T. Rex - Bang A Gong (Get It On) - Raw Ramp - Glam Rock - 45 - 7"
7"

T. Rex - Bang A Gong (Get It On) / Raw Ramp

Label: Reprise
Cat #: 1032
Country: Canada issue
Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM

Condition: VG+ to VG++, some light scuffs and writing in black marker on both sides of the label
Includes a typewritten outer sleeve


Tracklisting:

A Bang A Gong (Get It On)



B Raw Ramp




The turning point in Bolan's career came in October of 1970, when he shortened the group's name to T. Rex and released "Ride a White Swan," a fuzz-drenched single driven by a rolling backbeat. "Ride a White Swan" became a major hit in the U.K., climbing all the way to number two. The band's next album, T. Rex, peaked at number 13 and stayed on the charts for six months. Encouraged by the results, Bolan expanded T. Rex to a full band, adding bassist Steve Currie and drummer Bill Legend (born Bill Fifield). The new lineup recorded "Hot Love," which spent six weeks at number one in early 1971. That summer, T. Rex released "Get It On" (retitled "Bang a Gong (Get It On)" in the U.S.), which became their second straight U.K. number one; the single would go on to be their biggest international hit, reaching number ten in the U.S. in 1972. Electric Warrior, the first album recorded by the full band, was released in the fall of 1971; it was number one for six weeks in Britain and cracked America's Top 40.

By now, "T. Rextacy" was in full swing in England, as the band had captured the imaginations of both teenagers and the media with its sequined, heavily made-up appearance; the image of Marc Bolan with a feather boa, and platform shoes, performing "Get It On" on the BBC became as famous as his music. At the beginning of 1972, T. Rex signed with EMI, setting up a distribution deal for Bolan's own T.Rex Wax Co. record label. "Telegram Sam," the group's first EMI single, became their third number one single.

Bolan began expanding his horizons in August 1977. In addition to contributing a weekly column for Record Mirror, he hosted his own variety television show, MARC. Featuring guest appearances by artists like David Bowie and Generation X, MARC helped restore Bolan's hip image. Signing with RCA Records, the guitarist formed a new band with bassist Herbie Flowers and drummer Tony Newman, yet he never was able to record with the group. While driving home from a London club with Bolan, Gloria Jones lost control of her car, smashing into a tree. Marc Bolan, riding in the passenger's seat of the car, was killed instantly.

While T. Rex's music was intended to be disposable, it has proven surprisingly influential over the years. Hard rock and heavy metal bands borrowed the group's image, as well as the pounding insistence of their guitars. Punk bands may have discarded the high heels, feather boas, and top hats, yet they adhered to the simple three-chord structures and pop aesthetics that made the band popular.





T. Rex - Bang A Gong (Get It On) - The Midnight Special

cool to see a real LIVE clip of this classic song...Not a lip snych.

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T. Rex perform Bang A Gong (Get It On)

Live on German Top of The Pops