Come as you are
October 21, 2005 | 12:00am
If I were to go back in time, it would definitely be the late ’60s to the entire ’70s era. There was just this love, peace, hippie and psychedelic vibe going on. The music rocked so hard that made people just roll with it like "band-aids" (see Almost Famous). Thanks to my true rocker and jazzmatic (read: jazz fanatic and asthmatic) boyfriend, I would never get into this whole scene – just emo or Top of the Pops tunes.
Compared to before, what’s lacking now in the music scene is iconic rock fashion sense. Musicians now have to put on dreadful-looking masks with dreadlocks, or strut like Goths who have gone overtly wrong. Or what’s worse – wear baseball caps backwards while rapping a rock number (like Fred Durst). Hello? And the clichéd all-black attire can be oh-so boring like a been-there-done-that sort of thing. Yawn.
Whatever happened to the glamour of coolness? The entire rock scene back then was peppered with love beads, silver rings, silk shirts, snakeskin boots, bellbottoms and distressed suits. The clothes were not merely costumes for gigs; it showed the bright and dark auras of musicians. No bollocks!
Each time I look at old pictures of my rock icons, it leaves me with an emotionally stained feeling. All the clothes were just soaked with passion for detail and sparks of individuality. Yeah, if I had the money, I would definitely bid for memorabilia at Christies, Sotheby’s or even e-Bay.
God only knows, it’s only rock n’ roll fashion but I love every aspect of it. So, here are my icons with unique styles of clothing that made rock music more vital, alive and absolutely kicking.
The high priestess of punk rock, Patti Smith brought about a surreal, beat poetry vision to rock n’ roll music. At first glance, you would think she looks like a guy with her trademark suit – androgynous shirt and tie. (See the cover of Smith’s "Horses" album.) Or just hip pants with a leather jacket and no bra. She’s definitely got soul for a very cool poet.
Everything about Kate Bush just stands out. You’ll never forget the kinks of her hair and sexy yet shimmering outfits like satin pants and sequined tops or dancer’s leotards. Don’t forget the thick black eyeliner. It’s no surprise that this chick with an eerie voice can get away with a sadomasochist, tribal outfits with whips and a headdress. And not get pursued by the hounds of good taste.
When you see black velvet, you don’t think of the song (by Alannah Myles) but rather of Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac. She was greatly influenced by Joplin. Her look was very bohemian, like a sultry Wicca lady. Her wardrobe hasn’t changed. It will forever be lacey tunic tops, bellbottoms, nightgowns and evening dresses adorned with feathery hats. What an elegant gypsy.
Blondie bombshell, Deborah "Debbie" Harry never seems to run out of sex appeal. Dig this porn-star looking chick’s style: braless sexy outfits with flushed cheeks and red lipstick. And it makes me wonder how she can go from corporate queen bee to rugged yet elegant dancing queen? Now, that’s one hot momma! Rapturous indeed.
I’ll always remember Bowie as Ziggy Stardust, a bisexual cross-dresser obsessed with makeup and colored contact lenses, and who believed he was an alien who fell to earth. This superstar showed that there is indeed life on Mars with his orange hair, flimsy androgynous clothes and platform shoes that even Kate Moss took fancy on.
Hey, there’s nothing fancier than the New York Dolls, proto punk rockers that jumpstarted the New York CBGB scene. Picture the fabulous five in tight animal print leotards, outrageously loud shiny long sleeves with platform boots, and scarves that made them really look like "glamazon" dolls.
Another band in this era was T. Rex led by Marc Bolan. He was a pouting, corkscrew-haired star that was trashy-looking but gorgeous. Trademark clothes included clashing pieces like printed pants with leopard print top and two-toned vest. Or the hot pink embroidered top with tight mango yellow pants for the riot of the colors.
From sexy, let’s go to bizarre. Brian Eno of Roxy Music (who would gain fame later on as a producer for U2, Talking Heads and David Bowie) would dress up like sex-changed mermaid slapped on with a ton of makeup. The other members (like Bryan Ferry) of the band would mix and match pieces like satin, leather and bejeweled shades with platform shoes for the ultimate glitzy appeal.
Elton John invented his own version of glam with a flamboyant fashion sense. He was influenced by the peacock style of velvet, satins and fur, which is a very decadent style of 18th century groove. And you just will never forget his weirdly-shaped sunglasses.
Anyone can be a punk chick with the right attitude, clothes, accessories and makeup, and Siouxsie Sioux (leader of the Banshees) was another pioneer. Her Goth-like skimpy leather outfits that revealed her bosom instantly made her a wild vixen. Check out her shimmering silver jewelry and makeup on her vampire-like pale face and teased hair. She totally left a blazing trail for a new generation of punk wannabes (like you know who).
Admit it, we all grew up listening to the purveyors of rock, pop and roll – The Beatles had groovy gear. Discarding the leather jackets they wore in Hamburg, the fabulous four dressed in identical black tailored suits with mop-top hairs and two-inch boots. Then, came turtlenecks for a more casual, laidback look, and then the colorful psychedelic suits in "Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band."
In their last days together as a band, the four individuals developed their own style veering away from the Pierre Cardin collarless suits. John will always be remembered for his tinted rectangle Ben Franklin mini-shades or the granny glasses. Plus, he didn’t mind bearing it all with Yoko (check out the sleeve for "Two Virgins"). Paul looked hmm, like a clean-cut businessman. George was into earthy clothes (which matched his fascination with Eastern mysticism). And Ringo kept a colorful and well-groomed appearance.
You can’t consider yourself a true rocker if you don’t like Led Zeppelin. I mean, seriously… how could you not be obsessed with this loud British rock band? The synergy of Robert Plant’s orgasmic voice, Jimmy Page’s intense guitar riffs, John Paul Jones’ subdued presence, and John Bonham’s vicious drum power is simply remarkable and awe-inspiring. And it doesn’t make me wonder why they really are the golden gods.
The clothes of Zeppelin oozed with sex appeal, which just magnetized their auras on and off the stage even more. I think Robert Plant started the bolero trend in the ’70s. Ooh, he just loved to expose his chest with unbuttoned tops paired with super tight faded jeans and a ton of hippie silver accessories. Just imagine him sailing a Viking ship down by the seaside. (Check Plant out in The Song Remains The Same.)
I find Jimmy Page more attractive because of his mysterious ways, interest in the occult, and affair with super-groupie Lori Maddox. What made him stand out were his black-and-white embroidered velvet dragon suits with bits of flowers made by a woman from LA. Cool, huh? But I didn’t like Page’s corporate yuppie transformation: he sported long sleeves tucked in khaki slacks at the Knebworth gig before Bonham’s untimely demise and the band’s breakup. I don’t know what happened to him but at least Robert Plant still kept his iconic look with dressier and more mature pieces. If you watched Page and Plant’s Unledded DVD, you would know what I’m talking about.
Jimi Hendrix just looked so damn good with his fiercely psychedelic outfits. He didn’t sport Salvation Army pieces but instead wore intricately made embroidered Napoleon’s jacket. Or dig the Mexican-inspired tassel coat, bright and loud printed silk shirts accentuated with silk scarves and headbands. No wonder, people were awed by the machine-gunning guitarist.
Fact is, times have definitely changed and rock fashion isn’t as cool as before. There are few exceptions, of course. There are musicians who are influenced by the glorious past, but at the same time are in tune with the temper of contemporary times.
Goth poster-boy Robert Smith’s lips are as red as a rose, and he still uses hair spray. Jane’s Addiction guitar hero-turned-reality show star Dave Navarro is a metrosexual rocker. Axl Rose still wears his Bonham-inspired headband and white cycling shorts. Morrissey digs sabbatical priest outfits, which go splendidly with his quiff. (It is ironic that he once sang in a Smiths song, "I would go out tonight but I haven’t got a stitch to wear.) Our Kid Liam Gallager is into Adidas. Believe it or not, Lars Ulrich, the guy who played drums on heavies like Master of Puppets and Frayed Ends of Sanity, wears Prada. The ageless Tori Amos looks like a Victorian maiden.
Well, it goes to show that fashion is about having your own style, like all those great rock stars. Sting once sang, "Be yourself, no matter what they say." A lesson: don’t be afraid to shine. Forget all the rules. In fact, break them. Dig your own hole. Be all that you can be.
After all, it’s just rock n’ roll.
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