A Melody Maker Glam Future Tease Published in the UK on January 15, 1972, Melody Maker’s one-page article “T.Rex's Next” previewed Marc Bolan’s upcoming plans after the massive success of “Ride A White Swan” and the shift to T. Rex. The feature discussed new singles, potential album direction, and the growing T. Rextasy wave — a forward-looking glimpse into Bolan’s 1972 dominance. Article Overview Publication Details Magazine: Melody Maker (UK). Date: January 15, 1972. For

Bolan’s sleaziest single stalls at #2 – Christmas 1971’s cruelest near-miss! T.Rex’s Jeepster peaks at #2 on the UK Singles Chart (December 5 – 11, 1971) and stays there for four weeks over Christmas. Entry: November 13, 1971 at #37 Total weeks on chart: 15 (13/11/1971 – 19/02/1972) Chart Run 37 (13/11) • 8 (20/11) • 2 (27/11) • 3 (04/12) • 2 (11/12) • 2 (18/12) • 2 (25/12) • 2 (01/01) • 3 (08/01) • 10 (15/01) • 18 (22/01) • 29 (29/01) • 34 (05/02) • 44 (12/02) • 46 (19/02)

Released in the UK on November 5, 1971, T. Rex’s “Jeepster” arrived as a defining glam‑rock single issued by Fly Records (BUG 16). Written by Marc Bolan and produced by Tony Visconti for Straight Ahead Productions Ltd., the track fuses blues roots with Bolan’s seductive glam strut, lifting its central riff and vocal phrasing from Howlin’ Wolf’s “You’ll Be Mine” (written by Willie Dixon).

T.Rex's "Jeepster" , paired with "Life’s a Gas" , was issued as a limited edition promotional 7-inch vinyl single in the UK by Fly Records (catalog number BUG 10) on September 10, 1971. Only 500 copies were pressed and given to friends and disc jockeys, in advance of T. Rex’s album Electric Warrior, which was released on September 24, 1971, in the UK by Fly Records. This promotional disc was later upgraded to a commercial single, with “Jeepster” as the A-side, on November 5,

As “Hot Love” cracked the Top 5, the glitter began to stick — glam wasn’t just coming, it had arrived.

A vanished broadcast reconstructed through fragments — a reminder of how much of Britain’s pop‑television heritage survives only through private recordings and memory

“Hot Love” entered the UK singles chart at No. 31 on February 27, 1971, rising to No. 1 on March 20 and holding the top spot for six weeks, ultimately spending 17 weeks on the chart and launching T. Rex into national superstardom.

T. Rex's Swan Up to No. 2 Peak As published in the Official Singles Chart for the week of January 17–23, 1971, T. Rex’s “Ride A White Swan” climbed two places to its peak position of No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart. The track, written and produced by Marc Bolan, had spent 14 weeks on the chart by this point, entering at lower positions and steadily rising through the festive season. It was held off the top spot by Clive Dunn’s “Grandad” (No. 1, LW: 1, Peak: 1, Weeks: 9). Chart

Fly Records' White Swan Magic Released in the UK as a 7-inch vinyl single on October 2, 1970, by Fly Records (catalogue: BUG 1), this catchy folk-glam rock song climbed to number 6 on the Official Singles Chart on December 12. It then dropped during the Christmas period before rising to its highest position of Number 2 on January 2. It remained in the Top 40 for 20 weeks. The track that prevented it from reaching No. 1 was Clive Dunn – Grandad. Single Overview Release Details

Marc & Mickey cast a spell on BBC’s biggest stage! With "Ride a White Swan", at number 30 on the BBC Singles Chart, T. Rex recorded their TOTP debut at BBC Television Centre, 201 Wood Lane, Shepherd’s Bush, London W12, England, on Wednesday, November 11, 1970. The duo—Marc Bolan on Gibson Les Paul and Mickey Finn on bass—delivered a mimed performance, broadcast the following day (November 12). The song was performed for a second time and broadcast on November 26, 1970. Again