sum of its parts.
Anna: Please don't tell the authorities. I like my freedom.
Neill: What if you ask for directions to the nearest rapper?
superreggie: Ant People? Call the exterminator!
Hacksceptic: Manson? Hmmm. If we take that to the point of guilt-by-association, I'd never listen to Dennis Wilson's beautiful Pacific Ocean Blue album.