We continue our look back at the music of 50 years ago……
Did you guess the group when you saw the above headline? Do you think it’s hyperbole? Well, from 1970 to 1973 the band T. Rex, fronted by the flamboyant Marc Bolan, had a run of eleven Top Ten singles in the UK including four #1’s. They also had three top 5 LPs in that time frame including 1971’s “Electric Warrior” that went to #1. It stayed there for 8 weeks.
The band, and this LP, also helped usher in the era of “glam rock” after Bolan wore a satin sailor suit and face glitter on an appearance of Top Of The Pops earlier. He had also added much more strutting and dancing to his stage moves.
You are probably familiar with the hit single “Bang A Gong (Get It On)” from the album but there are other treasures as well. “Jeepster”, “Cosmic Dancer” and “Mambo Sun” stand out and the band even does a decent blues take on Lean Woman Blues”. It’s not a lyrically deep album but isn’t supposed to be. It’s not aiming for your brain but a region a bit lower in the anatomy.
The band continued on after their early 70’s peak but Bolan was killed when his girlfriend crashed his car in 1977.
Critics enjoyed the band’s move from their psychedelic roots into what became known as the “glam-rock” movement. You might too.
