T. Rex (April 22, 2022) – 1972 6LP Box Set

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Following the huge commercial breakthrough of 1971, Marc Bolan entered 1972 at the height of his fame. The year became synonymous with "T. Rextasy", the term adopted by the press to describe the extraordinary public enthusiasm surrounding T. Rex. The group's popularity reached unprecedented levels as chart-topping singles, major tours, television appearances and high-profile projects kept Bolan at the centre of British popular culture.

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This six-LP collection was created to celebrate that remarkable year. Rather than focusing on a single album, the box set assembles the recordings, broadcasts and performances that defined T. Rex during 1972. The intention is to place listeners in the position of a fan experiencing the year as it unfolded, bringing together studio recordings, hit singles, live performances, radio sessions, soundtrack material and rare broadcasts.

The collection documents a period that began with the launch of Marc Bolan's own T. Rex Wax Co. label and the release of the number one single Telegram Sam. It follows T. Rex through two sold-out concerts at Wembley Empire Pool, the creation of the Born To Boogie film directed by Ringo Starr, the release of Metal Guru and The Slider, extensive US touring, radio appearances and BBC sessions, before concluding with Children Of The Revolution, Solid Gold Easy Action and the T. Rex Fan Club Christmas flexi disc.

RECORDING

The box set gathers recordings made throughout 1972 and includes material drawn from multiple sources.

These include The Slider studio album, performances from Wembley Empire Pool, the complete Born To Boogie soundtrack, Marc Bolan's American radio sessions, BBC recordings from 1972 and a collection of B-sides, bonus recordings and the T. Rex Fan Club Christmas flexi disc.

Several recordings included in the set were previously unreleased, including alternate Wembley mixes with 1972 overdubs and the rare Christmas edition performance of Telegram Sam from Top Of The Pops.

STYLE & THEMES

The collection captures T. Rex during the peak of their glam-rock period while also revealing the breadth of Marc Bolan's musical interests.

Alongside chart hits and album tracks are live performances, acoustic sessions, spoken-word contributions, soundtrack material and radio recordings. These demonstrate Bolan's ability to move between hard-driving glam rock, acoustic songwriting, cinematic arrangements and experimental studio material.

The set provides a broad portrait of Marc Bolan as performer, songwriter and cultural figure during one of the most significant years of his career.

TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES

• The Slider — Represents the classic 1972 T. Rex studio album.

• Live At Wembley: The Matinee Show — Captures one of the band's celebrated Wembley Empire Pool performances.

• Born To Boogie Soundtrack — Presented in full for the first time, featuring contributions from Marc Bolan, T. Rex, Elton John, Ringo Starr, Mickey Finn and Geoffrey Bayldon.

• 1972 US Radio Sessions — Solo and intimate recordings produced during T. Rex's American tours.

• T. Rex On The BBC — Includes BBC performances and the rare Christmas edition performance of Telegram Sam.

• T. Rextras — B-sides, additional recordings and the complete T. Rex Fan Club 1972 Christmas Record Flexi Disc.

RELEASE HISTORY

Released by Demon Records on April 22, 2022, 1972 was issued as a deluxe six-LP vinyl box set.

The package brings together virtually every major element of T. Rex's activities during 1972. It includes six coloured-vinyl LPs housed in individual inner sleeves, all presented within a lift-off lid box.

The collection contains a twenty-four page 12" × 12" booklet featuring a specially written essay by producer Tony Visconti and an extensive new essay by Mark Paytress. The booklet also includes previously unpublished photographs taken by Keith Morris during 1972.

PERSONNEL

Marc Bolan — vocals, guitar, songwriter

T. Rex — performances

Elton John — guest performances on Born To Boogie

Ringo Starr — guest performances and featured appearances on Born To Boogie

Mickey Finn — guest performance on Cosmic Dancer

Geoffrey Bayldon — spoken-word performances

Emperor Rosko — live introductions

PRODUCTION

Tony Visconti — booklet essay

Mark Paytress — booklet essay

Keith Morris — photography

Label: Demon Records

• First box set dedicated entirely to documenting T. Rex during 1972.

• Six LPs housed in individual inner sleeves.

• Pressed on 180g coloured vinyl.

• Presented in a lift-off lid box.• Includes a 24-page 12" × 12" booklet.

• Features essays by Tony Visconti and Mark Paytress.

• Includes previously unpublished photographs by Keith Morris.

• Contains the complete Born To Boogie soundtrack.

• Includes previously unreleased recordings and mixes.

• Includes the complete T. Rex Fan Club 1972 Christmas Record Flexi Disc.

RELEASE TABLE

Artist	Album	Label	Country	Catalogue	Date	Format
T. Rex	1972	Demon Records	UK	DEMRECBOX66	April 22, 2022	6LP Box Set

TRACKLIST TABLE

Format	Catalogue	Tracklisting
6LP Box Set	DEMRECBOX66	LP1 – The Slider: Metal Guru, Mystic Lady, Rock On, The Slider, Baby Boomerang, Spaceball Ricochet, Buick MacKane, Telegram Sam, Rabbit Fighter, Baby Strange, Ballrooms Of Mars, Chariot Choogle, Main Man LP2 – Live At Wembley (Matinee Show): Rosko's Intro, Cadillac, Jeepster, Baby Strange, Spaceball Ricochet, Girl, Cosmic Dancer, Telegram Sam LP3 – Live At Wembley (continued): Hot Love, Get It On, One More Time?, Summertime Blues, Baby Strange (alternate mix), Hot Love (alternate mix) LP4 – Born To Boogie Soundtrack: Marc's Intro, Jeepster, Baby Strange, Electric Wind, Tutti Frutti, Children Of The Revolution, Look To The Left, Spaceball Ricochet, Some People Like To Rock, Telegram Sam, Some People Like To Roll, Cosmic Dancer, They've Come Tis Said, Tea Party Medley, Union Hall, Hot Love, Get It On, Chariot Choogle, Marc's Outro, Children Of The Revolution (Strings Reprise) LP5 – Marc Bolan's 1972 US Radio Sessions: Spaceball Ricochet, Jeepster, Cosmic Dancer, Main Man, Ballrooms Of Mars, Mystic Lady, Girl, Baby Strange, Left Hand Luke, The Slider, Spaceball Ricochet LP6 – T. Rex On The BBC In 1972 / T. Rextras: Metal Guru, The Slider, Mystic Lady, Rock On, Main Man, Children Of The Revolution, Solid Gold Easy Action, Telegram Sam (Christmas Top Of The Pops), Cadillac, Thunderwing, Lady, Jitterbug Love, Sunken Rags, Xmas Riff – Born To Boogie, T. Rex Fan Club 1972 Christmas Record Flexi Disc

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SOURCES Discogs, 45 Worlds, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts, Demon Records, Official Marc Bolan archives

All album artwork, photographs, labels, and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference.

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