SOUTHEND band TooRex are gearing up for a Valentine’s Day cosmic rock special – with a little help from the Echo.

The popular Marc Bolan and T Rex tribute act promise a night of red-hot live music at the Riga Music Bar, Westcliff, on Saturday, February 14.

The last time TooRex played in Essex, at the Towngate Theatre, Basildon, they found themselves appealing through our Soundcheck page for a new bass player because their bassman quit the group after the gig, for family reasons.

“We couldn’t believe the response to the article in the Echo,” said TooRex drummer Steevi Bacon. “We auditioned a number of great musicians before finding the ideal replacement.”

One of those Echo-reading musicians was experienced four-stringer Johnny Ray, from Westcliff, who had not only played in numerous bands on the same circuit as TooRex, but recorded with original T Rex drummer Bill Legend.

“As soon as Johnny played a few notes on his battered Seventies bass, we knew he was the one,” adds Steevi.

The band, which gigs regularly with Seventies survivors such as Slade II, Roy Wood and Alvin Stardust, had humble beginnings, playing to a handful of mates at the Belvedere, Crays Hill.

Bill Legend, who has lived in Chelmsford for many years, is now the only surviving member of Bolan’s band and still dusts off his drum kit for the occasional gig with keyboard player Tony Williams.

Bolan died in a car crash on Barnes Common, London, in September 1977. Original bassist Steve Currie and percussionist Mickey Finn died in 1981 and 2003 respectively.

Tickets for the Riga Music Bar gig are £8 in advance, or £10 on the door. Doors open at 8.30pm.

For more information, call 01702 348020.