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Queer As Punk

To mark LGBT+ History Month, another chance to hear Jon Savage explories the effect of LGBT+ culture on the early days of punk and how queer punks influenced 80s music.

To mark LGBT+ History Month, another chance to hear Jon Savage exploring the frequently overlooked story of the effect of LGBT+ culture on the early days of punk and how queer punks went on to influence Eighties music.

We'll hear how the impact of Bowie and Lou Reed’s public assertions of bisexuality created a catalyst for radical LGBT+ culture to emerge from the sidelines, (including trans superstar Wayne/Jayne County in New York) & led to queer becoming the new cool for a generation of music lovers with attitude who converged in the only place they were safe, as strange-looking outsiders from the mainstream: gay clubs. In the mid-Seventies traditional lesbian nightspot Club Louise became a refuge for the Bromley Contingent led by Siouxsie Sioux, the gang from the Sex shop including McLaren and the Sex Pistols alongside every key member of the fledgling punk scene. Similar scenes were springing up around the country including at gay club The Ranch in Manchester, a home from home for Buzzcocks and The Fall. In Liverpool queer punks like Holly Johnson and Pete Burns were converging at Eric’s.

Taking its fashion inspiration from gay and fetish wear, these cultural crossovers are key to understanding the true spirit of punk.


As punk went mainstream, the queers went underground to clubs like Billys and The Blitz and regrouped to create the next big cultural moment - New Romantic.

We hear from those that were on the frontline of this cultural confluence, from Pete Shelley, Jayne County, Jordan, Tom Robinson and Pete Burns to those who worked at gay punk clubs such as DJ Princess Julia and Ranch barman Steve Shy.

First broadcast in July 2017, as part of 6 Music’s Loud and Proud season.

1 hour

Last on

Thu 1 Jun 2023 02:00
ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 6 Music

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  • Get details of programmes celebrating gay culture and its journey over the last 50 years.

Clips

See all clips from Queer As Punk (7)

Music Played

  • David Bowie

    Queen Bitch

    • EMI.

  • David Bowie

    White Light/White Heat

    • Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars: The Motion Picture Soundtrack CD2.
    • EMI.

  • David Bowie

    Andy Warhol

    • EMI.

  • David Bowie

    Starman

  • David Bowie

    John, I'm Only Dancing

    • EMI.

  • Lou Reed

    I'm So Free

    • Transformer.
    • RCA VICTOR.

  • Roxy Music

    Editions Of You

    • For Your Pleasure.
    • EMI Germany.
    • 8.

  • T. Rex

    20th Century Boy

    • Telstar.

  • New York Dolls

    Jet Boy

  • New York Dolls

    Trash

    • Mercury.

  • Wayne County and the Black Street Boys

    Max's Kansas City 1976

    • Blank Generation: The New York Scene.
    • Rhino Records.

  • Lou Reed

    Kicks [Live]

    • Perfect Night Live In London.
    • Reprise Records.

  • Diana Ross

    Love Hangover

    • Diana Ross One Woman The Ultimate Collection.
    • Ram Records.

  • David Bowie

    Golden Years

    • EMI.

  • Bryan Ferry

    Let's Stick Together

    • Virgin.

  • Marilyn Monroe

    I Wanna Be Loved By You

    • 25 Unforgettable Memories Part 1.
    • MAYBELLENE.

  • Van McCoy

    The Hustle

    • Golden Hits Of The 70's (Various Artists).
    • BR Music.

  • Patti Smith

    Gloria

    • ARISTA.

  • Ramones

    Blitzkrieg Bop

    • Sire.

  • Ramones

    53rd & 3rd

    • All The Stuff (And More) Volume 1.
    • Sire.

  • Sex Pistols

    Submission

    • Never Mind The Bollocks.

  • Sex Pistols

    Anarchy In The U.K.

  • Sex Pistols

    Did You No Wrong

    • Sex Pistols.
    • Virgin.

  • Wire

    12XU

    • On Returning.
    • EMI.

  • Sex Pistols

    God Save The Queen

    • Virgin.

  • Siouxsie and the Banshees

    20th Century Boy

    • Siouxsie And The Banshees - Downside Up.
    • Universal.
    • 2.

  • X‐Ray Spex

    Oh Bondage Up Yours

    • Virgin.

  • Buzzcocks

    Orgasm Addict

    • Operators Manual: Buzzcocks Best.
    • EMI.

  • Buzzcocks

    Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)

    • EMI.

  • Buzzcocks

    Why Can't I Touch It?

  • The Distractions

    Time Goes By So Slow

    • Palatine Volume 3: The Beat Groups.
    • Factory.

  • Wayne County & The Electric Chairs

    Man Enough To Be A Woman

    • Attic.

  • Giorgio Moroder

    The Chase

    • And They Danced The Night Away CD1.
    • Casablanca Records.

  • Gina X

    No GDM

    • Intenational Deejay Gigolo.

  • Culture Club

    It's A Miracle

    • Culture Club - Greatest Moments.
    • Virgin.

  • Dead or Alive

    You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)

    • Wave Party (Various Artists).
    • Columbia.
    • 4.

Broadcasts

  • Sun 30 Jul 2017 13:00
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 6 Music
  • Sun 31 Dec 2017 04:00
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 6 Music
  • Fri 16 Nov 2018 01:00
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 6 Music
  • Thu 11 Feb 2021 01:00
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 6 Music
  • Thu 1 Jun 2023 02:00
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 6 Music

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