W.O.C.K On Vinyl: David Cassidy - Talks To Melanie Readers (1973) Flexi-Disc

Before things get too serious here at Rock On Vinyl, I thought it might be fun to post a song / album at the end of each month, that could be categorized as being either Weird, Obscure, Crazy or just plain Korny.

David Cassidy was a teen and pre-teen idol who starred in the 1970's sitcom 'The Partridge family' and sold millions of records as the musical group's lead singer.

The Partridge Family aired from 1970-74 and was intended at first as a vehicle for Shirley Jones, the Oscar-winning actress and Cassidy's stepmother. Jones played Shirley Partridge, a widow with five children with whom she forms a popular act that travels on a psychedelic bus. The cast featured Cassidy as eldest son and family heartthrob Keith Partridge.

Cassidy went on to a hugely successful solo career as a singer and pop idol. He was extremely popular in Australia too, with singles I Think I Love You and Cherish hitting the number one spot on the charts.

The Partridge Family never cracked the top 10 in TV ratings, but the recordings under their name, mostly featuring Cassidy, Jones and session players, produced real-life musical hits and made Cassidy a real-life musical superstar. The group also reached the top 10 with "I'll Meet You Halfway" and "Doesn't Somebody Want to be Wanted".

'In two years, David Cassidy has swept hurricane-like into the pre-pubescent lives of millions of American girls', Rolling Stone magazine noted in 1972. 'Cassidymania' soon followed, with hordes of young fans screaming his name and buying countless items – lunchboxes, pillowcases, bubblegum – adorned with Cassidy’s image.

The Partridge Family

"Releasing six and a half million long-playing albums and singles; 44 television programs; David Cassidy lunch boxes; David Cassidy bubble gum; David Cassidy colouring books and David Cassidy pens; not to mention several millions of teen magazines, wall stickers, love beads, posters and photo albums."

According to Cassidy's official website, he caused "such mass hysteria" that several countries, including Australia, "threatened to throw him out of their country as a 'health hazard'".
In his life, Cassidy endured personal and financial troubles. He was married and divorced three times, battled alcoholism, was arrested for drunk driving and filed for bankruptcy in 2015.

David Cassidy 2017

In February 2017, after falling down during a concert, Cassidy revealed that he was living with non-Alzheimer’s dementia – the same condition his mother Evelyn Ward had suffered from, and the prevention of which he had campaigned for after her death.

On 18th November, it was announced that Cassidy had been hospitalised with organ failure in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and was in a medically induced coma awaiting a liver transplant.

Sadly, Cassidy died at the age of 67 from organ failure, on Nov 22, 2017
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Taken from a Flexi Disc that I found inside the cover of his Cherish LP and ripped to MP3 (320), this find certainly ticks the Obscure box for this month's WOCK on Vinyl post.  Scans and associated photos are also included.  I'm sure there are plenty of mature 'young' ladies out there who remember idolising this pop star and it is fitting that Cassidy be honoured here for his contributions to Teen Pop.
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In between his spoken messages are the following songs: 

Two Time Loser (David Cassidy) / Looking Through The Eyes Of Love (Partridge Family) / Could It Be Forever (David Cassidy) / Keep On Smiling (a track possibly exclusive to this release)

David Cassidy Link (10Mb)

Pink Floyd - Live Unapproved 'Dogs Of War' (1993) Bootleg

(U.K 1965 - 1996, 2005)

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"Why Pink Floyd?" was the rather clever marketing catchphrase that EMI created in 2011 in order to re-launch the back catalogue, perhaps for the last time, of one of rock music's most enigmatic of bands. Being a fan, 'why not?' would be the most obvious answer but it's actually a very thought-provoking question.

Pink Floyd was one of those rare breed of bands that by the mid-Seventies was enjoying colossal album sales, without actually having to do very much at all to sell them. They didn't release many singles, rarely gave interviews, didn't much like the press attending their shows, hid behind banks of special effects on stage, were never regarded as celebrities in their own right, and restricted their touring largely to the UK, northern Europe and North America. The cult of their original front-man Syd Barren also perpetuated a sense of mystique about the band.

By rights their success should never have happened. Were it not for the universal appeal of their 1973 album The Dark Side Of The Moon they may very well have remained as obscure as their former leader.

Pink Floyd Madison Square Gardens 1987

Certainly Pink Floyd is a band that falls into three distinct phases beginning with the original Barrett-era Floyd in 1966; the mid-Seventies band that saw Roger Waters excel as its creative force in the delivery of several complex 'concept' albums, or those

who viewed David Gilmour's control of the band in its final years as the definitive article. Indeed many fans remain fiercely loyal to those particular phases.

It is also safe to say that Pink Floyd's career has been inactive far longer than it's been active, in part stunted by a rift between David Gilmour and Roger Waters, that has now, fortunately, been healed. Therefore, when Pink Floyd did release an album or tour it became a major event.

It was only under Gilmour's leadership the band reached our to a much wider audience and became the huge commercial success it is today. This has also been bolstered by the remarkable reunion concert with Waters in 2005 at Live 8 coupled with Waters' own relentless touring since leaving Pink Floyd. In fact the success of touring his best known works, The Dark Side Of The Moon and more recently The Wall, has now surpassed even that of his former band.

Pink Floyd Madison Square Gardens 1987

So, whilst there may not be a Pink Floyd in existence today, they continue to attract a curious and growing fan-base who, either through back catalogue releases or the solo works of its chief protagonists, or indeed books such as the one you are now reading, continue to find Pink Floyd's history compelling and their music as relevant now as the day it was recorded. That's probably why Pink Floyd. [extract from The Treasures Of Pink Floyd, by Glenn Povey, Hertfordshire, 2012  p5]

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Bootleg Review

This bootleg features Rick Wright, Nick Mason and David Gilmour recorded live from 1987, in either the U.S or Canada. That's right folks - no Roger Waters. If I was going to guess the venue, I'd say the concert was recorded in Chicago, Rosemont Horizon, on 28th Sept, 1987. Although the exact concert source is unknown the track listing most certainly comes from their "A Momentary  Lapse of Reason Tour" (1987 to 1989) in support of their album 'A Momentary Lapse of Reason'. The tour was the band's first since The Wall Tour in 1981, and also the first without the band's original bassist Roger Waters. 

Pink Floyd On Stage 1987

Initially, there was a great deal of uncertainty around the tour. Pink Floyd had not played live since 1981, and had not embarked on a full-fledged tour since 1977. Roger Waters left the band in 1985, believing the band would not continue. However, Gilmour and Mason decided to continue as Pink Floyd. Waters threatened legal action against Gilmour and Mason, as well as any promoters who promoted shows as "Pink Floyd." However, by the end of 1987, with the success of the album and first stages of the tour, the new lineup had established itself commercially, and the band reached a settlement with Waters in December.

Tour Program from their Momentary Lapse Of Reason World Tour

Having the success of The Wall shows to live up to, the concerts' special effects were more impressive than ever. The initial "promotional tour" was extended, and finally lasted almost two years, ending in 1989 after playing around 197 concerts to about 5.5 million people in total, including 3 dates at Madison Square Garden (5–7 October 1987) and 2 nights at Wembley Stadium (5–6 August 1988). The tour took Pink Floyd to various exotic locations they had never played before such as shows in the forecourt of the Palace of Versailles, Moscow's Olympic Stadium, and Venice, despite fears and protests that the sound would damage the latter city's foundations. The tour marked the first time that the band played in Russia, Norway, Spain and New Zealand, and was the first time they had played in Australia since 1971 and Japan since 1972.

Typical Stage Setup For Momentary Lapse Of Reason Tour

Pink Floyd was the second highest grossing act of 1987 and the highest grossing of 1988 in the U.S.. Financially, Pink Floyd was the biggest act of these two years combined, grossing almost US$60 million from touring, about the same as U2 and Michael Jackson, their closest rivals, combined. Worldwide, the band grossed around US$135 million, making A Momentary Lapse of Reason the highest-grossing tour of the 1980s. [extract from wikipedia]

Pipeline Release

This CD is different to "Dogs Of War" released by Pipeline reference PPL 551. However, it has also been released by MOJO with the title of "Pink Floyd Live". What is even more confusing is that MOJO has released another "Pink Floyd Live" reference MOJO-060 with the same artwork but different live tracks from 1973.

At the top in red writing there is the disclaimer: This is an unapproved recording. In the middle of the cover is the words Pink Floyd Live UNAPPROVED. Beneath all this is a crappy picture of a blue and white concert ticket which, (wait for it!) says; Pink Floyd Live in Concert. Finally beneath everything is the crowd and a stage.

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This post consists of MP3 (320kps) ripped from my MOJO CD bootleg and I would rate the quality of the recording as excellent - probably 8/10. 

Full artwork is included, the usual red and white cover with fake concert tickets on the front to imply authenticity, when in fact they are nothing like the original tickets.  Nevertheless, this bootleg is worth grabbing and will not disappoint.

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Track Listing:

01. Welcome to the Machine    7:08

02. Yet Another Movie    7:33

03. Dogs of War     7:47

04. On the Turning Away    8:50

05. Wish You Where Here    5:20

06. Us and Them   7:12

07. Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)  5:23

08. Comfortably Numb   9:18

Tour Band:

David Gilmour – lead vocals, guitars

Nick Mason – drums, percussion

Richard Wright – keyboards, vocals

Additional musicians:

Jon Carin – keyboards, sound effects, vocals

Scott Page – saxophones, additional guitars

Guy Pratt – bass guitar, vocals

Tim Renwick – guitars, backing vocals

Gary Wallis – percussion, keyboards, vocals

Rachel Fury - backing vocals

Durga McBroom – backing vocals

Margaret Taylor – backing vocals

Pink Floyd Live Dogs Of War (120Mb) New Link 30/12/2023

Mother Goose - This Is The Life (1982) plus Bonus Track

(New Zealand 1975 - 1984)
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Formed in Dunedin, New Zealand in 1975 and finding themselves rejected by their home country, Mother Goose emigrated to Australia in 1976. Their first single ‘Baked Beans’ was a novelty hit which caused the band many problems in relating to a wider rock audience. Like the Village People, each member dressed in a character’s costume, and their stage choreography meant that the audience were entertained musically and visually.

The original line-up comprised Kevin Collings (guitar), Denis Gibbins (bass), Craig Johnston (vocal), Marcel Rodeka (drums), Steve Young (keyboards) and Pete Dickson (guitar, replaced by American Justin McCarthy in 1979).

Mother Goose 1977

The band was never able to shake off the novelty image even though its recorded output was of a high standard, and the mime and satire in its stage show had a serious edge. Although Mother Goose released three albums they never achieved significant radio success, despite being one of Australia’s most popular live acts, with a fiercely loyal following.

The band spent 1978-79 in the USA, but record company troubles prevented them making any inroads into that market. On return to Australia the band based itself in Perth. When their third album (as featured here) enjoyed some success in Canada the band moved there, working under the name Landing Party, before returning to Australia to break up in 1984.

This post consists of both FLACs ripped from my treasured vinyl which I bought when it was first released. Full album artwork is included for both LP and CD. Having seen them perform many times during my University years I was a huge fan and was mortified when I learn't that they had disbanded. But I still have the memories of their crazy stage act and amazing ability to reproduce their album sound 'note for note' when playing live.  This, their third album contains some brilliant tracks with my favourite being the ballad "The Girl Across The Street". Also included is the A-Side single "Find A Way Out" which was released after this album in 1983 and was their last recording before disbanding at the start of 1984.
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Track Listing
01 - Tonight 4:00
02 - Margueritta And Me 3:20
03 - Lonely Girls 4:21
04 - The Girl Across The Street 3:16
05 - I Wish I Believed In God 3:46
06 - This IS The Life 3:33
07 - I Love You So 3:55
08 - Living In A Small Town 3:49
09 - Welcome To Radio 2:43
10 - Fly By Night 3:57
11 - Find A Way Out (Bonus A-Side Single) 3:20
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Band Members:
Craig Johnston (Vocals)
Kevin Collings (Guitar)
Justin McCarthy (Guitar)
Denis Gibbins (Bass)
Marcel Rodeka (Drums)
Neil Shilkin (Keyboards)
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Mother Goose FLACs Link (245Mb)  New Link 26/12/2023
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REPOST: Jon English and Marcia Hines - Jokers and Queens (1982)

(Australian)
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This post brings two highly regarded artists 'Jon English' and 'Marcia Hines' together in 1982 with their mini LP "Jokers & Queens" backed on guitar by John Dallimore (ex Redhouse) & Ross East (ex Copperwine), Keith Kerwin (ex Avengers), bass John Coker, Bruno Distanislo, Keyboards Charlie Hull, Peter Deacon (ex Nitro), Steve Ball (ex Kush), Drums Greg Henson (ex Ben Turpin), Hamish Stuart (ex Ayers Rock), Sunil De Silva (ex Hot City Bump Band). The “Jokers and Queens” tour ran for nearly two years.
Recorded for Midnight Records with 3 original and 3 covers produced by Charlie Hull & Jon, the album is another one of those great Aussie LP's that has yet to be released in CD format.
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Jon English (1968-Present)
English born singer Jon English cut his rock performance teeth in a number of bands during the late 60s and early 70s in his adopted country Australia, having moved here in 1961 at age 12. The most notable of these was the band Sebastian Hardie which English fronted until early 1972. Soon after Jon English won the role of Judas Iscariot in the Australian stage production of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’. Performing alongside another great singer in Marcia Hines, English showed his versatility as a stage performer and actor.
The production toured for the next five years, but along the way English found the time and energy to record his debut solo album ‘Wine Dark Sea’. The album was well received but didn’t yield any hit singles. English’s follow up ‘It’s All In A Game’ proved to be the breakthrough for ole ‘black eyes’ as he was affectionately dubbed, led by the hit ‘Turn The Page’ (#7) in early ‘75. The second half of the 70s would prove a prodigious period for English. His 1976 album ‘Hollywood Seven’ reached the OZ top 20. The title track reached #13 and proved the perfect vehicle to display English’s ability to belt out a classic dramatic rock ballad.

The album ’Minutes To Midnight’ followed within eight months, but it was to be the 1978 album ’Words Are Not Enough’ that would see English finally receive a well deserved top 10 hit with the title track. During the same period English took the lead role in the popular TV mini-series ‘Against The Wind’, and to top it off collaborated with old Sebastian Hardie bandmate Mario Millo to compose, record and produce the soundtrack album, featuring English’s biggest career hit ‘Six Ribbons’ (#5).
The hits continued through 1979 and 1980 with ‘Get Your Love Right’ (#27) and ‘Hot Town’ (#11). English toured extensively in the early 80s around Australia and overseas, but international success largely eluded him - like so many Australian artists of that era - however he did breakthrough to enjoy considerable commercial success in Scandinavia during that time. 1982 also saw English rekindle a great creative partnership with Marcia Hines on the single ‘Jokers And Queens’ (#62).
In 1983 English released the album ‘Some People’. The title track reached #50, whilst the follow up ‘Waterloo’ (not the ABBA song) lost the battle for chart success at #96. But I was among those to purchase ‘Waterloo’ on 45 and absolutely loved the song. It’s a brilliant rock-ballad that tells of the events at the historic Battle of Waterloo, from the perspective of a 15 year old drummer boy in Napoleon Bonaparte’s army. It’s one of those songs that can literally send shivers up the spine, very emotive and delivered with such fervour by English. I played my 45 copy until the grooves were well worn, not to mention it featuring one of the best B-sides I’ve ever heard with the song ‘Oh, Paris’ - a precursor toward English‘s future efforts in the stage musical and album ‘Paris‘. I was well pleased to finally obtain a CD copy of ‘Waterloo’ through its inclusion on Jon English’s second ‘best of’ compilation, ‘English History II’ released in 2001. [extract from Retro Universe]
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Marcia Hines (1970-Present)
Marcia Elaine Hines was born in Boston, Massachusetts and moved to Sydney in 1970 at age 16, after auditioning for the Australian production of ‘HAIR’. At the time she was unaware she was pregnant with her daughter Deni.
Following ‘HAIR’, she starred as Mary Magdalene in the production of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’.
Marcia achieved great success as a recording artist in the 70’s with many hits and was voted ‘Queen of Pop’. During this period, her debut album was released, ‘Marcia Shines’, and it became the biggest selling album by an Australian female artist. Within one week it had sold 7,000 copies. Over the next eight months it topped the 50,000 sales mark.
In February 1976, she toured with Gene Pitney. Then, in May, came her third single, 'Don't Let The Grass Grow'/'You Gotta Let Go', which didn't make the charts. Hot on the heels of her first successful album, Marcia left for Los Angeles midway through 1976 to record her second at the Arbee Studios. The album was called 'Shining', and was released in October '76. Within one month it had gone gold. That same year she was crowned TV Week Queen of Pop for the first time. In September she released her biggest selling single to date, "I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself", which stayed in the charts for an amazing twenty one weeks.
Marcia's next national tour came early in 1977. It was promoted as her Shining Over Australia Tour. It was so successful that an 'encore' tour was scheduled for March '77, covering twenty eight additional venues. At this stage, her basic backing unit (which was supplemented by other musicians) consisted of fiance Mark Kennedy (drums); Jackie Orszackky (bass guitar, musical direction); Stephen Howsden (guitar); and Warren Ford (keyboards). In the meantime, sales of the 'Shining' album were still rising and by the end of March '77, they had topped the 150,000 mark (triple platinum status).
Then, in April, Marcia spent most of her time in the studios recording her third album. It was a slightly more mellow record although it did reflect her diversified vocal ability. The album was called 'Ladies And Gentlemen . . . Marcia Hines'. Amazingly it went gold only two hours after it was shipped to two states. By the end of 1977 it had sold over 50,000 copies. Pre-empting the album was a single from it entitled "What I Did For Love". The song was from the stage show, A Chorus Line, and entered the charts at the end of July. At the same time Marcia embarked on her biggest tour ever, which spanned one hundred and thirty days and included eighty six shows. It also covered both South East and Far East Asia.

7" Single

To top off 1977 she was again crowned TV Week Queen of Pop and another single from her album, 'You', was released in October. At the end of the year, Marcia recorded a Christmas special for the ABC network.
With only three years' recording behind her, Marcia had become Australia's biggest selling, locally recorded female artist ever.
In 1982 Marcia toured with Jon English in "Jokers and Queens", releasing an album of the same name.  Soon after Marcia put her solo career on hold to concentrate on being a mum.
Marcia released her biography in 2001 entitled "Diva", alongside a greatest hits album. Since 2003, Marcia has appeared as a permanent judge on ‘Australian Idol’.
She was inducted into the ‘ARIA Hall of Fame’, and in 2009 received an ‘AM’ in the Australia Day Honours for her services to the entertainment industry and the community, through a range of charitable organisations.
Marcia continues her hectic performance schedule, touring nationally with Simply Red, as well as hosting a series on Foxtel’s Lifestyle network entitled "Sweet Talk". [extracts from colemangreig.com and Noel McGrath's Australian Encyclopedia of Rock, Outback Press. 1978. p143-144]
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This post consists of FLACs taken from my vinyl copy, which I only acquired recently. Full album artwork is included along with label scans. Not a well known release, this mini LP is a great snapshot of two of Australia's best loved and talented vocalists dueting alongside the cream of Australian musicians playing at that time.
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Track Listing

01 - Jokers and Queens
02 - Ain't Gonna Run
03 - Heard it Through the Grapevine
04 - This Time
05 - You Were on My Mind
06 - Lovin' Feeling (Live)
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Backing Musicians:
Guitar - John Dallimore, Ross East, Keith Kerwin
Bass - John Coker, Bruno Distanislo
Keyboards - Charlie Hull, Peter Deacon, Steve Ball
Drums - Greg Henson, Hamish Stuart, Sunil De Silva.

New Improved Rip

Jokers and Queens FLACs Link  (150Mb) New Link 12/05/2018
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Split Enz - Dizrythmia (1977) + Bonus Tracks

(New Zealand 1972 - 84)
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Split Enz was formed in October, 1972 as a result of Tim and Philip's association. Apparently they had become friendly at university and after a while began flatting together and writing songs. As their partnership developed they felt that they needed an outlet for their compositions and decided to form a group. They approached Myles Golding who had had classical music training and then came Mike Howard (reeds) and Jonathan who completed their original five piece line-up.

Initially they played a small quantity of gigs and recorded an unsuccessful single. Then Myles left the band and two new members joined the ranks — Noel Crombie and Wally Wilkinson
They continued writing and playing over the next eighteen months and during 1974 Emlyn and Edward moved into the group whilst Mike had since moved out. Thus, the line-up that went on to record their 'Mental Notes' was now complete. By now their following in New Zealand was small, but very strong, although progress there seemed to be limited. So they decided to move to Australia.

 

Their initial response from Aussie audiences was not good, because at that time their music was too progressive for the average pop enthusiast. The band's saving grace was being spotted by Michael Gudinski who recognised their potential and signed them to the Mushroom organisation.

In May and June, 1975 they recorded their Mental Notes album in Sydney and it went on to become a best seller during September of that year. Meanwhile, Wally left the group and his position was taken by another New Zealander, Robert Gillies, who played saxophone.

They returned briefly to New Zealand before embarking on their Enz Of The Earth national Australian tour which was completed in February, 1976.
A single, "Late Last Night" was released in March '76 and the band set off for London where they signed with Chrysalis Records for their overseas releases. At the Basing Street Studios in London they recorded their next album entitled Second Thoughts which was released in Australia in July '76.

In November Emlyn left the band (apparently because of music and personality differences) and he was replaced by Malcolm Green.
The boys kicked off 1977 with a new single called "Another Great Divide" which coincided with their Australian tour billed as Courting The Act. At the end of February they set off for the US where they embarked on a 23 day/40 show tour.
In April they returned to the UK where they began their third English tour. That same month guitarist Phil Judd left the group and he was replaced by Tim's brother Neil Finn, who, although inexperienced, adapted to their style quickly.

For the band's next album they chose to record at London's Air Studios. The recording spanned June and July of 1977, but was preceded by Jonathan Chunn's resignation from the group and his subsequent replacement by English bassist, Nigel Griggs.
They returned to Australia in August (coinciding with the release of their new 'Dizrythmia' album) and throughout October and November they completed a 28 date tour. Incidentally, the album title came from the medical term for jet-lag Circadia Disrythmia (meaning upset body rhythm).

Their hectic schedule took them back to the UK in October for another tour there and in the meantime they had their first hit on the Australian singles charts with 'My Mistake'. It was followed by 'Bold As Brass' (December '77) and at the turn of the year Robert Gillies left. He was replaced by Phil Judd who rejoined giving them a two guitar sound, although leaving them minus a sax player.
[extract from Australian Encyclopedia of Rock, Noel McGrath, Outback Press. 1978, p300-302]

Single: 1/10/77        MY MISTAKE No.18         11 weeks   
Albums: 29/10/77    DIZRYTHMIA No.18         1 week
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This post contains FLACs ripped from my frequently played but pristine vinyl and comes with artwork for both vinyl and CD. This album showcases one of my favourite 'Enz' tracks entitled "Charley" which has one of the coolest laid back tunes and vocals released by the Finn brothers. Also included as bonus tracks is their 1976 single "The Great Divide" which was released just before they recorded this album, and a live version of "Charley" recorded during their 20th Anniversary Tour in 1992.

Tracklist
01 - Bold As Brass
02 - My Mistake
03 - Parrot Fashion Love
04 - Sugar And Spice
05 - Without A Doubt
06 - Crosswords
07 - Charley
08 - Nice To Know
09 - Jamboree
10 - Another Great Divide (Bonus A-Side Single)
11 - Charley (Recorded Live on their 20th Anniversary Tour)

Lineup:
Timothy Finn (Vocals, Piano)
Neil Finn (Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals)
Nigel Griggs (Bass)
Robert Gillies (Saxophones, Trumpets)
Edward Raynor (Keyboards)
Malcolm Green (Drums)


Split Enz FLAC Link (310Mb)  New Link 15/12/2023

Marc Bolan - A History Vol IV T.Rextacy (1982) Bootleg

(U.K 1965 - 1977)
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One of the major songwriters and performers of the seventies, Marc Bolan enjoyed a phenomenal run of single hits through the early part of the decade. Between 1970 and 1973, with T-Rex, he achieved 10 consecutive top 10 hits including 4 number ones and 4 that reached number two.

Born Mark Feld in London on 30th September 1947, the young Marc was known as a 'face' around town, working as a teenage model before beginning his singing career during the mid-sixties folk-boom.
He released his first single 'The Wizard', on Decca Records, before joining psychedelic-folk group John's Children who were managed by one of his early guiding lights, Simon Napier-Bell.

Bolan left the group and hooked up with Steve Peregrine Took to form a folky, acoustic duo - Tyrannosaurus Rex. In 1970, the name was shortened to T-Rex', Mickey Finn replaced Took and the line-up was completed by bass player Steve Curry and Bill Legend on drums.

More significantly legendary producer Tony Visconti started to work with the band and is believed to have encouraged Bolan to use an electric guitar and the trademark sound was born.

Chateau d'Herouville - 1972

Their first single "Ride A White Swan", a fuzz-guitar rocker with unmistakable backbeat, was an instant hit, the next single "Hot Love" reached number one and was followed by the landmark album 'Electric Warrior' - one of the seventies' defining musical moments.
After the run of successful singles, the hits dried up in the mid-seventies as Bolan's star diminished. However the emerging punk scene gave him an unexpected lift, embracing him as something of an icon and touring with The Damned as a support act. His public profile was further enhance by the TV show "MARC" which featured up and coming bands like The Jam and Generation X as well as old friend David Bowie!

Sadly the revival was short-lived as Marc was killed when his Mini, driven by his girlfriend Gloria Jones, crashed into a tree on Barnes Common in London, two weeks before his thirtieth birthday.
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Tribute Notice
The 2Oth Century Boy Boogies No More: Marc Bolan Dies
(By Geoff Barton)
The ephemeral nature of rock and pop stardom is much discussed in these days of X Factor flops and SyCo wash-outs. But it's a far from new phenomenon.
On September 16,1977, with his once stellar career in not-so-graceful decline, Marc Bolan perished when a Mini being driven by his squeeze Gloria Jones careered into a tree in Barnes, west London.

Opera diva Maria Callas passed away the same day, but Bolan's demise dominated the headlines. He might've been a 'faded old tart' to the likes of Melody Maker, but true fans never forgot him in his early-70s prime, when he had that tease and that sexuality, when he had glitter on his cheeks and wore gold shoes.
Some claimed Marc's death was pre-ordained. 'Tyrannosaurus Rex - eater of cars.' 'Hubcap diamond star halo.' 'Seventy-seven is going to be heaven.' 'Easy as picking foxes from a tree.' [The number plate on Jones's Mini was FOX 661L.] " It's all written. It's all known," they cried.
Whatever. All we know is that, 35 years down the line, there are always hundreds of fresh flowers by Bolan's roadside shrine [extract from Classic Rock Magazine, Summer 2012 Issue 173, p64]
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This post consists of MP3's (320kps) ripped from my blue vinyl which is in pristine condition. Full album artwork along with label scans and photos are also included. The only problem is the quality of some recordings on this bootleg are not great, rating only a 5/10 however other tracks are quite reasonable, say 7/10.  Nevertheless, Bolan enthusiasts will appreciate this bootleg for what it is, a collection of rare, historical recordings harvested from live performances made by Marc over a 5 year period, starting in 1972.  Also included is an audio of a radio station's death announcement along with an interview with Steve Harley, who discusses Bolan's death.
This bootleg is part of a vinyl LP BOX SET entitled:A HISTORY 1947-1977 VOL 1,2,3,4 by Marc Bolan T-Rex. Regrettably, I don't have Vols 1 - 3, but if anyone out there does I'd love to hear from you. See Box Set cover above.
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Tracklist
01 - The Groover (Live In Concert USA TV 1973)
02 - Jeepster (Live In Concert USA TV 1973)
03 - Death Notice
04 - Hot Love (Live Chateau d'Herouville 1972)
05 - 20th Century Boy (Live On Hullabaloo 1975)
06 - Teenage Dream (Live At The Agora Club, Cleveland 1974)
07 - Get it on (Live In USA 1973)
08 - I Love To Boogie (From Rollin' Bolan TV Special 1976)
09 - New York City (From Rollin' Bolan TV Special 1976)
10 - Dandy In The Underworld (From Marc TV Series 1977)
11 - Interview With Steve Harley On Bolan's Death
12 - Cadillac (Live Chateau d'Herouville 1972)
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Marc Bolan T-Rextacy Link (112Mb) New Link 02/09/2022

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