What if glam rock and Little Richard had a child? On the 40th anniversary of Purple Rain, it’s an intriguing question to introduce an exploration of the legacy of Prince, an artist whose flamboyant and androgynous persona revolutionised music and cultural norms.
Glam rock, born in 1970s England, was a movement characterised by male musicians in flamboyant, at the time what was regarded as feminine clothing, makeup, and hairstyles, platform shoes and glitter. Female musicians often wore masculine attire. This genre challenged traditional normatives and opened up clear lines of discussion around gender and androgyny. Glam rock paved the way for future movements like punk, New Romantics, and the redefinition of contemporary conceptions of masculinity, femininity, and sexuality. Its influence reached across the Atlantic, impacting artists like Alice Cooper and Lou Reed in the US and even extending to Brazil.
Glam rock provided a platform for LGBTQ+ individuals to express themselves boldly, challenging entrenched views of gender and sexuality. Despite the discrimination and marginalization of the time, glam rock played a crucial role in advancing LGBTQ+ visibility, acceptance, and empowerment, even amid the 1980s’ homophobic attitudes given license by anti-gay propaganda prevalent during the AIDS crisis.
Little Richard, a pioneering figure in the 1950s and 1960s, transcended racial and cultural barriers. By the age of 20, he was already a showbiz veteran, known as the drag queen, Princess LaVonne. As a seminal figure in rock 'n' roll, Little Richard was instrumental in bringing blackness to the mainstream and pushing the boundaries of gender and sexuality in popular music.
The fusion of glam rock’s daring aesthetics and Little Richard’s groundbreaking showmanship set the stage for Prince, an artist whose wide vocal range, including a far-reaching falsetto and high-pitched screams, and androgynous persona continued to challenge and redefine gender norms throughout his career.
Prince's third studio album, Dirty Mind (1980), was groundbreaking, especially for a Black artist at the time. While he might face accusations of queer aesthetic appropriation today, he was pushing boundaries in an era when such expressions were revolutionary. Similar to his British contemporaries Freddie Mercury and Boy George, Prince established himself as a symbol of androgyny and sexual fluidity in pop music. His earlier albums, For You (1978) and Prince (1979), subtly introduced a more androgynous look, with long hair and a softer visual style that hinted at the future.
In the title track of Controversy (1981), he posed the question, “Am I black or white / Am I straight or gay?” without providing definitive answers. The following year, 1999 further solidified Prince's bold image with hits like "Little Red Corvette" and "1999," showcasing even more flamboyant stage outfits and performances. By Purple Rain (1984), he continued to explore themes of gender fluidity, with lyrics such as “I’m not a woman, I’m not a man / I am something that you’ll never understand” in the song “I Would Die 4 U.” His fashion choices, including frilly shirts, high heels, and dramatic makeup, became iconic.
During a time when heavy metal and hip-hop often leaned towards misogynistic themes, Prince released Lovesexy in 1988. The album cover featured him in the nude, presenting a delicate, androgynous form against a backdrop of white and lavender flowers, reminiscent of Sandro Botticelli's The Birth of Venus. His wardrobe became even more extravagant and ambisexual, incorporating elements of lace, high heels, and makeup.
In 1992, the Love Symbol became a profound statement. It combined male and female gender signs, transcending traditional gender roles. Prince used this symbol not only to express his identity as an androgynous person but also to reclaim his artistic autonomy from Warner Bros., who owned the name ‘Prince.’ Adopting the Love Symbol allowed him to continue his career independently.
In 1993, he adopted the unpronounceable symbol as his stage name. In “Uptown,” Prince boldly declared, “Where I come from, we don’t let society dictate how we should be. Our clothes, our hair—none of it matters. It’s all about embracing freedom.” With the release of The Gold Experience (1995), Prince continued to push boundaries, prominently featuring the symbol and maintaining his androgynous and sexually provocative style.
Prince inspired younger generations to think and express themselves boldly outside societal norms. His unapologetic confidence paved the way for future non-conforming artists and empowered many to explore their gender and sexuality without shame. However, he faced criticism from former bandmates Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman, and his controversial views on same-sex marriage in the late 2000s.
It’s possible maybe to see a the a direct line from the bravery of Prince to the courageous funk of British bands Lava La Rue and the individuality of beabadoobee or Charlie XCX
In a 1997 VH1 interview, comedian Chris Rock asked Prince directly: “The androgynous thing—was that an act, or were you searching for your sexual identity?” Prince replied, “I don’t think I was searching, really. I was just being who I am. Being the true Gemini that I am, which means there are many sides to me.” He paused before acknowledging, “And there was a little acting going on, too.” Prince and his multi-racial, multi-gender band, The Revolution, embodied the spirit of revolution—controversies aside. 40 years on, Purple Rain remains an unparalleled, monumental, courageous and ambitious statement of how entertaining and enlightening musical entertainment can be. After all, purple is the colour of bravery and power.
Essential Info
Main image by jimi hughes from ballymena, n ireland via Wikimedia Commons