Joan Jett’s cover of the 1971 classic, “Jeepster”, is the latest preview of a forthcoming album tribute to UK rockers T. Rex.
A video for the track mixes vintage live footage of Marc Bolan alongside Jett in the studio, accompanied by guitarist Marc Ribot, pianist Thomas “Doveman” Bartlett and drummer Jim White.
The second single from “Electric Warrior”, “Jeepster” hit No. 2 on the UK charts while the project hit No. 1 in the country, where it stayed for 8 straight weeks.
Due September 4, “AngelHeaded Hipster: The Songs of Marc Bolan and T. Rex” features new versions of 26 tracks by the pioneering glam rock group from their runs as Tyrannosaurus Rex and T. Rex between 1968-77.
U2 teams up with Elton John on T. Rex’s classic, “Bang A Gong (Get It On)”, while Kesha delivers her take on “Children Of The Revolution”; the lineup also includes contributions from Todd Rundgren, Perry Farrell, David Johansen, Sean Lennon and Victoria Williams, among others
The collection was created by the late Hal Willner, the acclaimed music producer who passed away on April 7 from COVID-19; Willner worked on the project for several years, with sessions spanning continents, from New York, Los Angeles and New Orleans, to London, Paris and Berlin.
“Hal had a unique vision of Marc Bolan's music, and working on AngelHeaded Hipster brought him great joy,” says Rachel Fox, Supervising Producer and longtime Willner collaborator. “Speaking for those closest to him, we will forever be heartbroken at the untimely loss of our beloved friend and irreplaceable creative engine. Hal, who referred to AngelHeaded Hipster as his ‘White Album’, was eager for everyone to hear these beautiful songs and to start thinking about Bolan and T. Rex again. This album is a testament to Hal’s spirit.”
T. Rex founder Bolan released a dozen studio albums with the band before his fall 1977 death from a car accident near his UK home.
T. Rex are among the inductees into the 2020 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame; originally scheduled to take place live in Cleveland, OH in May, the event was moved to the fall before recently being replaced with an exclusive TV special set to air on HBO and HBO Max on November 7, 2020 at 8 p.m. EST.
Various Artists
“AngelHeaded Hipster: The Songs Of Marc Bolan and T. Rex”
Release date: September 4
Disc 1
01. Children Of The Revolution - Kesha
02. Cosmic Dancer - Nick Cave
03. Jeepster - Joan Jett
04. Scenescof - Devendra Banhart
05. Life’s A Gas - Lucinda Williams
06. Solid Gold, Easy Action - Peaches
07. Dawn Storm - BØRNS
08. Hippy Gumbo - Beth Orton
09. I Love To Boogie - King Khan
10. Beltane Walk - Gaby Moreno
11. Bang A Gong (Get It On) - U2 feat. Elton John
12. Diamond Meadows - John Cameron Mitchell
13. Ballrooms Of Mars - Emily Haines
Disc 2
01. Main Man - Father John Misty
02. Rock On - Perry Farrell
03. The Street and Babe Shadow - Elysian Fields
04. The Leopards - Gavin Friday
05. Metal Guru - Nena
06. Teenage Dream - Marc Almond
07. Organ Blues - Helga Davis
08. Planet Queen - Todd Rundgren
09. Great Horse - Jessie Harris
10. Mambo Sun - Sean Lennon and Charlotte Kemp Muhl
11. Pilgrim’s Tale - Victoria Williams with Julian Lennon
12. Bang A Gong (Get It On) Reprise - David Johansen
See also:
2020 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony replaced by TV special
Kesha rocks Children Of The Revolution on new T. Rex tribute
U2 and Joan Jett featured on new T. Rex tribute album
2020 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony rescheduled
Search T. Rex at hennemusic
