I enjoyed reading the comments. I doubt there is much more I can say about Marc Bolan's music that hasn't already been discussed; I will admit he was much bigger in his native UK than in the USA. So were the Sex Pistols for that matter, and they were inducted in the RHOF.

I believe we can all agree that T. Rex and Marc Bolan deserve a spot. If only Bolan were alive to see it.

Posted by John Cady on Tuesday, 05/21/2013 @ 17:12pm

Place it on your forehead and baby, she ain't no witch, but I may call you jaguar 'cause you won't fool you know pollution machine. I want to be your Toy Boy, will be as easy as being a space age cowboy, unzip my winter poetry, give me 3D vision in the Revolution and I'll groove right in. . . to the. . . In the name of Zeus they shall not cop on!

This group got Robin Hood into the top 10 at least twice in the 20th century; in wild, poetic, Rock 'n' Roll records.

Posted by Geroo on Sunday, 04/20/2014 @ 22:28pm

Oh, c'mon, INDUCT THEM!!!

Posted by BulmaPunkRocker on Sunday, 07/6/2014 @ 23:46pm

He should definitely be in the Rock Hall; I'm more shocked that they've never been nominated. I have a feeling he will be nominated within the next couple of years. A pioneering and highly influential group from the 1970s. Akin to Deep Purple, T. Rex was more popular in the U.K. and they're really only known here for "Bang a Bong (Get it On)" but there's so much more then that one iconic song: "Jeepster," "Children of the Revolution," "Cosmic Dancer," and "20-Century Boy." A Shame he's not in the Rock Hall yet.

Posted by Nick on Tuesday, 03/17/2015 @ 21:39pm

I know what this should be named. American Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Why would you not bring in T. Rex? What kind of a blatant wormhole of absurdity did we just open here? Hey, we brought in the Small Faces, but I guess they had to because they were technically the Faces. It's like Jefferson Airplane coming down to Starship in a way. Hey! If the faces are in, think about these guys! T. Rex! Marc Bolan! England cooked up another treat for America and exploded in the US later with Bowie and other stuff! What the hell is this?? Those people up there should definitely know their rock history! What idiots do we have up there?? Are they debating taste?? What kind of idiocy is going on up there?? If you are arguing who should get in, it should be OBVIOUS INFLUENCE IN MUSIC HISTORY! And I think your rule of where such and such years have to pass after your bands last album comes out and when the mark has passed, they wont be going back to that, see, that kind of thinking has to stop. There's nothing more idiotic than that LOL and I think many people will agree with me. You already put in Donovan, and the Small Faces even though the Small Faces got in BECAUSE of the Faces. You bring in older acts every year. There shouldn't be a mark.

Posted by John on Monday, 04/6/2015 @ 16:30pm

For all of you who don't know your rock history, Glam started in 1970 when Bolan brushed glitter on his face before singing "Ride a White Swan" on Top of the Pops. Bowie adopted the glam image for Ziggy Stardust which was totally inspired by T.rex. The song "Starman" is about Marc. Elton's song "I'm going to be a teenage idol" off the "Don't shoot me" LP was about Marc. T.Rex is mentioned in the songs "All the Young Dudes" by Mott the Hoople (written by Bowie), in "You Better you Bet" by the Who and in songs by Kate Bush and Slade. As for sales, according to a documentary done after Marc's death in 1977, they said T.Rex sold 40 million records - I'd say that's enough to satisfy voters. In 1971 Electric Warrior was the biggest selling LP in the UK. Hot Love, Get it On and Jeepster were among the top 100 songs of the decade in Britain. As for influence, in the early 70's Marc was known as "The Face" in Britain as he was everywhere pitching products - kind of like Peyton Manning today. When Duran Duran split and some members formed Power Station, they auditioned singers and had tem sing Get it on -which they went on to record for a Top ten hit. 20th Century Boy is still being used in commercials today. The Hall has artists in who made like 2 hits or who were only together for couple years like Buffalo Springfield or the Yardbirds. Yes I know the Yardbirds had 3 of the greatest guitarists go thru them but King Crimson had Fripp, Greg Lake, John Wetton among others start with them and THEY are not in. I say let the artists nominate other artists and vote them in and tell Jan Wenner to retire.

Posted by David on Thursday, 04/16/2015 @ 00:26am

Over rated rubbish!!! By the time of his death Bolan had become a Has Been. He had his own show "Marc" and was playing out to almost 3m to 4m viewers. During the show he released the single Celebrate Summer. It sold less than 6000 copies in the UK, so say no more!

Posted by Dave Waton on Sunday, 06/14/2015 @ 18:45pm

So because Bolan's last single barely broke 5000 sales, the fact that T. Rex invented a genre that influenced Bowie, Sweet, Mott the Hoople, and Roxy Music and was an admitted influence of the Smiths and Oasis (twenty years removed from Bolan's peak) should immediately perish? Besides, Marc (the show) helped get exposure for Generation X (and Billy Idol, by extension) and the Jam, so even if his own sales were bunk, the rub can be used to argue against it.

Even if T. Rex's music hasn't aged at all (my opinion: it has aged decently enough) and looked pure 70s, they'd still be a massive snub simply for the line of artists they influenced. Bolan's final sales mean nothing much in the face of that.

Posted by SotN on Sunday, 06/14/2015 @ 19:18pm

T. Rex are very much over rated. Bolan did nothing in the States. Why do Bolan fans not accept that T.rex had become a has been after 73. The record sales had dipped to the point of less sales of his Tyrannosaurus Rex days by time of his sad death. Bowie was steps ahead of Bolan by far. It was David who advised Bolan in 76 to go back to his roots and to make grate albums again rather than keep pumping out singles. Maybe that would have happened who knows. He had a lot to make up first though. That silly T.V show was not a good start. Most of his fans would have been at work and the fact that the school kids who tuned in had no interest in investing pocket money in the single Celebrate Summer. Less then 6000 sales is dam bad.Anyway having said all that, Bolan did influence many. However it means nothing!! Bolan his remembered for opening the door for silly glam rock. He never moved on from it really.

Posted by Danny on Friday, 06/26/2015 @ 11:52am

Bolan was years ahead with ideas. Way ahead of Bowie in many ways. I have worked with both in the US, Bolan in 73 and Bowie in 76. I did lighting. Marc Bolan was taking about using electronic sounds mixing with a rock formation in 73. Everyone in the bar thought he was off his tits. What happen in the 80s???? Give the guy credit people!!!! If you check out a album Bolan's Zip Gun / The Light Of Love USA mostly recorded 74 you can hear the ideas on Bowie's Low album 1977. Bolan is under rated man!!!

Posted by Colin Simmons on Monday, 06/29/2015 @ 13:49pm

One of the most influential yet most underrated rock groups of all time. The same can be said for Cheap Trick.

Posted by Mitch Colburn on Sunday, 07/26/2015 @ 18:07pm

Bowie, Bolan???? We are in 2015 not 1972. Marc was a outstanding writer. He lost his way in 74 and 75. However David Bowie acknowledged in a USA t.v interview in the mid 90s that Marc spoke about some fanatic ideas in 1977 that he believed would have put him back on the right track to gaining respect again. Sadly that was not to happen. So come on get off this competition thing. Marc is my main man and I got into the business because of the Bolan way. So thanks for that Boly. Underrated for me!! Best album Dandy by far. What would havebeen NEXT. The Next Day

Posted by Jack on Monday, 07/27/2015 @ 16:05pm

Cheap Trick over T. REX?

The 2016 nominees came out last week and I feel that they went for a power-pop group in nominating Cheap Trick. I tried getting into them, the Budokon album is good. I also downloaded some of their stuff from their first four albums...But man, they were just simply mediocre.

T. Rex is the (glam) power-pop band that should be recognized. Their music is still great and exciting. I truly believe though, that with this year especially, the rock hall wants to induct people who are still alive. I think that that is great, however it seems to becoming at the expense of worth artist who have passed (Bolan, Nilsson, Nina Simone, Captain Beefheart?). They made right last year by inducting Lou Reed right after passing, I was sure they were gonna do the same thing for Joe Cocker this year, but I guess it makes for a better ceremony when the inductees are alive to attend.

Posted by PLUTO on Wednesday, 10/21/2015 @ 17:16pm

it is quite blasphemous that Marc Bolan and Trex are not at all represented in the rock hall. Along with David Bowie and the New York Dolls who are also sadly absent from the hall are the forerunners of the inception of glam rock. Many artists several of which are in the hall and many others who have sold millions of records shamelessly stole from these artists. And the ones who had the intuition and the insight to create this image are shunned. Truly tragic

Posted by jdog on Friday, 01/15/2016 @ 13:42pm

A potential induction should include the classic line-up:

Marc Bolan (vocals, guitars)
Mickey Finn (percussion)
Steve Currie (bass)
Bill Legend (drums)

Posted by Joseph on Wednesday, 01/25/2017 @ 04:32am

T-Rex should absolutely be inducted into the Hall of Fame, especially since they are on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Rock and Roll.

Posted by Brendan on Tuesday, 03/21/2017 @ 22:56pm

When?

Posted by Darrin A on Thursday, 08/31/2017 @ 05:28am

... and why not ALREADY ??

Posted by Darrin A on Thursday, 08/31/2017 @ 05:31am

It is impossibly difficult to believe that Marc Bolan and T.Rex have not yet been inducted, let alone nominated into the “prestigious” Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This just goes to show how neglectful the Hall is of bands that didn’t quite crack the states, but are absolutely immortal legends in the UK. They, along with contemporaries Slade, are often seen as one hit wonders in the US, but if one takes a deep dive into T.Rex’s catalogue they will discover a supernova if absolutely flooring material. They were often considered to have a success rivaling that of the Beatles themselves, and it led to Marc Bolan even getting his own program. On “Electric Warrior” they took rock to a new level, churning out jams like “Mambo Sun”, ballads like “Cosmic Dancer”, rockers like “Jeepster”, and of course the biblical track “Get It On (Bang A Gong)”, a noticeable influence on Oasis to the point where they lifted the riff for the song “Cigarettes and Alchohol”. John Squire Of the Seminal Manchester group The Stone Roses is attributed to saying that all of his early playing was influenced by Bolan’s tight rhythm and extravagant playing style. This snub is unforgivable, and a place in the Hall is long overdue. Give glam a chance in the spotlight and show the people over in the states that this band is worth more than just one hit.

Posted by Tyler Partnow on Tuesday, 05/8/2018 @ 19:18pm

Very good chance to get a nomination soon as they were glam pioneers. The HOF probably wants to recognize this genre a bit more and T Rex fits the bill..
Demographics dictate that 60s and 70s acts will be less recognized, but this act is historically significant in its genre.
Could happen.

Posted by Mark on Sunday, 08/12/2018 @ 20:21pm

Can't quite believe that T. Rex aren't already in. They may not have had phenomenal success in the U.S. but surely practically creating glam rock must count for something, right. In the early 70s Marc Bolan was a hit machine. Everything he touched turned to gold, and rightly so. Each of his songs were gems and "Electric Warrior" is one of the finest 70s albums in my opinion.

Posted by Buffalo on Friday, 02/15/2019 @ 22:07pm

References to T. Rex in the 2019 RRHOF induction ceremony. Joe Elliot for one citing T. Rex and Marc Bolan as an influence, saying after seeing them perform on TV, and inspired by Marc, "Yeah, I wanna be like that guy!". And of course, Ian Hunter, in the lyrics to "All the Young Dudes", "who needs TV when I got T. Rex..".

So, 2 mentions, whether or not that would mean anything going into next years nominations, but I would have to say they would be a well worthy candidate.

Posted by Will N. on Saturday, 04/27/2019 @ 23:52pm

Interestingly enough, the votes could be there for T. Rex. They originally started off as a psychedelic folk band. So, I actually do picture members from the Beatles, The Stones, The Who, The Doors, The Zombies, The Band, Jefferson Airplane, Zeppelin, Cream, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, Yes, The Moody Blues, Deep Purple and other certain inductees who were around in the 60’s and early 70’s supporting them at some point.

Posted by The Dude on Sunday, 04/28/2019 @ 23:30pm

T. Rex could be the biggest, glaring omission from the RRHOF. I feel pretty confident in saying that if they get nominated later this year, they will get voted for induction.
Including all the votes T. Rex would get from all of the Classic bands mentioned by the Dude, in April, I'm sure they would also get great support from recent inductees, Def Lepperd, The Cure, and Roxy Music.

Posted by Will N. on Sunday, 06/30/2019 @ 12:03pm

Duran Duran will return to induct T. Rex as they inducted Roxy Music. Members of Duran Duran, Chic, and Robert Palmer (Power Station) did a remake of Bang a Gong by T. Rex in the 1980s.

Posted by Roy on Tuesday, 10/15/2019 @ 18:39pm

T-Rex getting nominated today is a big deal. They are woefully overdue and arguably the most important act on this ballot not from Germany. I think they were easily among the top acts to have never scored a nomination.

In their prime T-Rex was a singles machine. Get It On is just one of several great songs to dominate the British charts. Their albums were solid too. The debate between Bolan and Bowie doesn't really matter. They were both hugely influential.

Can they get in? Before last year I would have said no. But if Roxy Music can make it in they have a shot.

Do yourself a favor and spin 20th Century Boy. If that doesn't put a smile on your face nothing will.

Posted by remy10 on Tuesday, 10/15/2019 @ 20:20pm

This year's Steppenwolf. They might not make it.

Posted by Roy on Wednesday, 10/16/2019 @ 09:31am

@ Roy

T. Rex actually has good shot of getting the most votes from voting body, since they originally started off as a psychedelic folk band. Members from the Beatles, The Stones, The Who, The Doors, The Zombies, The Band, Jefferson Airplane, Zeppelin, Cream, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, Yes, The Moody Blues, Deep Purple and other certain inductees who were around in the 60's and early 70's will be on board for support.

T. Rex will be next year's Zombies.

Posted by The Dude on Wednesday, 10/16/2019 @ 09:45am

TRex May suffer the fate of receiving a Singles category award in the future if they don't get inducted this year.

Posted by Mark on Wednesday, 10/16/2019 @ 09:52am

if You've never seen the video of Bolan jam with David Bowie from his Marc TV show it's on YouTube and it's hilarious. About 30 seconds in just as he's about to go into a glam riff he falls off the stage to an amused David Bowie. Whenever he'd appear on Top of the Pops the girls would come to school the next day gushing uncontrollably about how hot he was with make up on. John Lydon once said that Marc influenced him to get over his shyness when he sang in the sex pistols. One of a kind, true genius.

Posted by MGB on Thursday, 01/16/2020 @ 02:47am

I'm younger and unfortunately didn't get to experience TRex in their heyday, but I have bought every album by TRex and Marc Bolan's other act, Tyrannosaurus Rex. I love you Marc, congratulations

Posted by Libby on Friday, 01/17/2020 @ 20:16pm

Marc Bolan, T.Rex, wow what memories I have. I became aware of Marc in 1971, probably around March, I wouldn't be 10 until the end of November that year, so one way or another Marc has been in my life daily ever since. I remember the crazy days of T.Rextasy the expression coined back then, like the T.Rex equivalent of Beatlemania, I remember the sad days of poor record sales, it felt as though the media in general took a dislike to him, he was hardly on TV, and Radio 1 more or less stopped playing his records, back then if you weren't getting played on Radio 1 you weren't having a hit, but Marc always moved on and seemed to be getting back on track towards the top again. And I can recall vividly that day, heartbreaking day of 16th of September 1977 when we lost Marc, I don't know how I kept it together for a good while, just thanks to a good family, I've been fan club member had all the rereleases, remixes and remastered etc, the videos, which always put a smile on my face.
Marcs recognition over the past 42 years has been up and down, and the tribute band T.Rextasy have done a fantastic job over the years in helping to keep Marcs memory and music fresh in peoples minds, it's unfortunate that as a lifelong fan I still feel that Marc is overlooked, underated, not apreciated and almost disrespected at times, his contribution to rock music should be fully recognised and apreciated by the media and his peers alike, it would be wonderful if someone could get to have proper interviews about Marc with the likes of Elton John, Mick Ronson, Mick Jagger, Noddy Holder, Rod Stewart and of course Bill Legend, etc etc, we've lost so many John Lennon, Keith Moon, David Bowie, Micky Finn, Steve Currie, Steve Peregrine Took, and more, so come on , if anyone knows anyone who could arrange such interviews that would be great, and a massive yet well dederved credibility boost for Marc, I emphasise deserved, such a film / documentary or whatever would do so much to bring Marcs name and music to another generation or generations. Food for thought eh,
Being put in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame is the very least Marc Bolan deserves, forget the Glam Rock title, Marc was so much more, true Rock , take a listen and remember to keep a little Marc in your heart, if you've read this far God bless you.

Posted by Gary on Wednesday, 02/5/2020 @ 13:20pm

Nice post, Gary. Never knew Pippin's first name was 'Steve'. Seemed from the books & movies that it should have been 'Bloody Hell'.

Posted by Paul in KY on Wednesday, 02/5/2020 @ 14:47pm

Starsinmybeard must be relieved that all the acts he mentioned 14 years ago are now in!

Posted by James on Saturday, 02/15/2020 @ 18:23pm

Has there ever been a cover of Get It On (Bang a Gong) that actually has a gong being banged?

Posted by Follower on Monday, 09/7/2020 @ 01:52am

Mark was great - why compare to anyone else - I remember the day he died I was about 10 - living on a counsel estate in Birmingham - and I saw "big kids" crying

But no way does Bowie owe suffragette city to Mark

And suffragette city was a game changer

Posted by G on Wednesday, 09/9/2020 @ 17:53pm

There are a heck of a lot more essential albums and songs than what's listed up there for Marc Bolan & T.Rex. I think at minimum, ones album collection is woefully incomplete without:
1.Tyrannosaurus Rex's "a beard of stars,"
2. T.Rex, the self titled brown album
3. Electric warrior (expanded version with tracks like ride a white swan, hot love, raw ramp and king of the mountain cometh).
4. The Slider expanded version
5. Tanx
These are the golden era albums, but then Dandy in the underworld is also highly recommended. Bolan fuses glam rock n roll, pop, punk and a touch of an emergent new wave element on it with some fine gothic themed tracks like the album title cut, crimson moon, visions of domino, jason b sad, pain and love, hang ups and the ramones-like Celebrate Summer.
There are essential tracks from the Futuristic Dragon Lp as well, such as Chrome Sitar, The albums self titled intro poem into Jupiter Liar, My little Baby, Lifes an Elevator, Dawn Storm, Calling All Destroyers, Laser Love. Other tracks from previous albums that are essential are: solid baby, think zinc, till dawn, explosive mouth, teenage dream, change, the groover, galaxy, interstellar soul, the avengers and truck on tyke. T.Rex was a powerhouse of great 70s rock all the way up to Bolans tragic car accident. Long live the music of T.Rex!

Posted by Ron Kersey on Thursday, 04/7/2022 @ 21:07pm