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T. Rex Complete Concert - Wembley 5.30pm 18th March 1972

Bolan at his best. No question: If there was any doubt in your mind; this proves once and for all that Bolan indeed rocks.

It's interesting to contrast the two performances; in the 5:30 show (this video here), the acoustic set is much stronger; in the 8:30 show (search for "T. Rex Complete Concert - Wembley 8.30pm 18th March 1972"), the electric stuff is sensational, leading off with a rousing version of CADILLAC. The restoration of the image from 16mm is absolutely first rate; most of the footage was rescued, along with the original stereo recordings, from 100s of rusting film cans in Ringo's garage.

Marc and the band are in top form, somehow managing to cut through the teenybop adulation with real, loud, rock'n'roll. Whether or not Bolan's Tolkien-esque lyrics are your cup of tea, Ringo Starr who filmed all this certainly knew enough about pop idols to keep the camera focused on Marc and let the myth take care of itself.

What's surprising about the Wembley audience is the intensity on fans' faces, both girls and boys -- when Bolan breaks into a wicked version of "Summertime Blues" there's just a hint of the Sex Pistols' punk sneer that was just five years away.

01:42 Cadilac 08:45 Jeepster 13:44 Baby Strange 20:40 Spaceball Ricochet 25:02 Girl 27:47 Cosmic Dancer 33:04 Telegram Sam 37:52 Hot Love 42:46 Get? it On 46:29 Just One More 55:55 Summertime Blues