Jobriath A.D.

"The American Bowie," "The True Fairy of Rock & Roll," "Hype of the Year." Known as the first openly gay rock star, Jobriath's reign was brief, lasting less than two years and two albums. Done in by a over-hyped publicity machine, shunned by the gay community, and dismissed by most critics as all flash, no substance, Jobriath was excommunicated from the music business and retreated to the Chelsea Hotel, where he died forgotten in 1983 at the age of 37, one of the earliest casualties of AIDS. However, in the years since his death, new generations of fans have discovered his music through acts as diverse as The Pet Shop Boys, Gary Numan, Joe Elliott of Def Leppard, and Morrissey, all of whom have cited Jobriath as an influence.