T. Rex’s 1971 album ‘Electric Warrior’ is presented as a defining glam-rock record because it transformed Marc Bolan’s earlier psychedelic folk approach into concise, riff-driven rock with a flamboyant, sensual style. Its lasting importance lies in how it helped establish the sound and attitude of early-1970s British glam, while influencing later hard-rock and hair-metal acts.

Released on 24 September 1971, the album reached number one in the UK for eight weeks and remained on the chart for 44 weeks, propelled by songs including ‘Get It On’ and ‘Hot Love’. Although it received a cooler response in America, where it reached number 32 on the Billboard 200, its blend of accessible hooks, Tony Visconti’s production and more vulnerable tracks such as ‘Cosmic Dancer’ and ‘Life’s a Gas’ has since secured its reputation as a classic.