T. Rex (October 2, 1972) Bolan Boogie Album Chart Re-entry

During the week of October 2, 1972, T.Rex’s compilation album Bolan Boogie re-entered the BBC Albums Chart at number 44. Released in May 1972 by Fly Records,

It hit number 1 earlier that spring and returned to the chart amid T.Rex’s ongoing success with singles like “Children of the Revolution” and the album The Slider.

UK first‑pressing of Bolan Boogie (HIFLY 8), released 5 May 1972 on Fly Records

On January 15, 1972 T.Rex performed at The Starlight Rooms Boston Gliderdrome in Lincolnshire. This was a Saturday night show. This performance is one of the true high points of the band's history. It was filmed for both UK and overseas television and some footage is part of the documentary "Whatever Happened to Tin Pan Alley?". Many of the posters and pictures to adorn fans walls over the next year would come from photos taken on this night, including the image used om the back cover of Bolan Boogie.

Track Listing — Side B

1. Raw Ramp (originally the B‑side of “Get It On”) — 5:13

2. Jeepster (single A‑side from Electric Warrior) — 4:08

3. First Heart Mighty Dawn Dart (from A Beard of Stars) — 2:41

4. By the Light of a Magical Moon (single A‑side, included on A Beard of Stars) — 2:46

5. Summertime Blues (originally the B‑side of “Ride a White Swan”) — 2:40

6. Hot Love (single A‑side – 1971) — 4:55

Track Listing — Side A

1. Get It On (single A‑side, included on Electric Warrior – 1971) — 4:25

2. Beltane Walk (from T. Rex – 1970) — 2:20

3. The King of the Mountain Cometh (originally the B‑side of “Hot Love” – 1971) — 3:48

4. Jewel (from T. Rex) — 2:48

5. She Was Born to Be My Unicorn (from Unicorn – 1969) — 2:32

6. Dove (from A Beard of Stars – 1970) — 2:02

7. Woodland Rock (originally the B‑side of “Hot Love”) — 2:25

8. Ride a White Swan (single A‑side – 1970) — 2:13

   

Recording Notes  

Recorded across multiple sessions from 1969–1971, drawing from:

• Unicorn (1969)

• A Beard of Stars (1970)

• T. Rex (1970)

• Non‑album singles and B‑sides from 1970–71

Produced throughout by Tony Visconti.

Personnel

Marc Bolan — lead vocals, acoustic & electric guitars (all tracks), harmonium (track 5)

Mickey Finn — congas, bongos, backing vocals (tracks 1–4, 6–14)

Steve Currie — bass (tracks 1, 3, 7, 9, 10, 14)

Bill Legend — drums, tambourine (tracks 1, 7, 9, 10, 14)

Steve Peregrin Took — bongos, backing vocals, African talking drum, bass (track 5)

Legacy  

Bolan Boogie stands as the definitive early‑era T. Rex compilation, capturing the explosive run of singles that transformed Marc Bolan from cult folk mystic into a glam‑rock icon. Its release marked the end of Bolan’s association with Fly Records and the beginning of the T. Rex Wax Co. era.

The album remains a cornerstone of any T. Rex collection, frequently reissued worldwide on Cube Records and licensed editions throughout 1972.

Chart Performance (1972)  

UK Albums Chart: #1 (3 weeks at the top) Australia: #17

Norway: #13

UK Chart Run:  

18 weeks from 20 May – 16 Sept 1972, plus one additional week in October.

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SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts, Prince Vault, Sleeveographia2

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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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