Marc Bolan started his career with a band called John's Children together with drummer Steve Porter and already released some solo material but all without success. But after a disastrous performance in London's Covent Garden the band immediately broke up. Steve Porter changed his name to Steve Peregrin Took and together with Marc Bolan formed Tyrannosaurus Rex. Steve switched to full range of percussion including bongo's and Marc on accoustic guitar. They made psychedelic folk based on fairytalish compositions from Marc. Together they released three successful albums. Eventually they split because of artistic differences about which direction to follow. Marc replaced Steve by Mickey Finn and released the last album under the full Tyrannosaurus Rex name titled "A Beard Of Stars" in 1970. That same year they made another album without title but with the shortened name T. Rex. This appeared to be a transitional album. Still there is the accoustic folk but the glam rock started to roll in. Tony Visconti produced all the albums so far and also worked with David Bowie. Marc already knew Bowie and also contributed to Bowie's 1970 single "The Pretiest Star". So eventually Marc Bolan also became part of the glamrock era. An exclusive single "Ride A White Swan" became the band's first UK top 10 hit reaching #2. This was the beginning of the big breakthrough for T. Rex.
Ride A White Swan - single
For people who would like to explore the music of T. Rex this fifth album is the best place to start. Still we can hear the fairytale psychedelic folk and the glamrock that followed on their next album "Electric Warrior".
LP cover
CD cover
T.Rex
The Children of Rarn / Jewel / The Visit / Childe / The Time of Love is Now / Diamond Meadows / Root of Star / Beltane Walk / Is It Love? / One Inch Rock / Summer Deep / Seagull Woman / Suneye / The Wizard / The Children of Rarn (Reprise) / Ride A White Swan (only on remastered CD)