T. Rex (band)

T. Rex (band)
source
Name	T. Rex
Background	group_or_band
Genre	Glam rock, Rock music, Folk rock
Years active	1967–1977
Label	Regal Zonophone, Fly Records, EMI
Associated acts	David Bowie, Roxy Music, The Damned

T. Rex (band) was a highly influential British rock music group formed in 1967 by Marc Bolan. The band is known for their unique blend of folk rock, glam rock, and psychedelic rock, which was a major part of the UK Singles Chart and Billboard Hot 100 in the early 1970s, with hits like Get It On and Jeepster. T. Rex was a key act in the Glam rock movement, along with other notable bands like David Bowie and Roxy Music. The band's music was also influenced by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Kinks.

History

T. Rex was formed in 1967 by Marc Bolan and Steve Peregrin Took, and they released their debut album, My People Were Fair and Had Sky in Their Hair... But Now They're Content to Wear Stars on Their Brows, in 1968 on Regal Zonophone. The band's early sound was more folk rock oriented, but they soon developed a more glam rock style, which was evident in their 1970 album T. Rex. The band's popularity grew rapidly, and they became a major part of the UK music scene, along with other notable bands like The Who, The Faces, and The Small Faces. T. Rex's music was also influenced by Bob Dylan, The Byrds, and The Doors. In 1971, the band released their breakthrough album, Electric Warrior, which featured the hit single Get It On, and was produced by Tony Visconti, who also worked with David Bowie and Thin Lizzy.

Members

The core members of T. Rex were Marc Bolan and Mickey Finn, who played drums and percussion. Other notable members included Steve Peregrin Took, who played drums and percussion on the band's early albums, and Jack Green, who played guitar and bass guitar. The band also had several other members throughout their career, including Paul Fenton, who played drums on the band's 1974 album Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow, and Gloria Jones, who played keyboards and backing vocals on several of the band's albums. T. Rex was also associated with other notable musicians, such as Elton John, Rod Stewart, and Eric Clapton.

Discography

T. Rex released several successful albums, including My People Were Fair and Had Sky in Their Hair... But Now They're Content to Wear Stars on Their Bows (1968), Prophets, Seers & Sages, the Angels of the Ages (1968), Unicorn (1969), A Beard of Stars (1970), T. Rex (1970), Electric Warrior (1971), The Slider (1972), Tanx (1973), and Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow (1974). The band's music was released on several labels, including Regal Zonophone, Fly Records, and EMI. T. Rex's discography also includes several compilation albums, such as Bolan's Zip Gun (1975) and Futuristic Dragon (1976), which were released on EMI and Marc On Wax.

Style and Influence

T. Rex's music style was a unique blend of folk rock, glam rock, and psychedelic rock, which was influenced by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Kinks. The band's music was also influenced by Bob Dylan, The Byrds, and The Doors. T. Rex's style was characterized by Marc Bolan's poetic lyrics and distinctive vocal style, as well as the band's use of guitars, bass guitar, and drums. The band's music was a major part of the Glam rock movement, along with other notable bands like David Bowie and Roxy Music. T. Rex's influence can be heard in the music of later bands, such as The Smiths, The Cure, and Oasis, who have all cited T. Rex as an influence.

Legacy

T. Rex's legacy is that of a highly influential and innovative band that played a major part in shaping the Glam rock movement. The band's music has been praised by critics and fans alike, and they have been named as an influence by many other notable bands and artists, including The Sex Pistols, The Clash, and Kurt Cobain. T. Rex's music has also been featured in several films and television shows, including Velvet Goldmine (1998) and Almost Famous (2000). The band's lead singer, Marc Bolan, was also a major figure in the UK music scene, and was known for his charismatic stage presence and poetic lyrics. T. Rex's music continues to be popular today, and they remain one of the most influential and beloved bands of the 1970s, along with other notable bands like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and The Who. Category:British rock music groups