Were the band dead or alive all gay
People in LGBTQ+ melody history that possess made a difference
Virgin Radio
18 Feb 2022, 11:21
Credit: Getty
It’s Queer history month! So, we’re celebrating by looking at the people in the music industry that have made a difference.
We all comprehend how influential the likes of Freddie Mercury, Elton John and George Michael have been in terms of creating queer acceptance in the music industry, and it is important we last to recognise that.
But, there are others that have played a part.
So, here are some unsung heroes in Homosexual music history, from the 60s to today, that we think deserve some extra recognition:
Brian Epstein | Frank Russo/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
While some of you may not own heard of Brian Epstein, you will definitely know of The Beatles.
After a brief attempt at an acting career, Brian came across the iconic band when he saw them perform exist in 1961 at the Cavern Club.
He had listened to some of their records beforehand and was so impressed by their sound, he became their manager.
Brian is largely responsible for transforming the image of The Beatles from leather-jacketed young boys who smoked and drank on stage to the more clean-
We all know the pos "icon" is horribly overused, but it's still the best way to portray Pete Burns. Anything else would feel too petty and restricting for the singer and reality celebrity who defied easy categorisation but always made a massive impact. Seven years after his untimely death at the age of 57, clips from Burns' caustic 2006 stint on Celebrity Big Brother maintain to circulate on social media. One stinging put-down – "you're insincere to the point of nausea", aimed at Baywatch actress Traci Bingham – has become a camp classic.
Artist and cabaret star Stephen Eyre aka Cassandra was 11 when they watched Burns on the demonstrate. They recall being "transfixed" by his "hilarious acid tongue" and "flamboyant yet staunch glamour", which is perhaps best encapsulated by the controversial fur coat he had confiscated by Big Brother. "I loved his feminine look with elements of masculine bolshiness," Cassandra says.
Celebrity Big Brother introduced Burns to a new audience when he was in his mid-forties, but he spent his entire adult life fronting the pioneering dance-pop team Dead or Alive. Their 1985 signature hit Freddie is not only a global musical icon, but is considered, by many, as a national treasure for the United Kingdom. Also read: 20 Minutes That Changed The History Of Music: Remembering Live Aid When interviewed by NME magazine about his sexual orientation, he playfully responded: “I’m as gay as a daffodil, my dear!” And even if he did not openly talk about his private life, it is well known that he spent the last of his years living with his longtime spouse Jim Hutton. Queen’s guitarist, Brian May, also stated in a 2008 interview: “I know that all through his life Fred didn’t think that whether he was gay or not was important.” Ryan Butcher, editor of LGBT website PinkNews, also stated: “It wasn’t just about sexuality with him; it was about his whole identity and the flamboyant persona he projected on stage, which is one of the main things Queen is known for.” Why he inspires us: Freddie was not only a global rock music icon for the world and an inspiration for the LGBTQI+ society, he was also acknowledged for being a colossal cat lover, so much that he actually assigned an entire album in the name of his cats. Mr. Bad G In honour of LGBT+ History Month, BA International Relations student, Francesca Foulkes talks about Pete Burns, an often-overlooked queer Scouser whose story highlights the ongoing marginalisation of LGBT+ and gender non-conforming people, especially in the melody industry. Born on the Wirral in 1959, Pete Burns dropped out of school at age 14 because of the discrimination he faced for his unconventionally androgynous appearance. He then began working in a record shop and formed his first band, which by 1980 had been renamed Dead or Alive. In 1985, their groundbreaking single “You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)” hit No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart, catapulting Dead or Alive and Burns to fame. In his personal life, Burns married Lynne Corlett in 1980, but they divorced amicably in 2006 and Burns entered a civil partnership with Michael Simpson in 2007. Although he was frequently questioned about his gender identity, Burns reiterated that he was a cisgender man but loosely categorised his sexuality as “queer”, stating that “There’s got to be a completely different terminology and I’m not aware if it’s been invented yet. I’m just Pete”. Today, the LGBTQ+ collective can look to several gay musicians for inspiration, but that wasn’t always the case. Several pioneering openly homosexual singers paved the way from a time when sexual orientation wasn’t a topic for universal discussion. Indeed, these legendary gay musicians faced tremendous backlash and damage to their careers because of their honesty and openness. As we scout queer performance art, we pay homage to those who came before us. In this piece, we’ll list some of the most influential names in the queer art movement and their impact on our past and present. Undoubtedly, the business industry has reach a long way in accepting and representing LGBTQ+ individuals. However, it wasn't always this way, especially for musicians. Coming out as a gay musician in the 20th century was no tiny feat. It required immense courage and determination, especially when the music industry was predominantly hetero-normative. Sexuality was not only a taboo topic for public discussion but could also result in alienation from fans and even cause ruin to one's career. As such, many gay musicians chose to keep their sexual orientation veiledThe Most Iconic LGBTQI+ Tune Idols Of All Times
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