Marc Bolan / T. Rex (December 22, 1972) – “Hits Are Coming...” Feature - Redbridge Guardian and Independent
This short feature looks back at Marc Bolan’s progression from the underground Tyrannosaurus Rex duo to the chart success of T. Rex. Published as the hits were described as arriving “thick and fast”, the article recalls the early partnership with Steve Peregrine-Took, Mickey Finn’s arrival and Bolan’s development towards a new style of rock music, before promoting T. Rex’s appearance at the Sundown in Edmonton that evening.
Publication: Redbridge Guardian and Independent (Wanstead and Woodford ed.)
Date: December 22, 1972
Country: United Kingdom
Published under the headline “Hits are coming...”, the feature presents a concise account of Marc Bolan’s climb through the music business and the transformation of Tyrannosaurus Rex into T. Rex.
The article begins by observing how much had changed since Bolan first began his journey towards show-business success. His earliest period with percussionist Steve Peregrine-Took is recalled, with the pair described as earning a reputation as the underground duo Tyrannosaurus Rex.
The feature points to “Deborah” as an important step in their development, stating that the single reached the charts while two unusually titled albums helped expand the duo’s reputation.
Bolan’s career continued to progress despite the departure of his original musical partner. The article notes that Mickey Finn replaced Took, marking another stage in the development of the group.
The most significant change described in the clipping is musical. Bolan is said to have developed “a new brand of rock music, glitter, hip swinging and all”, with successful records subsequently arriving in rapid succession.
By the end of the article, the transformation is complete. Bolan is described as having formed T. Rex, and readers are told that the group could be heard that very evening at the Sundown, Edmonton.
CONTEXT AND NOTES
The clipping gives readers a compact retrospective of Marc Bolan’s career while simultaneously promoting a contemporary T. Rex appearance.
Its emphasis is firmly on progression: the underground Tyrannosaurus Rex partnership, the chart appearance of “Deborah”, the change from Steve Peregrine-Took to Mickey Finn, and finally the emergence of the more flamboyant rock style associated with T. Rex.
The article’s description of Bolan’s music as involving “glitter, hip swinging and all” neatly captures how his public and musical image was being characterised by the end of 1972.
Rather than focusing on a specific current record, the piece presents Bolan’s entire development as a story of continuing momentum, culminating in the observation that the hits were now arriving “thick and fast”.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Event: Career overview leading into a T. Rex appearance at the Sundown, Edmonton
Era: 1972 Bolanmania era
Tone: Concise, retrospective and promotional
Photography: No photograph appears within the supplied clipping
WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS
• Marc Bolan’s progression from Tyrannosaurus Rex to T. Rex
• Reference to Steve Peregrine-Took as Bolan’s original musical partner
• “Deborah” identified as part of the duo’s early chart success
• Mickey Finn replacing Steve Peregrine-Took
• Bolan’s new music described through glitter and hip-swinging rock
• T. Rex advertised at the Sundown, Edmonton, that evening
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