T. Rex (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1967 in London, England |
| Founder | Marc Bolan |
| Headquarters | London , England |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
T. Rex, initially known as Tyrannosaurus Rex, was an English rock group formed in London in 1967 by singer, songwriter, and guitarist Marc Bolan, who remained the band's leader and sole permanent member throughout its existence. Beginning as an acoustic psychedelic folk ensemble, Bolan steered their sound towards electric rock with the release of the 1970 album A Beard of Stars. Later that year, with their self-titled fifth album, they shortened their name to T. Rex. This evolution led to their breakthrough hit single "Ride a White Swan", positioning them as key figures in the emergence of the glam rock genre.
From 1970 through 1973, T. Rex achieved remarkable success on the UK charts, securing eleven top 10 singles, including four chart-toppers: "Hot Love", "Get It On", "Telegram Sam", and "Metal Guru". Other significant tracks included "Jeepster", "Children of the Revolution", "Solid Gold Easy Action", "20th Century Boy", and "The Groover". Their 1971 album Electric Warrior received critical praise, reached number one on UK charts, and became a defining work of glam rock. The follow-up album in 1972, The Slider, became their highest-charting release in the United States, entering the top 20. Their 1973 record Tanx incorporated elements of soul, funk, and gospel styles. After 1974, although their popularity waned, T. Rex continued to produce albums blending rock with R&B and disco influences.
In 1977, following the release of their last studio album Dandy in the Underworld, Bolan tragically died in a car accident, which led to the dissolution of the band. The impact of T. Rex endures through their influence on subsequent musicians. The band was honored with induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020.
Formation and psychedelic folk period (July 1967 – mid-1970)
Marc Bolan established Tyrannosaurus Rex in July 1967 after experiencing limited success with solo singles and a brief role as lead guitarist for the psych-rock outfit John's Children. Following an unsuccessful electric rock performance on 22 July at London's Covent Garden, featuring drummer Steve Porter, guitarist Ben Cartland, and an unidentified bassist, the group disbanded. Bolan retained both the band name and Steve Porter—who transitioned into percussionist Steve Peregrin Took. The pair began performing acoustic folk-inspired material. Influenced by a show by Ravi Shankar, they adopted a stage presence reminiscent of traditional Indian musical styles.
Bolan's vocals and acoustic guitar paired with Took's bongos and diverse percussion instruments—including children's toys like the Pixiphone—attracted a loyal following within the hippie underground scene. Early support from BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel, who even contributed spoken-word segments reading Bolan’s stories on recordings, helped elevate their profile. Producer Tony Visconti played a significant role by producing all their records throughout the mid-1970s. Their debut album My People Were Fair and Had Sky in Their Hair... But Now They're Content to Wear Stars on Their Brows remained on the UK Albums chart for nine weeks, peaking at number 15; their sophomore effort Prophets, Seers & Sages: The Angels of the Ages reached number 44.
By 1968–1969, Tyrannosaurus Rex had attained moderate success on radio and in record sales. Their third single "Pewter Suitor" (January 1969) did not chart, but their third album Unicorn approached the UK Top Ten. Bolan’s songwriting matured into elaborate, baroque arrangements featuring rich melodies and surreal lyrics inspired by Greek and Persian mythology. The group frequently appeared on Peel Sessions and performed extensively at UK student union venues.
Their fourth single "King of the Rumbling Spires" (July 1969) signaled a move toward a fully electric rock sound. However, growing tensions emerged between Bolan and Took: Bolan favored a quieter lifestyle centered on poetry and performance, whereas Took embraced the anti-commercial drug culture prevalent in London's Ladbroke Grove underground scene. Took began composing his own material, which Bolan rejected for inclusion on their forthcoming fourth album. As a result of this disagreement, Took contributed to Twink’s Think Pink album instead.
Despite parting ways, contractual commitments obliged them to undertake an ill-fated US tour that lacked sufficient promotion and failed to gain momentum. During performances, Took employed shock-rock techniques influenced by Iggy Pop to garner attention. Upon returning to Britain in September 1969, Bolan sought a new percussionist and recruited Mickey Finn in October. Together they completed A Beard of Stars, released early in 1970 as Tyrannosaurus Rex’s final album under that name. This lineup headlined the first-ever Glastonbury Festival in 1970. Over time, their albums featured progressively shorter titles, enhanced production quality, more accessible songwriting from Bolan, and increased use of electric guitar—signaling a clear shift towards rock music.
Glam rock emergence and mainstream achievements (July 1970 – December 1972)
Bolan shortened the group's name to T. Rex and transitioned toward a more pop-driven style. Their initial single, "Ride a White Swan", recorded in July and released in October 1970, climbed to number 2 on the UK singles chart by late November. To draw younger fans, ticket prices were lowered. The debut album, T. Rex, launched in December, incorporated more electric guitar elements and entered the top 20 of the UK Albums Chart in early 1971.
Following the success of "Ride a White Swan," the follow-up single "Hot Love" dominated the UK charts for six consecutive weeks. Toward the end of 1970, Bolan expanded T. Rex from a duo to a trio by recruiting bassist Steve Currie; shortly after, drummer Bill Legend joined in early 1971, establishing a traditional rock band setup for both recording sessions and live performances. Bolan’s evolving stage persona—characterized by glitter makeup and extravagant costumes—played a crucial role in founding glam rock.
Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan (known as Flo & Eddie) provided backing vocals but did not participate in touring due to other obligations. In later productions, Bolan collaborated with producer Tony Visconti to supply backing vocals.
The glam rock movement gained momentum across the UK and Europe between 1971 and 1972, propelled by T. Rex’s distinctive electric guitar sound paired with Bolan’s provocative lyrics and energetic stagecraft. This revamped image broadened their appeal while preserving some lyrical sophistication from their earlier material.
In September 1971, Electric Warrior, featuring Bolan alongside Finn, Currie, and Legend, reached number one on the UK charts and is widely considered their finest work. Publicist BP Fallon coined the term "T. Rextasy" to describe the intense fan enthusiasm surrounding the band. The album contained the hit single "Get It On", which topped UK charts and secured a Top Ten position in the US in January 1972 under the title "Bang a Gong (Get It On)." Shortly thereafter, Bolan parted ways with Fly Records; after his contract ended, Fly Records issued "Jeepster" as a single without his approval. Subsequently, Bolan signed with EMI and launched his own UK imprint, T. Rex Records ("The T. Rex Wax Co").
In 1972, the band achieved two additional UK number one singles with "Telegram Sam" and "Metal Guru." Meanwhile, Fly Records released the compilation Bolan Boogie in May 1972, which affected sales of T. Rex's forthcoming album. Released in July, The Slider reached number four in the UK and became their most commercially successful album in the US, breaking into the Top Twenty of the Billboard 200 chart. The singles "Children of the Revolution" and "Solid Gold Easy Action" each peaked at number two on UK charts.
December 1972 saw the debut of Bolan’s rock film Born to Boogie, which included footage from two T. Rex concerts at Wembley Empire Pool filmed earlier that year by Ringo Starr and his team.
Transition, downturn, and revival (January 1973 – September 1977)
The 1973 release Tanx achieved notable commercial success, climbing to number 3 on the German charts, number 4 in the UK, and number 5 in Norway. The album's production was diverse, incorporating Mellotron and saxophone, and combining somber ballads with funk-infused tracks such as "The Street and Babe Shadow." Critics highlighted a gospel-inspired element in "Left Hand Luke and the Beggar Boys." At the same time, the hard rock single "20th Century Boy" reached number 3 in the UK charts but was not included on the album. The track "The Groover" marked the conclusion of T. Rex’s impressive run of 11 consecutive UK Top Ten hits.
Released in February 1974, Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow attained position 12 on the UK charts, reflecting a stylistic shift toward blue-eyed soul, funk, and R&B influences. Its lyrically intricate content echoed some of Tyrannosaurus Rex’s earlier work but failed to garner strong critical praise. Warner Brothers opted not to release the album in the United States and subsequently dropped the band from their roster. Following this period, Bill Legend exited; new additions included drummer Paul Fenton, guitarist Jack Green, pedal steel guitarist B. J. Cole, vocalist/keyboardist Gloria Jones, and later keyboardist Dino Dines. Drummer Davey Luton eventually replaced Fenton. Bolan ended his partnership with producer Visconti, and bassist Finn departed by December 1974. The late 1974 single "Zip Gun Boogie", issued as a Bolan solo project, peaked at number 41 in the UK before reaffirming T. Rex’s band identity.
The 1975 album Bolan's Zip Gun expanded on soul and funk influences, largely repurposing content from the US release Light of Love. Self-produced by Bolan, it embraced a harder-edged, futuristic sound but received mixed critical feedback, though Rolling Stone magazine offered positive remarks. During this era, Bolan experienced isolation due to tax exile in Monte Carlo and the US; lifestyle changes contributed to unfavorable media coverage.
T. Rex’s penultimate studio effort, Futuristic Dragon (1976), showcased an array of production styles ranging from Wall of Sound techniques to disco elements. Despite peaking only at number 50 on the charts, it was met with improved critical reception and yielded singles such as "New York City" (UK #15) and "Dreamy Lady" (UK #30). To support this album, Bolan assembled a fresh lineup including Dino Dines on keyboards, bassist Herbie Flowers, drummer Tony Newman, and guitarist Miller Anderson, facilitating a UK tour alongside television performances.
In mid-1976, singles "I Love to Boogie" (UK #13) and "Laser Love" (UK #42) were released. Early in 1977, Dandy in the Underworld emerged to critical acclaim with a more focused sound that reflected Bolan’s revitalized image. A UK tour featuring punk group the Damned received favorable reviews. Discussions about reunions with former members Finn, Took, and producer Visconti took place during this time. The six-part television series Marc, which included performances by T. Rex as well as other artists, was broadcast on ITV. The band’s final concert occurred at Gröna Lund amusement park in Stockholm, Sweden, on 24 March 1977.
The passing of Bolan, dissolution, and revival efforts
On the night of 15 September 1977, Marc Bolan and his partner Gloria Jones were at the Speakeasy and Morton's club located in Mayfair, Central London. In the early hours of 16 September, Jones lost control of Bolan's purple Mini 1275 GT, crashing it into a tree near Barnes in southwest London, close to Bolan’s residence. Bolan, who was 29 years old, tragically died in the accident, while Jones sustained serious injuries. As Bolan was the only continuous member and chief songwriter of T. Rex, the band's management decided to disband the group immediately following his demise.
By 2025, Bill Legend remains the sole living member from the classic lineup spanning 1971 to 1973. Steve Peregrin Took co-founded Pink Fairies and pursued a solo career before passing away in 1980. Steve Currie died in a car accident in 1981, and Mickey Finn passed in 2003 after working as a session musician for acts such as the Soup Dragons and the Blow Monkeys.
Following Bolan's death, there have been two notable public attempts by former members to revive T. Rex, both of which met with considerable opposition from fans and collaborators who maintain that without Bolan, an authentic T. Rex cannot exist. In 1997, Mickey Finn, along with Green and Paul Fenton, created a lineup initially called "T. Rex," which was later renamed Mickey Finn's T-Rex and included former members of Smokie and Saxon. After Finn’s death in 2003, the ensemble continued under the name T. Rex (A Celebration of Marc and Mickey) until a petition signed by Bill Legend, Tony Visconti, and David Bowie compelled them to revert to Mickey Finn's T-Rex with endorsement from Finn’s family. In 2014, Bill Legend established his own version of the band known first as Bill Legend's T. Rex and later rebranded as X-T. Rex.
Impact and enduring legacy
T. Rex played a pivotal role in shaping musical styles such as glam rock, punk rock, post-punk, indie pop, Britpop, and alternative rock. Their work influenced numerous artists including the New York Dolls, the Ramones, Kate Bush, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Joy Division, R.E.M., the Smiths, the Pixies, and Tricky.
Sylvain Sylvain from New York Dolls recalled that playing Marc Bolan’s songs was part of their early development. Sparks recognized Tyrannosaurus Rex as a formative influence; Ron Mael described seeing them live as "our education." James Williamson of the Stooges acknowledged T. Rex's success as an inspiration during the creation of Raw Power. Joey Ramone admired Bolan’s distinctive style, while John Lydon of the Sex Pistols credited T. Rex with having a profound impact on punk rock.
Siouxsie and the Banshees covered "20th Century Boy" early in their career; Bernard Sumner of Joy Division cited T. Rex’s guitar tone as influential. Viv Albertine from The Slits appreciated Bolan’s accessible guitar approach. Johnny Marr of the Smiths referred to T. Rex as "pure pop," highlighting their influence on tracks like "Panic" and "Shoplifters of the World Unite," with Morrissey drawing inspiration from "Metal Guru." Marr ranked Bolan among his favorite guitarists. Paddy McAloon of Prefab Sprout identified "Ride a White Swan" as crucial to his appreciation of pop music. R.E.M.’s cover of "20th Century Boy" underscored Michael Stipe’s acknowledgment of their significant influence.
Joey Santiago from Pixies and Paul Weller from The Jam both listed Electric Warrior among albums that defined them; Santiago remarked that Bolan made blues more accessible. Kate Bush referenced Bolan in her songwriting; Nick Cave praised Electric Warrior for its lyrical brilliance and covered "Cosmic Dancer." Tricky described Bolan as "totally unique and ahead of his time." John Parish, collaborator with PJ Harvey, cited T. Rex as foundational to his musical growth. Oasis incorporated the guitar riff from "Get It On" into their song "Cigarettes & Alcohol," with Noel Gallagher naming T. Rex as a key influence. Early acoustic works by Tyrannosaurus Rex also impacted progressive rock and modern folk artists such as Devendra Banhart.
References to T. Rex appear in songs by David Bowie ("All the Young Dudes"), the Ramones ("Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio?"), Serge Gainsbourg ("Ex-Fan Des Sixties"), The Who ("You Better You Bet"), B A Robertson ("Kool in the Kaftan"), R.E.M. ("The Wake-Up Bomb"), My Chemical Romance ("Vampire Money"), and Panic! at the Disco ("Middle of a Breakup"). Their music has been featured in films including Velvet Goldmine, Death Proof, Billy Elliot, The Bank Job, Dallas Buyers Club, and Baby Driver. Tracks like “Bang a Gong” and “Jewel” were prominently used in Oz Perkins’ horror film Longlegs. The album cover for The Slider has appeared in movies such as O Lucky Man! and Tim Burton's Dark Shadows. In Miha Mazzini’s novel King of the Rattling Spirits, a T. Rex record evokes childhood memories, underscoring their lasting cultural significance.
Members
Definitive line-up
- Marc Bolan – lead vocals, guitars, keyboards, bass
- Dino Dines – keyboards
- Tony Newman – drums, percussion
- Herbie Flowers – bass
Past members
- Steve Peregrin Took – percussion, backing vocals, drums, bass
- Ben Cartland – guitar
- unidentified musician – bass
- Mickey Finn – percussion, backing vocals, drums, bass
- Steve Currie – bass
- Bill Legend – drums
- Gloria Jones – keyboards, tambourine, vocals
- Paul Fenton – drums, percussion
- Jack Green – lead guitar
- Davey Lutton – drums, percussion
- Miller Anderson – lead guitar, backing vocals
Album line-up timeline
Discography
Under the name Tyrannosaurus Rex
- My People Were Fair and Had Sky in Their Hair... But Now They're Content to Wear Stars on Their Brows (1968)
- Prophets, Seers & Sages: The Angels of the Ages (1968)
- Unicorn (1969)
- A Beard of Stars (1970)
As T. Rex
- T. Rex (1970)
- Electric Warrior (1971)
- The Slider (1972)
- Tanx (1973)
- Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow (1974)
- Bolan's Zip Gun (1975)
- Futuristic Dragon (1976)
- Dandy in the Underworld (1977)
See also
Bibliography
- Bolan, Marc (1969). The Warlock of Love. Lupus books.
- Bramley, John (2017). Marc Bolan: Beautiful Dreamer. John Blake Publishing Ltd.
- Du Noyer, Paul (1997). Marc Bolan (Virgin Modern Icons). Virgin books.
- Ewens, Carl (2007). Born to Boogie: The Songwriting of Marc Bolan. Aureus Publishing.
- Jones, Lesley-Ann (2013). Ride a White Swan: The Lives and Death of Marc Bolan. Hodder.
- McLenehan, Cliff (2002). Marc Bolan, 1947–1977: A Chronology. Helter Skelter Publishing.
- Paytress, Mark (2003). Bolan: The Rise and Fall of a 20th Century Superstar. Omnibus Press.
- Roland, Paul (2012). Cosmic Dancer: The Life & Music of Marc Bolan. Tomahawk Press.
- Sinclair, Paul (1982). Electric Warrior: The Marc Bolan Story. Omnibus Press.
- Tremlett, George (1975). The Marc Bolan Story. Futura Books.
Further reading
- Paytress, Mark. "Marc Bolan: T. Rextasy." Mojo, May 2005.