Marc Bolan (November/December 1972) – “Marc Bolan – Poet” Feature – Record Mirror.
Record Mirror turns its attention away from Marc Bolan the rock star and focuses instead on Marc Bolan the poet, exploring his fascination with words, the continuing success of The Warlock Of Love, and his enduring passion for writing beyond the world of T. Rex.
Publication: Record Mirror
Publication Date: November/December 1972
Country: United Kingdom
Written by Val Mabbs, this feature examines the literary side of Marc Bolan's creativity. Headlined “Marc Bolan – Poet”, the article explores Bolan's relationship with poetry and revisits his bestselling collection The Warlock Of Love, first published in 1969 and subsequently reprinted several times.
Bolan explains that he could no longer write exactly as he did when the book was first created, describing how his life experiences and artistic development had changed his outlook. While acknowledging his reputation as a rock and roll performer, he reveals that words and poetry remain a constant source of inspiration.
The article discusses Bolan's writing process and his habit of carrying notebooks to capture ideas as they occur. Several poems and extracts are reproduced within the feature, illustrating the imagery and surrealism that characterised much of his early literary work. Bolan also reveals that he continues to write poetry and intends to use some of these ideas in future projects.
An exclusive handwritten message to readers is included:
“To Record Mirror readers I hope you like the words, keep rocking cos you were born to boogie. Best wishes and a happy T‑Rexmas.”
The page is illustrated with a mixture of portrait and performance photographs, reinforcing the balance between Bolan's public image and his lesser‑known literary interests.
CONTEXT AND NOTES
Published at the height of Bolanmania, the feature is notable because it concentrates on Bolan's writing rather than chart success, touring, or celebrity. Record Mirror presents him as a serious creative artist whose interests extended beyond music into poetry and storytelling.
The article also serves as a reminder that before becoming one of Britain's biggest rock stars, Bolan had established himself as a published poet, with The Warlock Of Love becoming one of the most successful poetry books associated with a contemporary musician.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Event: Record Mirror feature on Marc Bolan's poetry
Era: 1972 – Peak Bolanmania period
Tone: Literary, reflective and personal
Photography: Portrait photographs of Marc Bolan together with live performance images and an exclusive handwritten message to readers
WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS
Headline: “Marc Bolan – Poet”
Article by Val Mabbs
Discussion of The Warlock Of Love
Examples of Marc Bolan's poetry
Exclusive handwritten message to Record Mirror readers
Portrait and live performance photographs of Marc Bolan
All magazine scans, photographs, and original text excerpts referenced in this entry remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This Chronicle entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference. No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.
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