March 6, 1971 - Melody Maker

BOLAN BOOMS WITH COSMIC ROCK

MARC BOLAN, leader of T. Rex and the original British underground hero, hit back this week at fans who have accused him of "selling out."

His latest "Cosmic Rock" single "Hot Love" hit this week's chart at 21 and "Ride A White Swan," is still in the Pop 30.

He told the MM: "My only aim is to communicate in music and as long as the result of the communication is not detrimental to the music I am happy. I sincerely believe in our music which has grown into major recognition to become a major pop band or underground band or whatever.

"The few people who are saying we have sold out - their out-look is so narrow and they are denying us and other groups the right to grow naturally with our music. My sentiment to the music is not changed and I am certainly a better musician than I was, and a better song writer.

"I am pleased T. Rex are no longer an obscure band. The people who said 'sell out' to Dylan didn't do him any harm at all."

In the first week of its release Hot Love" sold 40,000 copies more than "Ride A White Swan" sold in the first six weeks of its release. In some West End record shops this week, "Hot Love" was nearly reaching the incredible sales figures of George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord."

John Peel, who has been campaigning for T. Rex for years, told the MM this week: "I didn't think people could ignore something as good as T. Rex indefinitely.

"I always assumed T. Rex would make it from 'Deborah' onwards."

T. Rex leave for first American tour at the end of this month. They will be away for five weeks and play a coast to coast series of concerts, including the two Fillmores.

Talking about the trip, Marc said: "Over there people look upon us as an avant-garde English pop group. So far the vibes have been very intellectual so they are going to be very surprised."