Marc Bolan and T. Rex: Born To Boogie Blu-ray

When you think of Glam Rock, one name stands above the rest: Marc Bolan, the Guru Of Glitter. Often hailed as the king of the genre, Bolan’s meteoric rise to fame was marked by flamboyant performances, unforgettable tunes, and a style that epitomized the glitz and glamour of the era. Though his reign was brief, it left an indelible mark on rock history.

A quintessential piece of this legacy is Born To Boogie, a 1972 film directed by Ringo Starr that captures Bolan and T. Rex at the height of their fame during the peak of “T. Rextasy.” The film centers on the band’s legendary concerts at Wembley Empire Pool, showcasing their electrifying performances and the ecstatic fanfare that swept the nation. It also features a remarkable jam session where Bolan is joined by Ringo Starr and Elton John, and a whimsical Mad Hatter’s tea party scene, complete with Catweazle, adding a touch of surrealism to the spectacle.

Marc Bolan, the curly-haired, mystical trailblazer of glam rock, was a larger-than-life figure who exuded an otherworldly charm. Despite his ethereal persona, Bolan found an unexpected drinking buddy in none other than Ringo Starr. Together, they formed one of rock’s most unconventional and mischievous duos. Ringo, always the wry observer, saw himself as something of a mentor to Bolan, albeit a frequently inebriated one.

In 1972, as T. Rex prepared to headline Wembley Arena, just before the release of their landmark album The Slider, Ringo stepped in with an idea. He offered to capture the band’s performances for his upcoming film Born to Boogie. The project wasn’t just a straightforward concert documentary; Ringo envisioned it as a surreal mix of live footage and whimsical sequences, much in the spirit of The Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour. The result was a kaleidoscopic snapshot of Bolan and T. Rex at their zenith, blending electrifying performances with the eccentric charm that both men embodied.

In addition to the complete matinee show, Born To Boogie includes rare extras like Apple Studio outtakes, making it a definitive look at Bolan’s stardom in the early 1970s. The 2024 edition of this classic film has been re-released with a newly designed O-card, making it a must-have for fans and collectors alike. This release features “Born To Boogie: The Motion Picture” alongside other bonus content, offering a deep dive into the magic of Marc Bolan and the Glam Rock era.

Despite their wildly different paths to fame, Ringo and Bolan remained close friends until Bolan’s tragic death in 1977, their bond cemented by a shared sense of humor and a mutual understanding of rock stardom’s pressures and peculiarities.