T. Rex (band)
T. Rex | |
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The classic 1971–1973 line-up of T. Rex (left to right): Bill Legend, Mickey Finn, Marc Bolan, Steve Currie | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as |
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| Origin | London, England |
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| Years active | 1967–1977 |
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| Spinoffs | |
| Spinoff of | John's Children |
| Past members | Marc Bolan Steve Peregrin Took Mickey Finn Steve Currie Bill Legend Gloria Jones Paul Fenton Jack Green Dino Dines Davy Lutton Herbie Flowers Tony Newman Miller Anderson |
T. Rex, originally Tyrannosaurus Rex, were an English rock band formed in London in 1967 by singer-songwriter and guitarist Marc Bolan, who was their leader, frontman and only consistent member. Originally an acoustic psychedelic folk band, Bolan began to change the band's style towards electric rock with their fourth album, 1970's A Beard of Stars, and shortened their name to T. Rex by the time their self-titled fifth album was released later that same year. This development culminated with their first significant hit single "Ride a White Swan", and the group soon became pioneers of the glam rock movement.
From 1970 to 1973, T. Rex were extremely popular in the UK, with a run of eleven top 10 singles, four of which reached number 1: "Hot Love", "Get It On", "Telegram Sam" and "Metal Guru". Other major hits included "Jeepster", "Children of the Revolution", "Solid Gold Easy Action", "20th Century Boy" and "The Groover". The band's 1971 album Electric Warrior received critical acclaim, reached number 1 in the UK and became a landmark album in glam rock. The 1972 follow-up, The Slider, was their most successful album in the US, where it went top 20. 1973's Tanx saw the band incorporating soul, funk and gospel into their sound. From 1974, T. Rex's appeal began to wane, though the band continued releasing albums, with their subsequent work blending rock with R&B and disco.
In 1977, Bolan died in a car crash several months after the release of the group's final studio album Dandy in the Underworld, and the group disbanded. T. Rex have continued to influence a variety of subsequent artists. The band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020.