The 100 Greatest Bands of all time - #62 T. Rex

Starting out as Tyrannosaurus Rex in 1967 London, Marc Bolan and Steve Peregrin Took played an odd psychedelic folk. It wasn’t very successful. In 1970, Took left the band and the name was shortened to T. Rex. Bolan recruited percussionist Mickey Finn, bassist Steve Currie, and drummer Bill Legend and developed a new sound called Glam Rock. Many date the very beginning of glam rock to Marc Bolan’s March 1971 appearance on Top of the Pops playing Hot Love. The new sound took off and created T. Rextasy across Britain. They considered it the new Beatlemania. In September of ’71, Electric Warrior, one of the great 70s albums, was released and cemented the band’s place in the rock pantheon. Tragically, Marc Bolan was killed in a car crash in 1977 two weeks from his 30th birthday.




His first big hit with the new sound.





The T. Rex performance of this song on Top of the Pops in 1971 is considered by many to be the birth of Glam Rock.





One of my favorites. Girl, I'm just a Jeepster for your love.





Here's his one big hit in the US that everyone knows. Hey look, there's Elton John at the piano.





Is it strange to dance so soon?





Oh yes you are.





Life's a gas, I hope it's gonna last.





You won't fool the children of the revolution.





Metal Guru, is it you? yeah yeah yeah!





Telegram Sam! He's my main man!





and we conclude our look at T. Rex with 20th Century Boy. Great guitar riff here!