Repeated listens to Hercules And Love Affair last night left the P and I discussing the concept of the “male diva”. Antony Hegarty’s transformation into a sultry disco queen had us both amazed, and got us talking about who else fits into the ‘male diva’ category. The P wasn’t sure that male divas can exist outside of disco, but I disagree. For me, the term means more than a disco queen, a ‘prima donna’ or an androgynous character. Male divas project a flamboyant, stylish personality that’s larger than life and beyond rock star. Some are androgynous, and many are difficult, but all of these figures are shining beacons – attention magnets that demand you take notice…
Freddie Mercury | The undisputed champion male diva naturally fronted a band called Queen. In spite of bad teeth and a state trooper ’stache, Mercury was one of the most glamorous rock stars of his day.
Sir Monti Rock III | The voice of Disco Tex & His Sex-O-lettes, Sir Monti had all the props any good male diva needs: fly hats, big fur coats, and tons of jewelry. His chiffon is wet, darling.
Prince | If Prince Rogers Nelson was just your average midwestern funkateer, he’d still make this list just for changing his name to that unpronounceable symbol for nearly a decade.
Sylvester | Nicknamed the “Queen of Disco”, Sylvester James was a transvestite hit-machine (’You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)’ ‘Dance (Disco Heat)’ and more) who set the bar for disco queens who followed.
Mick Jagger | Nobody prances like Mick.
Elton John | “I’m the Connie Francis of rock ‘n’ roll” – Sir Elton John
Axl Rose | Forget the skin tight bicycle shorts, the habitual tardiness, and those adorable dreadlocks – only a true diva can take 10 years and spend $15 million on a single album. And besides, how could I squander this chance to put Axl and Liberace back-to-back?
Liberace | He wore more bling than the entire Wu Tang Clan, and might have had more chutzpah as well. It’s quite possible that he invented this category…
Robert Plant | He’s got the flowing, curly locks, and a falsetto that can crack bulletproof glass, but when Percy referred to himself as a “golden god”, he cemented his place in this Top 10.
RuPaul | Is he really a musician? Does it really matter? This list is no doubt incomplete without the man born RuPaul Andre Charles.
*****
And a half dozen runners-up…
Kanye West
David Lee Roth
Tom Jones
Johnny Rotten
David Johansen
David Bowie
*****
Listen: It’s Raining Men
Tags: Antony Hegarty, Axl Rose, Disco Tex & His Sex-O-lettes, Elton John, Freddie Mercury, Liberace, male divas, Mick Jagger, Prince, Robert Plant, RuPaul, Sir Monti Rock III, Sylvester
24 July 2008 at 7:47 am |
Other Foo choices: Eddie Vedder, Sid Vicious, Jello Biafra, Dee Snider (the dude from Twisted Sister), Elvis, Paul Stanley, Beck, Sting, George Michael, Eazy E; Weiland. Oh, and Billy Joel.
I woulda put DL Roth right behind Freddie Mercury.
24 July 2008 at 1:07 pm |
Don’t forget the pre-gangsta rap version of Dr. Dre… back when he was with World Class Wreckin’ Crew.
25 July 2008 at 10:26 am |
No Paul Stanley from Kiss?
even as a little kid i always thought he was, uh, you know, “happy”…
25 July 2008 at 10:27 am |
Great suggestions, all.
James Brown probably deserved at least an honorable mention as well.
25 July 2008 at 12:31 pm |
Um, excuse me?
“Androgynous, difficult, attention magnets that demand you take notice”?
And you don’t include Iggy? Shame on you.
Maybe this clip will help clear up things:
25 July 2008 at 2:59 pm |
Yes, of course. That’s a tremendous oversight on my part.
Consider him an honorary member of the club…
25 July 2008 at 5:22 pm |
I think Hendrix may belong in there as well. Probably not Top 10, but certainly Top 20.
25 July 2008 at 6:22 pm |
Unlike many of the other suggestions here, I actually did consider Jimi. If you’re going strictly on clothes, he’s in no question. But in the end he seemed a little too agreeable of a character to fit into the ‘diva’ section.
However, in hindsight he’s a solid honorable mention selection…
One could probably also make a pretty good case for Neil Diamond and his sequined suits.
26 July 2008 at 5:53 am |
Lou Reed…???
lesser known but Michael Des Barres of Silverhead….
and Dear lord you forgot Marc Bolan of T Rex!
Alice Cooper from 68 to 73???
26 July 2008 at 5:54 am |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quuCN320ba8&feature=related
for some silverhead love….
26 July 2008 at 5:57 am |
Robert Smith of The Cure???????
26 July 2008 at 7:05 am |
Marc Bolan flashed through my mind, although in the light of day it’s hard to remember why I didn’t think he was worthy of at least honorable mention.
With the hairspray, mascara and fake retirements, Robert Smith definitely belonged here. My bad. A few more suggestions like that and I’m going to have to come up with part 2 of this list…
10 August 2008 at 9:25 am |
Robert Plant was certainly the sexiest and most beautiful of the male divas.