Outrageous Popstars
Lady Gaga always grabs media attention for her over-the-top costumes and outfits, but she’s not the first to wear weirdness, and might not even be the most outlandish pop star we’ve had. We collected some photos of some of the other pop stars who have dazzled, sparkled and even disturbed people with their unusual costumes, personas and styles. Starting of course, with the lady herself.
Lady Gaga
Provocative, controversial, and always interesting, Lady Gaga combined Grace Jones fashion sense, Madonna’s boldness and a whole lot of performance art to make her the breakout star of the decade. With a new album and tour on tap, you can bet that the look will match the sound and will definitely turn heads.
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LaBelle
Looking to separate themselves from the slew of girl groups that were around in the mid to late 60’s, Pattie LaBelle and The Bluebelles underwent a dramatic transformation. They shortened their name to LaBelle and the sound went from doo-wop based R&B to rock with a funk edge. Their onstage appearance also changed, taking their cues from glam rock. LaBelle made history when they became the first rock act to play The Metropolitan Opera House. with the ticket encouraging everyone to wear something silver. George Clinton said their look and space themed sound influenced him to take P-Funk in a similar vein, and the influence of LaBelle extends throughout this list.
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David Bowie
David Bowie was and is rock n roll’s ultimate chameleon. He defined androgyny first by wearing a dress on the cover of his album The Man Who Sold The World, then took it to epic heights (and to space) with Ziggy Stardust. Throughout his career, on stage and in films, Bowie evolved into a long list of personas from the well-tailored Thin White Duke and through post modernism, 80’s excess, drum n bass iconoclast and even casual cool.
Cher
One of the grand dames of popular culture, Cher is the only performer to have won an Academy Award, a Grammy, an Emmy and a Golden Globe. But aside from her singing and acting talents, Cher has been on the forefront of fashion ranging from the elegant, to the well, not so elegant, but way out of the mainstream. Even after nearly 50 years in the business, Cher isn’t slowing down: A new album and tour are in the works.
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Bootsy Collins
To be a standout member of the Parliament-Funkadelic crew was no easy task, but William ‘Bootsy’ Collins managed to pull it off with ease. Thigh high boots to match the equally outrageous space wear, a bass that looked like it was designed on Mars and of course, the vintage star mirrored sunglasses (so he can see the stars in your eyes) made Bootsy the most beloved of the all of the P-Funk crew.
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Elton John
Part Little Richard, Part Liberace, Elton John took stage costumes to almost absurd heights in the 70’s. His trademark glasses became a necessary fashion accessory. Add in Victorian outfits, giant feathers, even full Donald Duck. He has scaled it down considerable since then, but it left a mark on music that will in all likelihood won’t be matched again.
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Grace Jones
With an almost Amazonian physique, Grace Jones has made her presence know and felt in fashion, music and film. She was a creative muse for Andy Warhol and legendary photographer/director Jean Paul God and she’s learned a thing or two along the way. If her recent appearance at the Queen’s Jubilee Concert is any indication, more is one the way!
Gnarls Barkley
Danger Mouse was an up and coming producer who made a splash with The Grey Album. CeeLo Green was a featured vocalist in the Atlanta-based group Goodie Mob before embarking on a solo career. When they formed Gnarls Barkley, they flipped the music industry on its head when the uber-infectious ‘Crazy’ became the first downloadable only single to top the U.K. singles chart. For subsequent stage shows and magazine photo shoots, they and the band would dress up as characters from famous films (Star Wars, Grease) and/or TV shows (The Odd Couple). The different added a new dimension to one of pop cultures more unlikely success stories.
