Mark Garrod

T. Rex (November 2, 1973) Great Hits Album T. Rex’s 1973 compilation album Great Hits brought together fourteen recordings from Marc Bolan and T. Rex’s commercial peak, combining major glam-rock hits such as Telegram Sam, Metal Guru, 20th Century Boy and Children Of The Revolution with album tracks and other recordings from the 1971–1973 period. BACKGROUND RECORDING Great Hits was released in the United Kingdom on November 2, 1973 through T. REX Records and EMI. The compilation gathered fourteen recordings from the height of T. Rex’s success, providing an overview of the band's hit-making period while also incorporating material beyond the most obvious singles. The collection includes Telegram Sam, Metal Guru, 20th Century Boy, Children Of The Revolution, Solid Gold Easy Action and The Groover alongside Jitterbug Love, Lady, Thunderwing, Sunken Rags, Midnight, The Slider, Born To Boogie and Shock Rock. The album appeared towards the latter part of the T. Rexmania period and was made available across the principal home-audio formats of the time. The recordings assembled for Great Hits date from the 1971–1973 period and were produced by Tony Visconti. Recording locations represented by the material include Advision Studios and Château d’Hérouville, together with other recording locations used during the period. The core T. Rex personnel represented by the compilation are Marc Bolan, Mickey Finn, Steve Currie and Bill Legend, with additional musicians and backing vocalists including Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman. STYLE & THEMES RELEASE HISTORY Great Hits concentrates on the concise, melodic and guitar-driven glam-rock sound associated with T. Rex during the band's commercial peak. The collection balances major hit singles with additional recordings, allowing it to function as more than a straightforward singles anthology. Tony Visconti's production provides continuity across material spanning several releases from 1971 to 1973. The fourteen tracks document the distinctive sound Marc Bolan and T. Rex developed during one of the band's most commercially visible periods. The original UK release appeared on November 2, 1973 as an LP, cassette and 8-track cartridge. Initial LP copies included a free poster. The cassette was issued with both grey and blue body variants, while the album also appeared internationally in other packaging variations, including textured sleeves in Southeast Asia. In 1983, Great Hits was reissued in Japan as part of the Rock Original Disk Series Vol. 2. Catalogue number SP20-5061, this edition included an obi strip and lyric insert. The album made its first appearance on compact disc in Japan on January 21, 1986. Sounds Marketing System issued the CD as MD32-5018. PERSONNEL PRODUCTION Marc Bolan — vocals, guitar Mickey Finn — percussion, vocals Steve Currie — bass Bill Legend — drums Howard Kaylan — additional/backing vocals Mark Volman — additional/backing vocals Produced by Tony Visconti Recorded: 1971–1973 Label: T. REX Records / EMI Catalogue Number: BLN 5003 / 0C 062 ◦ 94744 Release Date: November 2, 1973 Format: LP Vinyl Recorded At: Advision Studios / Château d’Hérouville / other recording locations