T. Rex (October 23, 1974) – “T Rex Was Pretty Awful, Blue Oyster Cult Worse” Feature – Calgary Herald
A blunt and highly critical live review of T. Rex and Blue Öyster Cult's Calgary appearance at the Stampede Corral, with writer Eugene Chadbourne delivering a controversial assessment of both performances while focusing considerable attention on Marc Bolan's stage presentation and the audience's reaction.
Publication: Calgary Herald
Date: October 24, 1974
Country: Canada
Event Date: October 23, 1974
Published the day after the concert, this Calgary Herald review examined the performances of T. Rex and Blue Öyster Cult at Calgary's Stampede Corral.
Written by Eugene Chadbourne, the article opens by describing the anticipation among T. Rex supporters in attendance, portraying fans as anxious about how Marc Bolan would follow Blue Öyster Cult's elaborate stage production. The review notes the strong audience response when T. Rex took the stage, with concertgoers rising to their feet as smoke effects and spotlights filled the venue.
The writer describes Marc Bolan's arrival on stage aboard a large illuminated star platform and recounts the crowd's enthusiasm as the band's appearance was announced. However, after this dramatic entrance, the review becomes increasingly critical of the performance itself, claiming that the musicians struggled to remain together and that the set lacked the impact expected from the legendary British glam rock group.
One element that did receive praise was a female backing vocalist, who the reviewer felt added strength and musical depth whenever she joined the choruses. According to the article, these moments helped bring Bolan's melodies to life amid an otherwise disappointing assessment of the show.
The review also comments on audience movement during the concert and references performances of songs including "Teenage Dream", which the writer states was introduced by Bolan during the set.
Despite its criticism of T. Rex, the article ultimately concludes that Blue Öyster Cult failed to deliver a stronger performance, arguing that the elaborate visual effects and stage presentation could not compensate for weaknesses perceived by the reviewer.
CONTEXT AND NOTES
This review documents one of the Canadian dates undertaken during T. Rex's October 1974 North American tour. By this stage of the tour, Marc Bolan was attempting to rebuild momentum in North America following the band's earlier international success at the beginning of the decade.
Unlike many regional newspaper reports that focused on ticket sales, audience numbers or promotional coverage, the Calgary Herald piece offered a detailed personal reaction from the reviewer. As a result, it provides an interesting contrast to many other contemporary reports, which often concentrated on fan enthusiasm and the spectacle of T. Rex's live presentation.
The article is also notable for describing Bolan's stage entrance on a large illuminated star platform, a visual detail rarely documented in concert advertisements and newspaper previews from the same tour.
Regardless of the reviewer's opinion, the clipping remains a valuable contemporary record of the band's 1974 North American performances and illustrates the mixed critical reception T. Rex occasionally encountered during this period.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Event: T. Rex and Blue Öyster Cult at Stampede Corral, Calgary
Era: October 1974 North American Tour
Tone: Critical live concert review
Photography: No concert photograph accompanies the review in the surviving clipping; the article is presented primarily as text
WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS
Review of T. Rex and Blue Öyster Cult's Calgary performance
Description of audience anticipation before T. Rex appeared
Account of Marc Bolan's illuminated star-platform stage entrance
References to smoke effects, spotlights and stage production
Commentary on the band's live musicianship
Praise for the backing vocalist's contribution
Mention of "Teenage Dream" during the set
Contemporary critical reaction to the October 1974 tour
All magazine 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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