FROM QUEER TO NOW

TEN BRIGHT LIGHTS OF THE PAST

Bright Lights has worked with or referenced some of the most venerated names in gay music history. Allow DNA to guide you through ten of these talented LGBTIQ+ icons…

BESSIE SMITH

Bisexual, Black blues/jazz legend who died in 1937 but not before scandalizing the world. Queerest tracks: I Need A Little Sugar In My Bowl, The Boy On The Boat.

ELTON JOHN

Music legend immortalised in 2019’s Oscar winning biopic Rocketman. Queerest track: Don’t Go Breaking My Heart (with RuPaul).

SYLVESTER

San Francisco’s flamboyant Queen Of Disco who died of AIDS in 1988.

Queerest tracks: Menergy and Do You Wanna Funk?

BRONSKI BEAT

1980s British electropop trio (all queer) originally fronted by Jimmy Somerville.

Queerest tracks: Smalltown Boy and Why.

PET SHOP BOYS

British electropop duo (one out, one not) who this year released their 14th album Hotspot. Queerest tracks: Go West, Absolutely Fabulous, Nervously.

ERASURE

British electropop duo (one gay, one not) who this year released their 18th album The Neon. Queerest track: Take A Chance On Me (doing ABBA drag in the video).

SHEP PETTIBONE

Producer/remixer of some of the biggest dance hits of all time like 1990’s Vogue Queerest track: Deeper And Deeper by Madonna.

THUNDERPUSS 2000

Dance remix duo of Chris Cox and Barry Harris who split in 2003 to go solo. Queerest track: It’s Not Right But It’s Okay by Whitney Houston.

SCISSOR SISTERS

Groundbreaking noughties queer poprock band fronted by Jake Shears. Queerest tracks: Let’s Have A Kiki and Filthy/Gorgeous.

HERCULES & LOVE AFFAIR

Disco-house outfit fronted by redhead DJ Andy Butler who released four albums.

Queerest track: Blind (featuring Anohni) the Frankie Knuckles Remix.