20th Century Boy

Zoo Freaks, get ready for some wild vibes as we spin "20th Century Boy" by T. Rex here at THE ZOO! This glam rock anthem, released in 1973, is packed with electrifying riffs and swagger. Did you know the song’s lyrics were inspired by quotes from iconic figures like Muhammad Ali? Marc Bolan himself said the line “sting like a bee” came straight from Ali’s 1969 speeches, giving the track a punchy, rebellious edge. The song wasn’t part of the original Tanx album but was later added as a bonus track, making it a standalone gem that hit #3 on the UK Singles Chart. Its raw energy even caught a second wind in 1991, climbing to #13 after being featured in a Levi’s commercial starring Brad Pitt.

Here’s a cool tidbit: the recording process for "20th Century Boy" was a global affair. The band laid down the initial tracks in Tokyo’s Toshiba Recording Studios on December 3, 1972, during a marathon session from 3:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Later, back in England, they added backing vocals, hand claps, acoustic guitar, and saxophones, giving it that signature T. Rex sparkle. The full jam session stretched nearly six minutes, but the single fades out at 3:39—check out the Bump 'n' Grind compilation for a taste of the extended version. Fans on X still rave about its iconic Top of the Pops performance in 1973, with posts like "Never a dull performance from Marc and crew!" lighting up the platform.

The song’s influence is massive, popping up everywhere from the manga 20th Century Boys, where it’s tied to the villain Friend, to movies like The Truman Show and Velvet Goldmine. It’s been covered by artists like Siouxsie and the Banshees, Def Leppard, and even Placebo, who performed it with David Bowie at the 1999 BRIT Awards. A 2007 Central Park tribute saw Moby and Richard Barone rocking it with Tony Visconti on bass. Posts on Reddit call Marc Bolan “a cool motherfucker,” with fans loving his stripped-top Les Paul and the band’s electric live shows. The Zoo Crew can’t get enough of its seductive guitar riff, which one critic called “the most sexual in rock history.”

Let’s rewind to how T. Rex got started. Marc Bolan, born Mark Feld in 1947, kicked off his musical journey in London’s mod scene. Before T. Rex, he was a teenage model and dabbled in folk, releasing a few solo singles that didn’t quite hit. In 1967, after a brief stint as lead guitarist for psych-rock band John’s Children, Bolan formed Tyrannosaurus Rex with percussionist Steve Peregrin Took. They started as a psychedelic folk duo, blending Bolan’s whimsical lyrics with acoustic guitar and bongos. Their early albums, like My People Were Fair (1968), caught the ear of DJ John Peel, who became a fan and even narrated stories on their records. By 1969, creative differences led to Took’s exit, and Mickey Finn stepped in, steering the band toward electric rock.

In 1970, Bolan shortened the name to T. Rex and dropped “Ride a White Swan,” a fuzz-soaked hit that launched their glam rock era. With producer Tony Visconti, T. Rex crafted a trashy, sexy sound that defined albums like Electric Warrior (1971), a glam rock cornerstone. Bolan’s androgynous style—think makeup, scarves, and glitter—made him a cultural icon, influencing everyone from David Bowie to the punk scene. Despite his tragic death in a 1977 car crash, T. Rex’s legacy lives on, with fans still grooving to their hits. Check out their official Facebook and Instagram for vintage pics and updates, or join fan communities like the T. Rex (Marc Bolan) Fan Club on Facebook. For more, dive into fan sites like T-Rex.co.uk or Marc-Bolan.com. Keep it freaky, Zoo Crew!