24 Hours with T. Rex Article: 1972

The four-page feature in Bravo magazine (January 12, 1972) titled “2 Wizards with Angel Faces” offered an intimate look at a day in the life of T. Rex. It described Marc Bolan and Mickey Finn as sleeping only four hours a day, sweating it out on the weight machine to stay in shape, often eating standing up, living out of suitcases, and sometimes playing their hands raw during performances. The article promised to show what a day in the life of T. Rex is like, both on and off stage, inviting readers to turn the page and be amazed.

Publication Details

Magazine: Bravo (Germany).

Date: January 12, 1972.

Format: Four-page feature article.

They sleep four hours a day and sweat it out on the weight machine to stay in shape. They often eat standing up, live out of suitcases, and sometimes play their hands raw during their performances. BRAVO shows what a day in the life of the T. Rex is like, both on and off stage, in this report. Turn the page – and you'll be amazed.

They could be brothers, the two T. Rex boys look so alike.

Marc Bolan (left) and Mickey Finn are also incredibly similar on the inside: Both are playful, romantic types, but when necessary, they're just as tough as their sound.

7:00 a.m

For the T. Rex, the day begins in the sauna. There, they keep fit for the next twenty hours with massages and bodybuilding. At least half an hour is spent on Mickey's (front) and Marc's physical training. "For our performances, we need the stamina of decathletes," says Marc Bolan.

Please turn the page

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What can happen after a pop concert - T. Rex experienced it

The fans wreck Marc's car

because the white Fender Stratocaster doesn't fit the picture. But Marc gets his way. "I play all my hits with this in the recording studio, so I'll appear on TV with it too - or not at all." Bang! Marc is allowed to continue playing.

8:50 a.m.

Every morning the same scene. After breakfast, Mickey sits in the closet and puts together his outfit. Sometimes he changes his clothes five times a day. "Maybe I'll be voted the best-dressed pop star one day," he laughs.

10:20 a.m.

T. Rex have arrived in Bremen by plane. But before the TV recording, there's a serenade from Max Greger and his orchestra. Marc is turning 24 today. Mary Roos and Olivia Molina are the first to congratulate him. Then there's a cake - a gift from BRAVO

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3:30 p.m.

After the TV recording, it's off to the photo studio. There, one of Marc's and Mickey's dreams

is brought to life: Marc would most like to be a prince who fights evil demons, helps enchanted princesses, and gives away mountains of gold. Mickey, on the other hand, dreams of old stagecoaches and lavish parties at magnificent royal courts.

6:10 p.m.

England's new rock kings have arrived back in London.

10:45 a.m.

Rehearsals begin in the television studio. After ten minutes, Marc loses interest. The director wants to get him a different guitar.

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In the southeast, in Croydon, two more concerts are scheduled for today. Both shows sold out three weeks ago. T. Rex are used to it. For a year now, they've been filling every venue in the world. For an hour, Marc tuned his six guitars and Mickey his bongos. "Every note has to be perfect on stage; you can't spend ages fiddling with the instruments."

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7:30 PM

The first concert begins.

3,000 fans jump from their seats, screaming, dancing between the rows of chairs, waving. The security guards take up positions, police officers appear. But Marc knows his fans. He knows exactly what he can and can't do. Like a giant symphony orchestra, he conducts the audience. No one has managed that since the Beatles. At every show, Marc loses ten pounds, and Mickey has to get his bleeding hands bandaged.

9:00 PM

Intermission. Sweaty and exhausted, T. Rex come in for their first meal since breakfast. A roadie has hauled masses of Indonesian dishes into the dressing room. Lots of rice, bamboo shoots, and tender chicken—that's how the boys like it. Champagne is served with it. Then a quick shower, and then it's back on stage.

Midnight

That's it for today! Tiredly, the T. Rex members squeeze into an old, dilapidated car. Marc's "babysitter" Beep Peep carries three ripped shirts in her suitcase. The fans almost ripped them off Marc. An hour later. On the street, T. Rex fans force the boys' car to stop. The police are powerless. After two hours, Marc's car is a write-off.

Photos: W. Heilemann

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