If you’ve never heard of Jobriath Boone, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Obscure even by “rock snob” standards, Jobriath was the first really openly gay rock star. David Bowie and Lou Reed flirted with bisexuality, nail polish and make-up, of course, but Jobriath was in his own words, “a true fairy.” He wasn’t just “out of the closet” he was out like a police siren with the volume turned up to eleven!

I’ve been a Jobriath freak for about 20 years when I stumbled upon his first LP at a New York City flea market. “What is THIS?” was my initial reaction to the cover, obviously influenced by the artwork for David Bowie’s “Diamond Dogs.” Clearly from the image on the cover, Jobriath was a 70s glitter rock wannabe. Make that perhaps a “neverwas,” for aside from a massive advertising campaign that saw his image on 250 New York buses and a 40 foot high poster in Times Square, two solid LPs (recorded with the likes of Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones and Peter Frampton) and a memorable Midnight Special performance, Jobriath was a massive flop at the time. Too gay for mid-America in 1974? For sure, but that hasn’t stopped Jobriath’s Broadway showtunes meets glam rock oeuvre from being rediscovered by fresh ears this decade. Championed by Morrissey, Neil Tennant from the Pet Shop Boys and singer-actress Ann Magnuson (who once told me that I was “the only straight guy in the world who’s ever even HEARD of Jobriath” back in the early 90s), the tiny cult of Jobriath got a lot of new members when the CD complation Lonely Planet Boy was released in 2004. His life was also a major part of the inspiration for Todd Haynes’ Velvet Goldmine although few people realize that fact (the Maxwell Demon album covers are direct homages to the original Jobriath records). Admittedly, his music isn’t for everyone—some people just HATE it—but for those of you who embraced the equally obscure Klaus Nomi, you’ll probably love Jobriath.

Rock of Ages on The Midnight Special

I’m Ready for my Close-Up an informative Jobriath article from MOJO.

Why You Should Like Jobriath

This article originally appeared at Boing Boing when I was guest blogging there

“...obviously influenced by the artwork for David Bowie?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s ?¢‚Ǩ?ìDiamond Dogs.”“

Unless I’m mistaken, it’s the other way around.

Wikipedia: “His manager, Jerry Brandt, organized a huge marketing campaign, which included full-length posters on buses, full page ads in magazines and a 43?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢ by 41?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢ billboard in Times Square, featuring a nude Jobriath, made to resemble the remains of a ancient, Roman statue.”

Jobriath’s self-titled first album was released in 1973. Bowie’s “Diamond Dogs” wasn’t released until 1974. Jobriath was obviously influenced by Bowie, but Bowie gets a lot of credit that should go to Marc Bolan. Also, Jobriath was closer to Klaus Nomi. They were beyond even what Bowie was willing to try. Fans can debate whether that was a good or a bad thing. I love all the glammers. All distinct flavors of those glittering bygone days. Thanks for the post. Sign me, just another Jobriath fanatic.

Melvillian,

You are right and I am wrong, at least about the dates. For some (wrong) reason, I always assumed that Children of the Night was the first Jobriath record, and I guess I never checked the dates. However on the issue of whether or not Bowie was influenced by Jobriath, I think that’s probably not true. We know, for instance, that Bowie’s use of Flemish artist Guy Peellaert for the Diamond Dogs cover was DB mischievously trying to beat Mick Jagger to the punch, as Peellaert had already painted the It’s Only Rock and Roll for the Stones and had let this slip to Bowie who also hired the artist and released his album first.

I am willing to entertain that it’s possible. Of course Bowie ripped off everyone from Anthony Newley to Neu! during the course of his career. The idea of him ripping off Jobriath seems remote, though, to my mind.

Thank you for correcting me!

RM

I bought a european pressing of his first album at Ear Records in Bremen, Germany the week it came out (which would have made me 14 or 15 at the time. And straight btw). I was curious after the hype I’d been seeing in the various UK and US music papers at the time.

It was ok. Nowhere near the greatness the hype or the interviews I’d read would have led me to believe (I still maintain that is what killed his career more than his open homosexuality) 3 songs stuck out enough for me to give his second album a chance when it came out. I liked the second album a lot more than the first one. Still do.

Comparing Jobriath to Klaus Nomi though? Nigga please. Klaus Nomi is just plain obnoxious. Jobriath is not. Eccentric, at times a bit too over the top and oftentimes more yelpy than he needs to be, sure. But not flat out obnoxious like Klaus Nomi.

nope

To Richard Metzger,
Thank you for the info on Guy Peellaert. I am a big fan and always happy to learn about the history surrounding his work. Another favorite of mine is Nazario who did Lou Reed’s “Take No Prisoners” Do you know his work?
Thanks again,
SS

Undoubtebly Jobriath was influenced by Bowie.  What person of no-heterosexual nature wouldn’t have been, if they tried it on in the mainstream?

Having said that Jobriath’s tour that was cancelled in 73-74 had extensive set designs already created.  Once it was cancelled Bowie bought these set designs, for his diamond dogs tour.  Maybe Bowie wasn’t musically influenced but there certainly were creative links

I saw Jobriath perform at the Boarding House in San Francisco. Like everyone else who was there, I don’t remember much, beyond kissing supporting act Pamela Polland when she came out into the audience and striking out trying to get her to go home with me between her set and Jobriath’s. I also remember Jobriath doing some semi-balletic moves wearing nothing more that white underpants and a lacy collar thing under a single white pinspot. I spoke to a Jobriath researcher a few years back who said he couldn’t find anybody who could remember anything about Jobriath shows anywhere ... “huge memory holes” was his exact phrase. Apparently Polland doesn’t recall being there even though she was in the show. Those were the days.
Bowie did not buy sets from Jobriath. Bowie’s sets for the Diamond Dogs tour were designed a big Broadway set designer (can’t remember his name - Jules something I think). I don’t think Jobriath’s sets got beyond the planning stage.
Jobriath was really closer to Elton John musically back then than Bowie.
Jobriath’s song “Outside” on the first album is one of the greatest ballads of all time, as far as I am concerned.
A brilliant light too soon extinguished.

Sorry - I meant to say I think “Inside” is one of greatest ballads of all time.

Knoxie you seem to know your stuff.  I can only go on what I’ve read so there may be a hint of myth.

Hayden Wayne claims to have heard that the set was bought by Bowie for his upcoming tour, and Obie who part of Jobriath’s entourage insist that Bowie’s set was an altered version of Jobriath’s.  Apparently the sets were built by Design Associates.  Whatever happened to the set Hayden Wayne is insistent that he saw it waiting to be finished:

http://www.newmillenniumrecords.com/indulgence.html

Thank you for the link to Hayden Wayne’s site. What a fascinating read. I also listened to a bunch of his music. Very interesting.
I went back and checked a couple books. Bowie hired Broadway designer Jules Fisher to do the Diamond Dogs tour (1974)set. Bowie was at the time obsessed with German expressionist art/film and wanted a set that resembled Metropolis and the Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. I can find no mention of Jobriath’s sets anywhere. I have a feeling they are the stuff of legend, since the money was gone and the band had imploded and Jobriath’s awful manager had disappeared before they got built. Really a sad story, but one told many times.
But the Beastie Boys had an inflatable penis on one of their sets! I have no way of knowing if they had ever heard of Jobriath’s idea, however.