One of the founding members of the Glitter Band, John Rossall has died…
OBITUARY by Ian Woolley
John Rossall
One of the most successful glam rock bands to come out of the ’70s was the Glitter Band who between them had managed to shake off the tarnished image of their ‘leader’ with whom they originally backed in their early days.
With many UK top tens in the mid-1970s, the band continued to tour long after the glam rock scene had passed, albeit in several guises between the various band members. One of which John Rossall had performed in almost right up to his death.
Blackpool-born John Rossall, along with Gerry Shephard, wrote the band’s biggest hits, the million-selling Angel Face, Let’s Get Together Again, Just For You, and 1975’s Goodbye My Love.
Having to pull out of his recent proposed tour due to ill health, he amazed fans the year before by releasing his first album for 40 years ‘Last Glam In Town‘ which was received well by the critics and various singles which received a lot of airplay – including one which topped several independent charts. More recently he was busy writing his autobiography.
The John Rossall Band 2021
At the time, Rossall was interviewed by Ian Woolley for the Beat which appeared in our January 2021 issue.
In the interview, Ian asked him “Are you the last glam in town”? to which he replied, “Probably…if the cap fits, wear it”.
It was announced over the weekend that Rossall had sadly passed away after his illness on his band’s official Facebook page. He was 75.