Marc Bolan / Rod Stewart (July 29 1972) – “Music is a Summertime Thing” Feature – Record Mirror

This Record Mirror feature from July 1972, written by Barry O’Keef, explores the growing popularity of cassette tapes as the ideal summer listening format. The article highlights artists such as T. Rex, Rod Stewart, and Jack Jones, reflecting the shift in music consumption during the early 1970s.

Publication: Record Mirror   Date: July 29 1972 Country: United Kingdom

Under the headline “Music is a Summertime Thing (Specially when it’s on tape!),” the article discusses how record companies were adapting to seasonal trends by promoting portable music formats. It opens with a playful observation that “nobody buys records in the summer” — a notion the writer quickly dismisses, noting that cassette tapes had become the perfect companion for holidays, car trips, and beach outings.

Barry O’Keef describes the rapid expansion of the tape market, with new releases appearing weekly and major labels competing to meet demand.

The piece lists several featured albums available on cassette, including Rod Stewart’s Never a Dull Moment, Every Picture Tells a Story, and Gasoline Alley, alongside titles by Jerry Lee Lewis, Thin Lizzy, Manfred Mann, and Graham Nash.

The layout combines editorial and advertising: a large Philips Phonogram promotion occupies the right side, showing Rod Stewart holding a microphone with a cassette and sun illustration beside him.

At the top left, a small photograph of Marc Bolan with a camera references T. Rex’s The Slider, newly issued on tape. A smaller portrait of Jack Jones appears below, captioned “early recordings.”

CONTEXT AND NOTES  

By mid‑1972, cassette tapes were revolutionising music listening, offering portability and convenience that vinyl could not.

This Record Mirror feature captures that cultural shift, blending lifestyle writing with product promotion. The inclusion of Rod Stewart and Marc Bolan — two of Britain’s biggest stars — underscores how major artists were driving the tape boom.

The article also reflects the optimism of the era’s music press, where technology and pop culture intertwined to shape new listening habits. The playful tone and sunny imagery evoke the carefree spirit of early‑1970s summer marketing.

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS  

Event: Feature on cassette music and summer listening trends

Era: 1972 –Glam Rock / Portable Music  Expansion  Period

Tone: Promotional, upbeat, and lifestyle‑oriented

Photography:

• Marc Bolan holding a camera (T. Rex – The Slider)

• Rod Stewart performing with microphone and cassette graphic

• Jack Jones portrait (early recordings)

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WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS

• Editorial feature promoting cassette tapes as the new summer format

• Philips Phonogram advertisement listing major album releases

• Visuals of Marc Bolan, Rod Stewart, and Jack Jones

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