Marc Bolan (October 8, 1974) – “Don Kirshner's Rock Concert” Television Performance – Long Beach Arena, California.
Updated: Oct 8
Recorded at Long Beach Arena during T. Rex's October 1974 American tour, this Don Kirshner's Rock Concert appearance captured Marc Bolan and T. Rex at a crucial moment in their campaign to establish a stronger foothold in the United States. The performance took place just days before newspaper coverage in California highlighted both the band's enormous British success and their continuing struggle for American recognition.
Publication: Don Kirshner's Rock Concert
Date: October 8, 1974 (Recording) / January 1975 (Broadcast)
Country: USA
Television recordings for Don Kirshner's Rock Concert took place at Long Beach Arena, California, on October 8, 1974. T. Rex performed a complete concert set, all of which was filmed for possible inclusion in the programme.
Despite the full performance being recorded, only four songs were ultimately selected for television broadcast:
Jeepster
Zip Gun Boogie
Token Of My Love
Get It On
All four songs appeared in extended performance versions.
The recording formed part of T. Rex's October 1974 American tour, a period when Marc Bolan was actively promoting Light Of Love and attempting to strengthen the band's profile in the United States. During the same week, Bolan gave newspaper interviews discussing the contrast between T. Rex's enormous popularity in Britain and their more modest commercial success in America.
Contemporary coverage in California described the group as a band whose British popularity had once reached "Beatlemania proportions", while Bolan himself remained optimistic about winning over American audiences through touring, television exposure and a revised live presentation.
CONTEXT AND NOTES
This performance is frequently misdated online because many surviving video uploads use the January 1975 broadcast date rather than the actual October 8, 1974 recording date.
The chronology surrounding the appearance can now be established with confidence:
October 4, 1974 – Marc Bolan interviewed on Scott Muni's WNEW‑FM programme in New York while promoting Light Of Love.
October 8, 1974 – T. Rex recorded a complete set for Don Kirshner's Rock Concert at Long Beach Arena.
October 11, 1974 – The Daily Breeze published Joseph Bensoua's feature “Bolan's Lament: T. Rex Unknown”, covering Bolan's American ambitions and frustrations.
October 12, 1974 – A scheduled Long Beach Arena support appearance with Blue Öyster Cult was advertised but later cancelled due to Marc Bolan's throat problems.
January 1975 – The Long Beach television recording was transmitted as part of Don Kirshner's Rock Concert.
An additional point of interest is that while the television programme featured performances from Ross and Lisi, the actual Long Beach concert also included appearances by Eric Carmen and The Raspberries and Roger McGuinn.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Event: Don Kirshner's Rock Concert television recording
Era: 1974–75 American touring and television period
Tone: Historic, promotional, transitional
Photography: Television footage from Long Beach Arena and contemporary concert photography from the October 1974 U.S. tour
WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS
Complete T. Rex concert filmed on October 8, 1974
Recording for Don Kirshner's Rock Concert
Four songs selected for national television broadcast
Marc Bolan's continuing push for greater American success
A key moment within the October 1974 U.S. tour chronology
Broadcast transmitted in January 1975
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