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Encyclopedia > T. Rex (band)
T. Rex

Background information
Origin England
Genre(s) Rock
Glam Rock
Protopunk
Years active 1967–1977
Former members
Marc Bolan
Steve Peregrin Took
Mickey Finn
Bill Legend
Steve Currie
Herbie Flowers
Dino Dines
Tony Newman
Miller Anderson
Jack Green
Gloria Jones
Davy Lutton

T. Rex (originally known as Tyrannosaurus Rex, also occasionally spelled T Rex or T-Rex), were an English rock band fronted by Marc Bolan. It was founded in 1960s London and found success as a 1970s glam rock group. Image File history File links T._Rex_(Album). ... Mark Feld (September 30, 1947 – September 16, 1977), better known as Marc Bolan, was a singer and songwriter for the band Tyrannosaurus Rex (later called T. Rex), from 1967 until his death in a car crash in 1977. ... Mickey Finn or occasionally Micky Finn (born Michael Norman Finn on 3 June 1947 in Thornton Heath, Surrey, England, died on 11 January 2003), was the percussionist and sideman to Marc Bolan in his band Tyrannosaurus Rex (on one album, A Beard of Stars), and later, the 70s Glam Rock... Image File history File links Flag_of_England_(bordered). ... Motto: (French for God and my right) Anthem: God Save the King/Queen Capital London Largest city London Official language(s) English (de facto) Unification    - by Athelstan AD 927  Area    - Total 130,395 km² (1st in UK)   50,346 sq mi  Population    - 2005 est. ... A music genre is a category (or genre) of pieces of music that share a certain style or basic musical language (van der Merwe 1989, p. ... Rock is a form of popular music from the mid 20th century which typically features a vocal melody (often with vocal harmony) that is supported by accompaniment of electric guitars, a bass guitar, and drums, often with a strong back beat. ... Glam rock (also known as glitter rock), was a style of rock and roll music popularised in the early 1970s. ... Protopunk is a term used to describe a number of performers who were important precursors of punk rock, or who have been cited by early punk rockers as influential. ... Mark Feld (September 30, 1947 – September 16, 1977), better known as Marc Bolan, was a singer and songwriter for the band Tyrannosaurus Rex (later called T. Rex), from 1967 until his death in a car crash in 1977. ... Steve Peregin Took (left) Steve Peregrin Took (July 28, 1949 – October 27, 1980) was an English musician. ... Mickey Finn or occasionally Micky Finn (born Michael Norman Finn on 3 June 1947 in Thornton Heath, Surrey, England, died on 11 January 2003), was the percussionist and sideman to Marc Bolan in his band Tyrannosaurus Rex (on one album, A Beard of Stars), and later, the 70s Glam Rock... William Fifield, also known as Bill Legend was the drummer for the groups Legend (under his real name) and the vastly more successful T. Rex. ... Steve Currie was the bassist for the British rock band T. Rex from 1970 to 1976. ... Herbie Flowers is an English studio musician specialising in bass guitar, double-bass and tuba, who came to prominence as the bass player with David Bowie and Elton John, and then later Lou Reed. ... Dino Dines (born Peter Dines on December 17, 1944, died January 28, 2004) was a keyboardist best known for his work with T. Rex. ... Jack Green (b. ... The cover of 1979 album, Windstorm Gloria Jones (born 12 September 1938 in Longview, Texas) is an American singer. ... Motto: (French for God and my right) Anthem: God Save the King/Queen Capital London Largest city London Official language(s) English (de facto) Unification    - by Athelstan AD 927  Area    - Total 130,395 km² (1st in UK)   50,346 sq mi  Population    - 2005 est. ... Rock is a form of popular music from the mid 20th century which typically features a vocal melody (often with vocal harmony) that is supported by accompaniment of electric guitars, a bass guitar, and drums, often with a strong back beat. ... Mark Feld (September 30, 1947 – September 16, 1977), better known as Marc Bolan, was a singer and songwriter for the band Tyrannosaurus Rex (later called T. Rex), from 1967 until his death in a car crash in 1977. ... London (pronounced ) is the capital city of England and the United Kingdom. ... Glam rock (also known as glitter rock), was a style of rock and roll music popularised in the early 1970s. ...

Contents

Formation

The band was founded by Marc Bolan in 1967 and performed just once as a four-piece rock band, at Electric Garden in Covent Garden, London, before immediately breaking up in disarray. Bolan retained the services of percussionist Steve "Peregrin" Took and the duo began producing eccentric, pastoral, and folk-tinged ditties steeped in Tolkienian mythology, with spiritual homages to Gene Vincent and Eddie Cochran thrown into the mix for good measure. Mark Feld (September 30, 1947 – September 16, 1977), better known as Marc Bolan, was a singer and songwriter for the band Tyrannosaurus Rex (later called T. Rex), from 1967 until his death in a car crash in 1977. ... 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar (the link is to a full 1967 calendar). ... Covent Garden is a district in central London and within the easterly bounds of the City of Westminster. ... London (pronounced ) is the capital city of England and the United Kingdom. ... Steve Peregrin Took (1949–1980) was a British musician. ... Folk music, in the original sense of the term, is music by and for the common people. ... John Ronald Reuel Tolkien CBE (3 January 1892 – 2 September 1973) was an English writer and university professor who is best known as the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. ... Gene Vincent, real name Vincent Eugene Craddock, (February 11, 1935 – October 12, 1971) was an American rockabilly pioneer musician, best known for his hit Be-Bop-A-Lula. // [edit] Early life His parents, Ezekiah Jackson and Mary Louise Craddock, were shop owners in Norfolk, Virginia. ... Eddie Cochran Edward Ray Eddie Cochran (October 3, 1938 – April 17, 1960) was an early American rockabilly musician and an important influence on popular music during the late 1950s and early 1960s. ...


The combination of Bolan's acoustic guitar and cat-like wail with Steve Took's bongos and assorted percussion, which often included children's instruments such as the Pixiephone, gained them a devoted following on a thriving underground scene that included the Incredible String Band. Disc jockey John Peel befriended the band and ferried them to and from gigs in his Mini. Peel later appeared on record with them, reading stories written by Bolan. Another key collaborator was producer Tony Visconti, who went on to produce the band's albums well into their second phase. The Pixiephone was a childrens toy sold in the UK in the 1960s and 1970s, similar to the Melodica. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... For other meanings of DJ, see DJ (disambiguation). ... Autobiography John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE (30 August 1939 – 25 October 2004), known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey, radio presenter, and journalist. ... For the new MINI, see MINI (BMW). ... Tony Visconti in the 1970s Tony Visconti (born April 24, 1944) is a record producer, and often an instrumentalist or singer, who has had a long and illustrious career working with some of the best known popular music artists from the late 1960s onwards, notably T. Rex, David Bowie...


Tyrannosaurus Rex

By 1968, the act had become a modest success on radio and on record, and had released three albums. Whilst Bolan's early material was rock and roll influenced folk and protopunk, he was now writing glowing, dramatic, elegant, and baroque songs with lush melodies and surreal lyrics filled with Greek and Persian mythology as well as mythical creations of his own, still with rock overtones. The band became regulars on Peel sessions on BBC radio, and had toured Britain's student union halls. The group, however, received bad press from journalists and critics, who were annoyed at the overexposure they were getting on John Peel's radio shows. 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1968 calendar). ... Rock and roll (also spelled Rock n Roll, especially in its first decade), also called rock, is a form of popular music, usually featuring vocals (often with vocal harmony), electric guitars and a strong back beat; other instruments, such as the saxophone, are common in some styles. ... Folk music, in the original sense of the term, is music by and for the common people. ... Protopunk is a term used to describe a number of performers who were important precursors of punk rock, or who have been cited by early punk rockers as influential. ... The British Broadcasting Corporation, invariably known as the BBC (and also informally known as the Beeb or Auntie) is the largest broadcasting corporation in the world, employing 26,000 staff in the UK alone and with a budget of £4 billion. ...


By 1969 there was a clear rift between the two halves of Tyrannosaurus Rex. Bolan and his girlfriend June Child (ex-girlfriend of Syd Barrett) were living a quiet life, while Took had fully embraced the anti-commercial/community spirited/drug-taking ethos of the UK Underground scene centered around Ladbroke Grove. Took was also attracted to the most anarchistic elements, such as Mick Farren/Deviants and members of the Pink Fairies Rock 'n' Roll and Drinking Club. An editor has expressed a concern that the subject of the article does not satisfy one of the guidelines for inclusion on Wikipedia on one of the following topics: If you are familiar with the subject matter, please expand the article to establish its notability, citing reliable sources. ... Roger Keith Syd Barrett (January 6, 1946 – July 7, 2006) was an English singer, songwriter, guitarist, and artist. ... A psychoactive drug or psychotropic substance is a chemical substance that acts primarily upon the central nervous system where it alters brain function, resulting in temporary changes in perception, mood, consciousness and behavior. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... The UK Underground movement in the UK was focussed around the Ladbroke Grove/Notting Hill area of London, which Mick Farren commented was an enclave of freaks, immigrants and bohemians long before the hippies got there (1). ... Mick Farren is a UK Underground/counterculture radical and anarchist. ... The Deviants (formally the Social Deviants) were a musical group in the United Kingdom. ... The Pink Fairies, were one of two Peoples’ Bands, along with Hawkwind, who flew the flag for free music and Anarchy in the early 1970s underground scene in the UK. They often performed impromptu gigs in Ladbroke Grove as well as benefit performances. ...


By now Took was writing his own songs and wanted the duo to perform them, but Bolan firmly refused. Took contributed his talents and two songs, including "The Sparrow Is A Sign," to Twink's Think Pink album, which Bolan probably also did not approve of. John Charles Alder (born 29 November 1944), better known as Twink, is a British musician (drummer), singer and song writer) who was a central figure in the British psychedelic movement, and an actor. ...


Bolan's relationship with Took ended after Unicorn, although they were contractually obliged to go through with a US tour which was doomed before it began. Poorly promoted and planned, the tour saw the acoustic duo senselessly billed alongside loud electric acts. Took commented that the audience often did not even notice they had started their set, and he would sometimes strip to the waist and whip himself in Iggy Pop manner. James Newell Osterberg, Jr. ...


As soon as he returned to the United Kingdom, Bolan replaced Took with bongo player Mickey Finn, who would remain with Bolan until 1975. They made A Beard of Stars, the final album under the name Tyrannosaurus Rex. Unlike Took, Finn had no song writing aspirations. Finn was also more eccentric and fun than Took, and famously owned a large powerful motorcycle that impressed Bolan so much that he chose him as Took's replacement. Mickey Finn or occasionally Micky Finn (born Michael Norman Finn on 3 June 1947 in Thornton Heath, Surrey, England, died on 11 January 2003), was the percussionist and sideman to Marc Bolan in his band Tyrannosaurus Rex (on one album, A Beard of Stars), and later, the 70s Glam Rock... A Beard of Stars album cover A Beard of Stars is an album by T. Rex, released in 1970. ...


As well as progressively shorter titles, the albums began to show higher production values, more accessible song writing from Bolan, and experimentation with electric guitars and a true rock sound. The breakthrough was in "King of the Rumbling Spires," (recorded with Steve Took) which used a full rock band. This era also saw the publication of The Warlock of Love, a book of Bolan's poetry; derided by critics, it nevertheless became the best-selling poetry book of its time. Steve Peregrin Took (1949–1980) was a British musician. ...


T. Rex

The next album, titled simply T. Rex, continued the process of simplification by shortening the name, and completed the move to electric guitars. (Legend has it that Tony Visconti got fed up with writing the name out in full on studio chitties and tapes and began to abbreviate it. When Bolan first noticed he was supposedly furious, but later claimed the idea was his.) The sound was altogether "poppier," and the first single, "Ride a White Swan," reached number two in the UK chart in late 1970. In early 1971, the T. Rex album reached the top twenty of the UK album charts on the strength of the single (which was not actually included on the album). T. Rex is an eponymous album by British rock band T. Rex, released in 1970. ... Tony Visconti in the 1970s Tony Visconti (born April 24, 1944) is a record producer, and often an instrumentalist or singer, who has had a long and illustrious career working with some of the best known popular music artists from the late 1960s onwards, notably T. Rex, David Bowie...

Music sample:
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"Ride a White Swan" was quickly followed by a second single, "Hot Love", which reached number one on the UK charts, and stayed there for six weeks (the longest stay of any number one single in 1971). A full band, containing bass (Steve Currie) and drums (Bill Legend) was formed to tour to growing audiences, with teenagers mostly replacing the hippies of old. Chelita Secunda (wife of Tony Secunda, manager of The Move, and for a brief period, T. Rex) added two spots of glitter under Bolan's eyes before an appearance on Top of the Pops, controversially viewed as the official birth of glam rock. (Some attribute its beginnings to Alice Cooper, who would dress in torn women's clothing as part of his stage act. However, this is untrue, as Tyrannosaurus Rex's first album was before Cooper's and Bolan was known to wear women's clothing before "Glam". Likewise, "Glam" is a unique style and is not solely defined by androgyny, which was common of many pre- and post-glam performers, ranging from Marlene Dietrich to Little Richard to Robert Smith.) After Bolan's glittery display, however, glam rock would sweep the United Kingdom and many parts of Europe during 1971/1972, producing acts of varying worth. Image File history File links T._Rex_-_Hot_Love. ... Software development stages In computer programming, development stage terminology expresses how the development of a piece of software has progressed and how much further development it may require. ... Hot Love is a UK number one song by the British rock band T. Rex, released in 1971. ... Martin EB18 Bass Guitar in flight case. ... Steve Currie was the bassist for the British rock band T. Rex from 1970 to 1976. ... A drum kit (or drum set or trap set) is mostly a collection of drums, cymbals and sometimes other percussion instruments arranged for convenient playing by a single drummer. ... William Fifield, also known as Bill Legend was the drummer for the groups Legend (under his real name) and the vastly more successful T. Rex. ... Hippies (singular hippie or sometimes hippy) were members of the 1960s counterculture movement who adopted a communal or nomadic lifestyle, renounced corporate nationalism and the Vietnam War, embraced aspects of Buddhism, Hinduism, and/or Native American religious culture, and were otherwise at odds with traditional middle class Western values. ... The Move were a 1960s rock music band from Birmingham, England, led by guitarist, singer and songwriter Roy Wood, who composed all the groups singles, and from 1968 also sang lead vocal on many of them. ... Top of the Pops was a long-running British music chart television programme, and indeed the longest-running music show in the world, shown each week on BBC and now licensed for national versions around the world. ... Alice Cooper (born Vincent Damon Furnier, February 4, 1948), is a rock singer and musician, whose work spans four decades. ... World map showing Europe A satellite composite image of Europe Europe is one of the seven continents of the Earth. ...


The move to electric guitars coincided with Bolan's more sexual lyrical style and image, which outraged some of his older hippie fans, who called him a "sell-out". Some of the lyrical virtues of Tyrannosaurus Rex remained, but the rambles about wizards and magic were interspliced with grunts and groans and innuendo. The new image was to influence more sexually explicit performers of the 1980s, such as Prince. (Ironically, at the time, some people were concerned over the lyrical content of some T. Rex songs, notably "Baby Strange" on The Slider album (containing the lines "I wanna ball ya", "I wanna get you in bed", and "don't lay me Baby Strange"), saying they promoted lewd sexuality to pre-teen girls.) Selling out is a common slang phrase. ... The 1980s refers to the years of 1980 to 1989. ... Due to technical limitations, some web browsers may not display some special characters in this article. ... The Slider is an glam rock album by T. Rex, released in 1972. ... Coition of a Hemisected Man and Woman (c. ...


The second T. Rex album, Electric Warrior, released in September 1971, added bassist Steve Currie and drummer Bill Legend. Considered by many to be their best album, it brought great success to the group. Publicist BP Fallon coined the term "T. Rextasy" as a parallel to Beatlemania: it accurately described the atmosphere that quickly surrounded the band. A couple of years of regular chart success followed, with hit singles such as "Metal Guru" and "Telegram Sam" pouring off what came to resemble a production line. Widely considered to be one of the quintessential glam rock albums, T. Rexs second album Electric Warrior is also one of the most unabashedly joyous records of all time. ... Steve Currie was the bassist for the British rock band T. Rex from 1970 to 1976. ... William Fifield, also known as Bill Legend was the drummer for the groups Legend (under his real name) and the vastly more successful T. Rex. ... The Beatles arrival at Americas JFK Airport in 1964 has proved a particularly enduring image of Beatlemania. ... Metal Guru was the third song to reach number one on the UK Singles Chart for the British rock band T. Rex. ... Telegram Sam was the third UK number one single for the British rock group T. Rex. ...


Electric Warrior included T. Rex's best-known song, titled (in the UK) "Get It On," which hit number one on the British charts, like the album from which it came. In January 1972 it became a Top Ten hit in the US, where the song was retitled "Bang A Gong (Get It On)" to distinguish it from a song with the same name by the group Chase, also released in 1971. "Get it On" and Gary Glitter's "Rock and Roll" were two of the few British glam rock songs that had success in the US. Get It On (retitled Bang a Gong in the US) was the second UK number one song for the British rock group T. Rex. ... Bill Chase (1934 - 1974) was an American trumpet player and leader of a jazz-rock fusion band that bore his name. ... This is an article about the singer who performs as Gary Glitter. ...


Electric Warrior was the band's last album with Fly Records, whom Bolan left when his contact lapsed and they released the album track "Jeepster" without his permission. Bolan went to EMI, who gave him his own record label in the UK, T. Rex, the "T. Rex Wax Co.". Fly Records was established in the seventies by David Platz. ... Jeepster was a 1971 single for the British rock band T. Rex. ... The EMI Group is a music company comprising the major record label, EMI Music, based in Brook Green in London, England, and EMI Music Publishing, based on Charing Cross Road, London. ...


On March 18, 1972, T. Rex played two shows at the Empire Pool, Wembley, which were filmed by Ringo Starr and his crew for Apple Films. A large part of the second show was included on Marc Bolan's own rock film Born to Boogie, while bits and pieces of the first show can be seen throughout the credits at the end of the film. Along with Marc Bolan & T. Rex and Ringo Starr, Born to Boogie also featured Elton John, who jammed with the friends to create rockin' studio versions of "Children of the Revolution" and "Tutti Frutti"; Elton John had appeared on TV with Bolan before, playing (miming, actually) the piano part to "Get it On" on the 1971 Christmas edition of "Top of The Pops". March 18 is the 77th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (78th in leap years). ... 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... Wembley Arena at Night (Taken at a live WWE Show). ... Richard Starkey, MBE (born July 7, 1940 in Liverpool, England), known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English popular musician, singer, and actor, best known as the drummer for The Beatles. ... Apple Films was the filmmaking division of the Beatles Apple Corps. ... Born to Boogie was the title of a 1972 concert film starring Marc Bolan and T. Rex. ... Sir Elton Hercules[1] John, CBE[2] (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on 25 March 1947) is an English pop/rock singer, composer and pianist. ... Tutti Frutti is an early rock and roll song by Little Richard. ...


The third album under the name T. Rex, The Slider was released in July 1972. It became the band's most successful album in the US, but wasn't as successful as Electric Warrior in the UK, only reaching #4. During spring/summer 1972 Bolan's old label Fly had been 'cashing-in' with the #1 compilation album Bolan Boogie, a collection of A- and B-sides and LP tracks, which had a bad effect on The Slider's sales. However, the two singles released from The Slider, "Telegram Sam" and "Metal Guru" both flopped in the US, but became #1 hits in the UK. The Slider is an glam rock album by T. Rex, released in 1972. ...


Born to Boogie was premièred at the Oscar One cinema in London, in December 1972, with Bolan, Ringo Starr, and Elton John in attendance. The film received negative reviews from critics, while it was loved by fans. Recently, the song "The Slider," from the album of the same name, was featured in a US Coca-Cola commercial. The film is now available as a greatly-expanded two-DVD set, released by Sanctuary Records in 2005. This includes both concerts from Wembley (18 March 1972) newly mixed into 5.1 surround-sound by Tony Visconti, and edited from the original remastered film negative. See www.borntoboogie.net.


Disintegration, recovery and death

Original members of the band began to leave, the first being Bill Legend in late-1973, alienated by Bolan's increasingly egotistical behaviour, which was fed by success, money, cocaine, and brandy. Bolan and his wife/manager June split and he began a relationship with Gloria Jones, a session singer and writer, on the band's second major US tour. Jones had achieved fame in the US for the 1964 recording "Tainted Love," written by Ed Cobb of the Four Preps. In the early 1980s, the UK group Soft Cell gained notoriety and worldwide success with their cover of this song. Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. ... Brandy pot stills at the Van Ryn Brandy Cellar near Stellenbosch, South Africa Brandy (short for brandywine, from Dutch brandewijn—burning wine) is a general term for distilled wine, usually 40–60% ethyl alcohol by volume. ... The cover of 1979 album, Windstorm Gloria Jones (born 12 September 1938 in Longview, Texas) is an American singer. ... Tainted Love is a song composed by Ed Cobb. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with The Standells. ... The Four Preps were a popular quartet, whose greatest popularity was in the late 1950s and early 1960s. ... Soft Cell was an English synthesizer duo during the early 1980s (currently re-formed). ...


Bolan split with producer Tony Visconti in early 1974, after the album Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow failed to become a major hit. From the 1975 Bolan's Zip Gun album onwards, Bolan produced his own material in addition to writing the songs. The final song recorded with Visconti had been "Till Dawn", which was re-recorded for Bolan's Zip Gun with Marc at the controls. Bolan's own productions were not well received in the music press (Rolling Stone magazine gave Zinc Alloy and all further studio albums one star out of five). Rolling Stone is an American magazine devoted to music, politics and popular culture. ...


Jones became Bolan's backing singer, keyboard player, lover, and the mother of his only child, Rolan, who was born in September 1975. Mickey Finn left the band in early 1975. Always a fantasist with a Napoleon complex, Bolan grew increasingly isolated from the "real world," and high UK tax rates drove him into exile in Monte Carlo and the US. No longer a vegetarian, he grew heavy on a diet of hamburgers and alcohol, and was ridiculed in the music press. In the fields of psychology and psychoanalysis, Napoleon complex (or Napoleon syndrome) is a colloquial term used to describe a type of inferiority complex suffered by people who are short. ... A tax exile is one who chooses to leave their native country and instead to domicile themselves in a foreign nation or jurisdiction, where taxes on their personal income are appreciably lower or even nil. ... Monte Carlo is a very wealthy section of the city-state of Monaco known for its casino, gambling, beaches, glamour, and sightings of famous people. ... Motto: (traditional) In God We Trust (official, 1956–present) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City Official language(s) None at the federal level; English de facto Government Federal Republic  - President George W. Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence - Declared - Recognized... Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Vegetarianism For plant-eating, non-human animals, see Herbivore. ...


In 1976 T.Rex released their penultimate album "Futuristic Dragon" which was liked better received, but only managed to reach No.50. Promoted by the singles "New York City" (Which reached No.15 in the summer of 1975) "Dreamy Lady" (No.30) and "London Boys" which charted at No.40 one week before the album. To promote the album, Bolan made performances on such programmes as Top of the Pops, Supersonic and Get It Together, and toured the UK. Track List Futuristic Dragon Jupitar Liar Chrome Sitar All Alone New York City My Little Baby Calling All Destroyers Theme For A Dragon Sensation Boulevard Ride My Wheels Dreamy Lady Dawn Storm Casual Agent ...


In The summer of 1976, T.Rex released two more singles, "I Love To Boogie" (which charted At No.13 and would appear on the Dandy In The Underworld album) And "Laser Love" which only scraped to No. 42. In early 1977. His final album "Dandy in The Underworld" was released to great critical acclaim. Bolan had now slimmed down and regained his elfin beauty.


A spring UK tour with The Damned as support act garnered positive reviews. In the late summer of 1977 Bolan hosted his own ITV show, Marc. Bolan was a crusader for punk rock, which led him to invite many punk artists to appear on the show. Interested in bridging the gap between the rock and roll of the early seventies with the younger generation's punk scene, the format was for Bolan to play his own music, both old and new, as well as to introduce upcoming bands, which included The Jam, Generation X, Eddie & the Hot Rods, and Boomtown Rats. The Damned are a punk rock/gothic rock band formed in London, England in 1976. ... Marc was a British television series starring T. Rex lead singer Marc Bolan. ... Punk rock is an anti-establishment music movement beginning around 1976 (although precursors can be found several years earlier), exemplified and popularised by The Ramones, the Sex Pistols, The Clash and The Damned. ... Rock and roll (also spelled Rock n Roll, especially in its first decade), also called rock, is a form of popular music, usually featuring vocals (often with vocal harmony), electric guitars and a strong back beat; other instruments, such as the saxophone, are common in some styles. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Generation X was a punk rock band that was formed in 1976 by Billy Idol, Tony James and John Towe. ... Eddie & The Hot Rods is a pub rock band from London founded in 1975. ... The Boomtown Rats The Boomtown Rats (1975-1985) were a punk rock/new wave group headed by Bob Geldof, who was later known for organizing charity rock concerts such as Band Aid (intended to help famine victims in Ethiopia), Live Aid, Live 8, and Hands Across America (intended to help...


On the final episode of Marc, recorded on 7 September 1977, a long-awaited performance with his old friend David Bowie was scheduled. As the 1970s' two outstanding English performers begin their duet at the show's finale, Marc tripped and fell off the stage. Bowie smiled and the credits abruptly rolled. This was Marc's final public appearance, for he would die a week later. David Bowie (born David Robert Jones on 8 January 1947) is an English singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, arranger and audio engineer whose work spans more than four decades. ...


As Bolan was enjoying a new surge in popularity. He talked about performing again with Finn and Took, as well as rejoining producer Tony Visconti. However, after drinking at the Speakeasy and then dining at Morton's club on Berkeley Square, central London, at a few minutes before 5 a.m. on September 16, 1977, he was killed almost instantly when his purple Mini 1275GT, driven by Gloria Jones, hit a tree (now the site of Bolan's Rock Shrine), in Barnes, South West London, less than a mile from his home at 142 Upper Richmond Road West in Richmond. He died two weeks before his 30th birthday. Marc had never learned to drive a car, and was known to fear them for he had visions all his life of dying in an car crash (references to which appear in some of his lyrics, notably 1972's "Solid Gold Easy Action"). Gloria Jones - severely injured - survived the crash, and shortly afterwards she fled to her native America with Rolan. Steve Peregrin Took (1949–1980) was a British musician. ... September 16 is the 259th day of the year (260th in leap years). ... For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Barnes is a suburb in south-west London in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. ... London (pronounced ) is the capital city of England and the United Kingdom. ... Richmond is a suburb in southwest London, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. ... Motto: (Out Of Many, One) (traditional) In God We Trust (1956 to date) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington D.C. Largest city New York City None at federal level (English de facto) Government Federal constitutional republic  - President George Walker Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence from...


The manner of Bolan's death was made even more incredible when one considers the number of automotive references made in his songs.


Mickey Finn's T. Rex

In 1997 Mickey Finn and Paul Fenton, who had formerly played drums on many T. Rex albums, "reformed" T. Rex after performing together with Rolan on the twentieth anniversary of Marc Bolan's death. They took the name Mickey Finn's T. Rex because Bolan was the leader of the original T. Rex. They are considered a tribute band and are still around today even after Finn's death. They changed their name to T. Rex (A Celebration of Marc and Mickey). T. Rex (A Celebration of Marc and Mickey) is a T. Rex tribute band formed in 1997 by former T. Rex member Mickey Finn. ... Paul Fenton - (born 19??) is a drummer best known for his work with the band T. Rex. ... A tribute band (sometimes tribute group) is a musical group created in order to specifically play the music of a well-known band, often one which has disbanded or ceased touring. ...


Influence

The band had an undeniable influence on punk rock and Britpop, while many modern indie bands play music heavily influenced by the glam scene, especially T. Rex. The early acoustic material was influential in helping to bring about progressive rock and 21st century folk music-influenced singers. Cover songs have been recorded by many groups, notably Power Station's hit 1985 take on "Get It On," Iggy Pop's version of "20th Century Boy," The Bongos' 1981 version of "Mambo Sun," and Bauhaus' cover of "Telegram Sam." The Smiths have actually claimed to have borrowed heavily from portions of "Metal Guru" for their 1986 hit "Panic." Although this is completely obvious and need not be claimed. Siouxsie & the Banshees also recorded a cover of "20th Century Boy" as a B-side on their single The Staircase (Mystery) In earlier concerts, legendary rock band X Japan performed an arranged version of "20th Century Boy". Punk rock is an anti-establishment music movement beginning around 1976 (although precursors can be found several years earlier), exemplified and popularised by The Ramones, the Sex Pistols, The Clash and The Damned. ... Britpop was a British alternative rock genre and movement that was at its most popular in Great Britain in the mid 1990s. ... In popular music, indie music (from independent) is any of a number of genres, scenes, subcultures and stylistic and cultural attributes, characterised by perceived independence from commercial pop music and mainstream culture and an autonomous, do-it-yourself (DIY) approach. ... Progressive rock (sometimes shortened to prog, prog rock, or progrock) is a subgenre of rock music which arose in the late 1960s, reached the peak of its popularity in the 1970s, but continues as a musical form long afterward. ... Folk music, in the original sense of the term, is music by and for the common people. ... left to right: Robert Palmer, Andy Taylor, John Taylor, and Tony Thompson Power Station was a pop group made up of singer Robert Palmer, bassist John Taylor and guitarist Andy Taylor of Duran Duran, and former CHIC drummer Tony Thompson; two other CHIC members, Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers were... Get It On (retitled Bang a Gong in the US) was the second UK number one for the British rock group T. Rex. ... James Newell Osterberg, Jr. ... 20th Century Boy is a song by T. Rex. ... The Bongos, formed in Hoboken, New Jersey, were a pop band active in the early eighties. ... Telegram Sam was the third UK number one single for the British rock group T. Rex. ... The Smiths were an English rock group active from 1982 to 1987. ... Metal Guru was the third song to reach number one on the UK Singles Chart for the British rock band T. Rex. ... Panic is a song by The Smiths. ... Siouxsie and the Banshees (pronounced like the name Susie) were a British punk/Post-punk band. ... 20th Century Boy is a song by T. Rex. ... The Staircase (Mystery) is the second single released by English rock band Siouxsie & the Banshees. ... X Japan, or X which was their initial name, was a Japanese Visual kei band, the brainchild of Yoshiki (Yoshiki Hayashi). ... 20th Century Boy is a song by T. Rex. ...


Later hard rock groups such as AC/DC were influenced not only by the music of T. Rex, but also by the outrageously sexual lyrics of "Bang a Gong (Get it on)", "Baby Strange," and other songs. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... AC/DC are a hard rock band formed in Sydney, Australia in 1973 (see 1973 in music) by brothers Angus and Malcolm Young. ...


Discography

(Numbers listed after the titles are highest UK chart positions.)


Albums

As Tyrannosaurus Rex
As T. Rex
  • 1970 – T. Rex #13
  • 1971 – The Best Of T. Rex #21 – compilation of Tyrannosaurus Rex material only
  • 1971 – Electric Warrior #1 (#32 in the US)
  • 1972 – Bolan Boogie #1 – compilation
  • 1972 – The Slider #1 (#17 in the US)
  • 1973 – Tanx #4
  • 1973 – Great Hits #32
  • 1974 – Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow #12
  • 1974 – Light of Love – released in North America only
  • 1975 – Bolan's Zip Gun
  • 1976 – Futuristic Dragon #50
  • 1977 – Dandy in the Underworld #26

My People Were Fair and Had Sky in Their Hair. ... Prophets, Seers & Sages – The Angels of the Ages is the second album by Tyrannosaurus Rex, comprising Marc Bolan (vocals, guitar) and Steve Peregrin Took (bongos, African drums, kazoo, pixiephone, Chinese gong). ... Unicorn is an album by Tyrannosaurus Rex, released in 1969. ... A Beard of Stars album cover A Beard of Stars is an album by T. Rex, released in 1970. ... T. Rex is an eponymous album by British rock band T. Rex, released in 1970. ... Widely considered to be one of the quintessential glam rock albums, T. Rexs second album Electric Warrior is also one of the most unabashedly joyous records of all time. ... The Slider is an glam rock album by T. Rex, released in 1972. ... Tanx is the eighth album by British rock band T. Rex, released in 1973. ... Track List Futuristic Dragon Jupitar Liar Chrome Sitar All Alone New York City My Little Baby Calling All Destroyers Theme For A Dragon Sensation Boulevard Ride My Wheels Dreamy Lady Dawn Storm Casual Agent ... Dandy in the Underworld is the twelvth album by British rock band T. Rex, released in 1977. ...

Singles

Tyrannosaurus Rex
  • 1968 – "Debora" / "Child Star" #34
  • 1968 – "One Inch Rock" / "Salamanda Palaganda" #28
  • 1969 – "Pewter Suitor" / "Warlord of the Royal Crocodiles"
  • 1969 – "King of the Rumbling Spires" / "Do You Remember?" #44
  • 1970 – "By the Light of a Magical Moon" / "Find a Little Wood"
T. Rex
  • 1970 – "Ride a White Swan" / "Is It Love" / "Summertime Blues" #2 (and #76 in the US)
  • 1971 – "Hot Love" / "Woodland Rock" / "King of the Mountain Cometh" #1 (and #72 in the US)
  • 1971 – "Get It On" / "There Was a Time" / "Raw Ramp" #1 (and #10 in the US)
  • 1971 – "Jeepster" / "Life's a Gas" #2
  • 1972 – "Telegram Sam" / "Cadillac" / "Baby Strange" #1 (and #67 in the US)
  • 1972 – "Metal Guru" / "Thunderwing" / "Lady" #1
  • 1972 – "Children of the Revolution" / "Jitterbug Love" / "Sunken Rags" #2
  • 1972 – "Solid Gold Easy Action" / "Born to Boogie" #2
  • 1972 – "T. Rex Christmas Record" (flexidisc free to Fan Club members)
  • 1973 – "20th Century Boy" / "Free Angel" #3
  • 1973 – "The Groover" / "Midnight" #4
  • 1973 – "Truck On (Tyke)" / "Sitting Here" #12
  • 1974 – "Teenage Dream" / "Satisfaction Pony" #13
  • 1974 – "Light of Love" / "Explosive Mouth" #22
  • 1974 – "Zip Gun Boogie" / "Space Boss" #41
  • 1975 – "New York City" / "Chrome Sitar" #15
  • 1975 – "Dreamy Lady" / "Do You Wanna Dance" / "Dock of the Bay" #30
  • 1976 – "London Boys" / "Solid Baby" #40
  • 1976 – "I Love to Boogie" / "Baby Boomerang" #13
  • 1976 – "Laser Love" / "Life's an Elevator" #41
  • 1977 – "The Soul of My Suit" / "All Alone" #42
  • 1977 – "Dandy in the Underworld" / "Groove a Little" / "Tame My Tiger"
  • 1977 – "Celebrate Summer" / "Ride My Wheels"


Notable posthumous releases include the reissue of the expanded The Beginning of Doves (originally released on Track Records in 1974) in 2002, a collection of early songs and demos recorded in between John's Children and Tyrannosaurus Rex, and The Children of Rarn, demos for the sub-Tolkien concept album that Bolan and Visconti had been talking about for years as the project that would re-establish Bolan as a creative force. Summertime Blues (1958) is a classic and often-covered song by Eddie Cochran about the trials and tribulations of teenage life in America. ... Hot Love is a UK number one song by the British rock band T. Rex, released in 1971. ... Get It On (retitled Bang a Gong in the US) was the second UK number one for the British rock group T. Rex. ... Jeepster was a 1971 single for the British rock band T. Rex. ... Telegram Sam was the third UK number one single for the British rock group T. Rex. ... Metal Guru was the third song to reach number one on the UK Singles Chart for the British rock band T. Rex. ... Children of the Revolution was a 1972 hit for the British rock band T. Rex. ... 20th Century Boy is a song by T. Rex. ... Track Records is a record label founded by The Who to distribute artists and projects they wanted to support. ... John Ronald Reuel Tolkien CBE (3 January 1892 – 2 September 1973) was an English writer and university professor who is best known as the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. ...


Member history

Tyrannosaurus Rex
(1967 - 1969)
Tyrannosaurus Rex
(1969 - 1970)
T. Rex
(1970 - 1973)
T. Rex
(1973 - 1974)
T. Rex
(1974 - 1975)
T. Rex
(1975 - 1976)
T. Rex
(1976 - 1977)

Mark Feld (September 30, 1947 – September 16, 1977), better known as Marc Bolan, was a singer and songwriter for the band Tyrannosaurus Rex (later called T. Rex), from 1967 until his death in a car crash in 1977. ... Left: Rosa Hurricane, a heavy metal-style solid body guitar. ... Ercole de Roberti: Concert, c. ... Steve Peregin Took (left) Steve Peregrin Took (July 28, 1949 – October 27, 1980) was an English musician. ... A drum kit (or drum set or trap set) is mostly a collection of drums, cymbals and sometimes other percussion instruments arranged for convenient playing by a single drummer. ... Mark Feld (September 30, 1947 – September 16, 1977), better known as Marc Bolan, was a singer and songwriter for the band Tyrannosaurus Rex (later called T. Rex), from 1967 until his death in a car crash in 1977. ... Left: Rosa Hurricane, a heavy metal-style solid body guitar. ... Ercole de Roberti: Concert, c. ... Mickey Finn or occasionally Micky Finn (born Michael Norman Finn on 3 June 1947 in Thornton Heath, Surrey, England, died on 11 January 2003), was the percussionist and sideman to Marc Bolan in his band Tyrannosaurus Rex (on one album, A Beard of Stars), and later, the 70s Glam Rock... A drum kit (or drum set or trap set) is mostly a collection of drums, cymbals and sometimes other percussion instruments arranged for convenient playing by a single drummer. ... Mark Feld (September 30, 1947 – September 16, 1977), better known as Marc Bolan, was a singer and songwriter for the band Tyrannosaurus Rex (later called T. Rex), from 1967 until his death in a car crash in 1977. ... Left: Rosa Hurricane, a heavy metal-style solid body guitar. ... Ercole de Roberti: Concert, c. ... Steve Currie was the bassist for the British rock band T. Rex from 1970 to 1976. ... Martin EB18 Bass Guitar in flight case. ... Mickey Finn or occasionally Micky Finn (born Michael Norman Finn on 3 June 1947 in Thornton Heath, Surrey, England, died on 11 January 2003), was the percussionist and sideman to Marc Bolan in his band Tyrannosaurus Rex (on one album, A Beard of Stars), and later, the 70s Glam Rock... A drum kit (or drum set or trap set) is mostly a collection of drums, cymbals and sometimes other percussion instruments arranged for convenient playing by a single drummer. ... William Fifield, also known as Bill Legend was the drummer for the groups Legend (under his real name) and the vastly more successful T. Rex. ... A drum kit (or drum set or trap set) is mostly a collection of drums, cymbals and sometimes other percussion instruments arranged for convenient playing by a single drummer. ... Mark Feld (September 30, 1947 – September 16, 1977), better known as Marc Bolan, was a singer and songwriter for the band Tyrannosaurus Rex (later called T. Rex), from 1967 until his death in a car crash in 1977. ... Left: Rosa Hurricane, a heavy metal-style solid body guitar. ... Ercole de Roberti: Concert, c. ... Jack Green (b. ... Left: Rosa Hurricane, a heavy metal-style solid body guitar. ... Steve Currie was the bassist for the British rock band T. Rex from 1970 to 1976. ... Martin EB18 Bass Guitar in flight case. ... Mickey Finn or occasionally Micky Finn (born Michael Norman Finn on 3 June 1947 in Thornton Heath, Surrey, England, died on 11 January 2003), was the percussionist and sideman to Marc Bolan in his band Tyrannosaurus Rex (on one album, A Beard of Stars), and later, the 70s Glam Rock... A drum kit (or drum set or trap set) is mostly a collection of drums, cymbals and sometimes other percussion instruments arranged for convenient playing by a single drummer. ... William Fifield, also known as Bill Legend was the drummer for the groups Legend (under his real name) and the vastly more successful T. Rex. ... A drum kit (or drum set or trap set) is mostly a collection of drums, cymbals and sometimes other percussion instruments arranged for convenient playing by a single drummer. ... The cover of 1979 album, Windstorm Gloria Jones (born 12 September 1938 in Longview, Texas) is an American singer. ... Piano, a well-known instance of keyboard instruments A keyboard instrument is any musical instrument played using a musical keyboard. ... Mark Feld (September 30, 1947 – September 16, 1977), better known as Marc Bolan, was a singer and songwriter for the band Tyrannosaurus Rex (later called T. Rex), from 1967 until his death in a car crash in 1977. ... Left: Rosa Hurricane, a heavy metal-style solid body guitar. ... Ercole de Roberti: Concert, c. ... Steve Currie was the bassist for the British rock band T. Rex from 1970 to 1976. ... Martin EB18 Bass Guitar in flight case. ... Mickey Finn or occasionally Micky Finn (born Michael Norman Finn on 3 June 1947 in Thornton Heath, Surrey, England, died on 11 January 2003), was the percussionist and sideman to Marc Bolan in his band Tyrannosaurus Rex (on one album, A Beard of Stars), and later, the 70s Glam Rock... A drum kit (or drum set or trap set) is mostly a collection of drums, cymbals and sometimes other percussion instruments arranged for convenient playing by a single drummer. ... A drum kit (or drum set or trap set) is mostly a collection of drums, cymbals and sometimes other percussion instruments arranged for convenient playing by a single drummer. ... The cover of 1979 album, Windstorm Gloria Jones (born 12 September 1938 in Longview, Texas) is an American singer. ... Piano, a well-known instance of keyboard instruments A keyboard instrument is any musical instrument played using a musical keyboard. ... Dino Dines (born Peter Dines on December 17, 1944, died January 28, 2004) was a keyboardist best known for his work with T. Rex. ... Piano, a well-known instance of keyboard instruments A keyboard instrument is any musical instrument played using a musical keyboard. ... Mark Feld (September 30, 1947 – September 16, 1977), better known as Marc Bolan, was a singer and songwriter for the band Tyrannosaurus Rex (later called T. Rex), from 1967 until his death in a car crash in 1977. ... Left: Rosa Hurricane, a heavy metal-style solid body guitar. ... Ercole de Roberti: Concert, c. ... Steve Currie was the bassist for the British rock band T. Rex from 1970 to 1976. ... Martin EB18 Bass Guitar in flight case. ... A drum kit (or drum set or trap set) is mostly a collection of drums, cymbals and sometimes other percussion instruments arranged for convenient playing by a single drummer. ... The cover of 1979 album, Windstorm Gloria Jones (born 12 September 1938 in Longview, Texas) is an American singer. ... Piano, a well-known instance of keyboard instruments A keyboard instrument is any musical instrument played using a musical keyboard. ... Dino Dines (born Peter Dines on December 17, 1944, died January 28, 2004) was a keyboardist best known for his work with T. Rex. ... Piano, a well-known instance of keyboard instruments A keyboard instrument is any musical instrument played using a musical keyboard. ... Mark Feld (September 30, 1947 – September 16, 1977), better known as Marc Bolan, was a singer and songwriter for the band Tyrannosaurus Rex (later called T. Rex), from 1967 until his death in a car crash in 1977. ... Left: Rosa Hurricane, a heavy metal-style solid body guitar. ... Ercole de Roberti: Concert, c. ... Left: Rosa Hurricane, a heavy metal-style solid body guitar. ... Herbie Flowers is an English studio musician specialising in bass guitar, double-bass and tuba, who came to prominence as the bass player with David Bowie and Elton John, and then later Lou Reed. ... Martin EB18 Bass Guitar in flight case. ... A drum kit (or drum set or trap set) is mostly a collection of drums, cymbals and sometimes other percussion instruments arranged for convenient playing by a single drummer. ... Dino Dines (born Peter Dines on December 17, 1944, died January 28, 2004) was a keyboardist best known for his work with T. Rex. ... Piano, a well-known instance of keyboard instruments A keyboard instrument is any musical instrument played using a musical keyboard. ...

See also

Mark Feld (September 30, 1947 – September 16, 1977), better known as Marc Bolan, was a singer and songwriter for the band Tyrannosaurus Rex (later called T. Rex), from 1967 until his death in a car crash in 1977. ... Blackhill Enterprises was a rock music management company, founded as a partnership by the four original members of Pink Floyd, with Peter Jenner and Andrew King. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

References

  • "Marc Bolan: T. Rextasy" by Mark Paytress (Mojo, issue no. 138, May 2005)
  • Bolan: The Rise and Fall of a 20th Century Superstar by Mark Paytress (Omnibus Press, 2003)
  • Marc Bolan: 1947–1977 A Chronology by Cliff McLenehan (Helter Skelter Publishing, 2002)

Mojo is a popular music magazine published monthly in the United Kingdom. ...

External links

T. Rex
Marc BolanMickey FinnSteve CurrieBill Legend
Steve Peregrin Took • Miller Anderson • Herbie Flowers • Jack GreenGloria Jones • Davy Lutton • Tony Newman • Dino Dines
Discography
As Tyrannosaurus Rex: My People Were Fair and Had Sky in Their Hair... But Now They're Content to Wear Stars on Their Brows | Prophets, Seers & Sages – The Angels of the Ages | Unicorn | A Beard of Stars
As T. Rex: T. Rex | Electric Warrior | Bolan Boogie | The Slider | Tanx | Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow | Light of Love | Bolan's Zip Gun | Futuristic Dragon | Dandy in the Underworld
Related articles
Born to BoogieBlackhill EnterprisesBolan's Rock ShrineMarc (TV series)Mickey Finn's T. Rex
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