T. Rex Bang A Gong (Get It On) on Top of the Pops A Defining Moment in Glam Rock History
The live performance of Bang A Gong (Get It On) by T. Rex on Top of the Pops in 1971 remains one of the most iconic televised moments in glam rock, capturing the band at the peak of its commercial and cultural influence. The song, originally released as Get It On in the United Kingdom, was a central track from the band’s seminal album Electric Warrior and quickly became a defining anthem of the early seventies music scene.
Written by frontman Marc Bolan and produced by Tony Visconti, Get It On topped the UK Singles Chart, spending four weeks at number one during the summer of 1971 and helping solidify T. Rex’s status as one of Britain’s leading rock acts. In the United States, the single was retitled Bang A Gong (Get It On) to avoid confusion with another song of the same name by the group Chase, and it later reached the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number ten early in 1972.
The Top of the Pops performance captured the energy and swagger that brought the song to life. T. Rex’s appearance on the program showcased Marc Bolan’s distinctive presence as both a musician and a cultural figure. Bolan’s charismatic stage style and fashion—part androgynous glam, part rock bravado—brought the song’s sultry groove and lyrical playfulness into vivid relief for television audiences. The blend of charismatic lead vocals, rhythmic guitar riff, and tight band performance conveyed the raw excitement of the glam rock movement as it was emerging into mainstream music.
Musically, Bang A Gong (Get It On) is built around a driving, blues inflected guitar riff and a rhythmic foundation that bridges rock and boogie styles. Bolan himself acknowledged that the riff was inspired by Chuck Berry’s Little Queenie, a lineage that underscores the song’s connection to classic rock roots even as it points forward into glam’s theatrical spectacle.
The cultural impact of the song and its televised performance was significant. At a time when glam rock was redefining rock music’s image and performance practice, T. Rex stood at the forefront, influencing both peers and later generations. Bang A Gong not only became a commercial hit but also a symbol of the era’s energy, blending musical innovation with visual flair and youth culture expression.
Even decades after its release, the Top of the Pops footage of Bang A Gong (Get It On) remains a touchstone for fans of seventies rock. It captures a moment when T. Rex translated its studio success into a compelling live presence on one of Britain’s most watched music television shows, leaving a lasting legacy in rock history.