Image below created using an original by Joe Public (copyleft of Joe 2011) to create a Special Winter Solstice Image for TAG by Fee Warner
NEW PHOTO GALLERY
This is a photo Gallery taken last Thursday 15th December, 2011 of the Bulb Planting at Marc Bolan's Rock Shrine. VIEW THE GALLERY OF PHOTOS HERE
NEW PHOTO GALLERY
This is a photo Gallery taken by member Maria on the 8th December, 2011 which was the original date set for the bulb planting. Unfortunately Kev was ill so it has to be postponed by a week. VIEW THE GALLERY OF PHOTOS HERE. Many TANX to Maria
THANK YOU SO MUCH AMANDA We were completely blown-away when a huge box arrived a few days ago. We opened it to find inside a lovely silver bag and surrounded by baby pink and fuscia pink shredded tissue paper and glittery stars and hearts a truly beautiful painting by Club Member Amanda. You can see from the thumbnail on the left that we have hung it bext to Marc's original sculture which takes pride of place in Fee's 'Office' where all the web updates are converted into HTML and all the TAG fund raising items are desitched and then packed ready for despatch. It is a "Total TAG & T-Rex Zone!" AMANDA - THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
TAG SHOP CLOSED UNTIL THE NEW YEAR Our fund raising shop will reopen in the New Year. In reply to queries we've had. Yes we will be selling MUGS, SHOULDER BAGS, T-SHIRTS & the last few WALL CALENDARS & DESK CALENDARS individually.
THAT'S IT FOR THIS UPDATE. We hope you all have a Super Funk Rexmas and a Golden New Year. This web update was written by Kevin Warner (TAG Chairman). If you have any queries please contact him directly. MEMBERS: LOG IN TO THE MEMBERS SITE FOR YOUR UPDATES :-)
3rd December 2011
ANOTHER TAG RADIO SHOW ON RADIO FREE BRIGHTON Tomorrow afternoon at 3:00pm there will be another Marc Bolan & T-Rex Radio Show broadcast via RADIO FREE BRIGHTON. This is an Internet Radio Station so you can listen to it worldwide. All the shows are also archived on this site. Simply visit the main MARC BOLAN & T-REX INFORMATION PAGES which are available to ALL Visitors and not just to Members. The last two shows from 30th October, 2011 and 6th November 2011 have been added to the Player and we hope you enjoy these two One-Hour shows which focus on the rise of T-Rex.
THE NEXT TAG RADIO SHOW ON RADIO FREE BRIGHTON - TWO HOUR REXMAS DAY SPECIAL Yes that's right. There will be a Two Hour Marc Bolan & T-Rex Special which will be broadcast between 3:00pm and 5:00pm (UK time) on Rexmas Day (25th December, 2011) so whatever your doing I hope you'll be doing it while listening in. No, Fee won't be in the studio live. It will be pre-recorded and 'loaded' into the Radio Free Brighton Player, so should anything go awry with that and/or If you can't listen to it live then it will also be loaded into Our Own Player by the live broadcast time too.
BULB PLANTING A quick note to let you know that the Bulb Planting will be done soon so stay tuned for photos from Marc's Shrine of that :-). The update below has the link for you to read all about the bulbs which will be planted this time. There was a previous bulb planting in October 1998 when some bulbs where planted but unfortunately the ground was not prepared in any way and many of the bulbs failed to brow because of this. This time however, proper 'Bulb Beds' will be prepared to give the bulbs every chance to grow. however ...
PLEASE TO NOT WALK ON THE SOIL, SO THE BULBS ARE NOT TRAMBLED AS THEY SPROUT.
Once a bulb starts to grow, if the shoots are crushed it may well be an end to the growth and the bulb may not recover, having used its 'food reserves' on the shoots which were crushed underfoot. For this reason we ask people not to walk up the soil emblankment, or stand on it to wrap ribbon and other things around the trees behind the PRS Memorial or in front of the Bronze.
SHRINE VISIT Fee visited Marc's Shrine on the 30th November. However as we had a doctor's appointment at midday, by the time Fee arrived by Train it was getting dark and unfortunately, Fee only took the video camera which can take photos, but does not have a flash. She forgot the camera with the flash. If it is possible to lighten the video footage it will be added to the site as soon as I have had the time to work on the video. GOOD NEWS The good news was that the site was looking nice, with some more messages added since our last visit. Fee spent several hours at the site working under the steet lights clearing away the leaves and polishing the Bronze, The plinth and the PRS Memorial.
TAG'S FREE MARC BOLAN WEB SITE :: AN ESSENTIAL RESOURCE FOR ALL ROUND THE WORLD
We receive over 3,000 unique visitors each and every month, from the countries shown left & right. The number of unique vistors is over ten times as many members as we have, showing that the Free Information we provide is ESSENTIAL and gets people interested. We hope all Members, being serious Marc Bolan fans will think was a worthwhile use of part of their membership fee (no pun intended) and that non-members will consider joining :-)
TAG'S WEB SITES - A FIFTEEN-YEAR-OLD BEHEMOTH
The TAG web Sites (free and members) 'evolved' out of a combination of:- 1) Fee's own Web Site established in 1996 when she couldn't find the sort of web site she wanted to find and so decided to teach herself to write html so she could create one.
2) The original TAG Web Site created in 1999, dedicated specifically to Marc's Tree Site which became officially his Rock Shrine in 2007.
3) The Official Marc Bolan Fan Club Web Site which Fee created for John & Shan Bramley from the latter part of 1999 until the club was sold in May 2000. During her time with the OMBFC, Fee built up the monthly visitors to the web site from just 300 to over 3,000. Unfortunately, despite their 'word' it became clear after it was sold that Fee had simply been used to increase the value of their assets. The original purchaser thought he was getting the web site with the www.Marc-Bolan.com domain. As it was created at our own personal expense with Fee's unpaid labour that was not the case.
WHY DID WE FEEL THE NEED TO CHARGE FOR THE MEMBERS SITE?
The three sites were merged late in 2000, and as the site grew our own personal costs paying for the server space, bandwidth and domain name upkeep increased which is when we opened the Members Section so we could cover our costs and allow the free section to continue to grow. The members site contains many extremely large files, hence the total now being over 40 gig, most of which is within the members site!
DOES THAT MEAN THE MEMBERSHIPS HELP PAY FOR THE FREE SITE?
Around 5% of the server space is devitated to the Free Site, because it is memory-hungry Members sections such as the MEMBERS VIDEOS andMUSICAL MUSEUM which need the extra Server Space & Bandwidth Allowance. We feel it is very important that we provide A FREE MARC BOLAN & T-REX RESOURCE CENTRE for ALL, just as Fee set out to do both with her own site and when she was responsible for the Official Marc Bolan Web Site.
INCREASE IN COSTS = INCREASE IN MEMBERSHIP CHARGES
Until the end of October 2011, Fee did ALL the 'static' work on this site. The HTML, The Image creation, editing, etc, with myself producing the Videos. Free has also been responsible for the design and production of the Fund Raising items, as well as doing research needed for projects such as the Bulb Planting project detailed in our update of the 30th October, 2011. We have now taken on a Web Mistress to take over the majority of the web writing (HTML) work. Fee has been spending time talking Morgan through the rather complex TAG Web Site, now over 40 gig in size. In fact we didn't realise how big the site was until we came to transfer it all to DVD for Morgan to load onto her PC! We were shocked! It is likely that Fee will not really save time on the site for several months until Morgan has 'settled in'.
Therefore we are working with a web designer to ensure that the updates will be more frequent than they have been of late. We are delighted to say that our new Web Mistress is Morgan who is taking over the reins as I dictate this to Fee. All updates will be checked and amended by myself TAG Chairman Kevin Warner before uploading. As we are now going to be paying a web designer (even though she is going it for us at a rate lower than usual), we are increasing our membership charges for the first time since the members site was created in 2004. So, after a static Membership charge for seven years, we are increasing it by just £1.00 a year to £4.00 a year (assuming you join/renew for 2 or more years) or £5.00 for one year (£1.00 admin. fee). This still compares favourably with elsewhere, who charge £10.00, so I hear, although we are not in *competition* with anyone. We really do not need to be.
JOIN THE MEMBERS SITE The next Members update is being worked on as I dictate this update to Fee, so members can stay tuned for that and if you'd like to Join then if you do so before the 31st December, 2011 you will be entered into the Free Prize Draw to win a Mug, Shoulder bag, Mini-Poster and an A4 Sized full colour Fridge Magnet (that we forgot to mention last time) which were detailed in our updated dated the 30th October, 2011. So, to join simply CLICK HERE
WRITTEN BY TAG CHAIRMAN KEVIN WARNER
All of this update was written by TAG Chairman Kevin Warner (web mistressed by Fee Warner). If you have any queries or questions please contact Kevin directly.
30th October 2011
BULB PLANTING As some of you will know we will be planting bulbs on both sides of the steps towards the end of this year. This is us (TAG) getting ready for Marc's 35th Anniversary Year next year - 2012. As it is also the London Olympics we are expecting more visotors to the site, both from the UK and worldwide during 2012 than usual, so we want Marc's Shrine looking at its best for everyone who visits. As well as the cost of the bulbs there are many other costs you may not have considered. TO FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION ON THIS PROJECT CLICK HERE You will also find a photo gallery with information about each of the bulbs and when they flower, together with a 'calendar' showing when each of the bulbs should flower. The page also includes problems we face which may result in a poorer than hoped for 'show', Some of these factors include human activity at the site.
TAG SHOP IS RE-STOCKED: REXMAS CARDS;
CALENDARS + T-SHIRTS, COTTON SHOULDER BAGS, A DIARY & MORE
There is even a pack of any four items from a choice of five for just £19.99. You can choose any four of the five items shown for your Bonus Pack.
1) ELECTRIC WARRIOR T-SHIRT (Small, medium, large or XL)
2) ELECTRIC WARRIOR SHOULDER BA (100% unbleached cotton)
3) A4 WALL CALENDAR
4) WRAP-AROUND ELECTRIC WARRIOR MUG
5) A5 DIARY SOUND GOOD? CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON ALL THE NEW ITEMS LISTED
FREE PRIZE DRAW
Everyone who joins the Members Site by the 31st December, 2011 will be entered into a FREE PRIZE DRAW to win a one-off design 100% unbleached Cotton shoulder bag, plus a wrap-around design mug and poster. MORE INFO HERE.
They will even be posted to you anywhere in the world post-free.
so why not JOIN NOW
TAG'S RADIO SHOW: TODAY'S PROGRAMME IS NOW IN THE ARCHIVE The Radio Show from today (Sunday 30th October, 23011) which was broadcast on Radio Free Brighton has been archived on our site and is available to listen to along with the others which have been broadcast. CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE PLAYER
TAG'S NEXT RADIO SHOW WILL BE BROADCAST NEXT SUNDAY: 6th NOVEMBER 2011 at 3:00pm UK time You can tune in live online to Radio Free Brighton.
THE GUARDIAN: "READERS RECOMMEND: DEBUTS A nice review from the Guardian UK Newspaper dated Thursday 23 June 2011 which lists DEBORA second on the 'A LIST'.
"We're used to Marc Bolan's Larry-the-lamb voice now, but it must have sounded truly bizarre at first. Coupled with his idiosyncratic, wilfully naive songwriting style, it took T Rex two and a half years after their extraordinary debut, Debora, to become a chart-bestriding glam colossus. You wouldn't have bet on them doing it at all back in 1968, when Marc Bolan and Steve Peregrin Took performed on stage cross-legged, and adorned albums with John Peel-narrated fairytales." Nice to see an active link to www.Steve-Took.co.uk created and web mistressed (when she has time) by my lovely wife Fee :-) READ THE ARTICLE HERE
STEVE TOOK'S ANNIVERSARY
Thusday the 27th October, 2011 was the 31st Anniversary of the death of Steve Peregrin Took. When we visit Marc's Shrine for another Clean, Tidy and Polish next week (weather permitting) we will be paying our respects at his Grave in Kensal Green Cemetry, visiting Marc's Shrine for a clean, tidy and polish.
For information on how to find Steve Took's Grave, or other information visit Steve Took's Domain.
The image on the left is a tongue-in-cheek artwork :-)
END OF UPDATE This update was written by TAG Chairman Kevin Warner. If you have any queries or questions please contact Kevin directly.
30th September 2011
... HAPPY 64th BIRTHDAY MARC!
...
MARC'S ROCK SHRINE PHOTO GALLERY
We hope you enjoy this photo gallery from Maria's visit on the 6th September, 2011. The cutie in the photos is Philip :-) Sadly the T-Shirt seen in the photos didn't last long, though we're pleased to report that things do seem to be staying longer than over the past couple of years. View the Photo Gallery Here. Photos from the anniversary itself to follow.
MEANWHILE ... (I'M STILL THINKING) Meanwhile, our members can watch three hours of video uploaded today to the Members Site. So KALMIYH until the next update.
2nd August 2011
WELCOME TO THIS UPDATE ... Enjoy !!!
MARC'S ROCK SHRINE PHOTO GALLERY - JULY 2011 Another Visit to Marc's Shrine! We hope you enjoy this photo gallery from our visit on the 28th July, 2011. Its a shame we weren't able to go on to see John's Children as we had a prior invitation to visit some friends.
As you can see, although all the side branches from the trunk were removed from The Bolan Tree in March, of this year just look at how it has growen in just four months. This is a wonderful sight! These new shoots will turn into branches in time and can then be trimmed and managed by Bob and his team from Barlett Tree Experts to ensure that the Bolan Tree is kept save and also so that the new branches are balanced to ensure that the Bolan Tree looks nice too! View the Photo Gallery Here.
The image on the left is my lovely wife Fee without whom none of this would have ever happened.
NEW VIDEOS ADDED TO THE FREE PLAYER We have updated the Free Site Video Player to include a Video of Marc's Shrine from the 28th July, 2011 and also a visit to Steve Took's Grave in Kensal Green Cemetery on the same date which would have been his 62nd Birthday. You can clearly see the wonderful new green branches growing from the trunk of The Bolan Tree, showing that the pollarding was a complete success :-) To go to the free player - Click Here
NEW VIDEOS ADDED TO THE MEMBERS PLAYER We have also updated the Members Site Video Player to include versions of the videos detailed above which can be viewed full screen and downloaded.To go to the Members player - Click Here
UPDATED
As Marc's thirty-fourth anniversary is getting closer, we've updated the link on the How to get to Marc's Shrine so that the Google Map is included with Marc's Shrine pin-pointed if you zoom right in. Google Maps also have the option to get directions from wherever you are in the UK.
THE BEAUTIFUL SPIRITUALLY INSPIRED PAINTING BY AMANDA
This has now sold for the reserve price of £50.00. There was no way we were going to insult Amanda by letting it go for any less! It was sold to a dedicated fan who is over the moon with the painting as well she should be!
2012 CALENDAR
Amanda's Painting was so wonderful, we have included a 'landscape' image of Marc's Face in the new 2012 Calendar which has now gone into production.
We have used it for February as it really is the perfect' Valentine Marc' image :-) These Calendars go on sale in the first week in September on eBay and will come with an Unbleached Cotton Shopping/Shoulder Bag as a 'pack' for £9.99 + P&P. As usual we will also have Desk Calendars at £3.99 + P&P. Both prices are the same previous years. We will have a small number of each, plus Rexmas & Greetings Cards with us on the 16th September when we are at Marc's Shrine as usual from 12 noon until 6:00pm. CLICK HERE FOR A LARGER PREVIEW
MARC'S ROCK SHRINE MENTION This is from the people who installed the replacement Armco Crash Barrier between late March and April 2007. Fee contacted them about the spelling error and they have said this will be corrected ASAP. It is however nice to know that they, like Bartlett Tree Experts think the site is of sufficient importance to be mentioned on their web site :-) We have screen captured their web site & photos and these have been added as a Barriers By Design Page to the main History of Marc Bolan's Rock Shrine Page, along with a link to their original page. The page on our server will be updated when they correct the spelling of Marc's name!
IRENE'S ART WEB SITE Canadian Member Irene Lacharite is one of our members, from British Columbia, Canada who sent us the artwork we added to the site, on the 30th March, 2011 Irene sent us a message about her new web site:- My name is Irene Lacharite I sent you copy’s of my art work in the pass you put then up for me, Thank You. I’m still going to art classes and my husband and I put a web site together of my art works. There is 4 rooms of my work one is for only T Rex Marc Bolan, if any T-Rex fan would like to look at it you have to go to Irene Lacharite.com it will say original fine art from New Westminster. my name. When you go in at the bottom touch rooms it will pop up, top one is T.REX" To visit Irene's Web Site use this link:- www.IreneLacharite.com To view the five photos we added to Marc's Shrine on the 30th March, 2011 simply click any of the following five links:- One; Two; Three; Four; Five. At the same time we also added a lovely drawing by Jaun from Span which can be viewed by Clicking Here.
A MARC MENTION Its Festival Time and the talk of the Isle of Wight Festival simply could NOT mention Marc :-) "The Isle Of Wight festival, now settled in its new home at Seaclose Park, Newport, is one of the UK's most iconic, having played host to the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Marc Bolan and Bob Dylan." http://tv.sky.com/isle-of-wight-festival-2011
A MARC PHOTO TAG Members Fee and Ellie weren't the only ones in London for the Royal Wedding and to visit Marc's Shrine on the 29th April, 2011. If you check out the following link it will take you to a photo of the shrine taken as part of a set which includes many of the Royal Wedding Highlights. Flikr Photos by fotografieke
A MARC MENTION This was in the articles for Martin Rushent who passed over on the 5th June 2011. Various articles reported the news such as This One from 'Prefix' which started thus:- "Sad news arrived yesterday (June 5) that producer Martin Rushent had died. He was perhaps best known for producing the Human League’s ‘80s classic Dare, but Rushent also worked with an impressive roster of other stars, including Buzzcocks, the Stranglers, and XTC. Rushent’s unusual career began with work as an engineer on albums by prog giants Yes and Marc Bolan’s T-Rex in the ‘70s. It was the punk scene that really established him as a producer, but his dalliances with the nascent new romantic scene in the early ‘80s led to his stint in the studio with the Human League.". He was also mentioned on the BBC Berkshire Web Site, which once again mentions T.Rex & more specifically the Electric Warrior Album. You can also visit the Martin Rushent Memories Face Book Page for more information on the man.
MARC'S SHRINE AS ART Its a crurious feeling, but here is the art instillation along with the interview from September 2010 about the exhibition. Of course when this was created it didn't represent 'The Bolan Tree' totally as it stopped at the top with a bare trunk. But then of course with the pollarding in early 2011 life imitated art as 'The Bolan Tree' became more like the art instillation. However, we're pleased to say that new green shoots are growing from the real 'Bolan Tree' again, even if they never will from the art piece. Read the Article with Photographs archived on our site Here
JEWISH MUSEUM EXHIBITION INCLUDES MARC This exhibition includes Gold Trousers and Jacket plus a guitar of Marc's. Entrance to the exhibition is £7.50. You'll find more information via the BBC NEWS REPORT It is interesting that they have included Marc as of course his father was Jewish and his Mother was Christian and the Jewish Faith is passed through the mother's line rather than the father's. You can find an interesting article on their upbringing in this Jewish Chronicle Article.
LADY GAGA ALSO DROPS MARC'S NAME AS AN INFLUENCE "On her biggest inspirations: “I would dream of being a rock star who dressed like Mark Bolan [sic], walked like Jerry Hall, and had the panache of Ginger from ‘Casino’ and the mystery of Isabella Blow.” (NOTE: Gaga misspelled the name of English singer-songwriter Marc Bolan, much to dismay of many writing critics.)" Read the Article Here AND FOR MORE ON LADY GAGA'S SPELLING 'GAFF' ... Visit the following link:- http://www.sundancechannel.com/sunfiltered/tag/marc-bolan/
MEANWHILE MARC IS NAMED AGAIN IN THIS ODDLY DISTURBINGLY TITLED ARTICLE Which is dated 22nd May, 2011 and is entitled "Fame doesn't save big names in car crashes"
Read the article online Here
AND THAT'S IT FOR THIS UPDATE This update was written by TAG Chairman Kevin Warner. If you have any queries or questions please contact Kevin directly.
6th July 2011
WELCOME TO THIS UPDATE ... Enjoy !!!
MARC'S ROCK SHRINE VISIT - MAY 2011 We arrived at Marc's Shrine in mid-afternoon with overcast skies which cleared while we were there, so that by the time we left it was a lovely dappled sunlit evening close to sunset. We took a new wooden slat (already painted) to replace the one which we knew had been stolen when we saw a video on the internet posted since our last visit less than one month earlier on the 29th April, 2011. We knew we needed to replace the slat and so had taken all the various tools to do the job as well as the usual cleaning and polishing things, plus dustpan and brush, yard broom etc.
Unfortunately, some 'fans' who don't take a tribute on paper, rather than going round the corner to one of the row of shops to buy some paper simply write on the Tree. This is frustrating when it is done using felt-tip pen, but it is wholly objectionable when a Biro is used to Engrave the message into the bark, because the Tree is far from well, as the Pollarding of the Tree Photo Gallery shows only too clearly. VISIT THE PHOTO GALLERY BY CLICKING HERE
SONG INSPIRED BY MARC'S SHRINE In this article there is a review of the album The Disturbance by Glyn Bailey & The Many Splendid Things out on GlynBMusic. The full review reads "Nature abhors a vacuum, and in this world of music that is compartmentalised, marketed, focus-grouped and reality-showed to death, thank goodness for true originals like Glyn Bailey. He has an unusual worldview and a sound that is part garage rock and part singer-songwriter, with a voice reminiscent of Lou Reed crossed with David Bowie. The songs' subject matter is brilliantly alternative, from The Bolan Tree, about the place where Marc Bolan met his untimely end, to the melancholy brilliance of Traffic Light Man. This album is as far removed from the mainstream as possible, and a true joy to listen to." The Review is in the Spring 2011 Issue of the Albion Magazine Online and the next album in the issue is the new one by the highly recommended 3 Daft Monkeys Listen to/Buy this track via Amazon.co.uk Listen to/Buy the entire album via Amazon.co.uk
ANOTHER SONG INSPIRED BY MARC'S SHRINE
Bolan's Crash by New Bomb Turks We mentioned this track some time ago, but now seems to be a good time to mention it again. Listen to/Buy this track via Amazon.co.uk
YET ANOTHER MARC NAME-DROP IN THE PAST MONTH This time its from an article dated the 20th May, 2011 on the Gibson.com Web Site entitled Johnny Marr, Matt Bellamy, Brandon Flowers Pick the Song that Changed Their Lives which reports that Johnny Marr "nominated "Metal Guru" by T. Rex as the song that changed his life. "I would have been about 11 when I first heard this," he said. "T. Rex were the first band I was a fan of and Marc Bolan was my hero at the time. As a song it's quite nonsensical, but that doesn't matter; a great record doesn't necessarily have to be a great song. Once you've been affected by any art in such a powerful way, it stays with you." Actually this is a 'rip-off' (to quote another Marc Song) of the article dated a day earlier in The Independent Newspaper.
AND THAT'S IT FOR THIS FREE SITE UPDATE This update was written by TAG Chairman Kevin Warner. If you have any queries or questions please contact Kevin directly.
20th May 2011
WELCOME TO THIS TAG UPDATE The Next Members Site Update will be uploaded to the Site on the 1st June. So, on with these News Items.
SEPTEMBER 16TH ARTIST - RENE MAGRITTE QUIZ WITH A BOLAN QUESTION If you've browsed around the TAG Web Site you are probably aware of the René Magritte painting entitled 'September the sixteenth', which shows a Tree with a crescent moon, late at night as dawn approaches. Although the ill-informed might say "This, if one isn't aware, is very similar to the tree in Barnes where Marc had his tragic accident", the Tree in Magritte's painting is not a Sycamore as you can clearly see from the image (left) however, the time of day is similar, because it shows a Tree at Dawn and 'Dawn' is earlier than sunrise itself. The Moon Phase is that of 1977, even though this painting was created in 1957 when the moon phase on that particular 16th September was entirely different.
COMPETITION To celebrate the forth coming René Magritte: The Pleasure Principle exhibition at Tate Liverpool, there isd a competition to win a pair of tickets and an exhibition catalogue to the person whose name is picked out of the proverbial 'hat' out of those who answer this question correctly:-
"In the T.Rex offices in the early 1970s, Marc displayed a modern painting of Chelita Secunda. Who was the artist who painted it?"
Your answers should be sent to Carly Townsend at Tate Liverpool. Marc (excuse the pun) your EMail with the subject Header Bolan Magritte Competition. Please let Carly know you saw this information on the TAG Web Site. Tanx! The draw will take place on the 23rd June and you will be notified by Email if you win (Good Luck BTW).
RENE MAGRITTE EXHIBITION - TATE LIVERPOOL The exhibition opens on the 24th June 2001 and runs until the 16th October 2011. There is further information on the Official TATE LIVERPOOL WEB SITE. Adult Tickers are £9.00.
For More Information on this Painting within our own site - Click Here
JOHN'S CHILDREN NEW ALBUM & GIG We had a lovely email from Andy Ellison who can be seen with sculptor Jean Robillard in an image from the Bronze Bust Unveiling Event in 2002, when Rolan Bolan unveiled a Bronze of his father to commemorate the 25th Anniversary.
Not only are John's Children releasing a New Album on the 6th June entitled BLACK AND WHITE on ACID JAZZ, they are playing a Gig at the BARFLY, ISLINGTON 49 Chalk Farm Rd, London NW1 8AN on THURSDAY 28th JULY. Tickets are just £10.00 each.
Meanwhile Andy will be guesting this coming Thursday (26th May) at ANDY LEWIS'S special gig at the BUFFALO BAR, ISLINGTON, playing Quote "some of the tracks he recorded with him (0n his first three albums also on ACID JAZZ), and a few John's Children songs". Ticket prices for this gig are an astoundingly good £6.00 each. All external links open in a new window/tab.
TO GET YOU IN THE MOOD ... Here is a Video of Andy and the Finns in Helsinki. If this song "CORNFLAKE ZOO". Andy says "This is a tune that Marc had been putting together, but had no words for. We were in the bowels of EMI, just off Marble Arch, Central London, and I was sitting around waiting to go out to dinner with Marc and Simon [Napier Bell] to our favourite haunt, 'The Lotus House', a Chinese restaurant on the Edgware Road. "Hey man, if you can come up with some lyrics, you can have it , it's not working for me," Marc said. As I had only come over for another mad night out with Simon and Marc at the Lotus, I made up some words really quickly, in a matter of about 10 minutes, went into the studio, sang them and then we we were off to the 'Lotus House' to eat. Marc and I had a rice fight throughout the meal, I recall."
DON'T FORGET THE NEXT TAG OFFICIAL RADIO SHOW This Sunday 22nd May 2011 on RADIO FREE BRIGHTON between 3:00 & 4:00pm. Or you can use our 'LISTEN AGAIN' Player where the previous radio shows are archived. The show on the 22nd May should be be active by 8:00pm on the same day!
THE JUNE TAG OFFICIAL RADIO SHOW This will be boradcast on Sunday 26th June 2011 on RADIO FREE BRIGHTON between 3:00 & 4:00pm. Or you can use our 'LISTEN AGAIN' Player where the previous radio shows are archived. The show on the 26th June should be be active by 8:00pm on the same day!
IF YOU MISSED THE STEVE PEREGRIN TOOK SHOW LAST SUNDAY 15th MAY ... This has now been archived on www.Steve-Took.co.uk and covers his band Shagrat.
THE NEXT STEVE PEREGRIN TOOK SHOW WILL BE ON SUNDAY 19TH JUNE, 2011 On RADIO FREE BRIGHTON between 3:00 & 4:00pm. This will (as usual) be archived on www.Steve-Took.co.uk within 48 hours of the broadcast.
AND THAT'S IT FOR THIS UPDATE Next Free Site Update will be towards the end of June. The Next Members Update will be on Wednesday 1st June on the Same Marc Channel This update was written by TAG Chairman Kevin Warner. If you have any queries or questions please contact Kevin directly.
11th May 2011
MARC'S ROCK SHRINE - ANOTHER VISIT TAG Members Fee and Ellie Warner travelled to Barnes on Friday 29th April, 2011 (the day Prince William married Catherine Middleton) where they met up with one of our members Maria and her son Phillip. We have a Photo Gallery from that video and also two new videos. The first is from the 29th April, 2011 visit and the second is a compilation video of two visits. The 26th March and the 29th April, 2011. As with all Members Videos for this year, these can be viewed as full screen and/or downloaded. The full screen option is disabled in the free site.
COMING SOON We found some video footage from July 2010 on a Memory Stick so this will be added to the APRIL & AUGUST 2010 VIDEO PLAYER ASAP
MARC'S ROCK SHRINE IS ART: Graham Dolphin We heard about this at the time but never saw the images. Fee will be archiving this article in case it disappears, but until then you can view the article using the external link below! It is quite amusing that the artist has re-created 'The Bolan Tree' including the wooden skirt we fitted to it in 2000. It was painted green at the time he was 'inspired' although the slats of the skirt are now black. Just imagine if the 'Bolan Tree' had been felled as it would have been in 2002 had Fee not formed TAG this artist would never have been inspired to create this piece of art which has been exhibited in a number of countries carrying Marc's name far and wide and taking his name into 'High Brow' spheres. Rock On! http://www.kopenhagen.dk/ Fee says "Its weird reading what the artist said about this:- "none of these people feel very real to me. I have an idea of who they are but that is always through a meditative source or through other people writing or talking about them. These other works are more about the fans that have left their mark on Marc Bolan or Bob Marley - they are about the action not the thing." OMG - Its about the fans who have left messages. But its also about me and Kev who have allowed the site to still be there and the twelve years of constant work we've done to make it worthy of being recognised by the English Tourist Board and to be worthy of being considered as 'Art'. If that sounds like I'm blowing my own trumpet, its more the sound of a very large penny dropping. Gosh. TAG really has made a difference. A Big Difference. Some fans claim to be bigger, better fans because they go to Conventions and get drunk, but really that doesn't actually do anything to advance the memory of Marc to the outside world. This really does. I never dreamed I'd ever have this much impact, its quite humbling really, but also it is proof that even though my parents thought me being a fan of T-Rex would never get me anywhere, it has really because I'm able to sit here with a HUGE GRIN and say "I have made my Marc!" (excuse the pun)"
NEXT MARC BOLAN & T-REX RADIO SHOW The next TAG Marc Bolan & T-Rex Radio Show will be broadcast on RADIO FREE BRIGHTON on SUNDAY 22nd MAY, between 3:00 & 4:00pm. Or you can use our 'LISTEN AGAIN' Player where the previous radio shows are archived. The show on the 22nd May will be active by 8:00pm on the same day!
STEVE PEREGRIN TOOK - POST TYRANNOSAURUS REX For those with a more eclectic taste in music, you might like to listen in to the next Steve Took Radio Show will also be broadcast on RADIO FREE BRIGHTON next SUNDAY the 15th MAY, between 3:00 & 4:00pm.
Or you can use the 'Listen Again Player on Steve Took's Domain where the previous radio shows are archived. The show on the 15th May will be active by 8:00pm on the same day!
AND THAT'S IT FOR THIS FREE UPDATE The majority of updates for this month have (as is usually the case) been added to the Members Site. This update was written by TAG Chairman Kevin Warner. If you have any queries or questions please contact Kevin directly.
1st April 2011
WELCOME TO THIS TAG FREE SITE UPDATE If you are on Face Book you'll know its been a busy couple of weeks for us at TAG. As well at two trips to Marc Bolan's Rock Shrine there has been the 'Behind the Scenes' organisation. So on with the updates.
SHAME - SHAME - SHAME It was disappointing to hear that some time between Friday 4th March and Sunday the 6th March, 2011, Marc's Shrine was once again vandalised. Messages were ripped from the Notice Board and Tree and stolen from the site. In addition, ALL the silk flowers from the site were stolen. We have put up photos taken over the weekend the 4th - 6th March
ESSENTIAL WORK VISIT TO MARC'S SHRINE
On the 26th March 2011 we had to undertake the most important work on 'The Bolan Tree' since we fitted the calipper in 2000 and that was the 'pollarding' of the tree. This required the servies of a professional Team and we are delighted that Bob Noakes who has over twenty five years experience as a Tree Surgeon was able to come with his team from Bartlett Tree Experts from Seven Oaks in Kent to do the work for us. Not only are they now "By appointment to TAG" They are also "By Royal Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen" which is pretty darn cool! This was a big Job which took several hours. However, we arrived before them and were able to take some photos and video footage before the pollarding began. The majority of the photographs of the Bolan Tree being treated were taken by Charlotte Cook of Bartlett Tree Experts. View the Photo Gallery Here
A SECOND VISIT TO THE SHRINE TAG Secretary Fee and TAG Member Ellie Warner visited the Tree on Wednesday 30th March 2011. View the Photo Gallery Here
TWO PHOTOS FROM JANUARY 2010 These two photos are in their own gallery and there are two versions of each photo. One is 1000 pixels wide and the other is the original camera size. As they were found in a 'rummage' around the TAG hard drive it was easier to put them in their own gallery than to try and include them in an existing Gallery. View the Photos Here
MARC BOLAN ROCK SHRINE VIDEOS We have added a Video Player to a New Page which will be used for all the videos uploaded this year. We will then create a number player for each year afterwards. GO TO THE 2011 VIDEO PLAYER HERE. You will find Videos from:- 1) 26th January 2011 - Before Tidying; 2) 26th January 2011 - Tidying up and afterwards; 3) 26th March 2011 - Before the pollarding of the Bolan Tree; 4) 26th March 2011 - Bartlett Tree Experts Pollarding the Bolan Tree to keep it safe & prolong its life; 5) & 6) 'Life is Strange' - A lovely documentary filmed at the 30th Anniversary which we have included in the year's player as we have only recently uploaded it. This Documentary is 20 minutes long and has been split into two parts. Part One & Part Two.
Simply click the folder to see the list of videos available. The Members Video Player is 'loaded' with larger videos than the Free Site and while the free site videos cannot be downloaded or made 'Full Screen' the Members Videos can be viewed Full-Screen and can also be downloaded.
THE BEATLES MOBILE WEB SITE MARC'S SHRINE LISTING The Beatles have a Mobile Phone Web Site specifically devoted to places of Beatles interest and they have also included Marc's Shrine :-) Cool!
ANOTHER MARC'S ROCK SHRINE MENTION Its amazing how many places now list Marc's Shrine as a 'Must Visit'. Here is another :-) www.qype.co.uk
YET ANOTHER MARC'S ROCK SHRINE LISTING ON THE MUSIC PILGRIMAGES SITE Another web site which lists Marc's Shrine as a 'Must Visit'. Clearly being Officially Recognised by the English Tourist Board in 2007 really has put Marc Bolan 'One The Map' when it comes to places to visit. Naturally TAG is delighted that we have been able to promote Marc Bolan's name and therefore interest in his music in such a Positive Way :-) If only the friends of the 'so-called Bolan fan' who repeatedly rips things off the notice board and Bolan Tree would come forward so we can get her stopped. We have been given the same name by three different people who class themselves as 'Bolan Fans'. One of them was there on three occassions when it happened, but sadly did nothing and even now "does not want to get involved", which is a great pity and very frustrating for us as it leaves us powerless to prevent re-occurances. www.musicpilgrimages.com
AND THAT'S IT FOR THIS UPDATE There is some more video footage to sort through from the 26th and 30th March which was recorded on one of those new tiny and rather cheap HD Cameras, however the poor thing hasn't coped well with movement so it might be possible to use some of the footage, but then again ...
This update was written by TAG Chairman Kevin Warner. If you have any queries or questions please contact Kevin directly.
6th March 2011
TAG's OFFICIAL RADIO SHOW - SUNDAY 27th MARCH 2011 Listen Live via http://radiofreebrighton.org.uk & clicking on the 'Listen Live' player, or you can use our 'Listen Again' player (please allow two hours for the show to be uploaded). This player contains the full list of previous weekly Mercury Moon Shows. Simply click the 'folder' to get a 'pop-down' list of previous programmes & select the TAG Marc Bolan & T-Rex Programme(s). As you hover over the shows a box will appear with a brief description.
As long as you are registered with Face Book (isn't everyone by now?) all you need to do is to simply click the text "MARC BOLAN'S ROCK SHRINE" in the box on the right to go automatically to Face Book. Then simply click 'Like' and there you go. You can add your own photos of Shrine Visits and comment or ask questions. Because Face Book is so easy to update instantly the most recent photos and videos from Marc Bolan's Rock Shrine will be posted there before they are included within the following update of this site.
MARC'S ROCK SHRINE - JANUARY 2011 We visited the site in January, 2011 - our first visit of 2011. We were joined by Jennifer who is a Post-Graduate Researcher. The first photos were taken when we first arrived showing dead leaves and steps which were in need of topping up again (its amazing how regularly we have to do this as they decompose so quickly, especially with all the rain we've had of late. It was upsetting to find that Maria's Report (see the full account on the main page) was right that all the silk flowers had been stolen from Marc's Tree, along with many of the tributes. The final photos show the site all tidy.
MARC'S ROCK SHRINE - CATCHING UP WITH GALLERIES 1) MAY 2008: This Gallery includes a few photos of fans at the tree site - VIEW THE PHOTOS HERE 2) LATE SEPTEMBER 2008: Includes some lovely photos by Normko - VIEW THE PHOTOS HERE 3) NOVEMBER 2009: A quick Visit by TAG members Fee Warner and Ellie Warner by train while they were in London doing other things. They like to try to visit Marc's Shrine if they are in London for the day to visit a gallery, or other exhibition. VIEW THE GALLERY HERE 4) OCTOBER 2010: A night visit to the Tree last October after reading a report which proved to be false that the site had been vandalised. Fortunately this proved not to be the case. VIEW THE GALLERY HERE
There are some other images and videos which need 'tying in'. This is a fiddly job and will be finished ASAP.
MARC'S SHRINE FINDS MORE FAME IN AMERICA Yes, its been a while since the English Tourist Board gave Marc Bolan's Rock Shrine its Official Approval and the right to display the coverted Red Rose (four years to be exact). This American article is dated the 31st January this year. Here is the opening of the article:-
"England may not be the birthplace of rock 'n' roll, but the genre certainly spent some of its formative years there. If you're a music enthusiast, a trip across the pond is a must. Ticket to rideThe first thing you need to do is figure out what kind of sites you want to see. Do you want to see Bob Marley's first London address? Maybe where Hendrix lived? Or maybe you want to see where T. Rex singer Marc Bolan died. " Read the entire article online:- www.metro.us/newyork/blog/post/759072
TAG's Marc Bolan & T-Rex Radio Show The next Radio Slot on Radio Free Brighton will be on Sunday 27th March. The One Hour Show will start at 3:00pm*. The show will be repeated on Monday Morning at 3:00am*. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN LIVE * As this is a community radio station the times may not be exact so tune in early and keep listening!
TAG'S RADIO SHOW - LISTEN AGAIN FACILITY If you missed the first show on the 27th February which featured previously unheard interview clips from Fee's interview with Mickey Finn backstage at Pennington's Bradford, don't worry. We will be setting up an Archive so that you can 'Listen Again'.
VOTE FOR MARC (& YOUR OTHER FAVES)
This is a poll in the NME, for your top Front man/woman, so it is worth voting.
Click here to rate them (From 1 star to ten stars, or use the 'skip' if you don't want to give an artist any stars!)
TWENTIETH CENTURY BOY #16 IN THE BEST GUITAR RIFF TOP FIFTY! We'd like to thank Fiona from Bonnie Scotland for letting us know about this. Fiona said:- "I just found this whilst surfing the net. www.spinnermusic.co.uk/2011/01/13/rock-guitar-riffs/ It shows T. Rex at #16 in the top 50 Greatest guitar riffs with 20th Century Boy! When you see the talented artists placed #50 – 17, then #16 is no mean feat! Take care. KALMIYH Fiona xx We agree it IS no mean Feat" Nice one for Marc and for you finding it Fiona. Hope to see you at the Tree again when you are able to make it. XXX The article reads "16 '20th Century Boy' T. Rex (1973) The British glam scene may have been all about glitter and makeup, but it produced some really macho guitar sounds. In terms of pure ferocity, nothing comes close to Marc Bolan's monstrous opening chords on T. Rex's '20th Century Boy,' an uncharacteristically heavy tune that pushed his trademark Les Paul to the limits."
NEW ALBUM BY JACK GREEN
The album will be entitled 'Green'. We'll let you know when it comes out.
MARC'S 'FRIEND' GUY
Many will recall how June said how Marc loved to visit Guy the Gorilla in London Zoo. Guy died of heart failure aged 32 in 1978, during an operation on his infected teeth. In 1982, he was commemorated by a bronze statue at London Zoo. However, for those who didn't see him, or fancy seeing him again you can as part of a new exhibition at the Natural History Museum. The exhibition opened a couple of weeks ago, though the closing date isn't given in the article. READ THE FULL STORY HERE
MARC BOLAN LIMITED EDITION REPLICA GIBSON LES PAUL
We posted this link a while ago on our Face Book Page. There are two versions of the Guitar.
1) Marc Bolan Les Paul - Bolan Chablis - VSO - $7,056.00 (£4,333.24 - 5,107.41 Euro)
2) Marc Bolan Les Paul - Bolan Chablis - Aged - $11,292.00 (£6,936.08 - 8,173.59 Euro )
Prices are in US Dollars. The prices in brackets are in UK Pounds and Euro - conversion rate as of today.
Here is some of the text from the Gibson Page. Click the link to read the entire article.
"Marc Bolan Les Paul To honor this star's legacy, Gibson Custom introduces the Marc Bolan Les Paul, a detailed recreation of the much-modified Les Paul that accompanied Bolan throughout the height of his career. With its replacement Custom Model neck and headstock (added to Bolan's late-'50s Les Paul when its original neck was broken in the early '70s), un-covered humbucking pickups including zebra-coil neck unit, and stripped "Bolan Chablis" finish, the Marc Bolan Les Paul is the spitting image of the iconic original. Add in its superior neck and body tonewoods, period-correct design and construction, and accurate PAF-style humbucking pickups, and this great Artist Model also nails the meaty, rich tone of its legendary inspiration.
The Marc Bolan Les Paul will be produced in a strictly limited run, including 100 hand Aged guitars, and a further 350 aged with Gibson Custom's acclaimed VOS process. Each will include an Artist Model Certificate of Authenticity, a plush-lined hardshell case, a vintage replica guitar strap, and owners and warranty literature." CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON THE GIBSON SITE
MARC FEATURED IN ANOTHER FILM! - GET IT ON! The film is called NEDS *. Peter Mullan's third feature as a writer and director, after Orphans and The Magdalene Sisters, returns him to the 1970s Glasgow of his youth, so as well as T-Rex you'll find David Bowie, Sweet,Wizzard and Sparks too! This film has been listed in the T-REX MUSIC USED IN FILMS/MOVIES Page, which for newer members is part of the Marc Bolan & T-Rex Information Section * TriviaThe film uses "Non-Educated Delinquents" as a "backronym" for "neds". Although many people have supposed it to come from this (including famously Rosie Kane MSP), it almost certainly doesn't come from here, it's folk etymology. "Non-educated" is bad English (it should be "uneducated"), and "ned" is just as likely to have its origins in a shortened form of "Neanderthal", "Ned" (a pet form of Edward) or even a variant of "Teddy Boy", a working class British youth movement of the 1950s. Trivia from www.imdb.com/title/tt1560970/
'SISTER' PAT HALL
If you ever wondered what happened to her after T-Rex and after her solo album 'produced by Bolan' ... check out these two videos on You Tube
TONY VISCONTI WINS AWARD This is from the MUSIC PRODUCERS GUILD AWARDS 2011 where Tony Visconti won the 'The Joe Meek Award for Innovation In Production'. The awards were held at at the Café De Paris in central London and Tony Visconti was presented with the award by Gary Numan http://www.mpg.org.uk/news_stories/274
26th February 2011
TAG's Marc Bolan & T-Rex Radio Show
This is the first of a Monthly Radio Slot we now have on Radio Free Brighton. They will be every forth Sunday of the month. The One Hour Show will be broadcast tomorrow afternoon starting at 3:00pm*. The show will be repeated on Monday Morning at 3:00am*. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN LIVE * As this is a community radio station the times may not be exact so tune in early and keep listening! We plan on getting these shows as a 'Listen Again' facility on this web site as soon as we can.
MARC BOLAN'S ROCK SHRINE ON FACEBOOK You are invited to join our FACE BOOK PAGE
NEXT MEMBERS UPDATE The Members Site will be updated on the 1st March with lots of news and Some nice downloads :-)
21st December 2011 
TAG'S RADIO SHOWS
THE BEAUTIFUL SPIRITUALLY INSPIRED PAINTING BY AMANDA
MARC FEATURED IN ANOTHER FILM! - GET IT ON!
'SISTER' PAT HALL