Marc Bolan (September 23, 1972) – “Cool Time In The Hot City” Cover - Record Mirror
This issue of Record Mirror places Marc Bolan on the front cover during the height of T. Rex's popularity. Alongside a large cover photograph, the magazine promotes a feature titled "Cool Time In The Hot City", while also highlighting major articles on David Cassidy, Pete Townshend and Slade's Jim Lea
Publication: Record Mirror
Date: September 23, 1972
Country: United Kingdom
The cover is dominated by a large colour photograph of Marc Bolan, presented as the magazine's principal visual attraction. Positioned above the photograph is a boxed feature headed "Cool Time In The Hot City", accompanied by a smaller image of Bolan wearing dark glasses. The feature text introduces a story centred on Bolan and his activities, giving the T. Rex leader prominent placement on one of Britain's leading music weeklies.
The left-hand side of the cover contains a contents panel advertising major features inside the issue.
Readers are directed to articles on David Cassidy and the hazards of superstardom, Pete Townshend's views on audience relationships, and an interview with Slade's Jim Lea discussing the group's success. A note also advertises an additional free fact section for Jackson 5 fans.
The lower section of the cover contains a large advertisement for Johnny Nash and his single "There Are More Questions Than Answers". Despite these additional elements, the overall design is centred on Marc Bolan, whose image occupies most of the page and reinforces his position as one of the era's leading pop stars.
CONTEXT AND NOTES
Published during the peak of the glam rock era, this cover reflects Marc Bolan's continuing prominence in the British music press. His image was frequently used by major music publications to attract readers, and Record Mirror gives him the leading position on this issue.
The cover combines celebrity appeal with music journalism, drawing attention to both Bolan and several other major artists of the period. As a result, it provides a useful snapshot of the performers and personalities dominating the British music scene during September 1972.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Event: Marc Bolan featured on the cover of Record Mirror
Era: 1972 glam rock era
Tone: Promotional and music-focused
Photography: Large colour cover portrait of Marc Bolan with an additional inset photograph
WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS
• Marc Bolan featured as the cover star of Record Mirror
• Promotion for the feature "Cool Time In The Hot City"
• Contents references to David Cassidy, Pete Townshend and Slade's Jim Lea
dominates the page, showing Marc Bolan performing on stage with a fellow band member visible in the background. The image reinforces the band's powerful stage presence and highlights the visual style that had become closely associated with T. Rex during the glam rock era.
The article appears as a substantial feature covering the band's progress in America and reflects the excitement surrounding their attempts to translate British success into a lasting presence in the United States. The combination of detailed reporting and performance photography presents T. Rex as one of the most talked-about British rock acts of 1972.
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