Telegram Sam

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as we spin the electrifying "Telegram Sam" by T. Rex from their 1972 album The Slider. This track, a glam rock anthem, hit number one in the UK for two weeks, marking the band’s third chart-topping single. Allegedly written by Marc Bolan about his manager Tony Secunda, the song’s title is a playful nod to Secunda, who was Bolan’s “main man” both as a manager and, rumor has it, a narcotics supplier. The lyrics burst with quirky characters like Golden Nose Slim, Purple Pie Pete, and Jungle Faced Jake, the latter inspired by a boxer dog Bolan visited, according to an interview he gave. The line “Me I funk/but I don’t care/I ain’t no square/with my corkscrew hair” was later borrowed by industrial rock band KMFDM for their song “Me I Funk,” showing the track’s lasting influence.

Another juicy tidbit comes from the song’s release on Marc Bolan’s own T.Rex Wax Co. label, a bold move after leaving Fly Records. The single, dropped on January 21, 1972, was the official follow-up to “Get It On,” as Fly had released “Jeepster” without Bolan’s permission. The UK B-side featured “Cadilac” (misspelled on the EMI label) and “Baby Strange,” both adding to the glam rock vibe. Critics loved it—Melody Maker’s Chris Charlesworth praised Bolan’s guitar riffs and the “rocking menace” of the strings. The song’s driving riff, similar to “Get It On,” was recorded at Rosenberg Studios in Copenhagen, with Tony Visconti’s production giving it that signature T. Rex sparkle. Fun fact: Bolan’s publicist B.P. Fallon, credited with coining “T. Rextasy,” might be the “Purple Browed Beep” mentioned in the lyrics, as rumored by fans.

Marc Bolan, born Mark Feld in 1947 in London, kicked off his musical journey as a teen, dabbling in skiffle and folk. By the late 1950s, he was a mod, strutting London’s streets before forming Tyrannosaurus Rex in 1967 with percussionist Steve Peregrin Took. Their early sound was psychedelic folk, blending Bolan’s whimsical lyrics with acoustic vibes. Albums like My People Were Fair and Had Sky in Their Hair... gained a cult following, but it was the shift to electric glam rock in 1970, shortening the name to T. Rex and adding Mickey Finn on percussion, that skyrocketed them. “Ride a White Swan” became their first hit, paving the way for Electric Warrior and The Slider. Bolan’s flamboyant style and catchy riffs made him a glam rock pioneer, influencing countless artists.

Though Bolan tragically died in a 1977 car crash, T. Rex’s legacy lives on. You can dive into their world at the official T. Rex website, check out their Facebook page, or follow posts on Instagram and X. Fans keep the spirit alive at sites like Telegram Sam Band, a tribute act, and through Facebook groups like the T. Rex Appreciation Society, where Zoo Freaks can connect and share their love for Bolan’s cosmic grooves.