T Rex Newcastle City Hall 10th March 1977
1977 was, of course, the year of punk rock. Marc was well aware of this and, in an interview in The Sun (February 1977) said that he had been waiting ‘for something like punk rock to come along…..I consider myself to be an elder statesman of punk” and declared himself “The Godfather of Punk.” Unlike many stars, he wasn’t afraid to put his money where his mouth was and “picked The Damned to tour with me because I wanted to put the best of the established bands against the best of the new wave bands, so we‘ll see who can out-punk the other every night” (The Journal, March 1977). A new T Rex album “Dandy in the Underworld” was released to fan and critical acclaim, and the band went out on tour with, as alluded to above, punk rock band the Damned as support. The tour was our chance to see a new, rejuvenated, slimmer Bolan, sharp-suited with smooth elfin looks, and a new band featuring Dino Dines (keyboards), Tony Newman (drums), Herbie Flowers (bass) and Miller Anderson (guitar). Although not every show was quite sold out, attendances were good, and the UK tour gained positive reviews. Bolan and T Rex were back on form and the future looked bright. From the tour programme: “Bolan today is a genuine star – the man who put magic back into pop music; seldom heavy and most often playful….Marc is a global super-star who has toured over 500,000 miles in the last two years….I am a teenage idol I suppose”. Big statements, but actually Bolan could live up to them.
I saw the tour at Newcastle City Hall on 10th Macrh 1977. The Damned were their usual crazy manic selves; it was quite brave of Marc to invite them on tour with him, as it could so easily have back-fired. In fact, the pairing worked well, with the Damned warming the audience up, and T Rex playing a set containing a good mix of old and new and which showed just how good a live act Bolan and his band could still be. Bolan was enjoying a new surge in popularity, and he even talked about the possibility of performing again with Finn and Took, as well as reuniting with producer Tony Visconti.
Set List: Jeepster, Visions Of Domino, New York City, The Soul Of My Suit, Groove A Little, Telegram Sam, Hang-Ups, Debora, I Love To Boogie, Teen Riot Structure, Dandy In The Underworld, Hot Love, Get It On
While driving home early on the morning of 16th September 1977, Marc Bolan’s purple Mini crashed into a tree, after failing to negotiate a small bridge near Gypsy Lane, Barnes, in southwest London, a few miles from his home. Bolan was killed in the crash, which took place two weeks before his 30th birthday.
Thanks to Michael and his excellent http://www.dandyintheunderworld.co.uk/ site of the tour for helping refresh by memories and providing pointers to some of the reference material of the time.
Vintagerock's Weblog. 
Posted by Mitch on October 2, 2014 at 11:38 am
I saw T.Rex twice at Newcastle City Hall. The first time was 20th May 1971 just after Hot Love had been at number one for six consecutive weeks. I remember standing up for the entire show in order to see the stage through a sea of scarves and waving arms.
I had never witnessed a concert like it before – or since!
I am sure that there was more noise coming from the audience than the band.
The second time was the 1977 concert as per your blog. I must admit that my fondness for T.Rex had waned at this point and I went along mainly to see The Damned.
Posted by vintagerock on October 2, 2014 at 12:52 pm
Thanks Mitch. I wish I’d been at the 71 show. Some friends from School went and said it was a pretty crazy gig 🙂 Cheers Peter
Posted by rondon on January 31, 2015 at 11:15 am
I was there too and remember a sizeable group of Damned fans got up and walked out at the end of the Damned’s set and missed one of the last chances to see Marc Bolan live.
Posted by vintagerock on January 31, 2015 at 11:23 am
‘Hi Ron Happy days. I think T Rex are a very under-rated and now almost forgotten band in comparison to some of the 70s bands, which is a great shame. Cheers Peter
Posted by Ron Kersey on July 2, 2018 at 8:52 pm
This is a different Ron here in the United States.Age 36. Marc Bolan and T.REX are easily in my top 5 favorite rock bands. I’m still spreading the word of this band and making compilations for new ears as much as possible. Despite the albums being “patchy” from 74 to 77, the goods tracks are still fantastic and mix well with the prime years of early T.REX. Not to mention the wealth of brilliant songs, demos and music never released during Marc’s lifetime that can be found in the T.REX UNCHAINED cd series(21st Century Stance, Bolan’s Bliues, Plateau Skull, Saturday Night, High Wire, Slider Blues…etc just for starters). 🙂
Posted by Mike Thompson on March 5, 2021 at 5:12 pm
Can not agree that T. Rex are a “forgotten” band, Marc’s music is played more than any other 70s bands like Slade, Sweet etc, Marc’s music features in more ad’s than any other bands, T. Rex have by far and away more tribute acts than any other 70s act. Marc was, is and always be the most important musical legacy to come out of the 70s
Posted by vintagerock on March 6, 2021 at 12:38 pm
Mike now that you say it; I agree that “forgotten” is not right. However I do think that Marc Bolan has not been given anywhere near the credit he deserves. Cheers Peter
Posted by Mike Thompson on March 5, 2021 at 5:07 pm
I was at the City Hall that night, seat C6, every time since I have been there, I always go to that seat, sends shivers down my spine to realise just how close I was to the great man, a truly fantastic night. Marc Bolan, a true superstar, both then and now 44 years later
Posted by vintagerock on March 6, 2021 at 12:36 pm
Thanks Mike happy days Peter