The difference, by ear
Glam rock is hard rock's volume with pop songwriting, a theatrical persona and far less interest in the riff as a subject.
Both are sung cleanly and move at much the same pace, around 100 to 150 bpm. To hear the difference, play T. Rex next to Led Zeppelin. Glam rock grew out of hard rock, three years later. United Kingdom appears in the origins of both.
In figures
Glam rock
Where it sits
Rock › Blues rock › Hard rock › Glam rock
In short
Rock in glitter, platform boots and calculated ambiguity. The spectacle is half the music.
How it sounds
- A simple stomping beat with handclaps and drums up front - music built for singing along.
- Thick guitar tone but short, single-length songs.
- The sound is inseparable from the look: costumes, make-up, invented personas.
Key acts
- T. Rex
- David Bowie
- Slade
- Roxy Music
Start here
The pickT. Rex - Electric Warrior. The simplest and most effective record in the genre.
Full page →Hard rock
Where it sits
Rock › Blues rock › Hard rock
In short
Louder volume, thicker riffs, vocals pushed to the edge. Heavy metal splits off from it, but hard rock stays closer to the blues and to the chorus.
How it sounds
- Riffs built on power chords, with palm muting and constant distortion.
- Vocals pushed into the high register, often right at the edge of a rasp.
- A heavy rhythm section that still grooves - the bass stays melodic rather than doubling the guitar.
Key acts
- Led Zeppelin
- Deep Purple
- AC/DC
- Guns N' Roses
Start here
The pickDeep Purple - Machine Head. Six songs, all essential.
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