T.Rex - Wembley Empire Pool, 18th March 1972 (Matinee Concert)
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Published 2020-12-20
The Empire Pool was originally just that – a swimming pool built for the 1934 Empire Games.
Having had three number one singles (with two more at number two) and the Electric Warrior album at number one for eight weeks either side of Christmas 1971, T.Rex were the hottest group in the UK.
Both concerts featured 10 songs, mixing the hits (Jeepster, Telegram Sam, Hot Love, Get It On) with b-sides and album tracks performed by the band (Cadilac, Baby Strange) and as an acoustic interlude (Spaceball Ricochet, Girl and Cosmic Dancer). The encore was a version of Summertime Blues, originally by Eddie Cochran – an artist whose look and music greatly influenced Bolan as a young man.
Both concerts were filmed by an Apple Films crew of five, led by Marc’s big mate Ringo Starr. Meanwhile producer Tony Visconti was recording the sound in the Rolling Stones’ mobile recording facility parked outside.
The concerts shot that day are the only surviving professionally filmed complete T.Rex concerts, representing a unique moment in the history of rock music and revealing the extraordinary power and success of Marc Bolan and T.Rex.
All Comments (21)
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I was there at the evening concert. I was lifted and thrown over the barrier at the front of the stage. A security guard came straight after me but a lady in a large black brimmed hat waved him away and let me sit on the floor beside her. I was literally 5ft from the stage and right in front of Marc. I will never forget her. I still remember every second of it. Marc...forever in my heart. ❤❤❤
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God, how I miss the. Seventies. Sure I’m not the only one.
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I was born in 1982. I just watched this. This is one the greatest things ive ever seen. Jesus christ, Marc Bolan was a hero. A real musician and Rockstar. This music is timeless
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Hi I saw them in Bournemouth in 75 or 76 . I then met the band in the chip shop . Marc had a pizza ..i was in shock..got all there autographs and hugged him ... I'm 61 now and still see him standing in the chip shop.... Rock on Marc xxx
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A fabulous snapshot of a long-vanished period in British pop music. Marc was at the height of his powers in 1972, and couldn't put a foot wrong. Iggy Pop was at that concert and was highly impressed. Bowie and Roxy were just waiting around the corner for their moment of glory. Superbly filmed, this is how Marc should be remembered. Hard to believe this footage is fifty years old. How time has flown.......
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I had no idea T-Rex was this savage live.
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T-Rex blew into our lives like a cosmic hurricane. Marc’s voice floats upon the thermals of my life...uplifting and sustaining me through my darkest times.
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One of the most original and unique performers of all time.
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Bolan had something so special it cant be found again . Always beautiful❤
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Love the fact Marc was smiling all the way through this even when he was having to chase the microphone all the way through telegram sam a true superstar one of my first heroes.
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Saw marc 3 times in concert when i was in my teens, absolutely loved the man and his music, 64 now and still loving him,brilliant brings back so many memories, rip marc and all t.rex,youngie.
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The man doesn’t get the respect he deserves as a guitarist. And he gets my top pick for on stage charisma.
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Lets face it the guy had it..... Legend.
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I can remember 1972 when Marc burst on to the music scene and blew us all away , with those incredible hits and everybody raved about the phenomenal album Electric Warrior . Marc is a legend .
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Proper music, proper musicians, played and wrote songs with passion. Brilliant. Marc still lives on, thanks for sharing.
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I miss Marc more as time goes by. Cosmic Dancer spoke to me in a way that anything rarely ever can. All good wishes to the fans!
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So real. So raw. Bolan. The legend.
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RIP the three members of T. Rex Marc Bolan (September 30, 1947 – September 16, 1977), aged 29 Steve Currie (May 19, 1947 – April 28, 1981), aged 33 Mickey Finn (June 3, 1947 – January 11, 2003), aged 55 You will always be remembered as legends.
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Man, I’m 19 and have been raised on this music!! It’s the absolute best!! I wish people my age knew about this stuff let alone like it 💙🤘🏽
