T. Rex (October 19, 1974) – “Oyster Cult Glitters; T-Rex Just Rocks” Feature – Oregon Journal
A live concert review covering a performance by T. Rex and Blue Öyster Cult at Portland's Paramount Theatre. Written by staff writer Steve Cahill, the article compared the two bands' performances and offered a critical assessment of Marc Bolan and T. Rex during their October 1974 North American tour.
PUBLICATION: Oregon Journal
DATE: October 19, 1974
COUNTRY: USA
EVENT DATE: October 18, 1974
Published in the Oregon Journal on October 19, 1974, this review by Steve Cahill examined the previous evening's concert featuring Blue Öyster Cult and T. Rex at Portland's Paramount Theatre.
The article opened with a strongly favourable assessment of Blue Öyster Cult, describing the group as a creative force within contemporary glitter rock and praising its musicianship, stage presentation and overall performance. According to the review, the band delivered a cohesive and memorable set before a capacity audience of more than 3,000 people.
In contrast, T. Rex received a far less enthusiastic evaluation. Cahill noted that Marc Bolan remained the focal point of the group and described his highly theatrical stage entrance, which involved emerging from a large flashing star. The review argued that visual spectacle often drew more attention than the music itself and suggested that the group's performance relied heavily on presentation and audience interaction.
The article also referenced recording equipment present at the concert, stating that Blue Öyster Cult had chosen the Paramount appearance as the source for a forthcoming live album. The presence of the recording equipment was said to have added to the excitement inside the venue.
The review concluded that T. Rex's set lacked the impact achieved by Blue Öyster Cult and reflected the author's belief that the American audience responded more positively to the evening's headline attraction.
CONTEXT AND NOTES
This article provides a contemporary American newspaper perspective on T. Rex during the October 1974 North American tour.
Unlike concert advertisements and advance previews published during the same period, the Oregon Journal feature offers an immediate reaction to an actual performance and demonstrates the differing critical reception T. Rex sometimes received in the United States during the mid-1970s.
The article is also notable for documenting a tour date where T. Rex shared the bill with Blue Öyster Cult, a recurring pairing throughout portions of the North American run.
As with many period reviews, the opinions expressed reflect the views of the author at the time and provide a snapshot of how the concert was received by at least one member of the American music press.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
EVENT: T. Rex and Blue Öyster Cult concert review
ERA: October 1974 North American Tour
TONE: Critical live-performance review
WRITER: Steve Cahill, Journal Staff Writer
WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS
Review of a T. Rex and Blue Öyster Cult concert at Portland's Paramount Theatre.
Byline credited to Steve Cahill.
Reference to a capacity audience of more than 3,000 people.
Discussion of Blue Öyster Cult's performance and stage presentation.
Mention of recording equipment present at the concert.
Reference to a planned live album recording.
Description of Marc Bolan's stage entrance from a flashing star.
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