T.Rex: the story of the dinosaurs of glam rock

T.Rex are one of the brightest representatives of the "British underground", real "dinosaurs" of glitter rock, because they stood at its very origins. And, like tyrannosaurs, they continue to interest the public to this day, because they had really cool music!

The history of the band has everything: humble beginnings, resounding success, tragedy, sunset, rebirth and sunset again. This is an interesting story about the formation of a new musical genre and the birth of stars whose music we still listen to today.

At the roots

In the beginning were Marc Bolan, Steve Porter, Ben Cartland and a bass player whose name is unknown to us.

They organised a quartet, but their first gig at the Electric Garden "fell through" like Alice down the rabbit hole.

Then, Macr Bolan, Ben Cartland and Steve Porter, who took the name Steve Peregrine Tuck, moved to the "underground" scene and there continued their creativity.

They composed songs inspired by the works of J. Tolkien and played bongs, acoustic guitar and a variety of drums.

Their music was quite popular and soon caught the attention of radio host John Peel. John supported the band by inviting them on his show, even though the critics didn't like it much.

It was a difficult period for Tyrannosaurus Rex: Bolan and Peregrin Tuck were in conflict over a too obvious difference in lifestyle: Bolan led a quiet life with his girlfriend, while Tuck was an anarchist. Tuck later became acquainted with a community of anarchist musicians from Ledbrook Grove who, among other things, were united in their discontent with the groups to which they belonged. Tuck began composing his own music and incorporating the T-Rexes into his repertoire, although Bolan did not like it. During a tour of the United States, Tuck tried to attract the attention of the audience by copying Iggy Pop's shocking demeanour, but this did not lead to any good. Eventually, Tuck left the band. He was replaced by Mickey Finn, who may have been inferior to Tuck, but was at least a quiet musician.

Let there be glam

Then came the moment when the band undergoes a small change and their course to success is significantly adjusted. For starters, the name of the band was shortened to T. Rex. During this period the band went into a more "pop" sound, and their song "Ride a White Swan" from their first debut album reached number two in the UK charts. It was 1970.

At the same time, an important event happened for all fans of the band: Marc Bolan published a book of poems called "The Warlok of Love", which is still in circulation among fans today.

And from then on, things started to pick up. Another single "Hot Love" hit the top of the UK charts, and the band was already being talked about in Europe.

Bill Legend and Steve Curry joined the band. During the same period, a minor event occurred that some believe marked the beginning of glam rock: producer Tony Secunda's wife, Celita, suggested that Bolan get a makeover and put glitter on his eyelids. It just so happened that this was the look that brought Bolan to the television screens. That's how glam rock was born....

On the cusp of popularity

From that time the band became really popular. In 1971 T.Rex released their second album "Electric Warrior", the song from which, "Get It On" again topped the UK charts. The same song, but under the title "Bang a Dong" became a top 10 hit in the USA.

The third album "The Slider" became very popular in the USA. During this period, Bolan even managed to sign a contract with the major studio EMI.

New direction

In their next album Tanx, new musical instruments were added. With this small change began a change that changed absolutely everything in the band.

First, Bill Ledgent left the band. This could not have been caused by a decline in popularity, because there was no decline. However, a year later, Tony Visconti left the band. It happened just at the time of their new album "Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow".

Later, new members were added to the band and Mickey Finn left the stage, Bolan experienced "star sickness" and ridicule from the press. The tower was clearly looking to collapse.

In '76 there were attempts to resuscitate T.Rex. A new album "Futuristic Dragon" was released, full of disharmony and even something schizophrenic, however, it gained popularity and brought the band back to the 50th place in the UK charts.

Next on the new album "Dandy in the Underworld" is their single "I Love to Boogie", which was featured on the soundtrack of the 2000 film "Billy Elliot".

Next up was a UK tour, after which Bolan decides to try something new and become a TV presenter for the programme Mark.

Bolan's popularity is suddenly revived, shows assert his authority, and reunion talks begin with Peregrin Tuck and Tony Visconti. On Bolan's last show, David Bowie, a fellow glam rock artist and personal friend of Mark's, was a guest. But sadly, this story didn't have a happy ending.

Marc Bolan died a week after a show with Bowie. He was killed in a car accident. With his death came the final end of the band T.Rex.