Cock Rock - Use of The Term

Use of The Term

Cock rock was first mentioned by an anonymous author in the New York-based underground feminist publication Rat in 1970, to describe the male dominated music industry and became a synonym for hard rock, emphasising the aggressive expression of male sexuality, often misogynist lyrics and use of phallic imagery. The term was used by sociologists Simon Frith and Angela McRobbie in 1978 to point to the contrast between male dominated sub-culture of cock rock which was "aggressive, dominating and boastful" and the more feminised teenybop stars of pop music. Led Zeppelin have been described as "the quintessential purveyors of 'cock rock'". Other formative acts include the Rolling Stones, The Who and Jim Morrison of The Doors.

Since the 1980s, the term has been sometimes interchangeable with hair metal or glam metal. Examples of this style include: Mötley Crüe, Ratt, Warrant, Extreme, Cinderella, Pretty Boy Floyd, Jackyl, L.A. Guns, and Poison. Despite the name, many of these bands had large numbers of female fans. The spoof documentary This is Spinal Tap is an acclaimed parody of the style. In the 21st century, there was a revival of the visual and musical style with the sleaze metal movement in Sweden, with acts including Vains of Jenna.