top of page

T. Rex (March 3, 1973) “20th Century Boy” Single Advertisement - Melody Maker

  • Writer: T.Rex
    T.Rex
  • Mar 3, 1973
  • 2 min read

Melody Maker features a striking full-page promotional advertisement for T. Rex’s new single “20th Century Boy,” with bold graphic design and imagery of Marc Bolan.

Publication: 

Melody Maker

Date: March 3, 1973

Country: United Kingdom Location: London

Section: Single Promotion / Full-Page Advertisement

THE STORY 

The dramatic advert promotes the upcoming release of “20th Century Boy,” showcasing a powerful visual concept with large 3D-style typography and a silhouette of Marc Bolan with arms outstretched, emphasizing the high-energy glam rock sound of the track.


CONTEXT AND NOTES 

“20th Century Boy” became one of T. Rex’s biggest and most enduring hits. This full-page ad in Melody Maker was part of an aggressive promotional campaign during the peak of T. Rextasy, highlighting the band’s continued dominance in the UK charts.

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS 

Event: Single promotional advertisement Era: 1973 (T. Rex Glam Rock peak) Tone: Bold, dynamic, iconic Photography: Striking graphic design with high-contrast silhouette of Marc Bolan

WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS

  • Large, stylized title “20th Century Boy” in bold 3D lettering

  • Dramatic silhouette image of Marc Bolan with arms raised

  • Prominent “T. REX” branding at the bottom

  • Classic 1970s music weekly full-page advert layout

RELATED MATERIAL

  • January 6, 1973 Record Mirror New Year predictions

  • January 20, 1973 Popswop magazine cover

  • February 1, 1973 Circus Magazine interview

  • February 10, 1973 NME tour announcement

  • February 17, 1973 Disc “Our Best to Date Says Bolan” and fan letter

  • March 3, 1973 Melody Maker “The Godfathers of Rock” feature

For other relevant posts, see the tags at the foot of the page.

SOURCES

  • Melody Maker, March 3, 1973

All magazine scans, newspaper cuttings, scrapbook items, photographs and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference.




Comments


Shop Now

Explore our curated collection of authentic vintage treasures - from iconic vinyls to press cuttings to classic magazine covers and more - and bring home a true piece of glam history.

BOLAN BLOG HEADER2_edited.jpg

Subscribe to our newsletter • Don’t miss out!

bg-stars-new (1).png

Site Map

Today:

A Marc In Time

Daily highlights

from Marc’s career

Marc’s Scrapbook:

There Was A Time

Vintage newspaper

clippings, magazine

cuttings & press

treasures

Marc in the News:

The Time is Now

Latest reissues,

releases,

events & 2026

updates

Marc Solo:

A Wizard in Waiting

Marc’s earliest solo

years and pre-fame

magic


B-sides

John’s Children:

Midsummer Night’s

The wild 1967

mod/psych chapter

Tyrannosaurus Rex:

Stars on Brows

Mystical folk-psych

era with

Steve Peregrin Took

Electric Warriors

The Glam explosion

(1970–1973)

Soul Dandy

Later years

(1974–1977)

soul, funk & maturity

​​​

 

Eternal Boogie

Post-1977 releases,

rarities

& rediscoveries

Rex Friends:

The Revolutionaries

Collaborators,

bandmates,

muses & inner circle

Marc's Gallery:

Hang-Ups

Rare photos,

live shots,

album art & visual

treasures

Albums:

Bolan Boogie

Deep dives into

every studio album

Singles:

7 Inch Boogie

The Hits The B-Sides

and more 

 

© 2026 by Glam Slam Chronicles.

bottom of page