Shock rock

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Shock rock is an umbrella term for bands in many different music genres which combine rock music with elements of shock value in a stage performance involving acts of theatricality, sex and/or violence which are designed to push the limits of decency.

Screamin' Jay Hawkins was arguably the first shock rocker. After the success of his 1956 hit "I Put A Spell On You", Hawkins began a stage show where he'd emerge from a coffin, sing to a skull and set off smoke bombs, among other gimmicks. Screaming Lord Sutch came along a few years later, with stage name inspired by Hawkins, and a similar performance routine.

Alice Cooper was, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, one of the most notorious shock rockers. His spectacularly elaborate yet controversial shows were a powerful inspiration for many future artists such as Gene Simmons (KISS) of the mid 1970s, King Diamond of the 80's, and Marilyn Manson of the 1990s.

From the late 1970s to his death in 1993, punk rock performer GG Allin was known for his many "shock rock" concerts, which included defecating on stage, eating it, and throwing it at the audience, performing naked, receiving oral sex from fans, self mutilation, fights with the audience, and supposedly having sex with his brother, Merle Allin.

Arthur Brown, the Cramps, the Tubes, Gwar, Rob Zombie, Slipknot, Lordi, W.A.S.P., Lizzy Borden, Peppermint Creeps, White Zombie, The Misfits, Genitorturers, The Mentors, The Plasmatics, Mötley Crüe, Nashville Pussy, Marilyn Manson, Lords of Acid, King Diamond, Jack Off Jill and Butthole Surfers are or were also well-known for their shocking onstage antics.

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