T. Rex Studio Albums Capture Glam’s Golden Age

Marc Bolan’s glitter-soaked rise, fall, and lasting influence on rock and pop

Marc Bolan and T. Rex did not simply top the charts in the early 1970s; they ruled the teen-pop universe in stacked heels, satin trousers, and a roar of nonstop devotion. For a few blazing years, Bolan was glam rock’s brightest beacon, soundtracking bedroom posters, transistor radios, and a generation discovering pop as spectacle. Yet as quickly as that audience arrived, it began to age out. Bolan’s leap from the acoustic, psychedelic folk mysticism of Tyrannosaurus Rex to the electrified, riff-driven glam machine of T. Rex brought massive commercial success. Still, it also fractured his original cult following. Early fans who loved his whimsical, poetic, almost mythic lyricism felt left behind when folkie impulses gave way to chart-ready hooks and glitter-drenched stardom. Parts of the London counterculture viewed his embrace of fame and teen idol status as a surrender to commercialism rather than a natural artistic evolution.

That tension deepened after T. Rex’s peak run from 1970 to 1973. As glam rock exploded, the scene grew crowded with rivals like The Sweet, Slade, and an ever-reinventing David Bowie, while disco seized the dance floor by the late 1970s and pushed glitter rock to the margins. Bolan struggled to adapt as punk, prog, and new movements reshaped the musical landscape, and a perceived dip in quality, fueled by excess and personal turmoil, dulled the effortless magic of his classic era. A mid-70s move to the United States, shifting public image, and growing disconnect from the UK scene made it briefly unfashionable to champion his work, even as he edged toward a comeback cut short by tragedy.

And yet glam never truly died. It evolved. The DNA of T. Rex runs straight through the neon pulse of the 1980s, influencing bands like Duran Duran, Def Leppard, and countless New Wave and pop-metal acts who grew up on Bolan’s three-minute pop spells, swaggering riffs, and unapologetic theatricality. That is why Bang a Gong! T. Rex: The Studio Albums 1970–1977 matters. This collection is more than a nostalgic spin through glitter-soaked hits; it is a living document of a movement that reshaped pop culture. From immortal anthems to overlooked gems that deserve renewed acclaim, the set captures glam rock as style, fantasy, and joyful rebellion. Tighten those glitter pants, dust off the platform shoes, and get ready to boogie, because Marc Bolan’s groove never really left.

Demon Records is delighted to announce a new CD set celebrating the studio albums released by Marc Bolan under the ‘T. Rex’s name.

Having recorded as Tyrannosaurus Rex since the mid-1960s, frontman, lyricist, poet and guitarist Marc Bolan entered the new decade with a new sound, a new band and a new, foreshortened name – ‘T. Rex’. In the process, he became Britain’s first new superstar of the seventies, embarking upon a breathtaking run of hit singles and studio albums that demonstrated his restless muse and showcased constant genre-defying creativity.

1970s ‘T. Rex came in the wake of the chart success of ‘Ride A White Swan’ (included as a bonus track) and formed a sonic bridge between the Tyrannosaurus Rex sound and a new electric glam that would bring him superstardom. The follow-up, 1971’s all-time classic ‘Electric Warrior’ followed, a classics-packed collection of songs that included ‘Life’s A Gas’, ‘Jeepster’, ‘Get It On’ and ‘Cosmic Dancer’. Also included in this set is the 1971 standalone No. 1 ‘Hot Love’.

1972’s ‘The Slider’ was released at the peak of T. Rex mania (“T.Rexstasy”!) and delivered two UK No. 1 singles in the form of ‘Telegram Sam’ and ‘Metal Guru’, while 1973’s ‘Tanx’ pushed all the glam faders into the red on one of the most exciting rock albums of the decade. As bonus tracks on the set’s ‘Tanx’ disc are the megahits ‘20th Century Boy’, ‘Children Of The Revolution’ and ‘Solid Gold, Easy Action’.

1974’s ‘Zinc Alloy’ saw Bolan’s interest on the move, into a frenetic, more electric-soul glam sound with the introduction of R&B influences, including funky keyboards and the gospel-sounding ‘Cosmic Choir’. Bonus tracks here are ‘The Groover’ and ‘Truck On (Tyke)’. Moving on again, 1975’s ‘Bolan’s Zip Gun’ caught the prevailing zeitgeist, channelling Bolan’s sound at times with a proto-Punk back-to-basics approach.

1976’s gorgeous ‘Futuristic Dragon’ was a late T. Rex classic, a mature and confident collection of timeless hooks and effortless melodies, including the hit single ‘New York City’ – also included are the standalone singles ‘London Boys’ and ‘Laser Love’.  Finally, on further chart singles like ‘I Love To Boogie’ and ‘Light Of Love’ the last studio album before Bolan’s untimely death, 1977’s ‘Dandy In The Underworld’  still stands as a reminder of a huge talent the music world lost way too soon – also includes Marc’s last single ‘Celebrate Summer’.

All 8 CDs in this beautifully designed collection come in 2 4-pocket wallets with original album sleeves and a booklet featuring complete lyrics.