T.Rex (July 21 1972 ) The Slider Album Release
- T.Rex
- Jul 21, 1972
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 21
Released on July 21, 1972, by EMI in the UK and August 1972 by Reprise in the US, it featured two number-one singles, “Telegram Sam” and “Metal Guru.” Arriving at the peak of T. Rextasy, The Slider followed the chart‑topping Electric Warrior (1971) and cemented Marc Bolan’s reputation as the “King of Glam.”
Written mostly while on tour in late 1971, the album blends hard‑hitting “Zep Rex” riffs with tender, confessional ballads.
It reached #4 in the UK and #17 in the US, and over time has earned recognition as one of glam rock’s defining records.
Track Listing
— Side A
Metal Guru
Mystic Lady
Rock On
The Slider
Baby Boomerang
Spaceball Ricochet
Buick MacKane
— Side B
Telegram Sam
Rabbit Fighter
Baby Strange
Ballrooms of Mars
Chariot Choogle
Main Man
The sleeve credits Ringo Starr (although Tony Visconti has stated he took the images) with the front and back cover photographs, taken at John Lennon’s Tittenhurst Park during filming of the Born to Boogie movie.
The iconic grainy black‑and‑white portrait of Bolan in top hat was accidentally over‑processed in the darkroom, giving it its distinctive texture.
Issued in a single sleeve slip in sleeve in the UK , with a red thick paper inner sleeve carrying full lyrics and credits.
Labels T. Rex – BLN 5001 / 1E 062 ◦ 93596, with one version noted for omitting “T. REX” under the track listing on the labels.
Test pressings of the album suggest Marc considered releasing it under a pseudonym. A two single-sided test pressing dated June 29, 1972, indicates he may have been experimenting with his band’s name.
He tried out two names:
1) Total Wrecks and the Space Cadets,
2) The Locomotivehead Dress Sneaker Rhino Eared Rollerskated Shop Band. Marc handwrote all the text on the covers but left the labels blank.
An accompanying info sheet also mentioned that Chariot Choogle will be released as a single in the UK next month.
Personnel
T. Rex Marc Bolan — vocals, guitar Steve Currie — bass guitar
Mickey Finn — percussion, congas, hand percussion, vocals
Bill Legend — drums
Additional Personnel
Mark Volman (“Flo”) — backing vocals Howard Kaylan (“Eddie”) — backing vocals
Tony Visconti — producer, string arrangements, backing vocals
Technical
Dominique “Freddy” Hansson — engineering
David Katz — orchestra master
Ringo Starr — sleeve photography
Mick O’Halloran — front‑of‑house technician / lead road manager
Steve Little — stage manager / PA to Marc / roadie
Micky Marmalade — roadie / drive
Recording Notes
Most songs were written and demoed in late 1971 while touring the UK.
Early sessions (November 1-3 1971) at Rosenberg Studios, Copenhagen produced “Telegram Sam”, “Baby Strange”, “Cadilac”, “Thunderwing” and an early “Spaceball Ricochet”, with overdubs at Trident Studios in London.
On Elton John’s recommendation, the bulk of the album was recorded at Strawberry Studios, Château d'Hérouville near Paris.
Sessions from February 3 and 8–12 March 8–12 1972 yielded “The Slider”, “Rock On”, “Metal Guru”, “Mystic Lady”, “Spaceball Ricochet” (remake), “Rabbit Fighter”, “Main Man”, plus B‑sides “Lady” and “Sunken Rags” and the outtake “Buick MacKane and the Babe Shadow”.
Further recording (March 31 –April 2) back at Rosenberg produced “Buick MacKane”, “Baby Boomerang” and “Chariot Choogle”, along with a 12‑minute rehearsal of “Children of the Revolution” for the Born to Boogie film.
Final backing vocals by Flo & Eddie and mixing were completed at Elektra Sound Recorders, Los Angeles in early April
UK Variants
LP, Album (Stereo / Standard labels)
T. Rex — BLN 5001 / 1E 062 ◦ 93596 — UK, 1972 (red lyric inner, regular cover)
T. Rex — BLN 5001 — UK, 1972 (label text variations)
T. REX — BLN 5001 / 1E 062 ◦ 93596 — UK, 1972 (capitalised artist credit)
LP, Album, Mispress, Stereo — T. Rex — BLN 5001 / 1E 062‑93596 — UK, 1972
LP, Album, White Label
T. Rex — BLN 5001 — UK, 1972 (white label promo/test)
Cassette, Album
His Master’s Voice — TC‑BLN 5001 / 1E 244 ◦ 93936 — UK, 1972
His Master’s Voice — TC‑BLN 5001 / 1E 244 ◦ 93596 — UK, 1972 (green label variant)
8‑Track Cartridge, Album, Stereo
EMI — 8X‑BLN 5001 / 1E 346 ◦ 93596 — UK, 1972
International Variants (Selective)
In the US and Canada, the album released by Reprise Records featured a gatefold sleeve, with the red lyric insert from the UK release used as the two interior spreads.
In Japan, the album was also released in a gatefold sleeve, initial pressings came with an obi, a large folded black-and-white live poster, an insert with color drawings, and a 12-page color booklet, with printed signatures and lyrics, liner notes, a history of T. Rex, and photos.
Albums Chronology
Electric Warrior — 1971
The Slider — 1972
Tanx — 1973
Singles
Telegram Sam
(January 21, 1972)
Metal Guru
(May 5, 1972)
Both singles reached #1 in the UK, forming the commercial spearhead for The Slider and defining the peak of T. Rextasy.
SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts and RockfilesUK.
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.
Great album—Marc was at his best, bringing a new sound that defined an era. You just had to be there!🎩