Marc Bolan (October 1, 1973) – “A Star Is Shorn” Feature - Daily Mirror
This Daily Mirror picture exclusive reveals Marc Bolan's dramatic new appearance on his twenty-sixth birthday. Famous for the shoulder-length curls that had become one of the defining images of glam rock, Bolan unveiled a significantly shorter hairstyle and spoke about changing both his look and his public image.
Publication: Daily Mirror
Date: October 1, 1973
Country: United Kingdom
Presented under the headline "A Star Is Shorn", the feature showcases Marc Bolan's new hairstyle in a series of exclusive photographs. The article reports that the T. Rex star had dramatically cut back the shoulder-length curls that had become one of his most recognisable trademarks.
According to the report, Bolan had become tired of his long hair and wanted a change. He explained that he found maintaining the style increasingly boring and admitted that he had been considering cutting it for some time. The transformation was carried out by his wife June, who clipped away the famous curls that had helped define the Bolan image throughout the height of Bolanmania.
Bolan described feeling liberated by the change and joked that the new look made him feel like a twentieth-century Huckleberry Finn. The article also notes that fans in America had already seen the shorter hairstyle during the recent tour, while British audiences would soon experience the new image in person.
Despite abandoning the famous curls, the feature makes clear that Bolan was not completely parting with them. The article reports that the cut locks had been carefully preserved on a silver platter in the Bolan household, serving as a reminder of one of the most famous hairstyles in rock music.
The report concludes with Bolan declaring that "Glam rock is dead", a statement that further underlined his desire to move away from old expectations and embrace a fresh direction.
CONTEXT AND NOTES
Published on Marc Bolan's twenty-sixth birthday, the feature captures an important image change during a transitional period in his career. By late 1973, T. Rex had already enjoyed several years at the forefront of British popular music, and Bolan appeared keen to refresh his appearance and challenge perceptions of his place within the glam rock movement.
The article is significant because it documents one of the most visible changes in Bolan's public image. The haircut was treated as headline news, reflecting both his popularity and the cultural importance attached to his distinctive appearance during the early 1970s.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Event: Marc Bolan unveils a dramatically shortened hairstyle
Era: 1973 T. Rex era
Tone: Light-hearted and image-focused
Photography: Exclusive portrait photographs showing Marc Bolan's new haircut
WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS
• Marc Bolan revealing a dramatically shorter hairstyle
• Discussion of why he decided to cut his famous curls
• References to his recent American tour
• Bolan declaring that "Glam rock is dead
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