Blood and Glitter

A review I insisted the entertainment put
in our editorial project replacing an art review,
this was opening the day we went to print.



An exhibition of photographs taken during the Glam rock era, spanning the years 1972 to 1977. Mick Rock investigated the emergence of bisexuality as a fashion statement.

Formerly a Cambridge graduate who admired John Kobal Hollywood Glamour shots, Huysmans, Baudelaire and Oscar Wilde. Rock became David Bowie’s unofficial photographer after meeting him in 1972, just as Bowie was forming his Ziggy Stardust persona.

Bowie plays guitar

Bowie and Ronson. Splashed across many papers and it was this infamous image that shocked Britain. Rock had photographed Bowie and Mick Ronson onstage in 1972 in a very provocative pose. Ronson holding his guitar close to his groin while Bowie on his knees, grabbing Ronson’s bottom and appearing to be attempting to perform fellatio.

Rock soon became a favourite amongst many of the Glam scene’s leading star’s such as, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Queen, Mott the Hoople and David Bowie.

More than just a photographic project Rock said:
"like every underground scene that becomes part of pop culture, history leaves out much of the real story – and the full story is much more interesting". He added: "Glam was a mixture of theatre, sexual ambiguity and progressive art that drew millions of fans whilst retaining its subversive edge".


This exhibition is a comprehensive single eyewitness account,
Rock said: " I was not an outsider looking in. I lived it".

The book Blood and Glitter – Glam: An Eyewitness Account, will be available from Waterstones on April 11 2001.

Purchasing online at www.visiononpublishing.com will give you a 25% discount.

 The three dudes at the Dorchester

Debbie Harry Blood and Glitter - photographs by Mick Rock

Proud Galleries, 5 Buckingham Street, WC2N.
Nearest tube station: Embankment/Charing Cross.
Open seven days a week between 10am and 7pm.
Tickets: £2 or £1 for concessions.


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