On this day in 1990, fossil hunter Susan Hendrickson discovers three huge bones jutting out of a cliff near Faith, South Dakota. They turn out to be part of the largest-ever Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton ever discovered, a 65 million-year-old specimen dubbed Sue, after its discoverer.
Interesting and/or little-known facts about Sue, the world's largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton ever discovered. She has been on display since 2000 in Chicago's Field Museum, since 1893 the city's showcase and storehouse of mummies and other anthropological souvenirs, plus fossils and preserved plants and animals. The museum, with support from academic, business and philanthropic institutions, purchased the bones at auction in 1997.
Marc Bolan left us way too soon, killed in a car accident just a couple weeks shy of his 30th birthday leaving us to wonder what might have been. We tip our top hat to the electric warrior with this list of the Top 10 T. Rex Songs.
From his early '60s adventures rolling down a Dylan-inspired folk path, through his time with pop art rockers John's Children, Bolan eventually found his own unique voice with Tyrannosaurus Rex, a folk-hippie duo who would eventually morph into the electric fire that was T. Rex. Essentially launching the Glam rock scene in the UK, T. Rex has inspired countless rock and rollers over the years and Bolan remains a true rock and roll legend. So let's get it on, bang a gong and count down the Top 10 T. Rex Songs.
20th Century Boy
From: UK single (1973)
'20th Century Boy' fits perfectly in the T. Rex Top 10 Songs, as it was one of the loudest, most grooving singles T. Rex ever released. With a riff that knocks down all in its path, the song's urgency and passion is second to none in the Bolan catalog. Pure unadulterated loud rock and roll, and you guessed it, another huge hit in England, making No. 3. Though nary a blip on the radar in America, the song was brought back to life here via use in a 2002 Mitsubishi commercial.
Jeepster
As one of the highlights of 'T.Rex's breakthrough album,'Electric Warrior,' 'Jeepster' provides a great example of what you might call the “T.Rex Sound.” This gem carries the original spirit of '50s rock and roll smiling and strutting into the '70s and capturing the era perfectly. Released as a single in late '71, it shot to No. 2 on the British charts and helped solidify Bolan's place in the rock and roll spotlight of the new era.
Cosmic Dancer
From: 'Electric Warrior' (1971)
The lazy, hazy slither of 'Cosmic Dancer' is one of Bolan's secret weapons. He can pull out that mood and seduce the listener immediately. 'Cosmic Dancer' is a great example of that side of his writing, and one of many highlights on 'Electric Warrior.' Though there are many highlights on that album, the production work of Tony Visconti on the track is simply perfect.
The Slider
From: 'The Slider' (1972)
'The Slider' is a must for the T. Rex Top 10 Songs. The stone solid bump-n-grind groove moves this one along! Proudly drenched in sex as it moves and grooves, the title track from the 1972 classic is about as good as it gets in this style. The percussive use of strings only adds magic to the T. Rex sound, while the always spot on back up vocals of Flo & Eddie, aka Howard Kaylan and Marc Volman of the Turtles, add the perfect cream filling.
Metal Guru
From: 'The Slider' (1972)
The kickoff song to what many consider Bolan's finest album, 'The Slider,' 'Metal Guru' is first class T. Rex all the way. The sexy strut and swagger of the song is instantly captivating. The track provides more of Bolan's surreal meets bubblegum lyrics that helped define his unique style. Tony Visconti's flawless production was never better than it was on 'The Slider.' Another No. 1 hit for T. Rex, 'Metal Guru' is as perfect a pop record as you can find.
Bang a Gong
From: 'Electric Warrior' (1971)
'Get It On' (as it was called in the U.K.) or 'Bang a Gong' (like it was titled here in the U.S.) is the definitive T. Rex classic. In three-and-a-half minutes, Bolan and company establish the mood, decor, and fireworks of this great glam rock ride he was about to take us on. With piano courtesy of a pre-Yes Rick Wakeman, and sax delivered by Ian McDonald of King Crimson, 'Bang A Gong' became a sensation. A year before 'Ziggy Stardust,' the man with the 'corkscrew hair' was laying his cards on the table. This was, and still is, rock and roll! Sadly, this would be T. Rex's sole U.S. hit.
Telegram Sam
From: 'The Slider' (1972)
The first single released from 'The Slider,' and the third No.1 hit for T. Rex, 'Telegram Sam' is primo bump-n-grind rock and roll action. The biting guitar riff sears the brain as the feet get movin'. Bolan's come hither vocals pull you into the raunch and roll all the way! The song was covered in the '80s by goth heroes Bauhaus, who gave it their own unique twist and took the song into the charts once again.
I have been in a Marc Bolan mood for a week! Don't know what brought him into my mind. Guess Marc is reaching into my dreams and asking for a post on RetroK.
He was, of course, the first Glam Rocker but he preferred Cosmic Rocker. Cosmic he was... Gorgeous looking rocker and what a stage performer he was! As much as I love David Bowie, Marc did it first and did it hotter and sexier... I wanted him to be my boy for sure...
Marc Bolan born Mark Feld; 30 September 1947 – 16 September 1977 was an English singer, songwriter, musician, and poet. He was the lead singer of the band T. Rex and was one of the pioneers of the glam rock movement of the 1970s.
Bolan died at the age of 29 in a car crash two weeks before his 30th birthday. In 1997, a memorial stone and bust of Bolan, Marc Bolan's Rock Shrine, was unveiled at the site where he died in Barnes, London. As a member of T. Rex, Bolan will posthumously be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020.
No one before or since has created a sound, an image, and genre all his own. His tragic car accident and early death at age 30 froze his music in time forever.
Bolan was a self-made pop icon, and one of the original Glam Rock stars in England. Born Marc Feld, he had a brief career as a superstar with his band T-Rex but was eventually reduced to hosting a Children's TV series.
On the night of September 16, 1977, Marc had dinner with his love Gloria Jones, with whom he had a 2-year-old son Rolan. After much merriment, Gloria got behind the wheel of her purple Mini 1275 GT (license plate FOX 66IL) to drive Marc and herself home.
This was about 4am. Shortly thereafter, the Mini-Cooper was traveling on Queens Ride, at the southern edge of Barnes Common, south London. The Mini left the road as it crossed a hump-backed bridge, shot through the fence, and smashed into a sycamore tree. Marc's side took the impact, and he was thrown into the back of the car and killed instantly. Gloria was unconscious but alive.
