About This Footage
The raw, unvarnished energy of Marc Bolan's T.Rex on stage in 1972 is a sight to behold, and this "Jeepster Outtakes" footage from Wembley Empire Pool captures the band at their most frenetic and unpredictable. The year was 1972, and T.Rex was riding high on the success of their album "Electric Warrior", with its fusion of glam rock and proto-punk sensibilities. Bolan's charismatic stage presence and the band's kinetic energy were already making waves in the UK music scene.
This particular footage is notable for several reasons. Firstly, it's a rare glimpse into the live performances of T.Rex during this period, which were often frenetic and chaotic. The Wembley Empire Pool show on March 18th, 1972 was one such occasion, where the band tore through their setlist with reckless abandon. Secondly, the footage is part of a larger restoration project for "Born to Boogie", a film that was initially shelved due to the limited availability of colour negative film.
The restoration process, which took place between 2003 and 2004, uncovered a treasure trove of previously unknown footage from the five cameras used at Wembley that evening. This "Jeepster Outtakes" edit is one such example, featuring snippets of footage from each camera that were not available in any other format. The fact that this footage has been preserved and made available for public viewing is a testament to the dedication of the restoration team.
One of the most striking aspects of this footage is the way it captures the raw energy of T.Rex's live performances. Bolan's stage presence is electrifying, as he careens across the stage with reckless abandon, his guitar slung low and his hair flying every which way. The band is in top form, with Steve Currie's thumping basslines and Mickey Finn's pounding drums propelling the music forward with unbridled enthusiasm.
The footage also provides a fascinating glimpse into the technical aspects of live performance at the time. The use of multiple cameras, each capturing a different angle of the stage, creates a dizzying sense of visual overload. It's a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of the filmmakers that they were able to stitch together this edit from disparate fragments of footage.
Watching "Jeepster Outtakes" is like being transported back in time to a bygone era of rock 'n' roll excess. The music, the fashion, the sheer energy of it all – it's a heady cocktail that's impossible to resist. As a viewer, you're not just witnessing a live performance; you're experiencing the raw emotion and unbridled creativity of T.Rex at their most frenzied.
In many ways, this footage is a microcosm of the era in which it was filmed. The glam rock explosion of 1972 was all about excess, spectacle, and pushing the boundaries of what was possible on stage. T.Rex were at the forefront of this movement, with Bolan's charismatic stage presence and the band's kinetic energy creating a sense of chaos and unpredictability that was infectious.
As you watch "Jeepster Outtakes", it's impossible not to be struck by the sheer energy and creativity of T.Rex on stage. It's a testament to the enduring power of rock 'n' roll, and a reminder that even in the most chaotic and unpredictable moments, there is always beauty to be found.
Curated from public records and music databases.
