IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE that a figure so much larger than life has been gone for almost 30 years, but Divine’s presence still looms large. The star of John Waters’ early cheapo feature films like Pink Flamingos, Divine had only just transformed from cult freak to real celebrity with his turn as Edna Turnblad in the original Hairspray movie when he died of a heart attack at age 42.
Glenn Milstead (the name his parents gave him) not only forged a career in cult cinema, he also had a nice little side earner in high-energy pop that saw him visit the Top 40 on occasion. His two biggest territories for success were the UK and Australia, which clasped him to their collective bosom. His song, You Think You’re A Man, surged into the top ten on the back of a TV appearance that not only scared parents but thrilled budding perverts. Gay clubs would toss on Divine’s dizzy, infectious tunes and the dance floor would be thrown into rampage. Tracks like Native Love (Step By Step), Shoot Your Shot and the greatest self-love anthem of all time, I’m So Beautiful, were staples.