The 1970s had no shortage of over-the-top rock stars, but few committed to their personas as fully as Zolar X. While other glam rock bands played around with sci-fi themes, Zolar X didn’t just dress the part—they lived it.
Formed in 1973 by Stephen Della Bosca (who went by Ygarr Ygarrist), Zolar X presented themselves as rockers from ‘Zolaria City, Plutonia.’ Along with Zory Zenith, Zany Zatovian, and Eon Flash, they became a fixture in the Los Angeles club scene, especially at Rodney Bingenheimer’s English Disco, where they shared the stage with acts like Iggy Pop, the New York Dolls, and Jobriath.
But they didn’t just look like aliens—they talked like them too. The band created their own language and stuck to it, both on and off stage. This level of commitment made them stand out from other glam rock acts, earning them a dedicated following, even though they never broke into the mainstream.
Public Attention Didn’t Help Their Downfall
Despite their dedication, Zolar X had a hard time making it big. They never landed a major record deal, and their music was mostly released through small indie labels. Their 1982 album ‘Timeless’ was more of a collection of demos than a proper studio album.
Reactions to the band were mixed—some saw them as ahead of their time, possibly even influencing bands like KISS, while others thought they were just a gimmick. Their refusal to drop the act may have made it harder for them to be taken seriously.
At one point, they were considered for a Monkees-style TV show, but nothing came of it. The mainstream rock world, which was shifting towards more serious rock and punk, didn’t quite know what to do with them.
Like many bands of that era, they also dealt with internal conflicts. Members came and went, and by the early 80s, they had mostly faded from the scene. Ygarr Ygarrist struggled with alcoholism and eventually stepped away from music, settling in Nevada. Meanwhile, Zory Zenith got involved in religious studies before ending up in prison for 10 years. It seemed like Zolar X was destined to be just another forgotten band from the 70s.
They Got A Second Chance
But the story didn’t end there. In 2004, their music was rediscovered, and Jello Biafra from the Dead Kennedys reissued ‘Timeless,’ sparking new interest in the band. They reunited in 2005—minus Zenith, who was still in prison—and even received a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ at the first-ever LARPY Awards for their dedication to role-playing.
Since then, their music has been reassessed, with many now recognizing their influence on glam rock, punk, and theatrical rock performances. They’ve even been featured on modern rock radio shows, proving their legacy still has an audience.
Zolar X still has a loyal fanbase, and Ygarr Ygarrist remains active in music. In recent years, the band has been working on a documentary called ‘Starmen On Sunset,’ though it hasn’t been released yet.
