T. Rex (January 1, 1976) – Hot Rock Album FRA: 2LP

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Hot Rock Greatest Hits was a French double-album compilation released by CBS in 1976.

Issued as a 2LP collection, the album assembled a broad selection of recordings spanning T. Rex's most commercially successful period. The compilation combined major hit singles, popular album tracks and later recordings, creating one of the most extensive T. Rex retrospective collections available in France during the mid-1970s.

The release was distributed by CBS and CBS Disques and packaged as a four-sided overview of Marc Bolan and T. Rex from their glam rock peak through to their later recordings.

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The compilation consisted of previously released studio recordings by T. Rex.

The featured material originated from numerous recording sessions spanning the group's most successful years and included tracks first released on singles and albums throughout the early to mid-1970s.

No new recordings were made for this compilation. Existing T. Rex masters licensed from Wizard Artists Ltd. were assembled for release as a French-exclusive double album package.

STYLE & THEMES

Hot Rock Greatest Hits presents a comprehensive survey of the glam rock sound that established T. Rex as one of the defining acts of the 1970s.

The collection balances major chart hits including Hot Love, Get It On, Telegram Sam, Metal Guru, Children Of The Revolution and 20th Century Boy with album favourites such as Mambo Sun, Buick Mackane, The Slider, Teenage Dream and Life's A Gas.

The compilation documents Marc Bolan's evolution from concise hit singles to more ambitious album recordings while maintaining the distinctive hooks, boogie rhythms and glam rock style that became synonymous with T. Rex.

TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES

• Hot Love — One of T. Rex's breakthrough UK number one singles.

• Metal Guru — Major hit from the band's peak commercial period.

• 20th Century Boy — One of Marc Bolan's most enduring recordings.

• One Inch Rock — Earlier composition reflecting T. Rex's transitional period.

• Ride A White Swan — Landmark recording that launched the band's commercial breakthrough.

• Mambo Sun — Classic track from The Slider era.

• Girl — Popular album recording.

• Mad Donna — Later-period T. Rex recording.

• Get It On — International breakthrough hit.

• The Groover — Stand-alone hit single.

• The Motivator — Recording associated with the Tanx period.

• Tenement Lady — Album track from the mid-1970s catalogue.

• Broken Hearted Blues — Lesser-known album selection.

• Life Is Strange — Recording from the later T. Rex years.

• Buick Mackane — One of the band's best-known album tracks.

• Chariot Choogle — Popular glam rock recording.

• Jeepster — Signature hit single.

• Truck-On (Tyke) — Distinctive single from the Tanx period.

• Children Of The Revolution — Non-album classic.

• Mister Mister — Mid-1970s T. Rex recording.

• The Slider — Title track from one of the band's most celebrated albums.

• Life's A Gas — Widely regarded Marc Bolan composition.

• Shock Rock — Short studio recording representative of the band's later style.

• Born To Boogie — Associated with the Born To Boogie era.

• Woodland Rock — Fan-favourite album track.

• Telegram Sam — Major UK hit single.

• Solid Gold Easy Action — Another of the group's classic chart successes.

• Light Of Love — Recording from the American period.

• Jitterbug Love — Album favourite.

• Spanish Midnight — Later-period recording.

• Teenage Dream — One of Bolan's most acclaimed compositions.

• I Really Love You Babe — Mid-1970s album track.

• Zip Gun Boogie — Recording from the Bolan's Zip Gun era.

RELEASE HISTORY

The album was released in France in 1976 by CBS under catalogue number REX 88189.

The compilation was issued as a double LP set comprising two individual records identified by catalogue numbers REX 81264 and REX 81265.

The release was manufactured in France and distributed by CBS and CBS Disques

PERSONNEL

Marc Bolan — vocals, guitar, songwriter

T. Rex — performances

Tony Visconti — producer

Wizard Artists Ltd. — phonographic rights

PRODUCTION

Produced by Tony Visconti

Label: CBS

Catalogue Number: REX 88189

Barcode:

Recorded At: Various recording sessions

NOTES

• French double-album compilation released in 1976.

• Issued by CBS under catalogue number REX 88189.

• Distributed by CBS and CBS Disques.

• Manufactured in France.

• Printed by Montreuil Offset.

• Features material spanning T. Rex's major hit-making years.

• Contains many of Marc Bolan's best-known singles and album tracks.

• LPs carry the individual catalogue numbers REX 81264 and REX 81265.

• Rights society credited as SACEM / SACD / SDRM / SGDL.

• Phonographic rights credited to Wizard Artists Ltd.

RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE

Artist	Title	Label	Country	Cat No.	Date	Format
T. Rex	Hot Rock Greatest Hits	CBS	France	REX 88189	1976	2LP, Compilation

TRACKLIST TABLE (ALL FORMATS)

Format	Catalogue	Tracklisting
2LP	REX 88189	LP1 Side One: Hot Love • Metal Guru • 20th Century Boy • One Inch Rock • Ride A White Swan • Mambo Sun • Girl • Mad Donna LP1 Side Two: Get It On • The Groover • The Motivator • Tenement Lady • Broken Hearted Blues • Life Is Strange • Buick Mackane • Chariot Choogle LP2 Side One: Jeepster • Truck-On (Tyke) • Children Of The Revolution • Mister Mister • The Slider • Life's A Gas • Shock Rock • Born To Boogie • Woodland Rock LP2 Side Two: Telegram Sam • Solid Gold Easy Action • Light Of Love • Jitterbug Love • Spanish Midnight • Teenage Dream • I Really Love You Babe • Zip Gun Boogie

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SOURCES ES 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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