Michael Des Barres Premieres His Cover of T-Rex’s “20th Century Boy”

It may only be rock n’ roll, but Michael Des Barres likes it. This would come as no surprise to any observer of the singer, songwriter, performer, actor, and radio show host’s career. Even now in his 70s, Des Barres can rock with the best of him, as you’ll hear today with the debut of his new single “20th Century Boy.” This is the second single from his new album, It’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll. It is a cover of the T-Rex song released as a standalone single in 1973.

The album will be released on October 11th via Rock Ridge Music, with distribution from Warner/ADA. Going back to the beginnings of his career in the early ’70s as the frontman of glam rockers Silverhead, the goal has always remained the same: to pay tribute to his influence and bring rock n’ roll to the masses. It’s been a noble goal and one that has worked out wondrously well for Des Barres.

Like any veteran rocker who’s lived through the eras, Des Barres has got some stories to tell. Telling us the tale behind “20th Century Boy,” he states:

“I first met (T-Rex lead singer and guitarist) Marc Bolan while he sat bowlegged on the floor of a rock n’ roll club in London. He looked like a beautiful hobbit. His music felt like a J.R.R. Tolkien book. His lyrics were poetic and sincere, in other words, ‘otherworldly.’ He had a percussive conga player with him that gave the music a rhythmic simplicity behind his poetic, magical lyrics. I was a fan immediately. From this moment on, Marc was on his way to rock n’ roll stardom. He went electric, and the kids went wild! Blue eyeshadow and his black, curly hair, crimson boas, and a great band.

“I believe this song described him and certainly described me at the same time. Electric sincerity and simplicity made our version easy; keep it simple, and it will be the heart of this album. Marc said so much with so little, and that is our intention. The naked truth of rock n’ roll.”

Having had such an illustrious career, it would be easy for Des Barres to just hang his guitar on his wall. But rock n’ roll passion is a force to be reckoned with, and Des Barres is beaming with it. Featuring twelve tracks, It’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll is a collection of 1970s cover songs. These songs were the soundtrack to his youth and shaped him as a musician. Each song was released between 1971 and 1975, with the exception of The Velvet Underground’s “I’m Waiting for My Man.” They were instrumental in his formation and his way of paying tribute to these artists. Think of it as a love letter to the ’70s.

And the songs that Des Barres has selected are certainly no throwaways. These are some bonafide rock n’ roll bangers from some of the genre’s greatest artists. Iggy and the Stooges, Alice Cooper, David Bowie, Faces, The Rolling Stones, Roxy Music… It’s all here and more. What these songs have in common is that they all have memorable melodies and big choruses and were benchmarks of the time they were released. Des Barres hopes to turn on as many listeners as possible to the era that shaped him. As fans of rock music, we should all give thanks to artists like Michael Des Barres, working to keep the spirit alive and the flame burning bright.

Michael Des Barres ‘It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll’ album artwork