T. Rex (October 17, 1972) – “T-Rex, Doobies Score at Aud” Concert Review – Press-Telegram.
Published two days after the performance, this Press-Telegram review covers T. Rex at the Long Beach Auditorium alongside The Doobie Brothers. Pop-music critic Preston Reese challenges comparisons between Marc Bolan and The Beatles, but reports that T. Rex generated their own excitement before a full house.
Publication: Press-Telegram
Publication Date: October 17, 1972
Country: United States
Event Date: October 15, 1972
Under the headline “But the Beatles they're not – T-Rex, Doobies score at Aud”, Preston Reese reviews the Sunday concert at the Long Beach Auditorium.
The article opens by rejecting the publicity comparisons surrounding Marc Bolan and T. Rex, stating that they “aren't the Beatles all over again”, while adding that they “run a good second though.” Reese reports that T. Rex generated their own brand of excitement before a full house.
The stage presentation included large props, mirror columns and two oversized Bolan cut-outs. The review also records that Bolan was suffering from laryngitis, raising doubts over whether the performance could go ahead, but confirms that Bolan was able to sing.
Musically, Reese describes T. Rex as drawing on Beatle-oriented music alongside Chuck Berry influences, while noting that the performance largely featured material from the band's then-new album, The Slider.
Songs specifically mentioned include “The Slider”, “Cosmic Dancer” and “Bang a Gong (Get It On)”. The review notes Bolan moving front and centre for an acoustic guitar solo during “Cosmic Dancer”, while “Bang a Gong (Get It On)” is identified as the record that had reached nationwide Top Ten success the previous winter.
The newspaper also reviews The Doobie Brothers, describing the group as another Warner act that was becoming increasingly popular following “Listen to the Music.”
CONTEXT AND NOTES
The clipping provides a useful contemporary account of T. Rex's October 15, 1972 Long Beach Auditorium concert, particularly because it records Bolan's laryngitis while confirming that the performance still took place.
It also captures the American press attempting to assess Bolanmania on its own terms. Reese dismisses direct Beatles comparisons but acknowledges that T. Rex created substantial excitement and drew a full house.
The article is especially valuable for identifying material performed from The Slider and documenting details of the stage presentation used during this American appearance.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Event: T. Rex and The Doobie Brothers at Long Beach AuditoriumEra: 1972 – The Slider / American Tour periodTone: Critical but acknowledging of T. Rex's audience impactPhotography: The surviving scan includes a dark newspaper photograph captioned “MARC BOLAN – Strong in Green Lame.”
WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS
• T. Rex performing at Long Beach Auditorium on October 15, 1972
• Marc Bolan performing despite reported laryngitis
• A full-house audience and an elaborate stage presentation
• References to The Slider, Cosmic Dancer and Bang a Gong (Get It On)
• Coverage of The Doobie Brothers on the same bill
• Contemporary American commentary on comparisons between T. Rex and The Beatles
All newspaper scans, photographs, and original text excerpts referenced in this entry remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This Chronicle entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference. No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.
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