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There was nothing left to cheer about, or so I believed...  A new world was about to explode and unfold before me, absorbing me in every fashion.
September, and it was now time to go back to school after the long and hot summer of never ending holidays, and evenings of discos and dances [which were a poor substitute for England's misfortunes,] but something exciting was about to take off; the music scene was changing, we had said goodbye to the Beatles, and now the Children of the Revolution were waiting in anticipation...
 

To a young boy, such as myself, everything seemed to be on meltdown. The music scene was moving into a new realm with hidden mysteries and poetical tales. The sounds of the 70s were so lyrically stimulating. The pop world was about to build to a crescendo; the Cosmic Dancer was ready to ride on out of the skyways.

Marc Bolan captured my imagination like no one else could. It was time to hang up my old school football boots and search through the back of my wardrobe to hunt out my old abandoned acoustic guitar - once neglected but now primed and ready for some Solid Gold Easy Action.

When old enough to work I bought every T.Rex single and album I could get my hands on. I was taking guitar lessons and my playing quickly progressed.
Late 70s... the music scene had changed, sadly Marc was no longer with us, but his music lived on. At this stage of my life I was playing with various different bands.

Bobby in 1976

In the early 80s I joined a band called Eric Blake. We were writing all our own material and playing the regular circuit throughout London, including the original Marquee and various colleges up and down the country.  With the release of two singles on the Carrere record label and a cork screw "hair do", people would often remark about the similarities between Marc Bolan and myself.  However, after a while I decided to leave Eric Blake, feeling disillusioned with the business.

Returning to my T.Rex albums, with acoustic guitar in hand, I’d play along to my favourite L.P - Electric Warrior. This was the music that gave me the desire and inspiration to form a T.Rex tribute band, but finding the right musicians was a job easier said than done. Fate would play its part, being in the right place, with the right people, at the right time.

Bobby in 1981

Some years later, a friend of mine who runs a small hairdressing business in Chelmsford, Essex, received a phone call.  Unbeknown to her she was asked to make an appointment for a Mr. Bill Legend. On arrival at his home, totally unaware, Kim proceeded to cut Bill’s hair.  Going about her daily routine she couldn't help noticing various photos of her customer playing drums, Kim asked "do you play in a band?".

Bill Legend joined T.Rex in 1971 playing on the single Hot Love, his unique style gave Marc’s music a distinguished feel on songs such as Children of the Revolution and Metal Guru - with a crafted double tracked snare drum effect, it added depth and drive to those recordings. For me, Bill’s presence was undoubtedly at the heart of the music during Marc’s best period.  Meeting Bill was an education in itself!  When possible, I would take time out to watch Bill play by listening to the familiar rolls and feels and even enjoying the occasional joke from behind the drum kit about the recording sessions with  T.REX producer Tony Visconti.

It would have been exhilarating to have played in a tribute band with Bill, but for the fact that he had decided to wind down his musical career.

Bobby 2002

After playing with a string of different musicians throughout 2001, I finally set up a band named The Electric Warriors with guitarist Brad Cooke, bassist Matt Gibbs, and drummer Nick Warry, playing gigs in and around Essex. 

At last, with much blood, sweat and tears, The band evolved into what it is today , and during this journey our Agent would remark on the bands name ...

"It doesn't tell people who you are..." he'd shout!

"Limehouse Lizzy....Fleetwood Bac, Mentallica, Dirty Dc, Pink Fraud etc they are instantly recognisable successful tribute bands!"

(obviously Bolan fanatics would know EW's straight away!!) However, finally we had to give in -  we knew we'd have to make the name change sooner or later...

So I came up with the name Too Rex ... and the rest is history!!

THE OFFICIAL MARC BOLAN FAN CLUB

In January 2002 I contacted the (then) owner of the Official Marc Bolan Fan Club - Chris Bromham. Chris kindly invited us down to his home later that year. Upon arrival, one could see the considerable amount of work and dedication involved in the fan club. With the combination of Chris, Anna Marie, and editor Barry Smith, the clubs' sole purpose was to promote Marc’s music. Whilst sharing the comforts of Chris's home, we were privileged to be able to play  one of Marc’s most  famous and cherished guitars - ( The Gibson Flying V ), This was a truly generous gesture... typifying the kind of relationship one can strike up with Chris.

HEARTFELT THANKS....

<--click here to visit Chris' site!

Bobby T & Chris Bromham (ex O.M.B.F.C) with Marc's Flying 'V' guitar (Summer 2002)

Finally my band... Too REX

Too REX are a musical tribute to the late, great Marc Bolan and his band T.Rex.

With an immense love for the "main man" and his music we endeavour to help keep the memory alive of one of the greatest rock and roll legends that ever lived... MARC BOLAN

Laser love,

BOBBY T xx