T. Rex “Electric Warrior” 1971. Today, September 30th, is T. Rex vocalist and guitarist Marc Bolan’s birthday (b. Mark Feld 1947, d. 1977).  Electric Warrior was T. Rex’s sixth studio release and marks the band’s foray into 70′s trashy glam rock-n-roll; it is considered by many to be the first glam rock album recorded (though there is some stiff competition for this accolade by David Bowie). The record was both a critical and commercial success, reaching #1 on the album charts in the UK and #32 in the US propelled by the hit single “Bang a Gong (Get It On)” (the single became a hit again in ‘85 with its cover by Power Station). Allmusic’s Steve Huey writes about Electric Warrior: [it] spends most of its time in a swinging, hip-shaking groove powered by Marc Bolan’s warm electric guitar. The music recalls not just the catchy simplicity of early rock & roll, but also the implicit sexuality – except that here, Bolan gleefully hauls it to the surface, singing out loud what was once only communicated through the shimmying beat. He takes obvious delight in turning teenage bubblegum rock into campy sleaze, not to mention filling it with pseudo-psychedelic hippie poetry. In fact, Bolan sounds just as obsessed with the heavens as he does with sex, whether he’s singing about spiritual mysticism or begging a flying saucer to take him away….Bolan’s lack of pomposity, back-to-basics songwriting, and elaborate theatrics went on to influence everything from hard rock to punk to new wave. But in the end, it’s that sense of playfulness, combined with a raft of irresistible hooks, that keeps Electric Warrior such an infectious, invigorating listen today.