Marc Bolan (September 27, 1980) – “Part Two: The Rise And Fall Of Bolanmania” Feature - New Musical Express (NME)
This major NME retrospective examines the phenomenon of "Bolanmania" and reflects on Marc Bolan's extraordinary rise, commercial peak and subsequent decline. Written by Paul Morley, the article analyses Bolan's impact on popular culture, his relationship with fame and the lasting significance of T. Rex within 1970s British music.
Publication: New Musical Express (NME)
Date: September 27, 1980
Country: United Kingdom
Published as "Part Two: The Rise And Fall Of Bolanmania", the feature explores Marc Bolan's transformation from underground performer to one of Britain's most recognisable pop stars. Paul Morley charts the development of T. Rex and the intense popularity that surrounded Bolan during the early years of the 1970s, when his records, image and personality inspired a level of excitement rarely seen in British pop culture.
The article reflects on the period when T. Rex dominated singles charts and youth culture, examining how Bolan's appeal extended far beyond music. Morley discusses the creation of the Bolan image, the rise of glam rock and the extraordinary public response that became known as Bolanmania.
The feature also considers how changing musical trends affected Bolan's position later in the decade and explores the challenges he faced as tastes evolved.
Accompanying the article are several photographs covering different periods of Bolan's career. A large central image shows him posed with a guitar, while additional photographs document both his glam rock years and later appearances. The visual presentation reinforces the retrospective nature of the feature, illustrating the changing stages of Bolan's public career.
CONTEXT AND NOTES
Appearing three years after Marc Bolan's death, the article serves as both a reassessment and a celebration of his influence.
Rather than concentrating on a particular record or performance, the feature analyses Bolan's wider cultural impact, examining how he helped define an era of British popular music.
The article's title reflects its central theme: the rise and decline of a phenomenon that transformed Bolan into a household name.
Through interviews, commentary and retrospective analysis, NME presents Bolan as one of the defining figures of the decade whose influence continued to be discussed long after the peak of T. Rex's success.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Event: NME retrospective examining the rise and decline of Bolanmania
Era: 1980 reassessment of the T. Rex phenomenon
Tone: Analytical and reflective
Photography: Multiple career-spanning photographs including studio portraits and guitar portraits of Marc Bolan
WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS
• "Part Two: The Rise And Fall Of Bolanmania" by Paul Morley
• Examination of Marc Bolan's popularity and cultural impact
• Photographs covering different stages of Bolan's career
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