T. Rex (October 15, 1972) – “Another English Act That Is Trying To Fill Some Of The Excitement Gap In Rock…” Feature – The Los Angeles Times.
Within a wider article examining the state of contemporary rock music and the emergence of new stars, The Los Angeles Times highlights T. Rex as one of the British acts attempting to generate excitement in the American market. The piece focuses on Marc Bolan's popularity, the band's ongoing U.S. tour and the challenges facing their American breakthrough.
Publication: The Los Angeles Times
Date: October 15, 1972
Country: United States
Event Date: October 15, 1972
Written by Robert Hilburn, the article primarily discusses David Bowie and the changing direction of rock music during the early 1970s. However, T. Rex receives specific mention as another British act attempting to ignite enthusiasm among American concert audiences.
The article states that T. Rex were appearing at the Long Beach Auditorium that evening as part of their second U.S. tour. Marc Bolan and the group are described as having achieved popularity in England that had reached near‑Beatlemania proportions among younger fans.
Hilburn notes that the band had experienced only moderate success during its first American tour earlier in the year and reports that difficulties had arisen during the eastern leg of the current tour. Despite those setbacks, T. Rex are presented as one of the few contemporary British rock acts capable of generating genuine excitement and anticipation.
The reference is brief but significant, placing T. Rex alongside major touring artists of the period and recognising the scale of Bolan's success in Britain, even as the group continued its efforts to establish itself in the United States.
CONTEXT AND NOTES
By October 1972, T. Rex had become one of Britain's biggest recording acts, following a remarkable run of hit singles and albums. American success, however, proved more difficult to achieve, despite strong promotional efforts and extensive touring.
This article captures a contemporary American perspective on the group during that campaign. Rather than focusing on records or chart positions, the piece highlights the contrast between T. Rex's immense British popularity and the challenge of converting that fame into lasting U.S. success.
The clipping is also useful because it documents a specific stop on the band's second American tour and shows how major American newspapers were assessing the growing wave of British glam rock artists entering the U.S. market.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Event: T. Rex U.S. tour appearance at Long Beach Auditorium
Era: 1972 – American Tour Era
Tone: Observational and analytical
Photography: None relating to T. Rex within the article excerpt
WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS
• T. Rex appearing at Long Beach Auditorium on October 15, 1972
• Reference to the band's second U.S. tour
• Description of Marc Bolan's popularity reaching near‑Beatlemania levels in England
• Recognition of difficulties encountered during the eastern leg of the tour
• Contemporary American newspaper coverage of T. Rex's U.S. campaign
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