Here’s a round-up of the various events of and since last September.
T.Rex Greatest Hits: this 2-CD, TV-advertised UK release entered the UK Top 20 at number 15 on Sunday 16 September 2007 – the 30th anniversary of Marc’s death. This was the highest chart position for a T.Rex album since 1991. The following week it was at number 19, and has since achieved Silver sales status. The single release of Get It On also made a brief chart appearance at number 71.
The Celebration was a sell-out (2,000 tickets) full-house success. Around £19,000 has been donated to the two nominated charities: the PRS Members’ Fund, and Nordoff Robbins. There were many highlights of the evening, and special credit must be given to T.Rextasy for their near-three hour performance, opening the show in their own right, backing almost every performer and displaying a consistently high level of professionalism and energy. Special thanks also to Tony Visconti who interrupted recording sessions in the US to travel to London and conduct the Dirty Pretty Strings, providing beautiful accompaniment to many of the evening’s performers. Tony’s recollections of the evening can be found at http://www.tonyvisconti.com/news/index.shtml (click on ‘What a year it was’). Danielz’ heart-felt report of the evening’s events, with full performance details, can be found on his blog at http://www.trextasy.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=120.
Performers included Linda Lewis, Andy Ellison, Clem Burke, Shakin’ Stevens, Dr Robert, Ray Dorset, Clem Burke and Howie Casey. All contributed differing elements to the evening and performed at the top of their game.
Marc Almond brought a tear to many an eye with his dramatic renditions of Teenage Dream and Dandy in the Underworld. He also teamed up with Gloria Jones for a moving, sometimes startling and unique rendition of Tainted Love. GloJo had not performed live for decades. The two icons had never met before, but through the magic of e-mail and little nurturing, they agreed to hook up for this monumental occasion. In Marc’s own words, he: “… performed a ragged and unrehearsed version of Tainted Love with Gloria Jones. It was the first (and probably last) time they have performed the song together - a magical moment in musical history. It was a wonderful evening with Marc Bolan fans singing along to every song.” See his newly re-launched website at www.marcalmond.co.uk
Read Simon Price’s review of the show for The Independent here
For anyone who missed purchasing a programme at the Empire, these are now available via our eBay store: click here to buy a programme
Celebration DVD Available in May
The concert was captured on film for posterity, and the DVD of the show will be released on 5 May 2008 by Liberation Entertainment. Although a UK release, this will be in Region 0 format and therefore playable on machines worldwide. Thanks to everyone who participated, from the organisers to the back-stage crew, to all the performers and the audience who did so much to make this a success.
The Final Word was broadcast several times by the BBC last autumn. Widely lauded as the definitive Bolan documentary, it is now available in full-length form (77 minutes) on DVD. Special features include deleted scenes, promo videos and exclusive, unique footage (approx 40 minutes) of Tony Visconti working with the multi track masters of Ride A White Swan and Jeepster, filmed during interviews conducted for the programme in New York in June 2007. It can be purchased via the usual outlets, including Amazon
Last up (in the UK) was Bolanesque: Bolan’s Birthday Boogie, a gala cabaret at the Café de Paris in London to complete the month of Marc Bolan events. Conceived as a multi-artist, mixed mash up of styles and concepts, it was wildly ambitious, largely successful and certainly memorable.
Top of the bill, Boy George sang New York City, Life Is Strange, and Beltane Walk, plus a-capella extracts from Life’s A Gas. Star of the night in most people’s eyes was Katherine Ellis, accompanied by keyboard virtuoso Clifford Slapper. Specially arranged versions of Light of Love, Solid Gold Easy Action, Teenage Dream and Jeepster delighted the faithful; her performance of Ballrooms of Mars was breathtaking. Katherine won many new fans and betrayed none of her pre-show nerves at performing to loyal Bolanites; she sparkled and wowed us all. Other star turns came from the Circus of Horrors, poets Jeremy Read and Graham Roos, Melpomeni, Jeff Dexter, Pam Hogg, Tall Poppies, Erreur Fatale, Sebastian Horsley, and Robin Dutt, who directed the Bolan Vogue, won by a whisker by Mark Sheehan. Special guests included Harry Feld and Bill Legend.
The filmed highlights of the evening have been edited into a 15-minute show reel, with the intention of developing the idea into a stage show. Watch this space for updates. Thanks to everyone who took part for making this a night to remember.
Bolanesque t-shirts, ladies’ shirts and vests are available via our store on eBay:
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/The-Marc-Bolan-T-Rex-Store
All of the above, combined with the photographic exhibition and other fan-organised events contributed to a high-water mark for media coverage of Marc Bolan’s life and times. Gloria Jones in particular worked her way tirelessly around TV studios, radio stations and newspaper interviews, and won many hearts with her honesty and humour.
Demon Music Group have made two compilations available as on-line exclusives via iTunes. One is of T.Rex hits, another is of acoustic tracks.
For more details click here
Kieron Murphy exclusive prints on canvas Total Rock Art have produced a special limited edition canvas print of the iconic shot of Marc Bolan and the band, as used on the recent Greatest Hits CD. It is available in two sizes, with prices starting from £99.00 See: http://www.totalrockart.com/shop/collection/81_Marc_Bolan
