The Almighty Power of a Hit Record Article: 1970

T.Rex’s The Almighty Power of a Hit Record article by Rob Partrido, published in Record Mirror on December 5, 1970, discussing Marc Bolan preparing for his second Top of the Pops appearance and the power of a hit record.

MARC Bolan was preparing for his second appearance on 'Top Of The Pops'. The almighty power of a hit record; it was only the third time T. Rex have ever been on television and the first occasion was only a Sunday religious programme two years ago.

The T. Rex 'Top Of The Pops' dressing room was next to Peter Noone And Herman's Hermits. Further down the corridor was Gilbert O'Sullivan. A strange combination.

Commented Marc: "I'm really very pleased with being on 'Top Of The Pops' it's the only show there is.

''You must remember, of course, that among the more debatable musical content in the programme, there's always been some good music Hendrix and Cream have appeared on the show, for instance.

"And on our tour, the audience recognised 'Ride A White Swan' instantly; they seemed to be pleased for us that we've got a hit record there was certainly no 'selling out' thing going on."

It's not the first T. Rex single, of course, they've released four others during the past few years two of them almost becoming hits, 'Deborah' and 'One Inch Rock'. How important are singles to a duo like T. Rex?

"What we want from singles is the opportunity to work much faster," said Marc, "The gap between albums is so long, that singles are a good way to keep yourself working. I want to fill up my lifetime with as many good things as possible.

"We always had two directions. One was with albums and the other singles and by singles, I don't mean merely a track from an album. We're just trying to blend the two together.

"With 'White Swan', I wrote the song overnight. There's no intention of any serious overtones to it. But once I'd wrote it, I had a feeling that it could become a hit. I've never felt that way since 'One Inch Rock'.

"There's a certain force you can tune into I'm sure, and come up with a hit record every time. The Beatles always did it and so did Creedence, although they seem to be wearing a bit thin these days.

"But when you listened to Beatles single for the first time, you knew it had something that made it a hit. That's singles for me, the rest are just showbiz."

With a Top Ten single, the usual problem concerns the follow-up record. "We're going into the recording studios soon and we'll come up with something I'm sure. It's challenging. I've never a been in the position of trying to find follow-up before, although whatever we produce it won't be 'Ride A White Swan' part 2.

"The B side will be five songs called The Electric Warrior' lasting about ten minutes or so. I want to get as much material out as possible. I can't wait another year for a new album."

Meanwhile, the duo have just finished a 20 gig tour of Britain with the top admission prices at a maximum of ten shillings at Marc's request. The tour undoubtedly helped to sell the single, and established the group with an identity.

The group have also imported a bass player, Steve Currie, who helped them out on some of the numbers. "The sound's much fuller with him. There's not so much strain for Micky and myself. With a bass player I can now ease up, and play guitar without worrying and the depth."

U.S. tour

But there's still one more objective for the group to gain. "There's a feeling that you're only ever big when you've made it in the States. So that's the next big thing we're trying.

"It's a five week tour with the Who. I respect Pete Townshend a lot -he's a gas. So there shouldn't be any troubles there. We're an unknown quantity over there. If we happen in America then we've made it. The last time we were there the response was very good so I think we can wipe them out. Or we can die the death."

Next week we have the new T. Rex album called "T. Rex', their first all-electric album. "Its been completed for some time, now I've planned out the next album in my head."