We thought that’s the way you were supposed to be if you were in a rock ‘n’ roll band. Flamboyant.
Meaning of the quote
According to David Johansen, who was a musician in a rock 'n' roll band, he and his bandmates believed that to be successful in that type of music, they needed to be very flashy and dramatic in their appearance and behavior. They thought that being flamboyant and over-the-top was the expected way to be in a rock band.
About David Johansen
David Johansen is an American singer, songwriter, and actor best known as a member of the influential proto-punk band the New York Dolls. He’s also known for his work under the stage name Buster Poindexter and for playing the Ghost of Christmas Past in the film Scrooged.