T. Rex (October 4, 1974) – “T. Rex, Blue Öyster Cult Will Share Fresno Concert” Feature – The Fresno Bee
A newspaper feature announcing T. Rex's forthcoming Fresno appearance during the band's October 1974 North American tour, with Blue Öyster Cult sharing the bill at Warner's Theatre. Accompanied by a promotional photograph of Marc Bolan, the article introduced Fresno readers to the British group ahead of the concert.
Publication: The Fresno Bee
Date: October 4, 1974
Country: USAE
vent Date: October 11, 1974
Published one week before the scheduled performance, this Fresno Bee feature announced that T. Rex and Blue Öyster Cult would appear together at Warner's Theatre in Fresno on October 11, 1974.
The article informed readers that the concert would begin at 8 p.m. and provided ticket purchasing information, noting that tickets were available through the theatre box office and selected local record and audio retailers throughout the Fresno area.
To introduce the visiting British act to local audiences, the feature outlined the origins of T. Rex, explaining that singer-songwriter Marc Bolan had originally formed Tyrannosaurus Rex in 1967 before evolving the group into the electrified T. Rex. The article described Bolan as a cult figure whose poetry was incorporated into his songwriting and highlighted the band's reputation for energetic and theatrical live performances.
Blue Öyster Cult were also profiled briefly, with reference made to their recent album Secret Treaties, which had been released only months earlier.
Alongside the text, the feature included a striking publicity photograph of Marc Bolan captioned:
"Marc Bolan... Leader of T. Rex"
The combination of concert information, artist background and promotional imagery served as a classic example of how American regional newspapers promoted major touring rock acts during the mid-1970s.
CONTEXT AND NOTES
By October 1974, T. Rex were undertaking an extensive North American tour as Marc Bolan attempted to rebuild the band's profile in the United States.
Unlike many simple concert listings, this Fresno Bee piece devoted significant space to explaining who T. Rex were, reflecting the fact that while the group had achieved enormous success in the United Kingdom and Europe, their American profile was less established outside major music markets.
The article also illustrates how local newspapers often acted as an important promotional platform for touring artists, combining ticket information with a concise artist biography designed to attract potential concertgoers.
The accompanying photograph of Bolan reinforces the extent to which his image remained central to the band's identity during this period.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Event: T. Rex and Blue Öyster Cult concert at Warner's Theatre, Fresno
Era: October 1974 North American Tour
Tone: Informative promotional feature
Photography: Publicity portrait of Marc Bolan with identifying caption
WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS
Headline announcing a joint T. Rex and Blue Öyster Cult concert.
Details of the October 11, 1974 performance at Warner's Theatre in Fresno.
Ticket purchasing information and local sales outlets.
A short biography of Marc Bolan and T. Rex.
Reference to Bolan's poetry and songwriting.
Description of T. Rex as a theatrical glitter-rock act.
Mention of Blue Öyster Cult's recent album Secret Treaties.
Promotional photograph of Marc Bolan captioned "Leader of T. Rex".
Feature, Concert Advertisement, Marc Bolan Live, 1974, USA Press, Glam Rock Archive
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