Louis Prima and Keely Smith were talented jazz musicians but became the darlings of 1950s Las Vegas when they added comedy to their act.
Outrageous! —
Louis Prima and Keely Smith were talented jazz musicians but became the darlings of 1950s Las Vegas when they added comedy to their act.
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Many found Elvis' music pleasing to the ear, but his pelvic thrusts might have had just as much to do with the screaming throngs of teenage girls flocking to his shows.
Outrageous! —
Many found Elvis' music pleasing to the ear, but his pelvic thrusts might have had just as much to do with the screaming throngs of teenage girls flocking to his shows.
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In the mid-'60s, the Who were known for their instrument-destroying antics.
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In the mid-'60s, the Who were known for their instrument-destroying antics.
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Jimi Hendrix took the destruction to a new level when he set his guitar on fire, most notably at 1967's Monterey Pop Festival.
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Jimi Hendrix took the destruction to a new level when he set his guitar on fire, most notably at 1967's Monterey Pop Festival.
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Arthur Brown also incorporated fire into his act by wearing a flaming crown.
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Arthur Brown also incorporated fire into his act by wearing a flaming crown.
from arthurbrownmusic.com
Alice Cooper made his stage show into a comic-book house of horrors, complete with snakes, decapitated dolls and a guillotine.
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Alice Cooper made his stage show into a comic-book house of horrors, complete with snakes, decapitated dolls and a guillotine.
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The dependably theatrical David Bowie performs as Ziggy Stardust with the Spiders from Mars.
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The dependably theatrical David Bowie performs as Ziggy Stardust with the Spiders from Mars.
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KISS used makeup to take their personas to another level.
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KISS used makeup to take their personas to another level.
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Elton John became known for his over-the-top costumes and theatrical performances.
Outrageous! —
Elton John became known for his over-the-top costumes and theatrical performances.
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Cher was never shy about showing her body, as showed by her famous outfit, complete with headdress, for the 1986 Acadamy Awards.
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Cher was never shy about showing her body, as showed by her famous outfit, complete with headdress, for the 1986 Acadamy Awards.
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Wendy O. Williams and the Plasmatics became known for antics such as cutting guitars in half with a chainsaw, blowing up Cadillacs and putting black electrical tape to creative uses.
Outrageous! —
Wendy O. Williams and the Plasmatics became known for antics such as cutting guitars in half with a chainsaw, blowing up Cadillacs and putting black electrical tape to creative uses.
Courtesy Robert Farina/Plasmatics Media LLC
Madonna has courted controversy her entire career. Her suggestive, sex-laden performance during 1990's Blonde Ambition tour led authorities in Toronto to threaten to cancel her show.
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Madonna has courted controversy her entire career. Her suggestive, sex-laden performance during 1990's Blonde Ambition tour led authorities in Toronto to threaten to cancel her show.
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Shock rocker Marilyn Manson takes on gender roles, sexuality and religion in his performances. His group's members got their names from sex symbols and serial killers.
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Shock rocker Marilyn Manson takes on gender roles, sexuality and religion in his performances. His group's members got their names from sex symbols and serial killers.
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Lady Gaga stormed the scene combining music, fashion and performance art in a volatile mixture that rocketed her to to the top of the charts with the help of her "little monsters."
Outrageous! —
Lady Gaga stormed the scene combining music, fashion and performance art in a volatile mixture that rocketed her to to the top of the charts with the help of her "little monsters."
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In addition to catchy songs, Katy Perry uses brightly colored costumes -- one of which spouts whipped cream from her bra -- to catch her audience's attention.
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In addition to catchy songs, Katy Perry uses brightly colored costumes -- one of which spouts whipped cream from her bra -- to catch her audience's attention.
From Katyperry.com
Ke$ha, who appeared in Perry's "I Kissed a Girl" video, goes for glitter and, she told Spin magazine, a "Mad Max" vibe.
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Ke$ha, who appeared in Perry's "I Kissed a Girl" video, goes for glitter and, she told Spin magazine, a "Mad Max" vibe.
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With her expansive raps, colorful wigs and alter egos, Nicki Minaj has attracted a great deal of attention -- which is, of course, the point.
Outrageous! —
With her expansive raps, colorful wigs and alter egos, Nicki Minaj has attracted a great deal of attention -- which is, of course, the point.
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