T. Rex (October 21, 1991) – “Jean-ius! Win This Album Or Video...” Feature - Liverpool Echo
This Liverpool Echo feature highlights the unexpected chart revival of T. Rex during 1991 following the renewed success of “Get It On.” Triggered by its use in a popular television advertising campaign, the article examines how a new generation was discovering Marc Bolan's music and promotes a competition offering copies of the latest T. Rex compilation album and video.
Publication: Liverpool Echo
Date: October 21, 1991
Country: United Kingdom
Appearing in Penny Kiley's Chart-Busters column, the feature celebrates the continuing popularity of T. Rex more than a decade after Marc Bolan's passing.
The article notes that “20th Century Boy” had already demonstrated the enduring appeal of the group and predicts similar success for a follow-up reissue campaign. The writer points out that a jeans advertisement had once again brought T. Rex music to public attention, helping introduce Marc Bolan's recordings to a younger audience.
Recognising that the connection between jeans advertising and glam rock might appear unusual, the article turns to John Bramley, who ran the T. Rex fan club and the Marc On Wax record label.
Bramley explains that Marc Bolan regularly wore jeans and argues that the image is not as surprising as some people might think.
“People think of the glitter and the glam, but he was in step with the punk era.”
The article also notes that if viewers looked closely at footage from Marc, the television series, Bolan could frequently be seen wearing torn jeans years before such fashions became commonplace.
The feature then turns to the T. Rex revival itself. Bramley explains that the renewed interest extended beyond the hit singles and had helped inspire the release of a new retrospective collection.
The article promotes Marc Bolan & T. Rex: The Ultimate Collection, describing it as a compilation bringing together singles recorded between 1968 and 1976, including the band's four number one hits.
A companion video release is also highlighted, featuring interviews and rare footage of the band.
To coincide with the feature, readers are invited to enter a competition to win copies of the album or video by answering a T. Rex-related question.
Alongside the article is a large black-and-white photograph of Marc Bolan playing guitar, accompanied by the caption:
“The legend lives on ... Marc Bolan”
CONTEXT AND NOTES
The feature captures one of the many revivals of interest in T. Rex during the years following Marc Bolan's passing. Television advertising had become a particularly effective way of introducing classic recordings to new audiences, and the renewed success of “Get It On” helped place T. Rex back in the public spotlight during 1991.
The article is especially notable for its comments from John Bramley, who had become one of the key figures involved in preserving and promoting Bolan's legacy through both the fan club and Marc On Wax.
The competition itself reflects the growing demand for archival releases, compilations and video material as interest in glam rock experienced a resurgence during the early 1990s.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Event: T. Rex revival feature and competition
Era: 1991 T. Rex revival
Tone: Celebratory and nostalgic
Photography: Large concert photograph of Marc Bolan playing guitar
WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS
• T. Rex's continued popularity during 1991
• Discussion of the chart revival sparked by a jeans advertisement
• Comments from T. Rex fan club leader John Bramley
• Promotion of Marc Bolan & T. Rex: The Ultimate Collection
• Reference to a companion video featuring interviews and rare footage
• Competition offering copies of the album and video
• Photograph captioned “The legend lives on ... Marc Bolan”
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