1947-1977.

 

As legend has it he was handed Eddie Cochran's guitar by the man himself backstage after a gig.

( Cochran also Tragically died in a road crash in 1960).

Bolans hero.

 

After stints as a solo artist and with Johns Children,

Bolan decided to form his own band a duo "Tyrannosaurus Rex" with Steve Took.

They gained an underground following released 3 albums together.

They recieved extensive airplay with the help of the late John Peel.

However after a disastrous american tour in 1969 Steve Took left and was replaced by Mickey Finn.

In late 1970 Bolan and Finn now using the abbreviated name of T.Rex had a suprise hit

with "Ride A White Swan"reaching number 2 in the UK.

Click Here to watch a clip of the song.

Marc Bolan's audience changed dramatically.

With the addition of Bassist Steve Currie and Drummer Bill Legend,

they consolidated a new position as a teenybopper band.

 

 

After T.Rex's appearance on top of the pops in 1971

performing "Hot Love"

where Marc was wearing satin trousers and a glittering teardrop makeup under each eye

Glam Rock was born!

The single was a number one for 6 weeks!

The follow up was even greater with "Get It On" with reached number 1.

 

 

The Album "Electric Warrior" in the same year was a huge success.

They were creating the kind of mass fan hysteria not seen since the days of the Beatles.

The Strength lay with the facts that Bolan's charismatic persona and ability to write excellent and commercial songs

would set T Rex miles ahead of the competition.

In 1972 Marc was at the peak of his career.

He formed his own T Rex label and The Slider album was a massive success

along with two more number one hits "Telegram Sam" and " Metal Guru ".

He starred in a film directed by Ringo Starr called "Born Too Boogie" which was a huge success.

Bolan however became frustrated that he couldnt seem to crack the american market

and by 1973 the T.Rex mania started to fade.

In 1974 he decided to tour the states and became a tax exile.

He got fat and had left his wife "June Child" for american singer "Gloria Jones".

Mickey Finn and Bill legend left the band and it all started to fall apart.

 

However after the birth of Marc and Gloria's Son "Rolan"in 1975

he changed and came back with the hit single"New York City".

 

Marc And Gloria with Rolan Bolan 1975.tttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttT Rex Live and Rocking in 1977.

He kicked his bad habits of drink and drugs,Slimmed down and formed a new T.Rex and in 1976 had a top 20 hit with

"I Love Too Boogie".

 

 

He Toured with the Damned and became close friends with many of the New Wave artists.

The start of his own weekly TV show in 1977 was further indication of his resilience.

The last show reunited Marc With his great friend David Bowie ,( as you see in the picture above). ..

All in all he was enjoying his best latterday period ,

when on Sept 16th 1977 he was tragically killed in a road crash---passenger in a Mini driven by Gloria Jones.

He was 29.

.The last photo of Marc. tttttttttttttttttttttttttBolan's Memorial stone at the crash site in Barnes South West London.

. arc

 

BolanBolan's influence can never be underestimated.

He created Glam rock, was totally original and a musical genius.

He has influenced more artists than you can remember and continues to do so..

The world is a dimmer place since his passing but his music lives on and he will never be forgotten.

Marc once said,," keep a little Marc in your heart" and we always will! a dimm

don and kicked his drink and drugs phaseMickey Finn and Bill Legend le

 

Click on the link below to see T Rex perform

ki Metal Guru