10 Perfect Rock Albums Of The '70s
4. The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust - David Bowie
Anyone who's ever tried to look at rock a bit more artfully is only going to be following in the footsteps of what David Bowie did first. As much as it can be a cliche to call him a chameleon, Bowie really was a student of all his influences and was never afraid to wear different genres like costumes as he made his way through the decades. He may have liked to be a connousseir of everything around him, but Ziggy Stardust is his creation through and through.
Modelling himself after a rock and roll alien figure, this record is the building block for what became the glam rock movement. Compared to what you would see coming down the line, you're hearing the crux of the lipstick-traced rock and roll of a few years later, from the T Rex esque guitar lick of the title track to Bowie practically creating the career of a band like Sweet on Hang on To Yourself.
Time hasn't forgotten about this record either, with everyone from the hair metal bands of the '80s to Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails talking about how much Bowie made an impact on their lives. Even though he might not be with us in physical form anymore, chances are the Starman has just gone off to different cosmos to grace them with his music.