📰 Still Mighty Hard for Marc – Review : Oct. 1972

A vivid on-the-spot report from T. Rex’s concert at Santa Monica Civic Auditorium captures the electric atmosphere and occasional frustrations of Marc Bolan’s American live shows during the height of T. Rextasy.

The headline “Still mighty hard for Marc…” hints at both the band’s enduring power and the challenges of translating their UK success to US audiences.

This October 1972 Melody Maker review offers a raw, eyewitness account of T. Rex in full glam-rock flight on American soil, blending excitement, critique, and the sheer hysteria surrounding Bolan at the peak of his fame.

🗞 Melody Maker

📅 Date: October 28, 1972

⏱ Length: 5 min read

📰 Key Highlights

• Detailed review of T. Rex’s concert at Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in Los Angeles

• Descriptions of the band’s performance, audience reaction, and the venue’s limitations

• Comments on Marc Bolan’s stage presence, the glittery costumes, and the overall energy

• Observations about the sound quality, security, and the contrast between UK and US fan experiences

• Reflections on Bolan’s ability to command the stage despite technical and logistical hurdles

📰 Overview

In late October 1972, Melody Maker published a concert review from T. Rex’s US tour stop in Santa Monica. Written by Richard Cromelin, the piece captures the band at the absolute height of their glam explosion, while noting the practical difficulties of bringing the T. Rextasy phenomenon to American venues.

📰 Source Details

Publication / Venue: Melody Maker

Date: October 28, 1972

Format: Concert review

Provenance Notes: Verified directly from the preserved magazine page; typical Melody Maker layout with bold headline and accompanying black-and-white stage photograph.

📰 The Story

The review opens with the intense anticipation surrounding T. Rex’s arrival in Los Angeles. Richard Cromelin describes the chaotic scenes outside the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, the glittery, androgynous look of the fans, and the electric atmosphere inside. On stage, Marc Bolan and the band deliver a high-energy set, but the reviewer notes issues with the venue’s sound and the somewhat restrained response from parts of the American audience compared to the hysteria back in Britain.

Particular attention is paid to Bolan’s commanding presence, his feather boa and glitter, and the way the band powers through hits despite technical limitations. The piece balances admiration for T. Rex’s star power with honest observations about the challenges of translating their UK dominance to US stages.

📰 Visual Archive

Black-and-white stage photograph of Marc Bolan performing with T. Rex, captured mid-song with dramatic lighting and the band visible in the background. The image is placed prominently beside the headline and review text, emphasising the live energy of the concert.

Caption: T. Rex live at Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, as reviewed in Melody Maker, October 28, 1972.

📰 Related Material

See tabs at foot of page

📰 Closing Notes

This 1972 Melody Maker review provides a fascinating snapshot of T. Rex conquering America — or at least trying to — during the peak of their UK dominance. It shows both the magic and the occasional friction of bringing glam rock’s glittering whirlwind to a new audience.

#TRex #MarcBolan #MelodyMaker #1972 #SantaMonica #T.Rextasy

📝 Copyright Notice

All magazine scans, photographs, and original text excerpts referenced in this entry remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This Chronicle entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference. No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.