Top 10 U.K. Glam Rock live albums, ranked by Goldmine Magazine
climax — and, the gala affair suggested by the title doesn’t quite turn out. Glam was four years old by now, which is several lifetimes in the rock’n’roll world. Yet here he was, splurging glamming big time.
The album, pilfered from the soundtrack to that NBC special, then underwent a rude edit, which understands the substance just fine but doesn’t quite transmit the style. Iggy Pop’s “Sister Midnight” and the Velvets’ “Waiting for the Man” whisper into sight and then abruptly vanish again. Roy Orbison’s “I’m Waiting for the Man,” likewise, wonders, “What happens next?” The addition of Jim Webb’s “Mack the Knife” may have been less the cherry on the top of the cabaret cake, it was more a large pitcher of hot fudge sauce. Mick Jagger’s “Dancing in the Street” may have reminded Bowie of “the perfect glammic statement,” but it didn’t quite emerge the same this time — it was more like, “Let’s skip to the chorus and be done with it.”
Fortunate then that “Rock ‘n Roll Suicide” remains untouched (though, interestingly, not only does the chorus rise from the repeated verses, but it actually replaces them at the end); and the “Space Oddity” encore is a fantastic closeout, not proposed but demanded by the audience. Even the band gets a nod — lead guitarist Mick Ronson and pianist Mike Garson are both introduced by name during the course of the evening. So, forget the whittled down historical importance … Dollars In Drag is a rock’n’roll circus worth shouting out.
3. Roxy Music – Ladytron (bootleg, 1972)
Roxy Music’s groundbreaking rocket into the future is almost entirely absent from the live album canon and Ladytron is an even rarer gem.
The bootleg trade has been surprisingly kind to Roxy fans over the years, but while they’re usually left waiting for official audio revelations, Ladytron has held sway for three decades. First on vinyl, then on CD and even DVD. And it’s everything a live Roxy Music album should be — frazzled, flamboyant, fabulous, but utterly fixated on the future.
Even the oldies, “Ladytron,” “Re-Make/Re-Model,” “Chance Meeting,” closed side one with explosive force, as Bryan Ferry led the band through some of its more cacophonous moments, transforming both Andys (Mackay on sax, Maiden on Oboe) into instant stars with solos that still have jaws dropping in shock. They released the song in 1972, possibly riding on the crest of the Velvet Underground’s revival tour momentum, but especially that was what’s its audience traded on. Ladytron is unapologetically dramatic, featuring intense instrumentals that blend seductive undertones with raw emotion.
The recording plays like a postmodern symphony put to rock form as the band engages in intense soundscapes and instrumental experimentation throughout. The highlights of the album include melodramatic tracks like “Chance Meeting,” “Bitters End,” and the live version of “Ladytron.” This exceptional Roxy Music concert captured the band at the height of its power, showcasing their technical skill and innovative soundscapes that set them apart from their peers. Led by Bryan Ferry’s haunting vocals and high melodrama, Ladytron is an extravagant performance full of energy and style that leaves a lasting impression on listeners.
In the turmoil of 1972, the line between coherence and cacophony was difficult, but for Roxy, Ladytron—a rare snapshot of the band’s bravado and innovation—manages to transcend mere noise, demonstrating the group’s sheer ambition and experimental spirit. In many ways, this bootleg epitomizes the quintessential live album for a group that pushed the boundaries of traditional pop music and breathed new life into the rock scene. Roxy Music’s Ladytron remains a compelling testament to their live prowess and creative vision.