Gary Glitter (real name Paul Gadd)

He had little sucess as a sixties star Paul Raven but when he teamed up with producer the late Mike Leander.

In 1971 they began to create a new distinctive sound with heavy drums and a fantastic beat.

They wrote and produced " Rock'n'Roll part 1".

With Gary doing the vocals,

Mike on Drums and Guitars and Soon to be Glitter band members

"John Rossall" and " Harvey Ellison" playing sax.

.The b side of the single was Rock'n'Roll part 2 which was a remixed version of part 1.

However with out the lead vocals.

Rock'n'Roll part 2 became a smash hit peaking at number 2 in June 1972.

Gary teamed up with his old band mates who were now calling themselves

the Glitter band and performed the song

on Top of The Pops wearing glitter and spandex suits!

More hits followed with,

I didnt know i loved you till i saw you rock'n'roll,

Do you wanna touch me,

Hello hello im back again!

Then in 1973 the big number 1" Leader of the Gang"

Followed by "I love you love me love " which also reached number 1

"Remember me this way" and "Always yours".

Which was a number 1 in 1974.

9rly 1971

These Songs all had such an original sound.

The glitter band who backed Gary for tv and live performances were the first band to have 2 drummers.

It was great dance music with singalong lyrics.

In 1974 Gary Glitter was so successful that he starred in a film "Remember me this way"

The film wasn't a success but contained great songs.

He was such a showman and never took his glitter and glam image too seriously.

However by the end of 1975 the hits were starting to dry up as glam rock was fading.

 

He released further singles During the 1980s and 90s.

His last top ten hit was in 1984 with "Another Rock'N'Roll Christmas" Reaching number 7.

The last single release from Gary was in 1995

when "Hello, Hello, I'm Back Again (again)" got to number 50 in the UK charts.

 

The Man who created the "Glitter Rock" sound for Gary and "The Glitter Band"

His Co- Writer, Producer and Manager the great "Mike Leander" Died in 1996.

The Music he created still stands the test of time.

R.I.P.

 

Gary still continued to tour to extatic crowds as Gary Glitters gang show up until 1999.

During 1999 Gary Glitter was arrested and subsequently jailed for a few months for possession of child pornography.

The World was Shocked and stunned!

He left the UK and was also jailed again in Vietnam 1n 2006 for underage sex offences.

Rumours are that he may be deported back to England by the end of 2006.

His career and image of a glam rock star is tarnished forever and it is highly unlikely that he will ever perform again.