Some thoughts from the 1970’s – The Hit(s)

Gary Glitter – he was not the talented one. He didn't write any of his own songs, and always mimed on Top Of The Pops. On my one and only almost-appearance I insisted on singing live (which incidentally had nothing to do with it being cut from the show at the last minute - that was due to Steeleye Span over-running). Until my accident in the hospitality suite I was promised an appearance the following week.

There was much resentment in the Glam Rock community at Glitter's success - some say that was the reason so many of us spent the 1980's in re-hab. But look where he is now.

For those too young to remember the time, my hit "Now Is Not The Time" was considered groundbreaking at the time. Taking the excess of the Glam Rock scene and combining it with lyrics that Melody Maker described as “simplistic” and “naive” threatened to revolutionise the work of popular music. Obviously a bit revolutionary for a number 1 hit, but number 27 would suffice.

Then disaster as the release of the risqué follow up “Do You Want To Touch My Hair” approached. Glitter appears with “Do You Want To Touch Me There” a matter of weeks before, and the thunder is well and truly stolen. Claims it was a coincidence have never washed with me, but I can’t say any more until the expiry of the 50-year restraining order that was imposed on me in the following months. I didn’t take it well.

At least it is now considered a collectable rarity. I like to think more for the music than the gold vinyl with limited edition scratch 'n' sniff sleeve.