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1970: The Birth Of T. Rex
Explore the landmark year of 1970, when Marc Bolan guided Tyrannosaurus Rex towards its next chapter as T. Rex. Featuring recordings, performances, television appearances, press coverage, photographs, and rare archive material, this category documents a period of artistic growth and reinvention. As Marc refined his sound, image, and ambitions, the foundations of T. Rextasy were laid, setting the stage for the extraordinary success that would soon make him one of rock's most influential and celeb
T. Rex (November 21, 1970) "Singles? Let’s Face It They’re Vital Say T. Rex" New Musical Express
New Musical Express one-page feature in which Marc Bolan discussed the renewed importance of singles for T. Rex, framed around the breakthrough success of “Ride A White Swan.” Publication: New Musical Express Date: November 21, 1970 Country: United Kingdom Section: Feature / Interview THE STORY WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS Marc Bolan emphasises the vital role of singles in reaching new audiences and expanding T. Rex’s profile. He credits “Ride A White Swan” with bringing the band
1970
Nov 20, 19701 min read
T. Rex (October 29, 1970) "T.REX IN CONCERT - For Rex Friends" - Melody Maker
Melody Maker concert advertisement promoting three special T. Rex shows for dedicated “Rex Friends” during the early breakthrough period of “Ride A White Swan”. Publication:Melody Maker Date: October 29, 1970 Country: United Kingdom Section: Concert Advertisement THE STORY WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS Advertisement inviting loyal fans to see T. Rex live at three UK venues: Civic Hall Dunstable (Oct 29), City Hall Hull (Oct 30), and Mountford Hall Liverpool (Nov 4). All shows at 8
1970
Oct 28, 19702 min read
T. Rex (October 26, 1970) – BBC Radio 1 Top Gear Recording Chronicle
On October 26, 1970, T. Rex recorded a four-song session for John Peel’s BBC Radio 1 programme Top Gear. Featuring “Ride A White Swan,” “Jewel,” “Elemental Child” and “Sun Eye,” the session captures the group at an important moment as the T. Rex identity and increasingly electric sound were taking shape. The performances were first broadcast on November 7, 1970 and subsequently became part of the surviving Marc Bolan and T. Rex BBC archive. Programme: BBC Radio 1 Top Gear Rec
1970
Oct 25, 19705 min read
T. Rex (October 24, 1970) – “Ride A White Swan” UK Chart Entry
October 24, 1970 marked an important breakthrough for T. Rex as “Ride A White Swan”, issued on Fly Records as BUG 1, entered the UK chart at No. 47. The single would remain on the chart for a total of 20 weeks, eventually reaching No. 2 and establishing T. Rex as a major new force in British pop. Artist: T. Rex Single: Ride A White Swan Label: Fly Records Catalogue Number: BUG 1 Chart Entry Date: October 24, 1970 Entry Position: No. 47 Peak Position: No. 2 Total Weeks on Char
1970
Oct 23, 19702 min read
T. Rex (October 20, 1970) – Southampton Concert Advert - Southern Evening Echo
This simple but historically significant newspaper advertisement announces T. Rex's appearance at Southampton Guildhall on October 20, 1970. Published on the day of the performance, the advert captures the group during the crucial transitional period immediately following the breakthrough success of "Ride A White Swan", when Marc Bolan and Mickey Finn were beginning to establish T. Rex as a major force in British rock. Publication: Southern Evening Echo Date: October 20, 1970
1970
Oct 19, 19702 min read
T. Rex (October 10, 1970) – “Ride A White Swan” Advert - New Musical Express (NME)
This full-page Fly Records advertisement announces the release of T. Rex's landmark single "Ride A White Swan". Prominently positioned on the back page of New Musical Express, the advert introduces the group's first release for Fly Records and marks the beginning of a new chapter in Marc Bolan's career. Publication: New Musical Express (NME) Date: October 10, 1970 Country: United Kingdom This striking full-page advertisement promotes T. Rex's new single "Ride A White Swan", r
1970
Oct 9, 19702 min read
T. Rex (October 9, 1970) – Ride A White Swan b/w Is It Love / Summertime Blues Single UK
Released on October 9, 1970, Ride A White Swan became the first release issued under the name T. Rex and marked the beginning of Marc Bolan's transformation from the folk-psychedelic world of Tyrannosaurus Rex into the streamlined electric sound that would soon dominate the British charts. Issued on Fly Records as catalogue number BUG 1, the single became the breakthrough record that launched T. Rex into mainstream success. The release reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart an
1970
Oct 8, 19703 min read
T. Rex (October 3, 1970) – “Rex Single” News Item - Melody Maker
This short Melody Maker news item announces the forthcoming release of T. Rex's first single for the newly formed Fly Records label. The report provides details of the release, the label's structure and the tracks selected for what was described as a unique triple A-side single. Publication: Melody Maker Date: October 3, 1970 Country: United Kingdom Under the headline "Rex Single", the article reports that one of the first releases on the new Fly Records label would be a T. R
1970
Oct 2, 19702 min read
Tyrannosaurus Rex (September 19, 1970) – “How a Last‑Minute Addition Rocked the First Glastonbury”
On September 19 1970, a muddy field in Somerset’s Worthy Farm became the birthplace of the Glastonbury Festival. When headliners The Kinks and Wayne Fontana & the Mindbenders pulled out, Tyrannosaurus Rex, led by Marc Bolan, stepped in and delivered a psychedelic performance that transformed a small local event into a legendary moment in music history. Publication: Festival Chronicle Date: September 19, 1970 Country: United Kingdom On September 19, 1970, Worthy Farm hosted t
1970
Sep 18, 19702 min read
Marc Bolan (September 4, 1970) – "Oh Baby" b/w "Universal Love" Single: UK
"Oh Baby" was released on September 4, 1970 under the name Dib Cochran And The Earwigs, one of several pseudonyms used by Marc Bolan during the transitional period between his Tyrannosaurus Rex years and the emergence of T. Rex as a major chart act. Issued by Bell Records in the United Kingdom, the single appeared only days before T. Rex began their meteoric rise to commercial success. Although it failed to chart, the record has since become an important collector's item due
1970
Sep 3, 19703 min read
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