T. Rex (October 23, 1973) – “Bolan’s New Year Boogie” News Feature - Melody Maker
Updated: 4 days ago
This Melody Maker news item announces plans for a major British T. Rex tour in early 1974, which would mark the group's first substantial tour of the country since the four Sundown concerts held the previous Christmas. The report also reveals plans for an extensive American tour and announces the forthcoming Great Hits collection, listing the twelve T. Rex tracks selected for the album.
Publication: Melody Maker
Date: October 23, 1973
Country: United Kingdom
THE STORY
Published under the headline “Bolan’s New Year boogie”, the article reports that a major British tour was being planned for T. Rex during the first months of 1974.
The proposed concerts would represent the group's first major British tour since the four Sundown concerts held the previous Christmas.
Although the dates had yet to be finalised, the report states that the tour was expected to take place during the first two months of 1974. Venues and individual dates were to be decided after Marc Bolan had completed his forthcoming American commitments.
The article also reports plans for an extensive American tour, describing it as expected to include approximately 33 concerts. These performances were to begin before Christmas and continue into the early part of 1974.
GREAT HITS
While the touring plans were being prepared, the article announces another major T. Rex release.
An album of previously released material titled Great Hits was scheduled to appear within the following two weeks.
The clipping provides the complete list of songs included:
Telegram Sam
Jitterbug Love
Metal Guru
Thunderwing
Solid Gold Easy Action
20th Century Boy
The Slider
Born To Boogie
Children Of The Revolution
Shock Rock
The Groover
Midnight
The collection brings together familiar T. Rex singles with other material from the period, documenting the extraordinary succession of recordings Marc Bolan and T. Rex had produced during the preceding years.
CONTEXT AND NOTES
The clipping captures T. Rex at the point where plans were being developed for renewed British touring activity during 1974.
Rather than providing confirmed venues and dates, Melody Maker makes clear that the British itinerary was still being planned and that the final arrangements would follow Marc Bolan's American tour.
The announcement of Great Hits alongside the touring news makes the clipping particularly useful to the archive. It provides a contemporary track listing for the forthcoming collection and places its release directly within T. Rex's late-1973 activities.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Event: Announcement of planned British and American T. Rex tours
Era: 1973 T. Rex period
Tone: News and release-focused
Forthcoming Album: Great Hits
Planned UK Tour: First two months of 1974
Planned American Tour: Approximately 33 concerts
WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS
• Plans for a major British T. Rex tour in early 1974
• The projected tour described as the first major British tour since the four Sundown shows of the previous Christmas
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